Emerald Creek Easement View the property
In
September 2005, the PLT formalized a conservation easement on 80 a of
ecologically valuable wetlands and river banks owned by the Emerald
Creek Garnet Co. The lands are designated wetlands with some timber,
border the St. Maries River and are located at the juncture of Benewah
and Shoshone Counties. The easement came about through a permit
application to the Corp of Engineers from Emerald Creek Co to mine the
area for garnets. A permit was necessary because the area is a formally
designated wetland. The full permit application process took the
company about 7 years. Because of the unique character of the area, the
permit was eventually granted contingent on the company's placing a
conservation easement on all of the wetland area. The PLT was requested
to hold the easement. Mining operations on the land will commence in
the near future and the lands will be fully restored to their pre-mined
condition by the company.
The easement is highly restrictive, permitting no development of any
kind or any kind of vehicle access except for fenceline maintenance. No
grazing will be allowed. The lands will continue to be owned by the
company and as in the past will be open, other than when mining
operations are in action, to recreational use such as fishing on the
river.
Idler's
Rest Nature Preserve
Moscow-Pullman Daily News
article March 1, 2005
This popular site, 35 acres of cedars, pines and firs just minutes from
Moscow, was The Nature Conservancy's first acquisition in
Idaho. The Palouse Land Trust signed a memorandum of
agreement to jointly manage this property, including rewriting the
management plan and working with Palouse Clearwater Environmental
Institute on educational activities on the property.
Moscow Mountain
The view is spectacular from the top of Moscow Mountain. There is
renewed interest in managing recreational use of two prominent areas at
the top of Moscow Mountain: the ancient cedar grove and the site of the
old lookout. Both are part of 297 acres of state school endowment land,
once proposed as Century Cedars State Park. Recent meetings reflect the
broad support for creating a park on top of Moscow Mountain.
Participants in informal discussions have included Latah County Parks
and Recreation, the City of Troy, Bennett Lumber/Tree Farms, the Nature
Conservancy, Idaho Department of Lands, local residents, recreational
bicyclists, University of Idaho, the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental
Institute and the Palouse Land Trust. The Idaho Department of Lands is
eager to trade for other land, but by state constitution, school
endowment land must be traded or sold at public auction.
If you'd like to see Moscow Mountain protected, tell the Latah County
Commissioners, write the governor, and encourage a broad coalition of
local organizations to work together to make this happen.
Historical Wetlands
More than 98% of the area once in wetlands has been lost in the
Palouse. Because wetlands can attract wildlife, act as sponges for
spring floods, and filter sediment and nutrients from runoff water,
many people have suggested restoring some wetlands along streams and
lowlands in the Palouse. They were once home to the beautiful camas
lily. The Palouse Land Trust is cooperating on research funded by the
US Environmental Protection Agency. Researchers will describe the
extent and plant composition of wetlands in the past, and develop
environmental education programs about wetlands. The Idaho Fish and
Game and the University of Idaho lead the project.
Strategic Planning and Board Development Grant Application
We have approved and implemented a Strategic Plan, through an
organizational development grant from the Land Trust Alliance
Northwest.
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