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March 3, 2017 CapitalPress.com 9 Idaho Subscribe to our weekly Idaho email newsletter at CapitalPress.com/newsletters Environmental group appeals Gateway West line By JOHN O’CONNELL Capital Press BOISE — A Hailey, Ida- ho-based environmental or- ganization has appealed the Bureau of Land Manage- ment’s approval of a high-volt- age transmission line route through sage grouse habitat on public land and requested a halt of the start of construc- tion. The Gateway West Trans- mission Line was jointly pro- posed by Rocky Mountain Power and Idaho Power and would span more than 1,000 miles from Glenrock, Wyo., to Melba, Idaho, including 850 miles of 500-killovolt line. Offi cials of Western Wa- tersheds say the route they prefer, BLM’s Alternative 1, would have less impact on the embattled native bird and is also the preferred route of the power companies. However, BLM offi cials Gateway West Transmission Line routes spark debate ID A H O 84 Boise Mountain Home Legend Approved right-of-way* BLM preferred alternative Proposed routes Feasible alternatives Highway Substation 15 Idaho Falls Power Co. Melba MONT. American Falls Pocatello 25 Glenrock Casper WYOMI NG 84 Twin Falls 15 Cokeville Rawlins N NE V. Cassia Co. UTAH 40 miles Source: www.gatewaywestproject.com Alan Kenaga/Capital Press 80 Kemmerer Laramie 80 *Approved ROW pertains only to public lands administered by Bureau of Land Management. note Alternative 1 would also cross through 50.5 miles of agricultural and private land, mostly in Gooding County, compared to 32.7 miles under the agency’s approved route, called Alternative 5. Farmers have fought differ- ent segments of the line pass- ing through Power and Cassia counties. Their attorney, how- ever, has suggested a route that would minimize disturbance on private lands. In November 2013, BLM approved a record of decision for eight of 10 sec- tions of its preferred route, in- cluding the segments contest- ed by farmers. A record of decision on the remaining two segments was approved Jan. 20, having been delayed to review impacts on the Morley Nelson Birds of Prey National Conservation Area in Western Idaho. An ap- peals period on that decision ended Feb. 24. BLM spokes- woman Heather Feeney said a few other appeals were also fi led, and all will be considered by the Interior Board of Land Appeals. Feeney said BLM’s ap- proved option avoids priority sage grouse habitat under the agency’s recently revised land- use plan. Erik Molvar, execu- tive director of Western Wa- tersheds, believes the habitat classifi cations are based more on politics than science. “The idea that what you have is less critical habitat is a fi ction,” Molvar said. “To us it makes no sense to re-route this transmission line all the way south to head into sensitive sage grouse habitat.” Molvar also questions the need for the line. Mark Stokes, engineering project leader with Idaho Power, said the line will help the power companies transmit solar and wind power that it’s federally obligated to buy. He said solar and wind power are highly variable and must be transmitted to where it’s most needed or can be sold. Stokes said the companies are now working with local offi cials and landowners, and construction won’t start until sometime between 2019 and 2024. Doug Balfour, the farmers’ attorney, believes Western Wa- tersheds’ appeal may help “de- lay the project again.” “Nothing is going to hap- pen quickly,” Balfour said. “Maybe it will inspire BLM to suddenly talk with us.” Balfour said Idaho law grants siting authority for pow- er lines to counties, and coun- ty commissioners support his growers’ cause, which could leave the line “dead-ended” on the federal land. Stokes said the power com- panies will work diligently with landowners, but ulti- mately, they have the option of approaching the Public Utilities Commission to pur- sue condemnation. “We haven’t done that in decades,” Stokes said. Amalgamated Sugar suffers ‘phishing’ breach Capital Press By SEAN ELLIS Capital Press BOISE — Five people involved in Idaho’s farming industry have received gover- nor’s awards for excellence in agriculture. “On behalf of a grate- ful state, thank you for the work you do all day long,” Gov. Butch Otter, a rancher and farmer, told the recipi- ents Feb. 21 during the Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit. The recipients join almost 80 other people or businesses that have received the awards. “The list reads like a who’s who in Idaho agriculture,” Idaho Ag Summit Executive Director Rick Waitley told Capital Press in an email. “Idaho agriculture is rich with great leaders who have built, maintained and have a vision for the future of our in- dustry,” he said. “You would like to give 20 awards a year but that is what makes the rec- ognition special — fi ve and only fi ve (receive the awards each year).” A lifetime achievement award was presented to Doug Gross, whose award write-up called him “one of the most innovative and successful po- tato producers in the state.” Gross owns a 1,500-acre diversifi ed farm in southwest- ern Idaho and is often asked to be a spokesman on Idaho potato issues. “Doug has been the ex- ample that many have looked to for successful operation techniques and strategies,” his write-up states. R. Garth Sasser, who re- ceived a degree in dairy sci- ence from the University of Idaho, received an award for technical innovation. After a 32-year faculty ca- reer at the University of Idaho, Sasser and his wife, Nancy, started a business, BioTrack- ing Inc., that is based on a blood protein associated with pregnancy that he discovered during his research. “The signifi cance of fi nd- ing, identifying and commer- cializing the blood protein for these test kits is that every competing company in the world that tests for pregnancy uses the ... class