Idaho's Wetland Program Plan
Idaho’s Wetland Program Plan A plan for implementing the Idaho Wetland Conservation Strategy focused on Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Wildlife Bureau, wetland and riparian habitats Habitat Section Idaho Department of Fish and Game PO Box 25 Boise, Idaho 83707 Emergent marsh at Sand Creek WMA, northern leopard frog, moose, lesser yellowlegs (Photos by Chris Murphy). Chris Murphy EPA Wetland Program October 2014 Development Grant CD–00J49001-0 ABSTRACT Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is the lead state agency regarding on-the-ground wetland management, restoration, enhancement, and conservation, as well as classification, mapping, inventory, assessment, monitoring, education, and outreach. IDFG manages or influences many of Idaho’s most important wetlands. IDFG has management authority on about 389,000 ac, of which an estimated 10% is wetland and riparian habitat. Up to 89% of IDFG wetland and riparian habitat occurs on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and similar lands managed for wildlife habitat and recreation. Because IDFG influences a significant amount of wetlands on non-federal lands in Idaho and supports the state’s de facto wetland program, it needed a Wetland Program Plan (WPP) to help ensure that actions and activities are positive and defensible for improving condition, function, conservation, and restoration, while also consistent with the Department’s goals and objectives. A WPP is an action plan for the implementation of effective and efficient wetland conservation, restoration, and management, including assessment and monitoring. It includes overall programmatic goals and a schedule for implementation. This WPP focuses on the EPA wetland program core elements of Assessment and Monitoring (including classification, mapping, and inventory) and Voluntary Restoration and Protection (including management, maintenance, enhancement, and creation).
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