NOXIOUS WEEDS FUNDING APPROVED

Washington, DC â??Protecting Idahoâ??s vital lands by renewed conservation efforts are being recognized with the passage of an Interior Appropriations bill containing funding to fight noxious weeds in Idaho. The bill approved by the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee includes $1.125 million for the Idaho Department of Agriculture for the Managing Noxious Weeds project. Funding for this program will help manage harmful weeds that threaten and infest private, state, and federal lands. Idaho Senator Mike Crapo advocated for this program and others to improve and build on Idahoâ??s natural resources.â??The funding that Idaho received will allow for sound stewardship of our lands, resources and habitats,â?? Crapo said. â??I am pleased Congress has recognized the importance of preserving quality of life for ranchers, Native American tribes, recreationalists and all Idahoans.â??Crapo and Idaho Senator Larry Craig supported the various projects that received funding. The Interior bill also recognized Idahoâ??s prominent role in higher education research through:â?¢$500,000 for a University of Idaho collaborative research study at Mica Creekâ?¢$350,000 to the University of Idaho to develop fire management projects for the Healthy Forest InitiativeOther projects to receive funding for vital conservation and land programs include:â?¢$500,000 to Idaho Fish and Game for Sage Grouse managementâ?¢$400,000 to the Peregrine Fund for the recovery of the California Condorâ?¢$650,000 to the Teton Regional Land Trust to buy the Singleton Kilgore Parcel in Clark County for preservationâ?¢$2 million to the Potlatch Corporation for conservation easements on Mica Creek in Shoshone Countyâ?¢$3 million to the Bureau of Land Management to acquire land for conservation at the Upper Snake River/South Fork Snake River, one of the most extensive cottonwood riparian forests remaining in the westâ?¢$1.5 million for the State of Idaho, the Nez Perce Tribe and other collaborative partners to continue implementation of the Idaho wolf recovery programThe full Senate Appropriations Committee will now take up the bill before sending it to the full Senate for debate and consideration.