Take The Initiative

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is back on the docket for possible approval in the House, Health and Education Committee (BILL H5194). Becoming part of the NLC will allow Rhode Island nurses to practice in states such as Texas, Florida, Idaho, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Maine to name a few, without having to pay insurmountable fees for licensing or renewals which can range from $100-400. One license for multiple states to practice and bring our compassionate care to more patients who deserve it. Rhode Island, this is our chance to make an impact and have a voice as nurses in our beautiful ocean state. Please consider signing this petition so we can become part of the compact again!

Thank you,

Rhode Island State Nurses Association

Q: What is the Nurse Licensure Compact?

A: Agreement between multiple states so nurses can practice their craft without having to obtain multiple licenses. You must be a resident of an NLC participating state to obtain the Compact license.

Q: How many states are in the Compact?

A: 34 currently and growing. Rhode Island can make it 35!

Q: Why should I even care about the Compact?

A: It will give you more opportunities to practice across state lines especially with the growth of telemedicine. Did you know you need to have a license in every state you are providing care in? So if your patient lives in Florida and needs your assistance, as a nurse, you cannot help triage their needs if you don’t have a Florida license.

With the ongoing pandemic, we have realized the amount of help we need and the shortage of nurses in our state. Becoming part of the compact will allow for more nurses to come to our state to help us in times of crisis as well as RI nurses having the opportunity to go to other states. Many states, including Rhode Island, have enacted emergency licensing to have more help in their facilities. If we can allow for emergency licensing, we can become part of the Compact!

Requirements for Nursing Compact eNLC States

The Commission has developed 11 uniform licensure requirements for a multistate license.

--Meets the requirements for licensure in their state of residency
--Has graduated from a board-approved education program OR has graduated from an international education program (approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and verified by an independent credentials review agency)
--Has passed an English proficiency exam (applies to graduates of an international education program not taught English or if English is not the individual’s native language)
--Has passed an NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN Examination or predecessor exam
--Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license
--Has submitted to state and federal fingerprint-based criminal background checks
--Has no state or federal felony convictions
--Has no misdemeanor convictions related to the practice of nursing
--Is not currently a participant in an alternative program
--Is required to self-disclose current participation in an alternative program
--Has a valid United States Social Security number.
Source: https://nurse.org/articles/enhanced-compact-multi-state-license-eNLC/

Source: https://www.travelnursing.org/

Recently, the state senate of Idaho have decided to sign a bill to kill 90% of Idaho's wolves. Backing this up were hunters and ranchers. It's preposterous that hunters were the ones saying this. If they saw the animals that wolves liked to kill, what would they do? Kill them. We're no different from the wolves that are doing what they need to survive. We hunt animals too. But, unlike us, wolves can't make farms to raise animals they kill. We're no different - in a way, we are just like wolves.

It's not like they have a choice. If you don't want to have wolves as monsters, then maybe take a strike from meat. If you think you can't survive, then you can! These poor wolves are just like us. If half the pack manages to escape, and the other half is killed, they have family. You can't be cruel and kill them because they want to survive. I LOVE wolves. Wolves are beautiful and social. Dogs descended from wolves. And we call dogs a man's best friend. Why would you kill a beautiful animal part of your best friend's family?

This petition and petitions like this are asking fo something that might be justice for wolves. Some people can fight against this, but just don't sign the petition. The wilderness needs you. Thank you to everyone who signs this petition - and everyone who made other petitions. More voices will make a difference.

P.S. What do you do when you are done with the petition? Like, do you call the state senate or what?

I made this petition to make sure that the City of Idaho Falls does not place a water tower on South Capital Park. This issue effects all of our community, those that love and use the greenbelt that we have worked so hard for so long to develop and we need to make sure that the City hears from us on this issue. Please sign and share with your community of friends, co-workers, family, and on other social media as appropriate.

We the undersigned are petitioning the members of these local governing bodies to pass ordinances to legalize the use of Side by Sides, UTV's, and similar vehicles, commonly known as "Rangers", "RZRs", "Rhinos", "Gators", 4 wheeled ATV's, Etc., on all non-interstate roads within the state of Georgia.

The popularity of these vehicles has exploded in recent years and there are many people who would benefit from being able to legally operate them on city and county roadways. These benefits are not just limited to the operators of these vehicles. There are many reasons why this would be beneficial to both the owners of these vehicles as well as the other citizens of the communities within our state.

