Speak Up to Protect Idaho's Backcountry Forests

The Forest Service is accepting comments on Idaho Roadless Areas. Idaho has more than 9.3 million acres of unprotected backcountry National Forests, more than any state in the lower-48.

In 2006, then-Governor Risch asked the Forest Service to protect 8.8 million acres of Idaho’s backcountry roadless areas. His proposal would open over 525,000 acres to mining, logging, and roadbuilding. Most of these so-called “General Forest” areas are located on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Main Points

• The comment period should be extended, and public meetings should be held at this stage.

• The analysis must evaluate the potential impact to the 525,000 acres designated as “General Forest.”

• No roads should be constructed in these areas for commercial purposes.

What You Can Do
Use your own words to discuss these main points in a letter to the Forest Service. To make sure your voice is heard, you must comment by May 10, 2007.

Additional Points

• Talk about specific roadless areas that are special to you.

• Discuss how Idaho's best fishing and hunting opportunities are located in roadless areas.

• Mention that Idaho's forests already have over 34,000 miles of road and a $660 million backlog of needed maintenance.

• Ask that all roadless areas be protected from mining.

Use our form on our website to send your comments right away, or:

Email your comments to: IDcomments@fsroadless.org

Mail to:
Roadless Area Conservation – Idaho
PO Box 162909
Sacramento, CA 95816-2909

Fax to: 916.456.6724

For More Info
Go to www.wildidaho.org/update.php to download the Forest Service notice, Risch Petition, maps and other files.

Latest Roadless Area Update Courtesy Jonathan Oppenheimer of the Idaho Conservation League

General Hot Springs Warnings

Serious injury and even death can and have occurred at hot springs. The most common dangers/warnings are listed below:

• Alcohol consumption and dehydration in hot springs - drinking and soaking gets you wasted fast because hot springs dehydrate the body. Many have drown or fallen off a ledge while hiking due to mixing alcohol and hot springs together.

• Soaking in the sun without replenishment - sun and hot springs can sap the juice right out of your body quickly; keep water, electrolyte drinks, sunscreen and sun protection handy.

• Avoid visiting popular hot springs at the most popular times - I've heard horror story after horror story about how a newbie visited a popular hot springs on a Saturday afternoon and had a terrible time. Same goes for popular hot springs on weekend evenings. Fights, vehicle break-ins, vandalism and overcrowded pools are not just something people in Oregon and Washington have to worry about. Unfortunately, it happens all too often in Idaho too.

• Acanthamoeba - an amoeba that is known to inhabit some hot springs which can enter the brain through nasal passages and cause meningitis. This is another reason to keep your head above water while soaking. Usually, hot springs with acanthamoeba are signed.

• Hot Springs & Red Spider Mites

• Snakes - this is generally not a concern, but a few hot springs feature nearby thermal vents that provide year-round habitat for snakes. If you leave them alone - they'll leave you alone.

• Hunters - hunters like hot springs so much that they often (and illegally mind you) build tree-perches so that they can shoot deer and elk that graze on hot springs algae. Their illegal kills and hasty clean-ups can lead to animal parasites entering the water complex and any people that soak in it along with attracting scavengers. While I've encountered respectable hunters in Idaho, the bulk majority have discouraged me greatly. I've seen drunk hunters shooting out their truck window while barley being able to drive, coke-head hunting parties and idiot hunters so paranoid of the woods and bears that they randomly shoot off their guns throughout the night.

• Adult Situations - that's right, unfortunately. For some reason, people think that popular hot springs are a good place to get their freak-on. Not such a great idea. And really, how would it feel to get busted by little Johnny or Suzy with their family in tow, or a dozen drunk hunters? Think about it.

• Spring Runoff - even small creeks and rivers experience large undertows during spring runoff. Don't try to cross anything fast moving until spring runoff is over, which is usually around late June to early July depending on elevation. See Research Seasonal Barriers for more information.

• Pets - soaking with Fido can be an enjoyable experience, but the majority of hot springs are NOT dog safe for a variety of reasons.

Related Links:

Hot Springs Etiquette from the Scenic Hot Springs Blog
Guide to Backcountry Hot Springs
Guide to Roadside Hot Springs

Little Anderson Hot Spring Video Clip

View the complete listing for Little Anderson Hot Spring in Idaho

National Park Clean-Up

I hope you'll join me in taking action to protect our National Parks. It's quick - and easy.

Click Here

Pollution from power plants is spoiling views in some of our greatest national parks. Can you believe that these beloved national park sites are among hundreds in EPA-designated "poor air quality" areas?

* Grand Canyon National Park
* Yosemite National Park
* Acadia National Park
* The Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and the Jefferson Memorial

Send an e-postcard to Congress asking them to clean up the air in our national parks

The e-postcard is from the National Parks Conservation Association.

It's easy. It only takes a minute. And the e-postcard is pretty great. If enough people send the message, Congress will hear us--and our kids will be able to enjoy clean air in our national parks.

Click here to send the e-postcard

Peace Out, HSG

Bear Valley Gallery Upgrade

Check out the new picture gallery upgrade for Bear Valley Hot Springs in Idaho!