Idaho Department of Lands FY 2025 Budget Recommendation

FY 2025 Budget Recommendation for Idaho Department of Lands Dustin T. Miller Director dmiller@idl.idaho.gov 208-334-0242

Outline Introductory Information FY 2023 Appropriation vs. Actual Expenditures FY 2024 Line Item Enhancement Updates FY 2024 Supplemental Requests None FY 2025 Line Item Enhancement Requests

Idaho Department of Lands Established under title 58 of Idaho Code. Charged with managing and generating revenue on 2.5 million acres of land granted to Idaho at statehood for a multitude of endowment beneficiaries (K-12 public schools being the largest beneficiary). Revenue through timber sales and land leasing (livestock grazing, minerals, comm sites, recreation, etc). Provide assistance to private landowners (Forest Stewardship/Health). Wildfire suppression responsibility on 9 million acres of state, federal and private lands. Regulate mining activities and enforce the Lake Protection Act and Forest Practices Act.

FY 2023 Appropriation vs. Actual Expenditures Object Code FY 2023 Appropriation FY 2023 Actual Expenditures $30,396,200 PC $36,377,300 OE $36,442,200 $17,821,500 T/B $7,054,000 $5,000,900 C/O $4,647,900 $2,923,800 Total $84,521,400 $56,142,400 NOTE FY 2023 Actual Expenditures do not include Fire Suppression Deficiency costs.

FY 2023 Appropriation vs. Actual Expenditures IDL incurred a total of $35,928,000 for Fire Suppression Deficiency costs in FY 2023 which are not reflected in actual expenditures: PC $5,900,600; OE $29,957,900; and CO $69,500. IDL received legislative reappropriation for $1,367,400 in general funds specifically for the Trust Land Management Program and the Forest and Range Fire Protection Program for capital outlay expenditures per intent language. Endowment Earnings Reserve and Fire Dedicated fund reversions are consistent with previous years. These appropriations allow for flexibility to cover expenses due to highly variable fire seasons and forest management contract schedules. Approx. $14M of federal fund authority was reverted. IDL received an increase in authority in SFY 2023; however, we have not received the levels of federal fund increases originally anticipated with passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act (BIL and IRA).

FY 2023 Line Item Updates Line Item Brief Name Amount Status Update Engine Bosses $784,300 All 10 Engine Boss positions (.83 FTPs) were advertised throughout summer and fall of 2022. All positions were initially filled with the exception of hard to fill locations due to housing costs/shortages. With the competition for the fire qualifications these positions possess, we ve experienced turn-over of some positions and continue to advertise and fill the positions. Fire Business System $1,013,000 The Gold s Fire Business System has been acquired and was implemented during the 2023 wildfire season. This new system provides an efficient, consolidated, consistent and automated process for fire suppression accounts receivables and payables. Seasonal Firefighters and Pay Increase $559,000 This increase enabled IDL to increase seasonal firefighter s starting wage to $15.00/hour (starting pay in 2021 was $12.55) and hire 10 additional seasonal firefighters (5-8 month positions) for our Teaken Hand Crew and Coeur d Alene Helitac Crew. The pay increase was essential to enable IDL to compete with the increased pay rates of federal agencies and neighboring states.

FY 2023 Line Item Updates Line Item Brief Name Amount Status Update Fire Management Officers $285,900 This funding enabled IDL to hire two Fire Management Officers for our North and Central Zones prior to the 2023 wildfire season. The positions provide enhanced communication, coordination, and leadership between the fire bureau and our forest protection districts as well as the interagency dispatch centers and the Northern Rockies Coordination Center. Pick-ups, computers and office supplies have also been purchased for these positions. North Idaho Booster Crew $80,000 This funding enabled IDL to hire six additional 5-month seasonal positions to fill out our North Idaho Booster Crew. This resource was essential to adding boots-on-the-ground capacity for fire response both in North Idaho and across the state. Fire Equipment $164,000 IDL purchased an engine and UTV to be shared between the Pend Oreille and Kootenai Valley Forest Protective Districts. The engine is also used to support the North Idaho Booster Crew. We also purchased a Command 4x4 pickup for fire staff in Boise Headquarters Office. We had been using an x-rig previously.

