AGP Executive Report

Energy and Data Centers: TerraVolt secured an option on 1,077 acres near Declo for a data center campus powered by up to 240 megawatts of on-site natural gas generation. In neighboring Utah, a report says emissions from a proposed gas-powered data center could harm health across Idaho and other states. Public Lands: Idaho County commissioners are seeking changes to public-land classifications, arguing roadless-area and wilderness rules limit logging, access and wildfire response. Separately, an unauthorized cabin remains on Sawtooth National Forest land nearly two years after the Forest Service ordered its removal. Water Rights: The federal government is suing Idaho over water rights serving the Idaho National Laboratory, raising a dispute over control of a vital state resource. Mining Pollution: Tribal leaders and partners are coordinating efforts to address pollution from British Columbia coal mines that threatens the Kootenai River, fisheries and Indigenous communities. Wildlife Habitat: Volunteers and Idaho Fish and Game are planting sagebrush and bitterbrush to restore winter range burned in the 2024 Glendale Fire. Water Outlook: Organizers of Idaho’s upcoming Water Summit say the past water year brought record heat and low snowpack in some areas, sharpening concerns about future supplies.

Data Center Pollution: A new analysis says emissions from Utah’s proposed Stratos campus could contribute to as many as 45 premature deaths a year, with pollution reaching Idaho. The project’s representatives dispute the findings. Power Demand: Northwest utilities, including Idaho Power, discussed resource planning as electricity demand grows. Water Outlook: Idaho’s Nov. 17–18 Water Summit will examine a year marked by record heat and sharply uneven snowpack, and what it means for water supplies. Wildlife and Development: Forest Service concerns about wildlife and tribal interests are holding up the proposed Grand Targhee expansion. Wildfire Costs: Nearly every wildfire on state land in Idaho was human-caused, with a reported bill of $47 million.

Data Center Dispute: The developer of Pocatello’s proposed Hoku AI data center is suing over the city’s permit denial, arguing the project was allowed in the industrial zone. Wildlife and Recreation: Grand Targhee’s expansion remains on hold as the Forest Service requires more work on concerns including bighorn sheep, whitebark pine and a pending federal wildlife review. Water Rights: The federal government is suing Idaho over state authority to curtail water use at Idaho National Laboratory; the state denies the claims and has countersued. Local Hazards: Eastern Idaho’s new landfill is seeing several small fires a week linked to lithium batteries, prompting a call for residents to recycle them safely. Climate and Fire: A new glacier inventory finds western glacier area has shrunk 35% since the mid-20th century, including in Idaho. Nearly every wildfire on Idaho state land was human-caused, with costs reaching $47 million.

Grand Targhee Expansion: The Forest Service says wildlife concerns, including impacts to bighorn sheep and whitebark pines, must be addressed before the resort expansion can advance. A federal wildlife review is still pending. Idaho Water Rights: The federal government is suing Idaho over the state’s effort to limit water use at Idaho National Laboratory and administer federal water rights. Idaho denies the claims and has countersued. Public-Land Development: The BLM is evaluating a second data-center proposal on public land in Idaho, amid a growing wave of Western projects. Warming West: A new glacier inventory finds Western glacier area has shrunk 35% since the mid-20th century; Idaho is among the states included in the analysis. Wildfire Costs: Nearly every wildfire on Idaho state land was human-caused, with the bill reaching $47 million, according to a recent report.

Priest Lake Wetlands: An Idaho Supreme Court ruling found subdivision laws were circumvented in a plan to divide protected wetlands near Coolin. A local advocate says the wetlands must be saved. INL Water Rights: The federal government is suing Idaho over the state’s authority to curtail water use at Idaho National Laboratory; Idaho has countersued, setting up a fight over who controls federal water rights. Data Center Pressure: A proposal for a data center on about 3,000 acres of public land in Jerome and Lincoln counties is in early discussions. A county commissioner says the area lacks sufficient water and electricity; BLM is also reviewing data center-related applications across six Western states, including Idaho. Drinking Water: Sagle residents are awaiting repairs after testing flagged potential lead in their water. State funding is being assembled for the community system. Wildfire Risk: Nearly every wildfire on Idaho state land was human-caused, with the bill reaching $47 million, underscoring the cost of preventable fires. Warming West: A new study finds glacier cover across six Western states, including Idaho, has fallen by more than a third since the 1950s.

