For the week of November 19 - 24, 2003

New SNRA ranger
settles in

Baldwin touts collaborative
management style

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"It’s going to be a challenge. I’ve got a pretty good handle on the main issues here, and I’m going to address those pretty quick."

— SARAH BALDWIN, SNRA area ranger

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By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer

The new area ranger for the Sawtooth National Recreation Area said last week she is bringing a collaborative management style to the 756,000 Central Idaho gem.

"But I’m not afraid to make a decision," said Sarah Baldwin, 45, who took over as area ranger on Oct. 19.

Sarah Baldwin

Baldwin has made a career in facilities engineering for the U.S. Forest Service. Most recently, the 23-year Forest Service employee worked as a regional facilities engineer for the Alaska Region of the Forest Service in Juneau, Alaska.

Of local issues she has identified so far, Baldwin quickly highlighted a recently completed environmental study of public lands grazing in the East Fork of the Salmon River valley near Clayton.

Though appeals are expected from multiple angles on the recent decision to curtail grazing in the area, Baldwin said she would attempt to bring the parties together to negotiate common ground.

"It’s going to be a challenge," she said. "I’ve got a pretty good handle on the main issues here, and I’m going to address those pretty quick."

Baldwin said she would also stay committed to alleviating fire danger in mountain pine beetle infected portions of the Sawtooth Valley and Stanley Basin. She also said she would continue to push for up-to-date data on mountain goat populations in the White Cloud and Boulder mountains.

Though forest management in Alaska included some political pressure, it was different than the politically charged atmosphere familiar to the SNRA’s managers.

"What we hope for is that politicians don’t get involved and make resource-based decisions," Baldwin said.

According to her new bosses, Baldwin brings ample qualifications to the job.

"Sara brings a great deal of depth and breadth of experience and skills that will be an asset as she takes on the challenges here on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area," said Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor Ruth Monahan. "The various locations where Sara has worked in Alaska and California are great preparation for providing leadership on the SNRA.

"She is no stranger to water quality and fisheries issues as well as working with large recreation programs and addressing other resource issues including, outfitters and guides, wildlife management, Wilderness management and issues involving the Endangered Species Act."

Monahan said that Baldwin’s skills will also assist the SNRA in continuing to make progress with the management of its large and complex recreation program, multiple administrative sites, significant permitted facilities and unique private lands program.

"Coming to Idaho and the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is certainly going to be challenging," Baldwin said.

Baldwin said she has lived in some very beautiful places, but was immediately struck by the "grandeur of the SNRA."

"I look forward to working with the local communities and those who use, enjoy and care so much about the Sawtooth National Recreation Area," she said.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.