Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today the members of a broad-based group he created to advise the implementation of Shared Stewardship in Idaho, an initiative that aims to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and support jobs through additional, coordinated active land management projects.

“The protection of our rural communities and the health of our forests are critical issues that go beyond just one government agency or interest,” Governor Little said. “These individuals are leaders in forest management and policy, and I appreciate them stepping up to ensure we consider all aspects to effectively implement Shared Stewardship in Idaho.”

The group members offer a balance of interests and skills and include the following individuals.

• Governor’s representative: Brian Wonderlich, Office of the Governor
• Member, Idaho House of Representatives: Representative Sage Dixon
• Member, Idaho Senate: Senator Steve Vick
• County commissioner: Boundary County Commissioner Dan Dinning
• Large forest manufacturing representative: Tom Schultz, Idaho Forest Group
• Small forest manufacturing representative: Brett Bennett, Bennett Lumber
• Industrial forest landowner representative: Anna Torma, PotlatchDeltic
• Logger representative: Tim Christopherson, Associated Logging Contractors
• Family forest landowner representative: David Easley, Idaho Forest Owners Association President
• Idaho Forest Restoration Partnership representative: Rick Tholen, Payette Forest Coalition
• Conservation non-governmental organization representative: Kurt Dyroff, National Wild Turkey Federation
• Conservation non-governmental organization representative: John Robison, Idaho Conservation League
• Idaho Lands Resource Coordinating Council representative: Knute Sandahl, State Fire Marshal
• Idaho Department of Lands: Director Dustin Miller and Peg Polichio
• U.S. Forest Service Northern Region 1: Tim Garcia
• U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Region 4: David Rosenkrance
• Natural Resources Conservation Service: Curtis Elke, State Conservationist
• Tribal representative: To be named in the near future

Part of the Shared Stewardship goal is to double the number of acres treated on federal forests in Idaho by 2025. Using mechanical treatments, commercial forest restoration treatments, and prescribed fire, partners will focus treatments on the 6.1 million acres that have been federally designated for insect and disease infestation.

In July, Governor Little announced the identification of two largescale project areas – one in northern Idaho and one in southern Idaho – where federal, state, and private land management activities will align to reduce wildfire risk to communities, create and sustain jobs, and improve the health of Idaho’s forests and watersheds.

Governor-elect Little and federal officials signed the Shared Stewardship agreement in December of 2018. The Shared Stewardship initiative builds on the success of the State of Idaho’s four-year-old Good Neighbor Authority program in which the IDL shares in implementing land management projects on national forests.

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NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Marissa Morrison, Press Secretary

208-943-1686 or marissa.morrison@gov.idaho.gov

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