The recent surges in fuel costs are one of the big reasons for this petition, whereas many people would choose the use of side by sides and UTV's to save fuel, much in the same way that many people choose to ride motorcycles to save fuel. These vehicles do not burn as much fuel as full size cars and trucks do, so this would benefit both the users of these vehicles as well as non-users by decreasing demand for fuel. This decrease in demand can help promote lower prices at the pump for all consumers. Also, many people have to trailer their vehicle to other areas of the county to ride for recreation and this actually increases the consumption of fuel by having to have a vehicle, usually a large truck or SUV, to pull a trailer to the chosen location. This consumes much more fuel than if they were able to drive to the location in the vehicle itself. This also can create safety hazards for users as well as non-users both in the possibility of items, including the vehicles themselves, coming loose or falling off of trailers into the roadway and in the fact that the vehicle and trailer are often parked along the side of roadways at the location. This can create congestion and a potential for impact or injury to other motorists as well. Also, unlike motorcycles and Mopeds, these vehicles could be used year-round with the proper enclosures and equipment. This increases this benefit substantially, especially during the winter hunting seasons in our area.
While on the subject of safety, another reason these vehicles should be allowed to operate on city and county roads is that while these vehicles are smaller than regular cars and trucks, they are much larger than motorcycles and mopeds, and therefore making them more visible to other drivers. This increases safety for both users and non-users. These vehicles are much safer than motorcycles and mopeds, both of which are legal to operate on public roads, due to this fact and the fact that some have full roll cages and seat belts. If people were used to seeing these vehicles on the road, they would also be less likely to ignore them. Being able to legally operate them on the road would also decrease reckless activities associated with illegally operating them on roadways such as speeding, darting across roadways, and driving through other people's property because users would not have to try to avoid the authorities. Also, there are a lot of people who cannot or will not ride motorcycles or mopeds, but who could have the same advantages and benefits as motorcycle/moped users through the ability to legally drive their side by side or UTV on county roads.

These vehicles are also more Eco-friendly than regular cars and trucks in that they are still required to meet EPA regulations, and they have significantly smaller engines that do not put out anywhere near the total amount of hazardous materials into the atmosphere that full size vehicles do. Once again, this benefits not only those operating these vehicles, but those that don't as well.

While the reasons above may not always be immediately apparent, there is another reason that could be of immediate benefit to all of the communities in the county, and that is a monetary benefit. The use of these vehicles on roadways could be regulated using registration stickers or plates which would have to be purchased through the county or other governing body so designated. There could be a yearly fee for this registration just as with other motor vehicles that would go directly to the county and put to immediate use in whatever way they feel would benefit the community most. The use of these vehicles would also have certain regulations and requirements that would have to be met to be legally operated, and failure to follow these guidelines would have the same penalties as failure to adhere to other vehicle regulations and guidelines, and that could also potentially benefit the county in money collected from these offenses. We feel that the basic requirements for operating on public roads for the safety of all motorists would include the following:

1. Headlights, visible from at least 500 feet 


2. Taillights, visible from at least 300 feet 


3. Turn signals, visible from at least 200 feet ahead of and behind the vehicle 


4. Eye protection for driver and passengers, either windshield, or glasses 


5. Seatbelts for all occupants and at least one rear view mirror 


6. Must maintain the same minimum and maximum speed limits as all other vehicles


7. Must maintain the same insurance requirements as all other vehicles


8. Must obey all traffic laws the same as all other vehicles

Other monetary benefits would come in the form of increased sales of these vehicles just for the fact that they would be able to be operated on public roads. Many people would probably like to have one of these vehicles but cannot afford to also buy the trailer and trailer pulling vehicle if they do not have anywhere to ride on their own property. Once again, this could benefit the local community in increased revenues from the taxes collected on these increased sales. There are already several communities around the country that have seen the importance and benefits of allowing these vehicles to be legally operated on public roadways. Several other states have legalized regulated use of them on public roads throughout the entire state including Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. There very well may be others as many states are deliberating this very idea at the moment.

In summary, there would be several benefits to approving the use of side by sides and UTV's on public roads within the city and counties, and very few, if any, negative impacts from approving the use of them. What we are proposing is not an "open season" for all ATV's, and it should not be viewed that way. Driving is a privilege, not a right, regardless of the vehicle, and we are simply requesting that you consider approving the use of these safe, alternative forms of transportation on all public roads within the county, in a regulated and controlled manner, to benefit both the operators of these vehicles as well as the community overall. We appreciate your time and consideration of this matter. Thank you.



This was borrowed from another petition page.

