Idaho Conservationist, July 2013 Vol. XVI, Number 2 | страница 6

AROUND THE STATE Fun Run Raises Thousands Bay Trail Fun Run / Chris Bessler ICL celebrated National Trails Day in North Idaho with the Bay Trail Fun Run, the first event of its kind along the Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail. More than 300 people participated in the 5K and 10K trail run, raising over $12,000 to help purchase a critical link in the trail along the shores of Lake Pend Oreille. The fun run was cohosted by ICL, Friends of Pend d’Orielle Bay Trail, and Trinity at the Beach. The start and finish were on the beach, with the first half of the run on the lakeshore and the second half along the Sand Creek bike trail. ICL has been a major player in securing this shoreline trail that connects Sandpoint and Ponderay for the public. We are now helping Friends of Pend d’Oreille Bay Trail with a campaign to raise $400,000 to purchase waterfront for the trail. With less than $50,000 left to raise, trail acquisition is close at hand. Nancy Dooley North Idaho Outreach Coordinator [email protected] Oil and Salmon Don’t Mix Pair of Chinook salmon / USFWS This summer the Payette National Forest is reviewing Canadian mining company Midas Gold’s proposal to expand drilling exploration in the headwaters of the South Fork Salmon River. The “Golden Meadows” project at Stibnite would require large convoys hauling diesel fuel, gasoline and jet fuel. The South Fork is one of the most important spawning and rearing areas remaining for Chinook salmon. Unfortunately, petroleum products are extremely toxic to fish: a fuel spill could wipe out all stages of fish in a stream, from eggs to adults. 6 Because of this high risk, in the early 1990s, the Forest Service decided to prohibit all large fuel loads along the South Fork Salmon River road. Though these protections are still on the books, they haven’t been enforced lately. ICL has asked the Forest Service to revisit the issue and ensure that clean water protections are enforced. John Robison Public Lands Director [email protected]