Jim Fredericks — Jim Fredericks is introduced as the Director of Fish and Game and then speaks to identify himself as the Director of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, beginning his presentation.
James Petzke — He was included in the group consulted about improving non-resident tag sales.
James Petzke — Representative James Petzke first asked about what triggers transfers into the depredation fund and whether the source fund has sufficient money. He then shifted to praising the department’s non-resident tag draw and asked why the public does not have access to all endowment lands. The director responded that he would follow up on the access question.
James Petzke — James Petzke introduces himself as the representative for District 21 in Meridian and presents HCR 26. In the ensuing discussion, he addresses questions about the fiscal note, clarifying that the resolution does not spend any money and simply expresses support for wildlife crossings if future funding becomes available. He further explains that no new statute is needed because the concept can already be done, and emphasizes that the resolution’s purpose is to support wildlife crossings while allowing for local community input.
Steve Miller — Representative Steve Miller asks a series of follow-up questions about elk translocation: how the department selects suitable release areas, what examples of such areas look like, and what survival rates and transport/handling losses are associated with moving elk. The director responds that they choose areas below elk population objectives with sufficient habitat, citing examples such as some Panhandle units, and then addresses the survival and handling concerns.
Steve Miller — Representative Miller asked whether unpaid depredation claims could be covered by funds available in a later year. The director responded that the short answer was no and clarified that depredation funds are not carried forward. Miller then acknowledged that point and raised a quick follow-up, but the director said the funding-source question was more complicated than he could answer immediately and would require further follow-up.
Steve Miller — Asked whether the resolution would become a statute or simply serve as a door opener.
Douglas Pickett — Representative Pickett questioned the director about elk depredation and the widespread misunderstanding surrounding the elk project, noting concerns he heard from FFA students and from both the public and sportsmen. He emphasized the need to better educate people about wildlife and private land interactions, then shifted to a related follow-up asking about the status of access on the land before an access agreement was put in place.
Douglas Pickett — Representative Douglas Pickett was repeatedly referenced as the discussion moved into a related student presentation, with speakers using his earlier question as a segue. The mentions centered on his concern about how to inform people about issues on both sides and ensure they know the truth or facts, making his question a recurring point of emphasis in the exchange.
Douglas Pickett — Spoke in support of the proposal and moved to introduce RS 33194.
Judy Boyle — Representative Judy Boyle thanked the director for finally finding a way to carry out the elk translocation effort, noting that the committee had been asking multiple directors to do this for some time. She expressed appreciation that the director was able to make it happen, and the director responded appreciatively to her comment.
Judy Boyle — Identified as the presenter for RS 33168.
Judy Boyle — Introduced herself as Representative Judy Boyle, District 9, and explained RS 33168.
Judy Boyle — Was asked questions after presenting RS 33168.
Judy Boyle — Introduced RS 33194 and explained that it came from the Association of Counties.
Judy Boyle — Referenced as someone who likes this type of resolution.
Judy Boyle — Questioned the fiscal note and noted the resolution does not cost the state anything.
Judy Boyle — Asked whether future projects would create state or federal expenses.
Judy Boyle — Was addressed as having a question or being finished speaking.
Judy Boyle — Stated she would not support the resolution because it would seek more federal money after prior concerns about federal spending.
Judy Boyle — Named among those recorded as voting no.
Charlie Shepherd — Representative Shepherd questioned the department about elk relocation, asking why more elk were not being moved and what the rough cost per elk would be. The director responded that it would be difficult to capture more than about 40 elk and that no cost estimate was available yet. Shepherd then followed up by asking about the department’s cost per wolf from a pie chart comparing hunters, trappers, and the department.
Charlie Shepherd — Shepard was addressed as the committee came back to order, then, as Vice Chairman, moved to introduce RS 33168. He later presided as chair over the motion and vote to introduce RS 33194.
Charlie Shepherd — Named among those recorded as voting no.
Jack Nelsen — Offered a brief comment thanking the department for addressing pelicans and their effect on planted fish.
Jerald Raymond — Chairman Ron Mendive is briefly thanked as the committee moves to the next agenda item, then immediately addressed in the opening of the American Falls FFA Ag Issues team presentation.
Jerald Raymond — The motion was made in the committee context; no direct speech by him in this section.
Jerald Raymond — Introduced himself as representing Legislative District 31 and praised the FFA students.
Jerald Raymond — Explained the purpose of House Bill 587 and praised the FFA students.
Jerald Raymond — Stated the bill is desperately needed and invited testimony.
Jerald Raymond — The chair notes waiting for Representative Raymond before voting.
Jerald Raymond — Referenced for prior effort in 2019 to ensure communities are included in the process.
American Falls Future Farmers of America — The committee announced the next presentation from American Falls FFA.
Mark Badia — Mark Badia introduced himself as a longtime ag teacher at American Falls High School and noted that he was Idaho Teacher of the Year in 2019. He then explained that the students selected their issue last July, have been researching it since then, completed their script in early January, and that this was their 10th presentation. He said the FFA event is meant to help people understand both sides of an issue and draw sound conclusions, and he concluded by saying he would not take more time and would turn to the slideshow so the students could begin.
American Falls FFA Ag Issues team — The student team introduced themselves as the American Falls FFA Ag Issues team.
Lily Cardona — Lily Cardona introduced the student presentation format and identified herself as the judge in the mock court case.
Brianna McLean — Brianna McLean was identified as the prosecution attorney.
Edwin Fortinnell — Edwin Fortinnell was identified as one of the witnesses.
Nick Badia — Nick Badia was identified as a witness substituting for Lizzie Povey.
Lizzie Povey — Lizzie Povey was named as the person being substituted for by Nick Badia.
Noel Cummins — Noel Cummins was identified as the defense attorney.
Ryder McGee — Ryder McGee was identified as a witness substituting for Gabe Taylor.
Gabe Taylor — Gabe Taylor was identified as the person Ryder McGee is substituting for.
Riley Thompson — Riley Thompson was identified as a witness.
American Falls — American Falls is cited as the speaker's hometown and as a downstream community affected by water security issues.
Dr. Riley Thompson — Dr. Riley Thompson, USDA Forest Service Deputy Director, is called as the first defense witness and explains the rationale for rescinding the 2001 roadless rule. He argues that the rule imposed uniform restrictions across 58 million acres without accounting for regional ecological differences, and says rescission would allow greater regional flexibility and better wildfire management.
Dr. Edwin Fortinnell — The prosecution calls Dr. Edwin Fortinnell as a witness, identifying him as a fire ecology and recreation expert. The mentions repeat his introduction without introducing a new topic or separate line of discussion.
Councilman Nick Vedia — Called by the prosecution as a witness from the Nest Pierce tribe; name appears to be a transcription error.
Mr. Ryder McGee — The defense called Mr. Ryder McGee, a timber and resource economist, who testified that rescinding the roadless rule could produce substantial economic benefits, including higher-paying forestry and logging jobs and improved access to timber and minerals.
Dr. Fortunel — Showed that conservation economies outperform extraction over the long term.