Throughout this website there is validated documentation that most of the work on the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Hwy 20 project, so far, has been generated by entities other than local citizens. The true engagement of citizens really did not occur until December, 2016 when an open house was held during a time when the majority of residents were unable to attend. One of the initial schemes used by Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y) to garner support for their overpass agenda was to "start creating quiet coalitions" (Pg 13). In the case of Island Park, the local Master Naturalists, Henry's Fork Foundation, and Henry's Fork Legacy Project were all used to create coalitions for wildlife overpasses, even having them involved in the various wildlife studies. By doing so, Y2Y uses these "coalitions" to project a false guise of collaboration and community support. Many individuals in these groups aren't even year round residents, Island Park is not their home. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Y2Y is partnering with state agencies such as Idaho Fish & Game (IDFG), and others, to exploit transportation projects for their objectives. In fact, their collusion extends all the way from Wyoming, through Idaho, into Canada. What is really fascinating is that Kim Trotter also makes claims of collaboration by "...getting out ahead of their (ITD) decision-making process to gain public support and influence their plans to include wildlife-friendly changes.” And just exactly where does Ms. Trotter get her statistic that supports the claim, "...one in four accidents are caused by wildlife..." on Hwy 20? Given the manipulative and secret exploits of Y2Y, it is astonishing Ms. Trotter claims, "...it’s essential to engage local voices...". Aside from the secretly created "coalitions", and private meetings with ITD, when did Ms. Trotter ever engage with local Island Park residents about influencing ITD to build overpasses? For anyone who does not support the Y2Y agenda for overpasses, they are accused of not caring about wildlife. This is intended to elicit feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt...and to refrain from voicing their objection. Citizens who oppose wildlife overpasses are more committed to Elk and other wildlife than conservation initiatives. They believe in protecting wildlife and the land from destruction and do not manipulate either for hidden objectives. Stay the course folks. Our government was created on the foundation of boundaries and local representation. As stated in the Declaration of Independence, the government has enumerated powers and only functions "...from the consent of the governed". As state employees, IDFG is obligated to perform their duties according to the Idaho Constitution and the U.S. Constitution, which requires consent of the governed. By partnering only with initiatives they are violating this responsibility. Many of the individuals in these groups may own property which they visit a few months out of the year, but they are not residents of Island Park, nor are they Idahoans. IDFG has districts in each part of Idaho. District 6, the Upper Snake Region, covers Island Park. Every state employee working in this District has failed in their duty to inform Island Park residents and involve them in the ITD project from the beginning, instead working with Y2Y. It is not too late to reverse that and begin carrying out their duties from the consent of the governed.
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