Membership in SITPA is voluntary and open to any person, firm or cooperation, who owns or controls forest lands located within the boundaries of the Southern Idaho Forest Protective District. Idaho code 38-111 provides that membership in a timber protective association operating under agreement with the state Board of Land Commissioners is recognized as one of the three approved methods that private forest land owners can choose to meet Idaho's requirement to provide for wildland fire protection.
Forest land owners interested in becoming a member, should contact SITPA with a completed membership application (located below) before May 1st.
Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association Membership Application
Open to any forest landowner. SITPA's membership today is comprised of over 70 large and small forest landowners, including the State of Idaho and Southern Pines Plantation (formerly Potlatch Corporation).
Every owner of forest lands in the state of Idaho is required to furnish or provide for wildland fire protection in conformity with the rules and standards established by the state Board of Land Commissioners (Idaho Code 38-11).
"Forest Lands" Defined Idaho Code 38-111 defines "Forest land" as any land which has upon it sufficient brush or flammable forest growth of any kind or size, living or dead, standing or down, including debris or growth following a fire or removal of forest products, to constitute a fire menace to life (including animal) or property.
Methods of Protection Idaho Code 38-111 offers three ways that land owners may provide for wild land fire protection of their forest lands. 1. Forest land owners may provide their own fire protection under terms of a plan specified and approved by the Director, Idaho Department of Lands. The standards of the plan are identified in the Rules Pertaining to Forest Fire Protection, IDAPA 20.04.01, (030. Standards for Fire Protection by Individuals). 2. Forest land owners may join and maintain a membership in good standing with a timber protective association operating under agreement with the state Board of Land Commissioners. Members are assessed for protection directly by the timber protective association. 3. If a forest land owner does not choose either of the first two options, the Director of the Department of Lands will furnish protection. Forest land owners are assessed for protection by the Department of Lands through their county property taxes.
Forest Land Owner Assessment Rates Maximum assessment rates for wild land fire protection on state and private forest lands are established by Idaho Code 38-111, with the current rate set by the Board of Land Commissioners. The rates for protection provided by either a timber protective association or the state of Idaho are the same.
Current protection assessment rates:
$0.60 per acre of forest lands per year; or
A minimum assessment of $15.00 for parcels of 25 acres or less; and
An additional surcharge of $40.00 per forested parcel if a residential structure is present.