Public News Service

Suction dredge mining can have damaging impacts on rivers and other bodies of water. (nordroden/Adobe Stock)

SCOTUS turns down river dredge mining in ID without permit

A decision from the U.S. Supreme Court protects Idaho rivers from what conservation groups say are harmful mining practices. The justices rejected a …

The Middle Fork of the Salmon River was one of the first rivers protected as Wild and Scenic by the federal government in 1968. (NorthwestWildImages/Adobe Stock)

As Rivers Month wraps up, action still needed to protect ID rivers

National Rivers Month comes to an end this week and conservation groups said it is a reminder more action is needed to protect Idaho's rivers…

The U.S. Forest Service received 275 public objections to its management plan for the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. (pmilota/Adobe Stock)

Conservation coalition: Management plan would 'degrade' ID, MT forests

A coalition of groups are criticizing plans for managing about 4 million acres of national forest lands in Idaho and Montana. Conservation groups in …

The current lack of cohesive planning has made building new transmission lines difficult, prompting FERC's new rule. (Gregory Johnston/Adobe Stock)

FERC rule to spark energy transmission building nationwide

A new step from the federal government takes a step toward modernizing the process for building energy transmission lines - while also protecting wild…

La actual falta de planificaci�n coherente ha dificultado la construcci�n de nuevas l�neas de transmisi�n, lo que provoc� la nueva norma de la FERC. (Gregorio Johnston/Adobe Stock)

Regla de FERC impulsa la construcción de transmisión de energía en todo el país

Una nueva medida del gobierno federal da pasos hacia la modernización del proceso de construcción de líneas de transmisión de ener…

There are about 200 grizzly bears in Idaho. (tomreichner/Adobe Stock)

Fed judge's wolf trapping decision could help ID grizzly recovery

A federal court ruling that limits wolf trapping and snaring in Idaho could aid recovery of grizzly bears in the region. U.S. Judge Candy Dale …

The grizzly bear population has made great strides in the region near Yellowstone National Park. (natureguy/Adobe Stock)

Feds propose plan to return grizzlies in ID's Bitterroots

Grizzly bears could make a comeback in Idaho's Bitterroots under proposed plans from the federal government. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has …

A decision on whether to provide Endangered Species protections to wolverine has wavered since the 1990s. (Karlos Lomsky/Adobe Stock)

Decades-long effort yields protections for dwindling wolverine population

In a long-awaited decision being celebrated by conservation groups, the wolverine will receive greater protections across the northern Cascades and …

There are estimated to be nearly 730 grizzly bears in the Yellowstone National Park region. (kellyvandellen/Adobe Stock)

Grizzlies Could Have Protections Removed Under Bill in Congress

Members of Idaho's Congressional delegation want to remove endangered species protections for grizzly bears. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, has introduced …

Salmon populations in the Northwest face growing decline in the region. (jamie/Adobe Stock)

White House Engages NW on Dams, Future of Salmon

The Biden Administration is considering the future of Pacific Northwest salmon and the effect of dams in the region. The White House Council on …

The Snake River plain, which will receive restoration funds from BLM, is home to diverse landscapes.(Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

ID Projects Among Those Selected for Landscape Restoration Funds

The federal government is investing $161 million into restoration projects across the West. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has selected 21 …

Pollution flows from mines in Canada's Elk River Valley to the Kootenai River, which runs through Montana and Idaho. (JOAN/Adobe Stock)

Canadian Coal Mine Pollution Threatens North ID River

Pollution from Canadian mines is endangering one of Idaho's largest rivers. Selenium and other pollutants from coal mines across the northern …

Idaho's unique habitats are under threat because native plant species aren't adapted for the frequent, intense wildfires becoming common in the state. (BLM)

As Fires Damage ID Plants, Report Finds Native Seed Supply Insufficient

A new report finds the country's supply of native seeds is falling behind the needs of current and future restoration projects. Researchers with …

The USCAP funded a riparian revegetation project along the East Fork of the Salmon River at White Clouds Preserve. (Idaho Conservation League)

Mining Co., ID Conservation Group Partner to Fund Salmon Restoration

A cobalt mining company and conservation group are teaming up in Idaho for the third year in a row to fund projects that restore fish habitat near the…

Construction of the Little Goose Dam in eastern Washington began in 1963 and was completed in 1970. (Brigida I. Sanchez/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

With Leak Report, Snake River Dams Could Be Showing Their Age

Four dams on the lower Snake River have been the sites of contention in the Northwest, and a recent report of an oil spill at one of the dams could …

The Silver Creek Preserve is located about 30 miles south of Ketchum, Ida. (Neil Crescenti/The Nature Conservancy)

First Ever 'Trout-Safe' Certification Awarded to ID Farm

A farm in Idaho has received the first-ever "trout-safe" certification from an organization that protects habitat for the fish. The Nature …

The opossums of North America have a short lifespan - only about a year and a half. (cherwoman730/Adobe Stock)

Opossums: Popular Meme, Misunderstood Marsupial

The opossum has become a popular part of the internet, with memes dedicated to the funny-looking animal across the web. In the wild, an Idaho …

