North Idaho Forest Lands To Be Protected

Funding protects timber economy, wildlife habitat at McArthur Lake

Bonners Ferry, Idaho — October 30, 2009— Congress yesterday approved funding for a Forest Legacy project that will fund conservation agreements that protect private working forests and wildlife habitat at McArthur Lake, located between Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry.

The funding will be used to purchase 3700 acres of permanent conservation agreements with the landowner, Forest Capital Partners, ensuring that the land will remain forest and provide public access, timber supply and jobs for the local economy.

“We are committed to management practices that sustain both environmental and economic contributions from our forestlands,” said Kevin Boling, Western Director of Land Transactions for Forest Capital Partners. “The McArthur Lake project is another example of how a sustainably managed working forest can provide important wildlife habitat and support local communities with jobs and revenues at the same time.”

McArthur Lake is one of the most important wildlife migration routes in North Idaho, used by moose, elk, deer and other wildlife to move from the Selkirk to the Cabinet-Yaak mountains.

The funding is provided by the Forest Legacy Program, a competitive federal grant program administered by the U.S. Forest Service that promotes both conservation and working forests across the nation. McArthur Lake was selected as the nation’s third best project overall for FY10 funding. In Idaho, the U.S. Forest Service works with the Idaho Department of Lands to administer the program.

“The McArthur Lake project is our best and last hope to protect this important big game habitat,” says Robyn Miller, The Nature Conservancy’s North Idaho conservation manager. “We thank Forest Capital Partners for their shared vision for this land, and our entire Idaho Congressional delegation for their support of the rural economy and wildlife in North Idaho.”

The Nature Conservancy helped negotiate the agreements with Forest Capital Partners. Miller says the McArthur Lake project typifies The Nature Conservancy’s approach of keeping working lands working and partnering closely with local communities on conservation that benefits both people and nature.

“This is important to our community as the owners of these lands have chosen to keep them as working forests. The effects of these choices maintain local jobs and adds to the stability of products for our natural resource industry,” says Dan Dinning, Boundary County Commissioner. “I was extremely pleased that Forest Capital Partners has chosen to allow the public non-motorized access to the McArthur Lake lands. They should be commended for this decision. Boundary County supported these proposals and I am glad to see them come to fruition.”

Idaho’s Congressional delegation voiced their approval of the project and were instrumental in ensuring that the project received funding.

“McArthur Lake is a unique area of Idaho that deserves protection,” said Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, co-chair of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. “This funding will secure public access and multiple use, while preserving its unique character.”

“This is an excellent example of collaboration where different entities come together, develop common goals and work to achieve them. The question wasn’t about either protecting good-paying jobs or preserving wildlife habitat—these groups sought to do both. They were successful and we can all appreciate the outcome,” said U.S. Senator Jim Risch.

“The fact that the McArthur Lake project is one of our nation’s top conservation priorities is a testament to the important duel role that this area plays as both critical wildlife habitat and a vital part of the communities in North Idaho,” Simpson said. “I have long supported the Forest Legacy program because it enables us to preserve Idaho’s magnificent wild spaces while ensuring that communities that live and work on the land continue to be able to do so. I am so pleased with the collaboration between conservation groups, land owners, and the communities in the McArthur Lake area who are working together to preserve this beautiful place.”

Representative Simpson played a special in shaping the bill, as the highest ranking Republican on the subcommittee that determines Forest Service funding.

“Although I have not been a Congressman long, I have spent most of my lifetime enjoying Idaho’s beautiful lakes and mountains,” Congressman Walt Minnick said. “I also spent two decades running a company in Idaho’s forest products industry, so I understand the many ways our public lands must be protected and nurtured for future generations. I commend and thank Congressman Simpson, The Nature Conservancy and many others for their hard work, collaboration and leadership in helping do just that for McArthur Lake.”

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The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.