The Lowell Pool has been a popular location for the community of the North End since 1953. It has been said that there are only 12 above-ground pools like it left in the entire United States. It is one of the greatest parts of the neighborhood, and it would be a shame if it went away. So imagine my surprise when I heard a rumor that it will be shut down.

If it is shut down, all of the other pools in the city of Boise will become more crowded and people will have to drive further. As anyone who has been to Fairmont Pool pre-pandemic can attest to, pools in Boise are already crowded enough. Boise needs more pools, not less!

If we stick together, we can change this. Vote for this petition enough and we can get Boise Parks and Recreation to change their mind, contemplate it some more, or at least tell us for certain whether it is going to be closed. They say they will inspect Lowell Pool for safety, but it is already very safe. All they need to do is read the reviews on Google!

So, if you like Lowell Pool and want to continue going to it, please consider voting for this petition. It would mean a lot to me and the community of the North End and will get us noticed by Boise Parks and Recreation. I wish you all luck and goodbye!

References
Nicole, J. (2011, July 1). [Image of the Lowell Pool]. Idaho Unpeeled. http://idahounpeeled.blogspot.com/2011/07/lowell-pool.html

Unsuspecting customers frequently impulse buy baby bunnies and rabbits from D&B Supply, not realizing that rabbits require a LOT of work (they poop 300 times a day), don't do well with small children, and require a complex diet and specialized vet care. After their child grows bored of the bunny and stops keeping up with their care, many parents surrender the bunny to a rescue or shelter, or worse, dump them outside (often a death sentence for a domesticated rabbit). 86 percent of people who surrender to Save a Bun Rabbit Rescue give up rabbits that were originally purchased from D&B Supply.

Additionally, D&B Supply has a terrible track record of correctly sexing their rabbits. We've received several surrender cases where someone bought two rabbits from D&B and was told they were both girls (or both boys) but then the bunnies had babies. A particularly horrible case of this was when someone's two rabbits had a litter, and then at only 3.5 months old, that litter started having inbred babies of their own! Because this second round of bunnies was far too young to be having litters, they ate their kits out of stress, nutrient deficiency, and confusion.


Save a Bun Rabbit Rescue has also had several hoarding situations originate out of D&B Supply. Customers bought a small number of rabbits from D&B and then a few months to a year later had 80 or more inbred rabbits, which then ended up at our rescue. Currently, we're helping with two hoarding/dumping situations, one with 150 rabbits and one with 350.

Once we’ve collected signatures, we’ll present this petition to the D&B locations that currently sell rabbits, along with a letter reiterating the problems in the community their rabbit sales have caused. We’ve tried contacting Corporate about this several times but were only met with indifference. We hope that showing them that this is an important issue to Idaho and nearby residents will encourage them to make a change.

Please help end this suffering and sign.

D&B Locations that Sell Rabbits

· Nampa, Idaho

· Meridian, Idaho

· Overland – Boise, Idaho

· Glenwood – Boise, Idaho

· Kuna, Idaho

· Mountain Home, Idaho

· Twin Falls, Idaho

· Baker City, Oregon

· La Grande, Oregon (sells only during Easter)

· Pendleton, Oregon (only sells seasonally)

Shout-out to D&B Locations that Do Not Sell Rabbits

· Caldwell, Idaho

· Boise Eastgate, Idaho

· Emmett, Idaho

· Jerome, Idaho

JUSTICE... JUSTICE... JUSTICE... JUSTICE... JUSTICE

For Rod St Clair

SIGN & SHARE - SIGN & SHARE - SIGN & SHARE

Petition to help us get Justice for Rod St Clair by keeping Mark Warner in prison. On Nov 15th, 2019, in Marsing, Idaho, our home was invaded by three men, one wielding a two-pound steel ball with spikes; after breaking car and house windows, We called the police, the search was futile; the three officers left to get a fingerprinting kit, my husband was dead ten minutes later.

Mark Warner did a plea bargain with the DA and is scheduled to be up for parole after serving 18 months. My husband is never coming home; Mark Warner deserves the maximum sentence for striking Rod in the head. Please sign and share this petition to stand for justice and not accept the actions of these criminals.

Rod St Clair was an exceptional Christian man, and words cannot describe his kindness or goodness; he was a farmer, Dairyman, Inventor, etc. He is missed so much by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, sisters, family, friends, and neighbors.

Mark Warner changed so many lives doing this horrific deed. Our lives will never be the same.

PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE, STAND UP FOR ROD, HE WOULD HAVE FOR EACH OF US.

