Idaho

Carter's bold protection of 100 million acres of wild Alaska began with a float trip in Idaho • Idaho Capital Sun

Published

5 months ago

January 14, 2025

Carter's bold protection of 100 million acres of wild Alaska began with a float trip in Idaho • Idaho Capital Sun

This column was first published on Rocky Barker’s “Letters from the West” blog on Dec. 30, 2024.

The most significant land conservation act in American history started on a raft trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

President Jimmy Carter and his family rafted down the Salmon River in August 1978. (Courtesy of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library)

Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 100, protected more than 100 million acres of Alaska public lands as national parks and preserves, national wildlife refuges, designated wilderness areas, and wild and scenic rivers. The 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act passed because Carter boldly used presidential power to make it happen.

The wilderness and national park legislation had been on environmentalists’ agenda since the 1960s, after the passage of the Wilderness Act. Several attempts were made to push it through, but each was stopped by the powerful Alaska congressional delegation.

Carter invited newly reelected Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus to Plains, Georgia, in 1976 to interview for Interior secretary. Andrus invited Carter, an avid angler, to raft down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho with their wives. Carter accepted, then picked Andrus to lead Interior.

Carter joined Andrus in Boise and flew into Indian Creek by helicopter in late August of 1978. Legendary outfitter Norm Guth guided them and their wives, Rosalynn and Carol, for four days through the heart of Idaho wilderness. Sitting around the campfire, Andrus told Carter he had the power to preserve the Alaska lands using the Antiquities Act, said the late Chris Carlson, Andrus’s longtime aide in his book, “Eye on the Caribou.”

President Jimmy Carter tosses around a Frisbee while taking a break from rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. (Courtesy of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Libary)

“You have the authority sir,” Andrus responded.

“Let’s do it,” Carter said.

After Congress reached a deadlock on legislation that would protect the Alaska lands, Carter acted. He declared 56 million acres as a national monument. He set aside another 36 million acres he could add later.

Carter had forced the Alaska congressional delegations’ hand. They returned to the table and passed the bill with 106 million acres of protected lands. The law almost doubled the sizes of the national park and wildlife refuge systems and tripled the size of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

“Jimmy Carter was, with Theodore Roosevelt, one of the two most committed conservationists ever to occupy the Oval Office,” said Andrus, who died in 2017.

President Jimmy Carter’s float trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in 1978. From left to right are Cliff Blake, Middle Fork District Ranger; Mike Schulte, Kayak Patrol; Al Carroway, Law Enforcement; President Jimmy Carter; Ted Anderson, River Ranger; Judy Clapp, Kayak Patrol. (Courtesy of the Salmon-Challis National Forest)

d082278t

GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.

Source link

Click to comment

Idaho

Secretary Rollins Signs State Waivers to Make America Healthy Again by Removing Unhealthy Foods from SNAP in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah in Addition to Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska

Published

10 hours ago

June 11, 2025

Press Room

Secretary Rollins Signs State Waivers to Make America Healthy Again by Removing Unhealthy Foods from SNAP in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah in Addition to Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska

WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., signed three new food choice waivers to Make America Healthy Again. The signed waivers will amend the statutory definition of food for purchase for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP) in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah, each commencing in 2026.

“The Trump Administration is unified in improving the health of our nation. America’s governors have proudly answered the call to innovate by improving nutrition programs, ensuring better choices while respecting the generosity of the American taxpayer. Each waiver submitted by the states and signed is yet another step closer to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Rollins.

“Thank you to the governors of Indiana, Arkansas, Idaho, Utah, Iowa, and Nebraska for their bold leadership and unwavering commitment to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Kennedy. “I call on every governor in the nation to submit a SNAP waiver to eliminate sugary drinks—taxpayer dollars should never bankroll products that fuel the chronic disease epidemic.”

Secretary Rollins and Secretary Kennedy were joined at the event by Governor of Arkansas Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Governor of Indiana Mike Braun.

“This approval sends a clear message: President Trump and his administration are tackling America’s chronic disease epidemic and Arkansas stands with him in that fight,” said Governor Sanders. “I am incredibly grateful for Secretary Rollins’ quick approval of our waiver. Arkansas leads the nation in getting unhealthy, ultra-processed foods off food stamps and helping our most vulnerable citizens lead healthier lives.”

