[Vision2020] Help Save the Cedars

[Mark Solomon]

All,

A broad coalition of Latah County residents has initiated a campaign 
to have the cedar grove/lookout area on the east end of Moscow 
Mountain designated as a state park. We're on a fast paced schedule 
as the Legislature hopes to be out of Boise by the end of March. The 
first critical date is February 9 when the state park budget is heard 
before the Joint Finance/Appropriation Committee. Letters of support 
are needed NOW addressed to the governor, parks and rec and our 
District 6 legislators. Latah County Commissioners have committed to 
supporting protection at a meeting this past Wednesday. The City of 
Troy is also on board as is Bennett Lumber and other neighboring 
landowners. I've enclosed both today's Daily News editorial and a 
contact list for anyone that is willing to add their voice to saving 
the cedars. Feel free to contact me for any more info you may need. A 
website is under construction, but not ready yet. I'll post the url 
when done. I apologize for the length of this post.

Thanks,

Mark Solomon

***********
OUR VIEW: Cedar grove deserves state park protection; old-growth 
trees on Moscow Mountain are too precious to lose

Steve McClure, for the editorial board

The idea of a state park in Latah County has some appeal. So does the 
notion of protecting several hundred acres of old-growth cedar trees.

County commissioners could keep the conversation going by lending 
their support to a move that would make 296 acres on Moscow Mountain 
a state park.

Supporters of the plan made their case to Latah County commissioners 
Wednesday, and members of the Moscow Mountain State Park Campaign 
present a compelling argument.

The group is asking county commissioners to help sponsor legislation 
that will create a state park on Moscow Mountain, preserve the trees 
and establish a citizen advisory group. It's an idea that definitely 
warrants discussion by the Legislature and Gov. Dirk Kempthorne.

The idea has been kicked around before, in 1990, but never materialized.

Now, with advocates of the old-growth cedar that stand tall on the 
mountain looking for a means to protect the land, its time has come.

The land has been leased by the Nature Conservancy since 1996, but 
the organization has announced it will end its agreement with the 
state Dec. 31. Since the Legislature will wrap up its work in a 
couple of months, it's time to get moving.

There are a number of questions that still need to be worked out, 
many of which are the same problems that have faced private 
landowners on the mountain for years. If the goal is to protect the 
land for responsible use by the public, there needs to be a plan that 
will address the bozos who haven't been all that responsible when 
they rip through private property on the mountain with their 
uninvited ATVs and random target practice.

Those concerns shouldn't derail support for a state park in the 
county, and those concerns shouldn't inhibit the county or the state 
from moving forward with this proposal.

Moscow Mountain has been enjoyed by area residents for a long time. 
Designating a portion of the mountain as a state park will allow 
Latah County to share this regional treasure with the rest of the 
state.

************
Sample Letter to Governor Kempthorne

Dear Governor Kempthorne:

I would like to take this opportunity to urge your support for 
creation of a new Idaho state park on Moscow Mountain as part of your 
visionary Experience Idaho proposal. The future of this unique and 
beautiful part of Idaho's ecological heritage is in question as the 
lease between the state and The Nature Conservancy is due to expire 
at the end of this year. Creating a Moscow Mountain State Park would 
preserve this valued place forever.

 From the lookout site where you can see all of north central Idaho 
spread out before you to the majestic ancient cedar grove, this land 
has been special to generations of Idahoans. I know you must hold a 
place in your heart for it as well as it was the site you and your 
wife chose for your wedding ceremony.

Sincerely,
**********

Sample Letter to Robert Meinen, IDPR Director

Dear Director Meinen:

Sometimes, opportunity just has to be seized. Coincident with the 
announcement by Governor Kempthorne of the Experience Idaho proposal, 
we heard that The Nature Conservancy would not be renewing their 
lease for the ancient cedar grove on Moscow Mountain. I am writing 
you today to ask for your support to include this unique and 
beautiful part of Idaho's ecological heritage as a new state park in 
the Experience Idaho package.

There is a long history of attempts to create a park from this land's 
ancient cedars and magnificent lookout vistas. The original timber 
sale map from 1957, when Department of Lands was responsible for 
state parks, clearly shows large areas designated "park". In 1975, 
Dr. Rex Daubenmeir (WSU) recommended this land be included in the 
National Park System as a National Natural Landmark. In 1987, Latah 
County advocates nominated this land for your department's 
consideration as the state's new Centennial Park. This land and its 
cathedral-like cedars are special to all who visit them, including 
Governor Kempthorne and Patricia who chose this site for their 
wedding ceremony.

We're aware that we are entering this process very late in the 
development of the Experience Idaho proposal. If we'd known The 
Nature Conservancy was going to relinquish their lease, throwing the 
future of this irreplaceable asset into question, we would have 
approached you sooner.

Sincerely,
**************

  Governor Dirk Kempthorne
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720
208-334-2100
governor at gov.idaho.gov

First Lady Patricia Kempthorne
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720
208-334-2100
1stlady at gov.idaho.gov

Robert Meinen, Director, IDPR
PO Box 83720
Boise ID 83720-0065
208-334-4180, ext. 302
bmeinen at idpr.state.id.us

Randy Rice, IDPR Board Member
1018 S Harding St
Moscow ID 83843
208-882-1938

Senator Gary Schroeder
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0081
800-626-0471
gary at hideandfur.com

Representative Shirley Ringo
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0038
800-626-0471
sringo at house.state.id.us

Representative Tom Trail
PO Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720-0038
800-626-0471
ttrail at house.state.id.us
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