Submitted by Ken Watts
HEADLINE: Idaho Transportation Department District 6 shows total disrespect for Idaho Legislature. During the 2019 legislative session, the Idaho Legislature passed a memorial opposing wildlife overpasses, underpasses, and associated tall fencing on US Highway 20 in Fremont County. Minutes of the second alternatives screening meeting for the Ashton to SH 87 project show that ITD is once again considering overpasses in defiance of the legislative memorial. But the disrespect is not just directed at the legislature. It is directed at the people of Fremont County who voted overwhelmingly (80%) to oppose overpasses, in record numbers for a non-presidential election. The disrespect does not end there. Overpasses were opposed (via a resolution) by the Fremont County Board of County Commissioners, local cities, local Chambers of Commerce, the Fremont County Republican Central Committee, and the Idaho Republican Central Committee. Even the Governor said it would not be a good use of the taxpayer money if the people opposed them. So what should be done now? Our District 31 Legislators are very engaged with us and are committed to work for supportable solutions. The purpose of the legislature is to represent the people and their wishes, provide oversight of agencies, budget state government, and craft the policies that guide our state. Doing so in service that is the best and most responsible benefit for the people of Idaho. Do you feel like ITD District 6 is acting like the “deep state” that we hear referenced on television? We speak, our elected representatives speak...but our own state agency does not listen? Does ITD know what is best for the people of Fremont County? The Alternatives that have advanced through ITD’s screening process are alternatives ITD engineers have designed without real community involvement in the screening process. A very elitist approach? A Community Meeting will be held in Island Park on June 24th, at 6 PM, at the EMS Building on Library Way to discuss the US 20 Ashton to SH 87 project. Look for an announcement in this paper. Plan to attend. The future of Island Park depends on your involvement. You will be heard! (Apparently the article last week was not written clearly. Some people thought the article was criticizing the Fremont County Parks and Recreation Department for not attending the US 20 Ashton to SH 87 Project Alternatives screening meetings. ABSOLUTELY NOT THE INTENT. You cannot criticize Parks and Rec for not attending a meeting they were not invited to. It was confirmed that ITD did not invite them. Their input would have been invaluable to the process as the entire Island Park Caldera is a premium recreation area!)
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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
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