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<div><tt><font color="#000000">All,</font></tt></div>
<div><tt><font color="#000000"><br></font></tt></div>
<div><tt><font color="#000000">A broad coalition of Latah County
residents has initiated a campaign</font></tt> 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.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Thanks,</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Mark Solomon</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>***********</div>
<div><tt><font color="#000000">OUR VIEW: Cedar grove deserves state
park protection; old-growth trees on Moscow Mountain are too precious
to lose<br>
<br>
Steve McClure, for the editorial board<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
The idea has been kicked around before, in 1990, but never
materialized.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.</font></tt><br>
</div>
<div><tt><font color="#000000">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.</font></tt></div>
<div><br></div>
<div>************</div>
<div><tt><font color="#000000">Sample Letter to Governor
Kempthorne<br>
<br>
Dear Governor Kempthorne:<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
>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.</font></tt></div>
<div><tt><font color="#000000"><br>
Sincerely,<br>
**********<br>
<br>
Sample Letter to Robert Meinen, IDPR Director<br>
<br>
Dear Director Meinen:<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
</font>**************</tt></div>
<div><tt><br></tt></div>
<div><tt><font color="#000000"><b> Governor Dirk Kempthorne<br>
</b>PO Box 83720<br>
Boise, Idaho 83720<br>
208-334-2100<br>
governor@gov.idaho.gov<br>
<br>
<b>First Lady Patricia Kempthorne<br>
</b>PO Box 83720<br>
Boise, Idaho 83720<br>
208-334-2100<br>
1stlady@gov.idaho.gov<br>
<br>
<b>Robert Meinen, Director, IDPR<br>
</b>PO Box 83720<br>
Boise ID 83720-0065<br>
208-334-4180, ext. 302<br>
bmeinen@idpr.state.id.us<br>
<br>
<b>Randy Rice, IDPR Board Member<br>
</b>1018 S Harding St<br>
Moscow ID 83843<br>
208-882-1938<br>
<br>
<b>Senator Gary Schroeder<br>
</b>PO Box 83720<br>
Boise, Idaho 83720-0081<br>
800-626-0471<br>
gary@hideandfur.com<br>
<br>
<b>Representative Shirley Ringo<br>
</b>PO Box 83720<br>
Boise, Idaho 83720-0038<br>
800-626-0471<br>
sringo@house.state.id.us<br>
<br>
<b>Representative Tom Trail<br>
</b>PO Box 83720<br>
Boise, Idaho 83720-0038<br>
800-626-0471<br>
ttrail@house.state.id.us</font></tt></div>
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