FY 2023 Line Item Updates Line Item Brief Name Amount Status Update Drone Equipment $95,600 IDL purchased one large drone and two small drones for initial attack wildfire support. The drones are used to assess fire spread and can be outfitted with heat sensing technology to identify hot spots within and outside the fire perimeter. We also purchased a Command 4x4 pickup for Bureau staff to transport and house drones and computers for proper UAS program delivery. Forest Legacy FTP to Full-Time $0 IDL s Forest Legacy Program Specialist was increased from a .67 to a 1.0 FTP. The increase was funded with existing federal funds and spending authority. IT License Increases $105,100 This funding enabled upgrades for Microsoft Azure, ESRI GIS, SharePoint, transition to ITS network, phone system transition to ITS, and increased licensing expenses for M-Files and MobileIron. Trust Land Equipment $173,800 This funding allowed IDL to purchase two ton 4x4 pickups, radios, scaling handhelds, and one 4x4 SUV for staff.

FY 2023 Line Item Updates Line Item Brief Name Amount Status Update Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Equipment $75,100 IDL s GNA program utilized this dedicated fund spending authority to purchase one 4x4 pickup, two ATVs with tracks and trailers, and two Relaskops (forest measurement tool used for timber cruise) to assist GNA foresters in conducting field work. Timber Protective Associations CEC and Inflation Adjustment $59,000 Implemented Wildfire Reduction Projects $2,000,000 With passage of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, increased funding has been made available to states to carry out wildfire risk reduction projects. The increased federal spending authority has enabled IDL to pass through (sub-grant) funds to counties, conservation districts, and other cooperating partners to plan and implement active forest management and fire risk mitigation (forest fuels reduction) operations across Idaho. Specific operations include forest harvesting, thinning, mastication and prescribed burning.

FY 2023 Line Item Updates Line Item Brief Name Amount Status Update Fire Assistance $1,000,000 Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has provided additional grant funding for the State Fire Assistance (SFA) and Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) programs administered by the IDL Fire Bureau. IDL uses the SFA funds to enhance, hire, train and equip our district firefighters, supplementing our forest protective district budgets. Funds are also used to support interagency dispatch centers, interagency fire cache operations, and fire prevention and burn permit programs. VFA funds are passed through to local Fire Service Organizations (FSO) for training, Personal Protective Equipment, communications and other FSO needs. Abandoned Mines $7,000,000 This funding was intended to enable use of federal funds that may have become available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. There is still potential for Idaho to receive funding for abandoned mine closures; however, no funding has been received to date.

FY 2024 Line Item Updates Line Item Brief Name Amount Status Update East Idaho Forest Protective District Staffing $700,300 Fire Warden interviews to take place January 2024. Once filled, that position will lead recruitment process for Asst Warden and Engine Foreman positions. Hiring was delayed due to retirement of the Eastern Area Manager. IDL filled this vacancy in December 2023 and the new Area Manager will be on the hiring panel for the Fire Warden. After the Fire Warden is hired, this position will oversee advertising/hiring two Assistant Fire Wardens and three Resource Foreman positions. After these positions are filled, they will advertise/hire the nine seasonal firefighter positions. Strategically Located Engine Staff $275,000 Contracts have been issued for the 5 strategic engines that were funded in FY 2024. Locations for each engine and crew has been determined. Funding has been made available to districts that will support each engine and advertisements for staff to take place spring 2024. Fire Zone Manager $103,100 Fire Zone Manager South position was hired in the fall of 2023. Position works in our Southwest Area office and will coordinate fire program

FY 2024 Line Item Updates Line Item Brief Name Amount Status Update Fire Zone Manager (continued) $103,100 efforts from Payette Lakes south including southwest and eastern Idaho. Computer has been ordered. Forest Management Project Enhancement $2,500,000 Funds have been allocated to cover increased costs for hitting our established Forest Asset Management harvest level. IDL has seen increases in contract prices ranging from 15% to 40%, along with an increase in harvest levels of over 20% in the last five years. Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Staffing $127,600 Lands Resource Specialist position was hired in the fall of 2023. This forester position works in our Payette Lakes office conducting timber management and forest restoration (including fuels reduction) on the Payette and Boise National Forests. Vehicle and computer have been ordered. Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Equipment $72,000 Four ATVs, along with two track systems and two trailers have been ordered. This equipment supports field work of GNA foresters on multiple national forests.

FY 2024 Line Item Updates Line Item Brief Name Amount Status Update FPA Lands Resource Supervisor $151,000 Forest Practices Act (FPA) Lands Resource Supervisor South position was hired in the fall of 2023. Position works in our Payette Lakes office and oversees regulatory and service forestry activities out of IDL Area offices from the Clearwater south. Vehicle and computer have been ordered. HVAC and Roof Replacement Capital Park Plaza Building $500,000 Obtained Task Validation Report from the Division of Public Works. Meeting with estimator in late January or February 2024 to discuss alternative options due to bid coming in significantly higher. Scaling Program Vehicles $96,000 Three SUVs were ordered; however, the dealer notified IDL they are only able to fill two of the orders. The Timber bureau is in the process of procuring another SUV. Forest Legacy Staff $115,000 Forest Legacy Program Manager position was hired in the fall of 2023, providing important program leadership for this expanding program. Position works in our Coeur d Alene staff office. Computer has been ordered.