If questions, reach out to me on (rod carol st clair) on Facebook, glad to answer your questions are concerns.

Thank you & God Bless.

Carol St Clair

The Lewiston Tribune (Marty Trillhaase) said it best:

"JEERS ... to Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird.
Her conduct in the course of the sex scandal that led to Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger’s reprimand and ultimate resignation has been breathtakingly atrocious.
If the people of north central Idaho aren’t filled with a sense of shame at this moment, they have not been paying attention.

On April 16, just hours after the House Ethics Committee announced it had found probable cause to pursue charges that the Lewiston Republican had engaged in “conduct unbecoming” of a legislator by allegedly raping a 19-year-old legislative intern at von Ehlinger’s Boise apartment, Giddings began victimizing the victim.

On her Facebook page, Giddings posted a picture of the teenager, analogized von Ehlinger’s plight to that of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation battle and then directed readers to a linked Redoubt News article naming the young woman in the opening paragraph.

The following day, Giddings released her weekly newsletter, which contained another link to the same Redoubt News article...


By participating in such an escapade, Giddings may well have violated the Legislature’s Respectful Workplace Policy. It admonishes lawmakers to protect the confidentiality of anyone making a complaint. It also prohibits them from acts of retaliation.


Wednesday, that young woman — dubbed Jane Doe — courageously but painfully told her story to the Ethics Committee. As Giddings sat in the audience, The Associated Press and the Idaho Statesman of Boise reported she “scoffed and laughed at times during the hearing, including when the intern’s attorneys suggested that the bullying the intern had experienced would make other women less willing to report sexual assault.”


When it came her turn to testify, Giddings further disparaged the victim, suggesting that a previous confrontation between them showed the intern “was maybe on drugs” or “not in a normal state.”...

***************

The Idaho Legislature should immediately begin a ethics investigation into Giddings' “conduct unbecoming a representative which is detrimental to the integrity of the House as a legislative body”. Not to mention inhumane.

Apparently people (most likely men) will be looking at females private parts to see if they’re trans. they have the power to look at birth certificates instead of being perverts. please share this if you care about females (and/or) trans females.
this is wrong in so many ways, 1) they're doing it to only women! 2) this is happening in schools! to children! 3) MEN ARE CHECKING! etc
This has already started in Ohio and Idaho! i'm literally disgusted. this is going to start happening all around the us if we don’t do anything about it.
we should not let them check our privates, it does not matter if it is a law or not, we will fight. if this is happening where you are right now, please! PLEASE FIGHT BACK!
they could easily ask to check our birth certificates. school is supposed to be educational, why are they teaching minors that its okay to look at other peoples privates without permission?
this is currently happening in schools and will be happening in schools. the fact that it’s happening in schools makes me disgusted, the fact this is even happening makes me disgusted.
This is abusive! they want to humiliate us girls!
please help us women, you don’t have to donate or anything just please sign this! make this be seen! i am a literal minor that knows better, BETTER THAN THE LAWS!

people that love art and tattooing live in and all around the area or orofino idaho. And there aren't any shops located locally.

Orofino,idaho is not alowed to have a tattoo shop for some reason and i believe it would bring alot of happiness,and different forms of art and culture to the area.

I feel it is a way for people to express how they feel in many different ways. And we shouldnt keep that from people in the community. It is a great thing Orofino Idaho should be able to have local.

All we gotta do is come together and support one another with this and it could possibly bring in a whole new way for art and culture to come into our community. Currently members of the orofino community have to travel hours to see a tallented artist to have art work done and in all honesty there should be able to be a local tattoo shop. It is my passion to be involved in May different forms of at and culture. I would love to help bring the community together in way orofino hasn't tried. All my goal is is to be apart of a community that is a good place for buisness and to raise a family. And art in a community has always brought people together. Can also creat a bond and a strong network.

The problem:

The citizens of Twin Lakes Idaho did not get sufficient time or notice of Ordinance/Resolution 2021-63/Amended Kootenai County Waterways Restricted Zone Designation/Parks & Waterways passed by the Kootenai County Commissioners.

The wording of this document is vague and the citizens of Twin Lakes have raised concerns about the consequences of this ordinance/resolution. We believe that we need time to adequately share our concerns in a public forum before restrictions are placed on our recreation. The lakes belong to the people of Idaho and as citizens and land owners in Idaho we believe we are owed a public hearing.