Conservation groups filed a lawsuit in 2020 challenging the decision not to list the wolverine as an endangered species. (slowmotiongli/Adobe Stock)

Potential Endangered Status for Wolverine Passes Back to Feds

Federal protections are back on the table for the wolverine after a recent court ruling. The elusive predator also has found status as "endangered" …

Some rural communities in Idaho rely on tourists visiting to fish for salmon. (Parilov/Adobe Stock)

As Columbia River Fishing Shuts Down, NW Considers How to Save Salmon

Salmon-season restrictions on the Columbia River are prompting regionwide discussions on what can be done to save the fish in the Northwest. Bob …

A 2021 Idaho law allows for killing up to 90% of the state's wolf population. (Dennis Donohue/Adobe Stock)

In Wake of Yellowstone Wolf Hunt, Snaring Raises New Issues

The Yellowstone wolf population has been devastated by recent hunts in the region, and advocates for the species say another concern is trapping…

While salmon could benefit from favorable ocean conditions, climate change is bring harsher conditions in Idaho. (NorthwestWildImages/Adobe Stock)

River Conditions Still Concern for Salmon Despite Good Ocean News

Recent data on ocean conditions could be good news for struggling salmon in the Northwest. But advocates for the species warn this isn't enough to …

The Lower Granite Lake Dam on the Snake River is among the dams conservation groups want removed to help salmon. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Columbia, Snake Rivers Litigation Pause Puts Spotlight on NW Salmon

BOISE, Idaho - Action on behalf of Northwest salmon could be in the works after announcements from the Biden administration, leaders in Washington …

$Pronghorn today inhabit a fraction of their historic range, which used to stretch from Canada to Mexico. (BGSmith/Adobe Stock)$

Challenges for Pronghorn Highlight Importance of Connected Landscapes

BOISE, Idaho - Millions of pronghorn used to roam the West freely. But impediments like road and fences, as well as a changing climate, threaten the …

Rep. Mike Simpson, R-ID, has proposed a $33.5 billion plan to save Chinook salmon and other endangered fish in the Columbia River Basin. (BLM/Flickr)

ID Salmon Industry Feels the Pain from Dismal Runs

BOISE, Idaho -- Closed fisheries from imperiled fish runs in the Columbia River Basin are prompting calls for action before it's too late. Steelhead …

A video from July shows sockeye salmon with red lesions and fungus because of the Columbia River's hot water. (Conrad Gowell/Columbia Riverkeeper)

In Hot Water, Rallies Planned for NW Salmon

BOISE, Idaho -- Rallies are taking place across the Northwest to support salmon, which face dire conditions in the Columbia River Basin. Saturday…

Some Nez Perce Tribe members say removing the lower Snake River dams is crucial for restoring their fishing rights. (spiritofamerica/Adobe Stock)

Groups Urge Action on Simpson NW Infrastructure Proposal

BOISE, Idaho - Groups are urging Northwest leaders to act on U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's infrastructure and Snake River dam proposal. The plan would …

Many in the Northwest fishing industry say some of their challenges stem from four lower Snake River dams and their effects on salmon migration. (kellyvandellen/Adobe Stock)

Simpson's NW Salmon Plan Gets More Backing

BOISE, Idaho -- If the Pacific Northwest has a taste, it's for the region's salmon, but as the iconic fish species dwindles, it also effects a food …

Salmon and steelhead on the Snake River have dwindled dramatically in recent decades. (Sam Beebe/Flickr)

Simpson's Salmon-Recovery Plan Called 'Sea Change' for NW

BOISE, Idaho -- An Idaho congressman may have taken the first step in untangling the tricky knot of dams in the Northwest and their effects on salmon…

Last year, only 18 sockeye salmon returned to Redfish Lake, south of Stanley. (Ryndon Ricks/Flickr)

ID Salmon Workgroup Ends, Considered 'Stepping Stone' Toward Recovery

BOISE, Idaho - A group convened by Gov. Brad Little to address the dire situation for salmon and steelhead numbers has finalized its recommendations …

A pasta maker creates pellets containing seeds that could be key to sagebrush restoration. (The Nature Conservancy)

Solution to Restore Sagebrush Sea Cooking in West

BOISE, Idaho -- The recipe for restoring the West's Sagebrush Sea could involve pasta makers. A project stewing in Idaho and four other western …

Salmon species are struggling to return to their Idaho breeding grounds because of overly hot water in rivers of the Columbia River Basin. (Bureau of Land Management/Flickr)

Salmon in Columbia, Snake Rivers Face Heat Getting Back to ID

BOISE, Idaho -- Salmon in the Columbia River basin have been feeling the heat -- and experts say it's pushing fish species to the brink of extinction…

Deposits of cobalt, a critical mineral, are located near the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Central Idaho. (Zachary Collier/Flickr)

Report: Mining Shouldn't Come at Expense of Special Outdoor Places

BOISE, Idaho -- The rugged wilderness of central Idaho is home to natural wonders, including the start of one of the longest salmon runs in the world…

Very large fires could occur more than once a year in southwest Idaho if warming trends continue. (U.S. Forest Service/Flickr)

This Place Will Burn: Map Shows More Large Fires for U.S.

