January 24, 2008 FYI Bulletin
January 24,
2008 FYI Bulletin- Guidance Letter, federal/state tax ID and more
IOGLB’s
Guidance Letter and Request for State/Federal Tax ID’s. The IOGA has
made it be known to the IOGLB executive director and through outfitter
representatives on the IOGLB that there is concern being expressed by some IOGA
members, especially regarding the IOGLB request for State and Federal tax
numbers of individual businesses. IOGA has recommended that the IOGLB clarify
its intent regarding the State/Federal tax ID notion. Expect to hear from the
IOGLB on this soon. Regarding the Guidance Letter, it would be helpful if IOGA
had specific concerns from members either in the form of a question and/or
explanation of individual circumstances. Armed with better information, IOGA
could better articulate members’ concerns/questions. IOGA will protect the
confidentiality of its members in any IOGA correspondence with the IOGLB on
these matters. The IOGLB next meets on February 13/14 in Boise, so your assistance now would be
timely. Contact Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net and/or
by telephone at 208.343.9548 or cell 208.867.2138.
Update on
Unlicensed Outfitting Legislation.
The legislation that IOGA is sponsoring that would, if passed and signed,
significantly make it tougher on those who would be successfully prosecuted in
the future for unlicensed activities, is expected to receive a print hearing
sometime in the next couple of weeks. Representative Mike Moyle, R-Star, and
House Majority leader will sponsor the bill in the House. Once IOGA is sure
that everything remains a “go”, we will notify you with additional information
as to how you can be effective in aiding our efforts. Two things that you can
do now include: (1) Write up your example(s) of how unlicensed
outfitting/guiding has impacted your business and/or the industry. Send your
example to Grant Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net (2)
Make a commitment to join other outfitters/guides for the 17th
annual IOGA Lobby Day(s), February 12 and 13 in Boise. We would like to exceed
our record turnout in the mid-1990s of 50 persons for Lobby Day. Contact Jane
Bruesch at idoutfitt@cableone.net for
more information and to let us know you can be involved.
Idaho Roadless Rule Update. Idaho’s
proposal, led by Lt. Governor Jim Risch, to protect more than 8 million acres
of federal roadless lands in the state was front and center during a recent
hearing in Washington DC. Risch says he wants to seek compromise
with environmental groups who oppose the rule. Some are concerned that language
needs to be strengthened so that logging cannot be allowed in some roadless
areas. The rule divides roadless areas in Idaho into five protective categories. About
3.3 million acres would be off limits to all road building. Most road building
would be forbidden on another 5.4 million acres, but temporary roads would be
allowed to thin unhealthy forests. The state and federal government are
conducting public meetings on a U.S. Forest Service proposed rule based on a
petition Risch submitted in 2006 while he was governor. The 16 public meetings
in Idaho are
underway. For a least of dates and locations, along with more on the proposal,
go to http://www.roadless.fs.fed.us/idaho.shtml
IOGA has a long history of being involved in roadless land
issues dating back to the mid-1970s leading up to the Central Idaho Wilderness
Act of 1980. IOGA put together a Wilderness Committee in the late 1980s/early
1990’s and used the committee’s guidance in order to be a player in the
unsuccessful efforts led by former Governor Cecil Andrus and retired U.S.
Senator Jim McClure and the Idaho Legislature to resolve the Idaho roadless
issue. IOGA has provided feedback to current U.S. Idaho Representative Mike
Simpson regarding his ongoing efforts with CIEDRA, a legislative effort to
resolve land management in the Boulder White Clouds and Herd Creek areas of
central Idaho.
IOGA is on record with a member approved resolution regarding the continuing
efforts to resolve federal land management of the Owyhee Canyonlands in
southwest Idaho.
IOGA’s Grant Simonds has been a member of the Owyhee County
appointed Owyhee Initiative since August of 2001. Expect to hear of new
congressional legislation on the Owyhee Initiative later this winter.
Kudos to the
Middle Fork Outfitters Association. Recently, the MFOA, a marketing organization of
Middle Fork Salmon Outfitters, presented a check for $1,050 to the Salmon
Hockey youth program. The donation is in recognition of the importance of the
program to Salmon youth, families and local businesses.
Grant
Simonds, Executive Director
Idaho Outfitters and
Guides Association
P.O. Box 95
Boise, ID
83701
208.342.1438;
208.343.9548 home office
cell
208.867.2138
fax
208.338.7830; 208.344.8194 home office
www.ioga.org