All that being said we are petitioning for the following:

The citizens of Twin Lakes Idaho request a public hearing from the Kootenai County Commissioners.
It is our desire to maintain the 150 foot excessive wake zone.
In order to maintain the 150 foot excessive wake we would request separation from the Spokane River in regards to Resolution 2021-63/Amended Kootenai County Waterways Restricted Zone Designation/Parks & Waterways.
We appreciate your support and let's come together to share the joys of recreating safely on Twin Lakes!

It is the right of the American people to keep and bear arms,

Americans all over the country including the fine state of Maine are concerned with the growing number of firearm laws in this country. Firearms are used in this country three million times of year in self defense saving untold amounts of lives. The American people have a right afforded to us in the constitution to bear arms. This has been held in the supreme court. The Maine constitution has this right as well and we as the people have a right to arms. We propose Maine becomes a sanctuary for the 2nd Amendment. Meaning the rejection of any policy from the federal government that would deprive Mainers of their right to bear arms. I.e. the rejection of Universal Background Checks, Bans on certain firearms based on Appearance and many more proposed policies on the table in Washington.

It is essential we preserve the 2nd Amendment in its entirety as many Law Abiding citizens use them for lawful purposes Hunting, Competition and Defense.

I call on Janet Mills, Susan Collins and the Senate of Maine to preserve the rights of Mainers and Citizens. Make Maine a sanctuary for freedom, Join the effort like those found in Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming and Kansas.

Jayce
On April 10th, 2021 Jayce Morgan was visiting his mother in Payette, Idaho during his scheduled, every other weekend visitation. Jayce was riding a 90cc youth 4 wheeler, alone while the family sat on the porch of their home watching Jayce ride around a pasture on the 4 wheeler. According to the police report, he was over 100 yards away from them. ( THAT IS A FOOTBALL FIELD) The pasture was uneven and rocky with holes and soft dirt in various places according to the police report. Jayce, being only 5 years old and just learning to ride, took a turn too sharp and hit a bump or hole. It sent him flying over the handle bars of the 4 wheeler and the 4 wheeler rolled over him. Jayce was not wearing a helmet or any safety gear. He was pronounced dead at the scene after many paramedics and police tried everything they could to save him.


This and countless other tragedies could have possibly been avoided if he had been wearing proper safety gear, namely, a helmet and chest protection. Our goal is to get Idaho lawmakers to pass legislation to force parents, guardians and adults to use proper safety equipment when allowing children under the age of 13 to ride ATV’s on public or private land, and if they choose not to, they take responsibility when their negligence causes a crash that hurts or kills a child and must pay the price for negligent homicide, injury to a child etc.. As a parent, guardian, or adult, it is your responsibility to make sure your child is safe. A 5 year old, or any minor child depends on you to make the right choice for them. No parent or grandparent should ever have to receive this horrific phone call or message.

We want Savannah Dunsworth to move back to Idaho and be with us.

In 2020 I spent a lot of my time observing the investigation in case #20-p06702. In observing this process I noticed several flaws in the way we go about these cases. Unfortunately, removing this statute would do nothing for this case specifically, so I will not be further elaborating on most of those flaws. However, I can focus on one major flaw and use my experience from this case to make a change for a better process for future victims. When this man was arrested, there were 7 cases against him. Thanks to the statute of limitations and its application to this case, there are now 2.

According to the 4th edition of Halsbury’s Laws of England, the purpose and effect of statutes of limitations are to protect defendants and there are three reasons for their enactment:

1. A plaintiff with a valid cause of action should pursue it with reasonable diligence.

In a case regarding developing minds, due diligence should not be necessary. These people need time to adjust to their reality.

2. By the time a stale claim is litigated, a defendant might have lost evidence necessary to dispute the claim.

In most cases, this gives the defendant plenty of extra time to acquire and dispose of concrete evidence. I saw this firsthand with the defendant in said case, as he pulled out all of his laptops in a panic and wiped them clean after getting word of the investigation. The victims however still have no choice but to live with the evidence engrained in their memories.

3. Litigation of a long dormant claim may result in more cruelty than justice.

Litigation of a long dormant claim in the case of child abuse is necessary. By exercising this statute in these cases; we’re throwing out multiple opportunities for justice and allowing far more room for cruelty on the victims end.

