The Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners approved a 4.7% increase in the budget request for the Idaho Department of Lands’ fiscal year 2025 budget on Tuesday.
The forest plate debuted in 1997 and was the 2nd special plate offered in the state, with proceeds going toward restoration projects or forest education programs.
On Tuesday, the Land Board gave its approval to use revenue from the sales of the ‘Idaho Forest’ license plates to pay for Arbor Day celebrations and education around the state.
The Idaho Board of Land Commissioners has rejected petitions from the Idaho Conservation League and the Sawtooth Historical and Interpretive Association to hold a public hearing on a controversial proposal to build a 195-foot-tall communications tower in the Sawtooth Valley, the ICL reported Tuesday.
The project would sit on state-owned lands on a ridge overlooking Redfish Lake. At three times the height of surrounding trees, the proposed tower would protrude above the landscape and impact the views there, part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, the ICL noted in a press release.
The proposed tower would be built by AT&T as part of the national FirstNet emergency communications network. It would also handle public cell phone calls. However, it has been met with widespread public opposition, including from the Custer County commissioners and Sawtooth Search and Rescue.