The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is a state-level government agency of
Idaho
Idaho ( ) is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. To the north, it shares a small portion of the Canada–United States border with the province of British Columbia. It borders the states of Montana and Wyom ...
that manages
State Trust Lands
State trust lands were granted by the United States Congress to states upon entering the Union. These lands were designated to support essential public institutions which are primarily public schools. State trust land managers lease and sell these ...
. IDL oversees forestry practices on state lands and some regulation of mining practices, as well as administering forestry programs and providing fire protection and prevention on state lands. IDL operates under the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners and is the administrative arm of the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
The Idaho Department of Lands staffs 16 offices and manages 2.5 million acres under a
constitutional
A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed.
When these princip ...
mandate on
State Trust Lands
State trust lands were granted by the United States Congress to states upon entering the Union. These lands were designated to support essential public institutions which are primarily public schools. State trust land managers lease and sell these ...
to maximize long term returns. These returns help fund Idaho public schools and other state institutions.
Programs and responsibilities
Different duties under the IDL include the forestry program, fire program, mining industry regulations, and the Idaho oil and gas conservation commission.
Fire program
The IDL works for the protection of more than 6 million acres of land. The IDL is responsible for the fire protection and conservation of state and private forest lands.
The IDL also provides services for families to help cope with losses due to forest fire.
The IDL works in coordination with two timber protective associations, U.S. Forest Service, and the Idaho State Fire Plan Working Group.
Mining Industry Regulations
The IDL does regulate surface mining and the surface effects of underground mining in the state of Idaho.
The IDL does not regulate patented and non-patented mining claims.
The IDL does not regulate recreational suction dredge mining. Recreational dredge mining is regulated by the Stream Channel Protection Act administered by the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR).
Forestry Management
Hundreds of professionals are employed by the IDL and are a part of the forestry related field. Timber assets are managed for the benefit and funding towards public schools and other beneficiaries. Private landowners are assisted by Private Forestry Specialists and harvest operators in order to keep forest protection laws in check and private sections of forests maintained.
Timber management is the main income for the endowment trust. The IDL heavily manages the harvest of timber on the state endowment trust forest lands.
The IDL along with the Bureau of Land Management has responsibilities maintaining private forests and timber consumption and production.
External links
IDL Forestry ProgramUS Bureau of Land ManagementIdaho Forest Products CommissionIDL Fire "Red Book"Environmental Science, Policy, and Research Institute (ESPRI)
References
Government of Idaho
Lands
Land is the solid surface of the Earth that is not covered by water.
Land, lands, The Land, or the Lands may also refer to:
Entertainment and media Film
* ''Land'' (1987 film), a British television film by Barry Collins
* ''Land'' (2018 film), ...
1919 establishments in Idaho
Government agencies established in 1919
Land management in the United States
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