STATE-FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS WATERSHED HEALTH

In its first few years, a Good Neighbor Agreement between the Salmon-Challis National Forest and Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) has reached several milestones.  

In 2024, IDL awarded a thinning contract for 1,097 acres within the Salmon Municipal-Stormy Diamond project area northwest of the community of Salmon.  Chainsaws were used to hand thin inside unit boundaries, 602 acres were lopped and scattered and 495 acres hand piled.  This work was completed in August 2025.  In the future, the piles will be burned by Forest Service crews to further reduce fuel loads.

In collaboration with Idaho Power, 91 acres of land beneath and adjacent to powerlines along Old Leesburg Road #002, were added this summer.  This thinning and piling work was completed in August.  These acres further safeguard lands beneath the powerlines and the surrounding Salmon Municipal Watershed by reducing hazardous fuel buildup.

Partnering with Idaho Department of Lands to accomplish this work has enabled both agencies to leverage each other’s strengths and reach outcomes much more efficiently than could be accomplished alone.  The Good Neighbor Agreement has been a huge success thanks to a shared commitment for project goals and sustaining a good working relationship.  

The 10-year Good Neighbor Agreement between Idaho Department of Lands and the Salmon-Challis National Forest will enable partners to continue increasing the pace and scale of forest and watershed restoration activities on National Forest System Lands.

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