BOISE, Idaho -- A new project is showing the West how much it will heat up as temperatures continue to rise. "This Place Will Burn" provides county-…

Only 14 salmon born in central Idaho's Redfish Lake returned from the ocean last year. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Sockeye Salmon: Canary in Coal Mine for Health of NW Rivers

BOISE, Idaho -- Sockeye salmon offspring are making their way from central Idaho to the Pacific Ocean. Many people in the Northwest see the 1,000-…

Some fishing communities in Idaho rely on salmon to support their local economies. (Nan Palermo/Flickr)

Federal Report Does Little to Soothe Fears of NW Salmon Disappearance

BOISE, Idaho -- Federal agencies have released a report on management plans in the Columbia River basin to save endangered salmon species, rejecting …

Salmon and steelhead return numbers on the Snake River have plummeted in recent decades. (Matthew Dillon/Flickr)

Energy, Conservation Groups Unite on Divisive Snake River Dams Issue

BOISE, Idaho -- Energy companies and conservation groups want to bridge the divide on a contentious issue in the Northwest: the future of four Snake …

The Cenarussa Ranch easement provides more than three miles of access to public lands. (Tess O'Sullivan/TNC)

Easement Protects Public-Land Access in South-Central ID

CAREY, Idaho -- A conservation easement in south-central Idaho is helping protect access to public lands. The easement surrounds the Cenarrusa Ranch…

Bison from Pelican Valley in Yellowstone National Park are descended from the original wild herds. (Montana Buffalo Field Campaign)

Female Yellowstone Bison Transferred to Other Herds in New Program

ASHTON, Idaho -- Thirty million bison once roamed the American West. Now, only 21,000 remain that are managed as wildlife. But this week, for the …

The bighorn sheep is among about 200 species Idaho has identified as in need of protection efforts. (Peter Oelschlaeger/Flickr)

Aid for State Species Recovery Plans Gets House Hearing

BOISE, Idaho – A key congressional committee is set to take a closer look at a bipartisan bill that aims to keep wildlife off the endangered …

A 40,000-acre logging project has been approved in the Payette National Forest. (Keith Lannom/U.S. Forest Service)

After Court Rejection, ID Nat'l. Forest Logging Project Back On

BOISE, Idaho – A logging project on Idaho national forest land is moving forward again, after its rejection in federal court last year…

Idaho communities rely on the return of salmon and steelhead each year. (Nan Palmero/Flickr)

Idaho Governor Assembles Diverse Groups to Plan Salmon Recovery

BOISE, Idaho – A diverse group of stakeholders will be in Boise on Friday to develop a plan to save Idaho's salmon and steelhead trout…

Las comunidades de Idaho conf�an en el regreso del salm�n y la trucha para el a�o pr�ximo. (Nan Palmero/Flickr)

El Gobernador de Idaho forma diversos grupos para planear la recuperación del salmón

BOISE, Idaho – Un grupo diverso de accionistas estarán en Boise este viernes con el fin de desarrollar un plan para salvar al salmón …

Sage grouse have lost 95 percent of their historic population. (Jennifer Strickland/USFWS)

ID Seeks Inventive Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Projects

BOISE, Idaho – Idahoans with ideas on how to conserve sage grouse habitat have an opportunity to submit their proposals to the state. State …

El Urogallo Silvestre ha perdido 95 por ciento de su poblaci�n hist�rica. (Jennifer Strickland/US)

Idaho busca proyectos para conservar el hábitat del Urogallo Silvestre

BOISE, Idaho – Idaho busca proyectos que ayuden a conservar el hábitat del urogallo silvestre (“sage grouse”). Al haber …

Salmon populations in the Northwest continue to spiral downward. (biker3/Adobe Stock)

NW Interests Come Together to Discuss Salmon Recovery, Energy

BOISE, Idaho — Major Northwest stakeholders are gathering today at Boise State University to discuss salmon recovery and the region's power …

Salmon and steelhead have been returning up the Columbia River to Idaho in historically low numbers. (Ryndon Ricks/Flickr)

Groups 'Disappointed' Salmon Not Part of Columbia River Treaty Talks

BOISE, Idaho – Columbia River Treaty negotiators from the United States and Canada are meeting in Washington, D.C., and Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho…

The ongoing government shutdown is delaying a key permit needed to keep steelhead season open in Idaho. (Ryndon Ricks/Flickr)

Idaho Fishing Communities Could Be "Collateral" in Shutdown

RIGGINS, Idaho - Idaho communities that rely on steelhead fishing soon could feel pain from the government shutdown. Last year, an expired federal …

Cutting back recreational hunts of wolves and other predators could help slow Chronic Wasting Disease, according to one biologist. (William Campbell/USFWS)

Biologists: Wolves, Other Predators Could Aid in Fight Against CWD

BOISE, Idaho – Could wolves and other large predators be border guards in the fight against Chronic Wasting Disease? One biologist believes …

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ID: Endangered Species & Wildlife