FY 2024 Line Item Updates Line Item Brief Name Amount Status Update Timber Protective Associations CEC and Inflation Adjustment $58,300 Implemented

FY 2025 Line Item Requests Overview Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Fire Equipment East Idaho Forest Protective District $500,000 General Funds $25,000 Ongoing $475,000 One-Time Fire Operating Inflation $250,000 $125,000 General Funds $125,000 Dedicated Funds $250,000 Ongoing Timber Program Tree Seedling Coolers $506,600 Dedicated Funds $506,600 One-Time Fire Program Staffing $27,000 $13,500 Dedicated Funds $13,500 Federal Funds $27,000 Ongoing Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Program Staffing $637,600 $591,900 Dedicated Funds $45,700 Federal Funds $444,100 Ongoing $193,500 One-Time Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Spending Authority $2,000,000 Dedicated Funds $2,000,000 Ongoing

FY 2025 Line Item Requests Overview Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Forestry Assistance Program Staffing $80,400 Federal Funds $77,400 Ongoing $3,000 One-Time Fire Program Equipment $27,000 Dedicated Funds $5,000 Ongoing $22,000 One-Time Recreation Program Equipment $24,000 Dedicated Funds $24,000 One-Time Technical Services Program Equipment $45,500 Dedicated Funds $45,500 One-Time Administrative Staff Computer Equipment $25,200 Dedicated Funds $4,200 Ongoing $21,000 One-Time Boise Veterans Cemetery Land Purchase $3,950,000 General Funds $3,950,000 One-Time

FY 2025 Line Item Requests Overview Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund $17,000,000 General Funds $17,000,000 One-Time Firefighter Bonuses $1,000,000 General Funds $1,000,000 One-Time IT Consolidation $97,000 $2,300 General Funds $94,700 Dedicated Funds $97,000 Ongoing

Line Item Request: Fire Equipment East Idaho Forest Protective District Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Fire Equipment East Idaho Forest Protective District $500,000 General Funds $25,000 Ongoing $475,000 One-Time $475,000 in one-time capital outlay to purchase and build four type-5 fire engines for the East Idaho district. $25,000 in ongoing operating is needed for fuel and maintenance costs associated with the engines.

Line Item Request: Fire Operating Inflation Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Fire Operating Inflation $250,000 $125,000 General Funds $125,000 Dedicated Funds $250,000 Ongoing Fire program costs have been increasing due to inflation and IDL has been covering these shortfalls; however, this is not sustainable long-term for vital fire protection services. Overall increase in fire operating expenditures for fuel, repairs, maintenance, utilities, and travel costs based on year-over-year trends.

Line Item Request: Timber Program Tree Seedling Coolers Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Timber Program Tree Seedling Coolers $506,600 Dedicated Funds $506,600 One-Time $345,600 for the Sandpoint office to build an insulated building with cooling equipment to store 250,000 seedlings with a footprint of approx. 30 X 40 feet. $161,000 for the Coeur d Alene office to replace an existing semi-truck trailer that was converted into a cooler with a new efficient walk-in/drive-in cooler with a footprint of approx. 16 X 24 feet. Seedling coolers are used to keep seedlings at temperatures to maintain dormancy. This protects a major investment, lowers shipping costs, improves seedling survival, and allows for efficient storage and organization of seedlings for planting projects.

Line Item Request: Fire Program Staffing Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Fire Program Staffing $27,000 $13,500 Dedicated Funds $13,500 Federal Funds $27,000 Ongoing Increase part-time Lands Program Specialist in the fire program by .33 FTP to create a full-time position with 50% dedicated funds and 50% federal funds. This position oversees the federal excess property program for the department and is vital to maintaining efficient functions in our fire program.

Line Item Request: Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Program Staffing Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Program Staffing $637,600 $591,900 Dedicated Funds $45,700 Federal Funds $444,100 Ongoing $193,500 One-Time 3.00 FTP and funding to keep pace with the expanding work occurring under the GNA program and Shared Stewardship Initiative. Majority of this request is for ongoing personnel to be funded mainly with dedicated funds and $45,700 with federal funds. $193,500 in one-time capital outlay will be utilized for computers, vehicles, radios, and all- terrain vehicles for these positions.