Warming West: A new study finds glaciers across seven Western states, including Idaho, have lost 35% of their area since the mid-20th century. Wildfire Risk: Western cropland stopped fires more often than other landscapes, but millions of acres have disappeared, potentially leaving more land vulnerable to flames. Water Pollution: A Ninth Circuit ruling in an Idaho case requires factory farms to monitor discharges; advocates want similar safeguards nationwide. Safe Drinking Water: Sagle residents are still waiting for repairs after testing found lead concerns. Idaho officials are developing a roughly $6.7 million funding package for the small water system. Public Lands: The BLM is reviewing an early proposal for a 3,700-acre data center north of Twin Falls, the second such project to seek Idaho public land this year. Wildfire Costs: Nearly every wildfire on Idaho state land was human-caused this year, with a reported bill of $47 million.

Mining: Liberty Gold has started detailed engineering and ordered long-lead equipment for its Black Pine gold project in southeastern Idaho. Public Lands & Data Centers: The BLM is weighing an early proposal for a 3,700-acre data center north of Twin Falls; a public comment period has not begun. Water Quality: Driggs is asking sewer customers how to pay for a $35 million treatment plant upgrade required to address ammonia discharges, with construction expected in 2028. Wildfire: Nearly every wildfire on Idaho state land this year was human-caused, with costs reaching $47 million. Salmon Recovery: Idaho water officials are considering $650,000 for engineering a pipeline from Dworshak Reservoir to two hatcheries; supporters say it could increase juvenile salmon production. Winter Outlook: A record-strength El Niño may bring warmer-than-normal winter temperatures to Idaho, though precipitation forecasts remain uncertain.

Public Lands and Data Centers: The Bureau of Land Management is reviewing an early proposal for a 3,700-acre data center north of Twin Falls, the second such project proposed on Idaho public land this year. Energy Demand: Williams is seeking permits for an 88-mile Idaho-Nevada gas pipeline that could carry 275 million cubic feet a day; environmental advocates warn growing data-center demand is driving the expansion. Climate Outlook: A potentially record-strength El Niño may bring Idaho a warmer winter, but forecasters say precipitation remains uncertain across the Northwest. Wildfire Costs: Nearly every wildfire on Idaho state land this year was human-caused, costing $47 million. Water and Wildlife: Idaho officials are weighing $650,000 for engineering a Dworshak Reservoir pipeline to supply two hatcheries and potentially boost salmon production. River Management: Boise River flood officials have begun winter work, including debris removal and plans to restore a side channel to give high flows more room. Nuclear Cleanup: A new report says cleanup standards at Idaho’s nuclear waste site are set for residential use across most contaminated areas, despite little expectation of future housing there.

Gas Expansion: Williams is seeking federal permits for an 88-mile pipeline linking existing lines in Idaho and Nevada, adding capacity to send more natural gas to the Northwest. Environmental advocates say rising demand is largely driven by data centers. Wildfire Costs: Idaho’s 227 fires on state lands cost more than $47 million this year; officials said people caused nearly all of them. About 10,400 acres burned, and the state expects to cover roughly $27.5 million after reimbursements. Water Outlook: Recent moisture has eased some drought conditions, but heat and dwindling reservoirs still leave Idaho facing another difficult water year. Wolf Policy: The Trump administration is urging Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado to reconsider state wolf protections, while asking Idaho and other states that allow hunting to keep their current policies. Forest Protections: Conservation groups are challenging a revised Idaho forest plan, amid broader concerns that weakening roadless-area protections could harm drinking water and increase fire risks.

Fossil Fuel Expansion: Williams has filed for permits to build an 88-mile pipeline linking existing lines in Idaho and Nevada, potentially sending 275 million more cubic feet of gas a day to the Northwest. Environmental advocates warn the expansion could lock in fossil fuel use as electricity demand rises. Wildfire Costs: Human activity started nearly all 227 fires on Idaho state lands this year, driving suppression costs above $47 million. The state expects to cover about $27.5 million; roughly 10,400 acres burned. Habitat Restoration: Helicopters are scheduled to spray invasive cheatgrass and spread seed near Bear Lake through Oct. 31, in a project intended to help native plants recover, improve wildlife habitat and reduce fire risk. Wolf Protections: The Trump administration is pressing some states to reconsider wolf safeguards but has asked Idaho and other states that allow hunting to keep their current policies, prompting concerns about the species’ recovery.