A statute of limitations sets in place an allotment of time in which a plaintiff can file a claim, in the state of Idaho a statute of limitations is amended to section 6-1701 as a tort action to defendants regarding child abuse and child sexual abuse cases. This statute of limitations gives the victim of a crime 5 years to come forward once they’ve turned 18. The second they reach adulthood the clock is ticking for them to make sense of their situation, tell somebody, and muster the courage to take legal action. At that point it still can take months for someone to get their case off the ground, leaving them nothing to do when that time does pass. For a child going through abuse, especially from an adult perpetrator, that’s the only reality they know. Children are especially resilient and will adapt to this lifestyle as normal. It’s not until they become adults that they’re allowed to make decisions for themselves, learn how their peers grew up and start to mark the differences. They have to completely dismantle the truth of life they made for themselves in order to survive, and start anew. These children have already lost years of their lives due to the fact that they were focused on survival, and with this statute in place we’re taking away their first chance for justice so they can focus on thriving.

For these reasons I do not see due diligence as necessary as delayed reporting is not only normal but should be expected. There are other states in the US (7, to be specific) that have recognized this and removed the statute as pertaining to rape cases. This statute of limitations clearly does not apply to these type of crimes and therefore should be removed. By signing this petition you are declaring you’d like to see change. Use your voice, speak up for the unheard, the silenced, and those who were denied justice. We can create a safer future for our children!

July 1st the state of Idaho started to slaughter the wolf population. Their goal is to slaughter 90% of the population by using snares, leg hold traps and shooting from a helicopter. Montana is working on passing the same bill

Wolves are a keystone species; without wolves, the entire ecosystem in these areas will collapse. Keystone species are necessary to keep an ecosystem in check because without them, it’s prey would increase dramatically, and therefore causing a sharp decline in the vegetation in these beautiful areas.

Wolves are an endangered species, the Trump Administration did take them out of the list so it was easier to pass a bill for the slaughtering of the wolves

Mothers and their young are being killed in their dens. Hunters are allowed to do whatever means necessary to kill the wolves. The population of wolves in the midwest of America is running thin. By killing wolves, the balance and biodiversity of the American midwest is gone. The balance of the ecosystems doesn’t just come down to one species or population, but all of the populations/ species working together to bring balance to the ecosphere

Lets work together to end the genocide of the wolves in the midwest and keep the balance of the ecosystem in which they live

We are at risk of losing more than we can ever imagine if we don’t wake up to climate change’s pernicious noise. Right now, we face a multitude of problems (varying weather patterns, loss of agricultural production, harmed human health, etc) that we as a society only have so much time to be spared from until climate change’s consequences are truly irreversible. It is our responsibility to meet the real urgency climate change presents and take action. That is why we are asking Idaho State University President, Kevin Satterlee, to commit to one of Second Nature's Climate Leadership Commitments and create a University Project Charter regarding sustainability on campus.

Our government, local businesses, and community members have already begun to take leadership action as seen by our advancement in alternative transportation, energy-efficient buildings, and sustainable practices. Idaho Power, which is the energy provider of ISU, has committed itself to 100% clean energy by 2045. The City of Pocatello has utilized Idaho Power’s incentive program and converted the interior and exterior lighting of the Marshall Public Library, Community Recreation Center, and City Hall to LED lighting. In 2019, the Pocatello Regional Airport reduced its electricity consumption equivalent to 13 homes and saved the airport nearly $9,500 in energy costs. As one can tell, there is a growing trend to become more sustainable. Yet, there is much more that we can and must do on our campus.

Educational institutions like ISU are in a unique position. Although our large buildings and operating systems can be significant contributors to carbon emissions, through the intentional use of time and resources, colleges and universities can be catalysts for action. University-based climate action holds opportunities for growth and change. We must look toward the expansive potential that ISU college students, faculty, and administrators hold.


We must aim to create and maintain a healthy, sustainable future for the ISU and Pocatello community at large. Emma Watts and Rituraj Yadav, two ISU students, have dedicated their school year toward establishing a sustainability board, conducting data analysis, and formulating sustainability area goals and benchmarks. If enacted, their plan is expected to reduce ISU energy consumption by 15% in the first two years of execution.


Emma and Rituraj are dedicated to establishing a Sustainability Plan at ISU and preserving our community’s most precious resources: money, energy, and time. Join Emma and Rituraj in asking for administrative support, a sustainability committee, a sustainability class, and three student-led projects. These ideas are backed by ASISU, the ISU Facilities department, and various student clubs. But, we need your support.


The call for more environmentally-friendly practices is growing louder and louder. At the state level, our congressman Mike Simpson proposes to remove the Lower Snake dams to restore salmon to our ecosystems and replace the lost energy from those dams with new forms of green energy. At the national level, our current administration is developing plans toward an equitable clean energy future.


