Submitted by Ken Watts
Sometimes it seems like the Island Park area is being assaulted from every direction. This really hit home a few days ago when the Bureau of Land Management issued a draft travel plan (open for comment) for the Upper Snake River East area. This plan could have a devastating impact on recreational and agricultural travel in Island Park. But this is just one assault of many. You may remember the assault by the Forest Service a few years ago when they installed gates on roads and trails and built huge tank traps. They also caused incredible environmental damage. We have the assault from the Idaho Department of Transportation that wants to build a 4 lane freeway through our beautiful mountain community and cause incredible environmental and economic damage to our sensitive landscapes, iconic wildlife habitats, and human livability environment. The Federal Highway Administration continues to support a 4 lane freeway in Island Park in spite of the opposition to new roads expressed by the Secretary of Transportation and local citizens and organizations. ITD and IDFG are still working on wildlife corridors and restrictive protected landscapes complete with overpasses, underpasses, and fencing for US 20, despite the overwhelming opposition expressed by the voters of Fremont County. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game lurks in the background to support closing public access in the name of some critter or habitat based on plans Idaho agencies are implementing that come to Idaho through State Wildlife Action Plan and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, who are administered by Non- Government Organizations. Of course the IDFG is also supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that provides additional funding to them. Numerous conservation and environmental organizations (NGOs) are always trying to impose their will on the area, sometimes for good but often in opposition to the will of the people of Island Park. The latest assault is the potential commercial development of the iconic Henrys Lake Flats. Can you imagine the Flats looking like Aspen, Colorado? Rumors abound, go to Facebook and follow the conversation. Apparently ITD knows something about potential big development coming to Island Park as they discussed it in their planning meetings. Big development will come if we allow the county and city to rezone this area. DO NOT LET THEM! STAND TALL NOW! Save the iconic Henrys Flat. We even have assaults against building a community center in Island Park that will provide so many benefits to the people of the area. We are sometimes disappointed by the action or lack of action at many levels when representatives fail us against such assaults. Citizen interests deserve the same playing field, access, and state agency respect that special interests enjoy. Citizen voice deserves a seat at every table and critical answers should not be held privately and secretively from the taxpaying citizen who will be impacted by the decisions that are being made by the select few. It will be the citizen who lives with and suffers the consequences of bureaucratic rule. A good example is when the Idaho legislature circumvents the local control of cities and counties like we have seen on the short term rental issue, where the powerful real estate lobby had their way in Boise. The assault on Island Park values comes from many sources and is continuous. We must stand up for our values and not let others destroy our beautiful mountain community. The issues are critically important. No longer is it about if or when outside interests intend to arrive and try to effect massive change for Island Park...they are already here. The proposed community center will provide a meeting venue that can be used to discuss issues that are critical to the community.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Making Sense of It All
This blog will help you make sense out of all the information on the website, how it affects IP, our history, and how efforts continue to put IP into various forms of conservation status. Archives
May 2023
Categories |