Line Item Request: Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Spending Authority Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Spending Authority $2,000,000 Dedicated Funds $2,000,000 Ongoing $2M in ongoing operating expenditures from GNA dedicated funds for forest restoration projects on national forest lands. Examples of these projects include forest thinning, fuels reduction, stream crossing repair and installation, weed abatement, and road maintenance. These projects are paid for through revenue generated by timber harvests and contribute to forest health, forest access and fish passage. This request would augment $2.6M already available in IDLs base budget and provide sufficient appropriation to utilize revenues deposited in the fund.

Line Item Request: Forestry Assistance Program Staffing Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Forestry Assistance Program Staffing $80,400 Federal Funds $77,400 Ongoing $3,000 One-Time 1.00 FTP and federal personnel authority for a Grants/Contracts Operations Analyst to assist with federal grants and reporting requirements. Current staff responsible for grant applications, tracking, reimbursements, and reporting is not sufficient to manage approx. 75 federal grants in the Forestry Assistance bureau, as well as assisting with grants in the GNA and Shared Stewardship bureaus. $3,000 in one-time capital outlay will be utilized to purchase computer equipment.

Line Item Request: Fire Program Equipment Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Fire Program Equipment $27,000 Dedicated Funds $5,000 Ongoing $22,000 One-Time $22,000 in one-time capital outlay to purchase ten laptop computers for engine boss positions appropriated in FY 2023. Currently, the employees in these positions are sharing computers with other staff members. $5,000 is for ongoing operating spending authority for Microsoft Office 365 software licenses.

Line Item Request: Recreation Program Equipment Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Recreation Program Equipment $24,000 Dedicated Funds $24,000 One-Time $16,000 in one-time capital outlay to purchase a UTV and $8,000 in one-time capital outlay to purchase an enclosed UTV trailer. The program has experienced significant growth and an increase in demand for services. This equipment will allow the program to maintain public lands and trails more efficiently.

Line Item Request: Technical Services Program Equipment Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Technical Services Program Equipment $45,500 Dedicated Funds $45,500 One-Time $45,500 in one-time capital outlay from Earnings Reserve funds to purchase a light duty truck. This vehicle would be used by staff who spend a considerable amount of time in the field supporting IDL endowment activities. Request includes an additional $17,000 for four-wheel drive, V6 engine, off-road capabilities, tow capabilities, radios, toolbox, and an electrical outlet to keep drone batteries charged.

Line Item Request: Administrative Staff Computer Equipment Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Administrative Staff Computer Equipment $25,200 Dedicated Funds $4,200 Ongoing $21,000 One-Time $21,000 in one-time capital outlay to purchase 15 laptop computers for administrative staff in various area offices. These employees frequently work away from their desks on off-site duties. $4,200 is for ongoing operating spending authority for Microsoft Office 365 software licenses.

Line Item Request: Boise Veterans Cemetery Land Purchase Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Boise Veterans Cemetery Land Purchase $3,950,000 General Funds $3,950,000 One-Time $3,950,000 in one-time general funds to purchase 14 acres of vacant land adjacent to the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise from the Dry Creek Cemetery for future expansion. Due to increased requests of Veteran burial services, the current remaining casket, columbarium wall, in-ground urn burial, and scatter garden memorials are estimated to be full and unavailable to continue burial services in approx. 8 years.

Line Item Request: Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Fire Suppression Deficiency Fund $17,000,000 General Funds $17,000,000 One-Time $17M one-time general fund transfer to the Fire Suppression Deficiency fund to be used for future fire costs. As of the end of December 2023, the estimated cash balance is $51.2M; this increase of $17M would provide IDL with approx. $68.2M to fund future fire costs. Over the last several years, the legislature has elected to appropriate and transfer funds to maintain a $100M balance in the fund.

Line Item Request: Firefighter Bonuses Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? Firefighter Bonuses $1,000,000 General Funds $1,000,000 One-Time $1M in one-time general funds to allow IDL to offer recruitment and retention bonuses to qualified firefighting personnel. It has become more difficult for IDL to recruit and retain wildland firefighters. Last season there was a 50% turnover rate within our seasonal firefighting workforce. Competing federal agencies (US Forest Service and BLM) are offering up to $20k bonuses (or 50% of their base pay), benefits and permanent job status to wildland firefighters.

Line Item Request: IT Consolidation Line Item Description Amount Fund Source One-Time? IT Consolidation $97,000 $2,300 General Funds $94,700 Dedicated Funds $97,000 Ongoing Transfer 14.00 FTP and $1,452,700 in personnel funding from IDL to the Office of Information Technology Services to support the Governor s IT Modernization initiative. Increase of $1,549,700 in operating is required to fulfill the 1st year of consolidation until the subsequent year when it becomes part of the SWCAP allocation and appropriation process.

FY 2025 Budget Recommendation for Idaho Department of Lands Dustin T. Miller Director dmiller@idl.idaho.gov 208-334-0242