Within the educational sector, Idaho college administrators are listening and taking action. University of Idaho, Boise State University, Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, and other colleges and universities have already pledged sustainable practices on their campuses. It’s now our opportunity to take the lead on this issue for everyone’s benefit. We hope you will sign this petition and help us move one step closer to creating a vibrant, collaborative, and innovative ISU community. This is your opportunity to be a part of the solution. Together, let’s lead in sustainable action and find impactful climate change solutions at Idaho State University. The time is now.


With an online transition in our academic institutions and communication methods, we strongly encourage you to sign and share this petition within your professional and personal ISU networks. We would like as many Bengals to get involved as possible.

When signing this petition, please use your ISU email.***

If you are interested in learning more about our requests, please click on this link. If you would like to take a more active role, feel free to reach out to Emma Watts at [email protected] or Rituraj Yadav at [email protected].

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THREATENS COOLIN-WARREN WETLANDS, SOUTH PRIEST LAKE

In April of 2021 a 65 acre parcel of wetlands on the south end of Priest Lake was awarded to Tricore Investments (Clifford Mort, CdA) in a property dispute with John Stockton & a business partner who were attempting to preserve the wetland area. When the property was originally purchased by Tricore Investments in 2016 (before the dispute) the company was planning to develop a housing project on the wetland site. Tricore’s plan was to purchase wetland credits from a local wetland bank (Valencia Wetlands Bank) which would allow the company to develop the site.

Selkirk Conservation Alliance is working to inform the public about the critical importance of preserving Panhandle wetland ecosystems and the potential permanent loss of a critical Class I Idaho Panhandle wetland site/wetland system on the south end of Priest Lake.

The Coolin-Warren (identified as Chase Lake in 2004 Conservation Strategy for Idaho Panhandle Peatlands) wetland site has been identified by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game; Idaho Conservation Data Center as one of the most important wetland sites in the Panhandle of Idaho.

Why wetlands are so important: Wetland ecosystems are among the most biologically diverse and productive ecosystems on the planet. Wetlands provide habitat for thousands of species of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals (including many rare and endangered species). In addition, wetlands provide many (FREE) ecosystem services to the public including flood control and protection, water quality protection including water filtration, aquifer recharge and shoreline erosion control. Sadly, wetland ecosystems are also among the most threatened (and quickly disappearing) ecosystems on the planet. In Idaho, wetlands make up only one to two percent of the land mass and yet they are critical for the survival of 80 to 90 percent of the state’s species. Currently only 44% of the original wetlands in the state of Idaho remain.

Why the Coolin-Warren (Chase Lake) wetlands are especially critical to protect: Extensive studies by Bursik and Moseley (1995) identified 45 sites considered critical to conservation of the full array of peatland biota and wetland communities of the Idaho Panhandle region. Each of the 45 sites was ranked on richness, rarity, condition, and other values (interpretive values, wildlife, fisheries, etc.). The Coolin-Warren/Chase Lake wetland area was ranked in the top five of outstanding Idaho Panhandle wetlands-peatlands, standing out as having the greatest ecological diversity of all 45 sites identified as being critical to/for Idaho wetlands conservation. The Coolin-Warren/Chase Lake wetlands contained all 12 of the ecological features used to rank and prioritize Idaho wetlands! Further, according to IDFG, this wetland site contains the most extensive floating mats known in the region and the largest bog microsites in the state.

Why you should care: Land development and housing construction on this 65 acre site would entail the filling in (with vast amounts of sediment), ditching, draining and destruction of this important and finite wetland ecosystem. Development would equate to the permanent loss of numerous wetland species both flora and fauna and many ecosystem functions (which greatly benefit humans) at the south end of Priest Lake including (but not limited to) flood control, water filtration and aquifer recharge. When wetlands are filled, the water that normally occupied the site annually and during flood/rain events is rapidly diverted to neighboring properties and downstream to Priest River and regional streams causing increased erosion, especially shoreline erosion and property damage. Sewage wastewater treatment is also of concern and has the great potential to further degrade regional surface and ground water quality if not managed properly. The Coolin-Warren wetland is located over the Priest River Aquifer and plays a critical role in water filtration and recharge for the aquifer.

Indeed, the Bonner County Comprehensive Plan recognizes and articulates a growing concern over the compounded effects of human activity on/in the watershed stating, “The Upper and Lower lakes and tributaries are of very high water quality with a watershed dominated by federal, state, and private forest land offering exceptional natural aesthetics. In recent years, there has been a growing concern about maintaining the high water quality of Priest Lake, given the expanding shoreline development of homes and businesses, the capacity of existing sewer treatment facilities, and increasing recreational use of the lake. There is also major timber harvesting activity in the watershed on state and federal lands.”

