In July David Parrish who was the Director of Idaho Fish and Game for the Magic Valley region lost his job after he commented on the wildlife impacts of the proposed by wind farm on public and private land near Brown’s Bench.
We covered the story, but the Idaho media didn’t seem to find this outright political repression very exciting. Our story on Parrish’s firing. Finally the Idaho Press-Tribune has an editorial.
F&G official should be allowed to have his say. Idaho Press Tribune. I think it’s a good editorial.
Update. A person named “Dave” sent me an editorial that recently appeared in the Lewiston Tribune (subscription only) criticizing the politicization of Idaho Fish and Game by the Governor and state legislators. So, my statement that Idaho media almost ignored this travesty with a lack of commentary should be modified a bit. RM
Brackett Cattle Company sign near Three Creek, Idaho. Copyright Ralph Maughan. June 2008
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project and the creator of The Wildlife News.
I think the Idaho Mountain Express recently ran an editorial supporting Parrish, too.
The article states:
“Unfortunately for Parrish, he’s got some demerits in his confidential personnel file — enough that this latest mishap triggered the demotion”. Yeah, and what are THOSE “demerits” about, pray tell?
Someone needs to dig, and see just how many of those “demerits” stem from Parrish having the audacity to sign his name to OTHER agency comment letters, or from just telling the truth about abysmal sage-grouse numbers. You see, writing ANY comments about Brackett grazing, the Jarbidge RMP planning process, etc. is verboten these days for a state wildlife person. All of this, of course, is fueled by Director Cal Groen pandering to Butch. Nearly all the big public land area Jarbidge ranches are Bracketts or Brackett-by-marriage or Simplot or Gay Otter-Simplot operations.