of proteins that Dr. Sasser discovered,” his write-up states. Brothers Doug and Art McIntosh, fi fth-generation farmers from Northern Idaho, received an award for market- ing innovation. According to their write- up, the two have tried to take advantage of current consum- er trends, diversify their op- eration and add value to their agriculture production. They joined Idaho Pre- ferred to take advantage of that state branding program for their organic products. They sell their wheat berries, fl our and organic oats directly to consumers. Sid Cellan, who owns and operates a 2,100-acre dryland farm near Soda Springs, re- ceived an award for environ- mental stewardship. “While Sid is viewed by his neighbors as an excellent farmer and one who raises quality crops, he is also re- spected in the region and has set a standard for improving and sustaining wildlife habi- tat for everyone to enjoy,” his write-up states. Steve Wilder, an FFA in- structor at Meridian High School, received an award for education advocacy. During his 36-year teach- ing career, he “has positively infl uenced several thousand students involved in the Me- ridian Agriculture, Science and Technology Program,” his award write-up states. Wilder was also a key player in convincing law- makers to pass the 2015 Ag- ricultural Education Initiative, which provided about $2 mil- lion more a year for secondary ag education in Idaho. and identity theft protection services through Lifelock for them. There’s been no indication that the culprits have sought to use any of the data, ac- cording to the press release. McCreedy said the com- pany is examining its pro- tocols and implementing measures to prevent a future breach. Labrador: Idaho should be ag innovation capital By SEAN ELLIS Capital Press BOISE — Idaho can and should be the nation’s lead- er in agricultural technology and innovation, U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador says. With a wealth of expe- rience and leaders in many areas of agriculture, the state has an opportunity to lead the way in ag technology and modernization, the Idaho Re- publican said Feb. 22. “We should be the capi- tal for agricultural modern- ization and innovation in the whole United States,” Labrador said during a Food Producers of Idaho meeting. “We need to fi gure out, How do we become the pioneer for the new technology in agri- culture?” FPI’s membership in- cludes most of the state’s main farm and livestock or- ganizations and agribusiness- es. Labrador spoke to FPI before heading to the state Capitol to address the House of Representatives. He told FPI members that while he is not a farmer and didn’t grow up aground agri- Sean Ellis/Capital Press U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, R-Idaho, left, speaks with Food Pro- ducers of Idaho members Feb. 22 in Boise. He said the state has the farm-related assets in place to become the national leader in agricultural technology and innovation. culture, he has hired people such as Brad Griff who have. Griff handles agriculture is- sues for the congressman. “He grew up doing the stuff that you guys are deal- ing with,” said Labrador, who encouraged FPI members and others to contact Griff about any farming-related issues. He also spoke about the immigration issue and said that border security needs to be addressed fi rst because until that happens, every- thing else will be obscured by the politics of the issue. He said the nation needs an immigration system that “does not hurt America’s economy and American workers. But until we fi x this security issue, we can’t even have that discussion.” Labrador also commend- ed President Donald Trump for the selection of Neil Gor- such to fi ll the vacant U.S. Supreme Court seat. He said he believes Gor- such is someone who will protect the U.S. Constitution and decide cases based on the rule of law. “That will make a differ- ence for your industry more than any policy that will come out of the White House or Congress,” Labrador said. Labrador said he has a good relationship with Trump and noted that the president is pretty much doing exact- ly what he said he would do during his election campaign. 15-5/16 x 10 x 2 18-3/4 x 14-3/8 x 3 9-1/#7 Five Idahoans receive awards for excellence in ag Courtesy of Amalgamated Sugar Computer “phishers” have stolen personal data about Amalgamated Sugar Co. employees. CALL FOR PRICING AND AVAILABILITY. Delivery Available 503-588-8313 2561 Pringle Rd. SE Salem, OR 14 th Annual Orchard, Nuts & Vines Special Section Capital Press Agriculture Weekly will publish a Special Section featuring orchard, nut and vine articles and advertising on April 14, 2017 By advertising in this Special Section, you’ll be reaching over 89,000 print and online readers in California, Idaho, Oregon and Washington who make the buying decisions for your product or service! Space deadline is March 17 th . ROP-40-42-4/#17 Sean Ellis/Capital Press Gov. Butch Otter, right, presents an award for excellence in agri- culture to Steve Wilder on Feb. 21 during the annual Larry Branen Idaho Ag Summit. Four other people also received governor’s awards during the event. NAMPA, Idaho — Offi - cials of Amalgamated Sugar Co. say a computer security breach led to the release of the personal information of many of its employees. The breach resulted from a so-called “spear phishing” email. The hacker sent an email posing as Amalgamat- ed President and CEO John McCreedy requesting copies of the employee data from a corporate employee, accord- ing to a Feb. 22 press release. Amalgamated offi cials said they learned of the breach within hours and no- tifi ed local law enforcement, the offi ce of the Idaho attor- ney general, the State Tax Commission, the FBI and the IRS. Letters have been sent to affected employees. Amalgamated will cover the costs of credit monitoring ROP-7-4-2/#13