What you can do: The wise management of growth and development around the southern end of Priest Lake must be a top priority for Bonner County Commissioners responsible for and entrusted “to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the people of the state.” Bonner County will be responsible for the review, issuing and oversight of many of the permits that would allow the Coolin-Warren wetlands to be developed.

1. Contact the Bonner County Planning Department (Director; Milton Ollerton & Floodplain Manager; Jason Johnson) at [email protected], phone: (208) 265-1458 and let them know you are opposed to developing the Coolin-Warren wetlands!

2. Contact Bonner County Commissioners Steve Bradshaw (District 1), Jeff Connolly (District 2) and Dan McDonald (District 3) at bonnercountyid.gov/contact-us and let them know you are opposed to developing the Coolin-Warren wetlands!

3. Join and support SCA. SCA works to cultivate an environmentally conscious and responsible public in the Priest Lake Basin.

For the past 34 years SCA has engaged in the struggle to conserve, protect and restore the crucial and sensitive natural resources of the Selkirk Mountains, their watershed, forests, lakes, streams and rivers, in an area that encompasses the northernmost counties of Idaho. SCA advocates for regional natural resource stewardship and seeks to facilitate cooperative decision making on environmental issues through public education and the promotion of grassroots activism.

Many of the benefits that wetlands provide primarily aid the general public and greater community, not private developers. Developers have few incentives to conserve wetlands which is why it is up to us, as a community, to stand up for and protect, these valuable ecosystems for current and future generations!

We truly cannot afford to develop any more critical, functioning wetland ecosystems regionally or globally for the spectrum of services they provide to humans and wildlife. We must preserve these areas and systems above all costs (and profits).

Idaho House Bill 377 seeks to ban the teaching of subjects that indicate:

"(i) That any sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior; (ii) That individuals should be adversely treated on the basis of their sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or national origin; or (iii) That individuals, by virtue of sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or national origin, are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same sex, race, ethnicity, religion, color, or national origin." (https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2021/legislation/H0377.pdf

Essentially, this means that the Idaho House wants teachers to not be allowed to teach anything that would suggest that, historically, racism has been prevalent in our society. During the legislative session today, Rep. Heather Scott cited Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" as a problematic teaching because it suggests that "white people are bad, and black people are innocent victims." There is no telling what the passing of this bill could mean for subjects such as Government or History, which focuses on facts, regardless of how ugly they may be.

Critical race theory is not a bad thing; it is merely a way to educate future generations about the historical issues we’ve experienced, and how far we have come. Without that knowledge, history is doomed to repeat itself. I read wonderful, important, diverse books in my time in the West Ada School District, such as "To Kill A Mockingbird", "Fahrenheit 451", "Crime and Punishment", "Things Fall Apart", and "Hamlet", to name a few. Each of these novels gave me insight to a world I never saw, and allowed me the knowledge of the progress made in my lifetime, and how I can do better to make sure we never get there again. The passing of this bill would prevent students from learning the all-encompassing history of our society, and that is a significant government overreach, not to mention a blatant violation of the First Amendment; This would stifle a student's freedom to discuss such issues in the classroom.

Please encourage your local state senator to vote "no" on this bill, and join me in signing this petition to let our incredibly overlooked and overworked teachers continue doing what they do best: shaping future generations to leave the world better than they found it.

In 1996, a study was done that revealed Highway 55 (Karcher Road) needed expanded from 2 to 4, preferably 5 lanes from Middleton Road to at least 10th Avenue. Since then, a few intersections have been expanded to 5 lanes and traffic signals have been installed, but the total expansion has been pushed further and further into the future.

Within the last 10 or 15 years, dozens of subdivisions have been built that have contributed to traffic on Highway 55. On June 11, 2021, the state of Idaho sold 282 acres of land adjacebt to Vallivue Middle School to a developer that will add nearly 900 homes (at least) with Highway 55 being the main arterial roadway for those homes.

Anyone who uses Highway 55 as a commuting route knows it is an extremely over crowded, dangerous roadway. In the morning and afternoon commute, traffic is backed up for 3 to 4 miles.

Enough is enough!!!! The state has avoided expanding this Highway for over 26 years!!!! It is time we demand action from our state representatives. Expand Highway 55 now!!!