LEWISTON, ID – Idaho Fish and Game has entered into a new Good Neighbor Authority agreement with the U.S. Forest Service under the federal EXPLORE Act, marking the third such agreement in the Clearwater region.
According to a department press release issued Thursday, the agreement strengthens collaboration between state and federal partners to restore wildlife habitat, improve forest management and enhance recreation opportunities on public lands. About $1.4 million in funding is tied to projects included under the agreement.
“The Good Neighbor Authority continues to be a powerful tool for leveraging state and federal resources,” said Tara Ball, regional wildlife biologist for Idaho Fish and Game. “This agreement allows us to accelerate restoration work and deliver meaningful benefits for Idaho’s landscapes and the people who enjoy them.”
Fish and Game said the projects are aligned with the agency’s mission to improve forest conditions while sustaining healthy wildlife populations and protecting critical habitats. The work is also intended to expand opportunities for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation.
Projects under the agreement have already begun and will continue through the agreement period, which runs through 2035.
The agreement is authorized under the EXPLORE Act, short for Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences. The legislation is designed to modernize recreation policy and strengthen partnerships across public lands to support more resilient landscapes and improved outdoor access.