“Indiana is proud to be a leader in the Make America Healthy Again initiative, and I’m proud to join Secretary Rollins, Secretary Kennedy, Congressman Baird, and my fellow Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today to discuss returning SNAP to its proper purpose of nutrition, and how my Make Indiana Healthy Again agenda supports Indiana agriculture and empowers Hoosiers to live longer, healthier lives,” said Governor Braun.

Prior to these waivers, SNAP recipients could buy anything except alcohol, tobacco, hot and prepared foods, and personal care products. This historic action expands the list of products excluded from SNAP purchases in Arkansas, Idaho, and Utah. Arkansas’ waiver excludes soda, low and no-calorie soda, fruit and vegetable drinks with less than 50% natural juice, other unhealthy drinks, and candy, and it will take effect July 1, 2026. The waiver for Idaho excludes soda and candy, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. The waiver for Utah excludes soft drinks, and it will take effect January 1, 2026. Secretary Rollins has previously signed waivers for Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana.

“Idaho proudly welcomes the MAHA movement because it is all about looking for new ways to improve nutrition, increase exercise, and take better care of ourselves and one another, especially our children. We are excited to partner with the Trump administration in bringing common sense to the government’s food assistance program with the approval of our SNAP waiver,” said Governor Brad Little.

At the direction of President Trump, Secretary Rollins is ensuring programs work harder to encourage healthy eating and improved lifestyle habits while protecting taxpayer dollars. On Secretary Rollins’ first full day in office, she sent a letter to the nation’s governors (PDF, 88.8 KB), outlining her vision for the Department and inviting them to participate in a new “Laboratories of Innovation” initiative to create bold solutions to long-ignored challenges. Secretary Rollins and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote an opinion piece in USA Today outlining their plan to Make America Healthy Again, including through SNAP waivers like the ones signed today.

Source link

Idaho

Idaho Fish and Game warns locals about rattlesnakes

Published

1 day ago

June 10, 2025

Press Room

Idaho Fish and Game warns locals about rattlesnakes

JEROME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — If you plan to spend any time enjoying nature this summer, make sure you keep your eyes and ears open for our slithery friends.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game stated that rattlesnakes are more active this time of year, and you can find them throughout the Gem State.

Office Services Supervisor Kenzie Baratti said the best way to tell if a rattlesnake is in the area is by listening for its tell-tale rattle. She added that rattlesnakes inhabit sagebrush deserts, forests and grasslands, as well as near water sources.

Rattlesnake bites are venomous and can be deadly. They tend to bite if they feel threatened, so avoiding them altogether is the best way to keep them safe.

“Staying on designated trails, keeping dogs on leash and then also watching your step,” Baratti said. “If you are kind of veering off somewhere, watch where you step into deep sagebrush, watch where you put your hand so you don’t potentially step or touch where a rattlesnake could be.”

If you encounter a rattlesnake, back away slowly and give the snake some space. If you are bitten, seek medical help immediately.

Source link

Idaho

Black Americans Told Idaho is Dull

Published

2 days ago

June 9, 2025

Press Room

When I took a job in Idaho in late 2014, a friend from Washington, D.C., joked he would give me five dollars for every black person I met in my first month. He grew up in one of the most ethnically diverse places in the country, worked for many years in an off-camera role at ABC News, and then moved to a state with demographics similar to his own.

I Could’ve Made a Few Bucks

I should’ve taken him up on the offer, because he would’ve been surprised to hear how diverse Idaho was, but then he had never been here.

People from coastal enclaves view flyover country through the prism of stereotypes they’ve heard. I guess it makes them feel better about living in some of the cesspools they call home.

That’s what they’re missing. Credit Bill Colley.

I thought about their uninformed views when I watched a video about the worst places for black Americans to live. You can watch by clicking on this link. Idaho’s star turn is halfway through the piece.

It appears he bases his recommendations on percentages when it comes to the overall state population.

Here’s What People Miss

Look, I realize there are some experiences I don’t share with some people from other ethnic backgrounds, but I’m reminded of a friend I worked with back in the late 1990s. He had grown up in Washington, D.C., and then did a combined 21 years in the Air Force and Navy. He switched to the latter after four years. He said it was because someone told him the Navy had better parties.

We were in the same after-work volleyball league, and years later, when he retired and went home to look after his mom, we would get together for a Nationals game when I was in D.C. We still text periodically. Furthermore, we’ve never run out of things to talk about.

Would he like Idaho? I imagine he would take to horseback riding instantly, and he loves the pictures I share of mountains and canyons.

People can adapt.