Habitat Restoration: Helicopters are scheduled to spray invasive cheatgrass and reseed land near Bear Lake through Oct. 31, in a joint effort by the BLM and Idaho Fish and Game to restore native plants and reduce wildfire risk. Public Lands: An analysis of more than 1.2 million comments found overwhelming support for keeping the federal Roadless Rule. Idaho has its own 2008 roadless protections, though conservation groups are also suing over a revised Idaho forest plan. Water Outlook: Record heat and dwindling reservoirs have Idaho bracing for another difficult water year, despite recent moisture easing drought in some areas. Boise River: Ada County has opened a 50-acre park in Garden City, linking to the Greenbelt and incorporating wetland restoration. Wolf Policy: The Trump administration is asking Idaho to maintain its current wolf policies while urging several other states to reconsider protections, a move conservationists say could threaten wolf recovery.

Wildlife: Idaho Fish and Game killed two moose stranded between the I-15 and I-86 in Pocatello, saying relocation was too risky with traffic on every side. The animals’ meat was donated to local families. Habitat: Helicopters are scheduled to spray invasive cheatgrass and reseed land near Bear Lake Oct. 25–31, aiming to restore native plants, improve wildlife habitat and reduce fire risk. Boise River: Ada County opened a 50-acre park in Garden City, with Greenbelt access and restored wetlands. Water outlook: Record heat and dwindling reservoirs point to another tough water year for Idaho, though recent moisture has eased drought in some areas. CWD: Fish and Game is reminding hunters that deer harvested in designated management zones must be tested, and carcass-transport rules also apply to elk and moose.

Habitat Work: Helicopters are scheduled to spray invasive cheatgrass and reseed land near Bear Lake Oct. 25–31, aiming to restore native plants, improve wildlife habitat and reduce fire risk. Wildlife: Idaho Fish and Game is reminding hunters that special carcass-transport rules apply in chronic wasting disease zones, and deer harvested in designated units must be tested. Boise River: Ada County has opened a 50-acre Garden City park connected to the Greenbelt, with wetlands and natural play areas. Energy: Williams is seeking permits for an 88-mile gas pipeline linking existing lines in Idaho and Nevada, which could bring more gas to the Northwest as environmental advocates warn against expanding fossil-fuel infrastructure. Water and Forests: Idaho faces another tough water year after record heat and dwindling reservoirs. Conservation groups are also suing over the revised Idaho forest plan, while Idaho and Montana groups challenge federal action affecting the Great Burn area.

Wildlife and Roads: Idaho Fish and Game killed two moose trapped between the I-15 and I-86 lanes in Pocatello, saying relocation was too dangerous; their meat went to local families. One had been moved from Chubbuck last year. Teton Valley Growth: Neighbors are asking Driggs to reconsider approval of an 180-home subdivision near Teton High School. The City Council will hear the request Nov. 3. Energy: Williams is pursuing an 88-mile gas pipeline linking existing lines in Idaho and Nevada, with capacity to send more gas to the Northwest. Environmental advocates say data centers are driving demand for fossil fuel expansion. Wolves: The federal government is urging Idaho to keep its current wolf policies while asking some other states to reconsider protections, raising concerns among conservationists about the broader push. Water and Public Lands: A new national map includes Idaho among areas flagged for “forever chemical” concerns. Separately, conservation groups are challenging changes to Idaho’s forest plan, as critics warn a rollback of roadless protections could harm drinking water and increase fire risk.

Water Quality: Environmental and public-health groups are suing the EPA over protections for atrazine, a weedkiller contaminating waterways across the country and raising concerns in the West. Conservation Leadership: Courtney Washburn takes over as Idaho Conservation League executive director Oct. 28, bringing decades of conservation and public-policy experience. Boise River: Winter maintenance is underway as flows drop, with crews clearing hazards while relocating some woody debris for wildlife habitat. Water Supply: Record heat and dwindling reservoirs have Idaho bracing for another difficult water year, despite recent moisture easing drought in some areas. Public Lands: Conservation groups are challenging revisions to Idaho’s forest plan, while Idaho and Montana groups are suing over the proposed Great Burn wilderness. Drinking Water: Idaho DEQ awarded Island Park $1.4 million for a drinking-water project.

Endangered Species: The Trump administration has narrowed key Endangered Species Act protections, making it easier to damage habitat. The change could put imperiled species across the West at greater risk. Public Lands: Conservation groups are suing over a revised Idaho forest plan, while Montana and Idaho groups separately challenge the Forest Service over the proposed Great Burn wilderness. Advocates warn that rolling back roadless protections could harm forests and drinking water. Water Outlook: Record heat and dwindling reservoirs have Idaho bracing for another difficult water year. Local Water Quality: Idaho DEQ will host an open house on water quality and a proposed subdivision near Henrys Lake.