Nine Recommendations from Governor Little

Nine Recommendations from Governor Brad Little on the proposed projects for the Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council.

The Governor’s Outdoor Recreation Fund Advisory Council (ORFAC)

Governor Brad Little created a new advisory council to recommend outdoor recreation improvement projects and increase opportunities in Idaho. So far, there have been 13 projects proposed for the ORFAC, and Governor Little provided the following recommendations on nine of them.

Nine Projects

  1. East Fork Rock Creek Proposal

  2. Henry’s Lake Proposal

  3. Idaho for All Proposal

  4. Proposal by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture

  5. Cooperative Management Recreation Area Proposal

  6. Horsethief Reservoir Proposal

  7. Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation Proposal

  8. Valley County’s Boulder Lake Road Proposal

  9. White Pine Heights Proposal

East Fork Rock Creek Proposal & Henry’s Lake Proposal

“Regarding the East Fork Rock Creek and Henry’s Lake proposals, my support requires two follow-up actions. First, the Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) and Department of Lands (IDL) must provide examples to the Board of other interagency projects that incorporate an “established market rent” to keep our state’s endowment whole. Secondly, I ask IDL Director Dustin Miller to present the proposals to the other members of the Land Board or designated staff.”

Idaho for All Proposal

“In the Idaho for All proposal, I appreciate the intentions of expanding accessibility for people with disabilities. However, I have concerns about the costs IDPR could be entitled to cover in the long run. Therefore, I recommend the Parks and Recreation Board approve the project, contingent on a study by IDPR staff regarding the estimated costs from expansion of the project, as well as any potential issues that IDPR may foresee with this new feature.”

Proposal by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture & Cooperative Management Recreation Area Proposal

“The proposal by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture provides ORFAC with the opportunity to recognize the relationship between outdoor recreation and preventing invasive species such as quagga mussels... It would be wise for ORFAC to step into this role and educate fellow recreationists on the key role that messaging and education plays in prevention.”

“I hold this same sentiment regarding the Cooperative Management Recreation Area proposal. Balancing the relationship of recreation on public and private land needs to be examined as Idaho’s population and interest in outdoor recreation grow. Messaging, signage, and collaboration should help identify the proper measures necessary to accomplish this goal.”

Horsethief Reservoir Proposal

“I abstain from further recommendations because my family is an adjacent landowner to the recommended property.” -Governor Brad Little

“Now, the following proposals I pass along to the Board for further consideration with no recommendation.” -Governor Brad Little

  • Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation Proposal

  • Valley County’s Boulder Lake Road Proposal

  • White Pine Heights Proposal

Ashton Caldwell