Conserving, protecting, and restoring Idaho's coldwater fisheries and watersheds.

Jan 22
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Idaho Trout Unlimited, Henry’s Fork Foundation pleased with retention of state parks department Jan. 22, 2010 Contact:  James Piotrowski, (208) 869-4609 Steve Trafton, (208) 652-3567 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Idaho Trout Unlimited, Henry’s Fork Foundation pleased with retention of state parks department BOISE—Gov. Butch Otter’s announcement Friday that the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation will remain a state agency, albeit with a different management structure, was welcome news to Idaho Trout Unlimited and the Henry’s Fork Foundation, who expressed concern over an initial plan to consolidate the parks department under the Idaho Department of Lands. Had Otter’s original proposal been carried out, the state risked losing management of Harriman State Park and its trophy trout fishery, and likely other state park properties. The gift of Harriman State Park to Idaho in the 1960s essentially created the state’s park system, so other parks throughout Idaho could have been in jeopardy, as well. “We’re pleased the governor is taking a softer approach to this issue,” said James Piotrowski, president of the Idaho Council of Trout Unlimited. “We still have concerns over the long-term management of Harriman and all our state parks, but by keeping the parks department in place, we have time to assist the state in coming up with a permanent solution. TU stands ready to help.” Piotrowski also noted the important role TU members and the angling community played in reaching out to Gov. Otter on this issue. “I’m sure the governor’s office was flooded with calls, letters and e-mails encouraging him to back away from any proposal that would have left Harriman or any state park at risk,” he said. “While the governor’s announcement today is a good development, taking care of our parks is a long-term commitment our members expect ITU to make, and we’re serious about it.” Steve Trafton, executive director of the Henry’s Fork Foundation, noted that Harriman’s economic contribution to the state’s economy is simply too great to risk losing the priceless property. “Harriman generates millions of dollars annually in eastern Idaho, and I suspect most of our state parks contribute greatly to their local economies,” Trafton said. “Keeping the parks department in place, and keeping management of our parks under that agency is vital, and I’m glad the governor listened to everyone’s concerns and, with the help of parks department personnel, came up with a plan to protect Harriman and our other parks while a long-term solution can be crafted.” Essentially, the state will now run it parks department more like a business, and general fund expenditures on state parks will be reduced through agency-wide efficiency measures and the reduction of 25 full-time employees. Additionally, some money from the state RV Registration Fund will be earmarked for parks. “We don’t like to see jobs cut, but we’re confident we and other users of the state’s park system can contribute greatly to a better plan to protect these important places and keep these treasures available to future generations of Idahoans,” Piotrowski said. Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization. It has over 140,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. To unsubscribe to this and other news releases from Trout Unlimited, please e-mail chunt@tu.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Idaho Trout Unlimited, Henry’s Fork Foundation pleased with retention of state parks department

Jan. 22, 2010

Contact: 

James Piotrowski, (208) 869-4609

Steve Trafton, (208) 652-3567

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Idaho Trout Unlimited, Henry’s Fork Foundation pleased with retention of state parks department

BOISE—Gov. Butch Otter’s announcement Friday that the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation will remain a state agency, albeit with a different management structure, was welcome news to Idaho Trout Unlimited and the Henry’s Fork Foundation, who expressed concern over an initial plan to consolidate the parks department under the Idaho Department of Lands.

Had Otter’s original proposal been carried out, the state risked losing management of Harriman State Park and its trophy trout fishery, and likely other state park properties. The gift of Harriman State Park to Idaho in the 1960s essentially created the state’s park system, so other parks throughout Idaho could have been in jeopardy, as well.

“We’re pleased the governor is taking a softer approach to this issue,” said James Piotrowski, president of the Idaho Council of Trout Unlimited. “We still have concerns over the long-term management of Harriman and all our state parks, but by keeping the parks department in place, we have time to assist the state in coming up with a permanent solution. TU stands ready to help.”

Piotrowski also noted the important role TU members and the angling community played in reaching out to Gov. Otter on this issue.

“I’m sure the governor’s office was flooded with calls, letters and e-mails encouraging him to back away from any proposal that would have left Harriman or any state park at risk,” he said. “While the governor’s announcement today is a good development, taking care of our parks is a long-term commitment our members expect ITU to make, and we’re serious about it.”

Steve Trafton, executive director of the Henry’s Fork Foundation, noted that Harriman’s economic contribution to the state’s economy is simply too great to risk losing the priceless property.

“Harriman generates millions of dollars annually in eastern Idaho, and I suspect most of our state parks contribute greatly to their local economies,” Trafton said. “Keeping the parks department in place, and keeping management of our parks under that agency is vital, and I’m glad the governor listened to everyone’s concerns and, with the help of parks department personnel, came up with a plan to protect Harriman and our other parks while a long-term solution can be crafted.”

Essentially, the state will now run it parks department more like a business, and general fund expenditures on state parks will be reduced through agency-wide efficiency measures and the reduction of 25 full-time employees. Additionally, some money from the state RV Registration Fund will be earmarked for parks.

“We don’t like to see jobs cut, but we’re confident we and other users of the state’s park system can contribute greatly to a better plan to protect these important places and keep these treasures available to future generations of Idahoans,” Piotrowski said.

Trout Unlimited is the nation’s oldest and largest coldwater fisheries conservation organization. It has over 140,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.

To unsubscribe to this and other news releases from Trout Unlimited, please e-mail chunt@tu.org.
Posted at 1:31pm

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