Idaho Fish and Game to Host Open House

LEWISTON - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will host an open house for guests to tour the new Clearwater Regional Office August 19. The public is invited to tour the buildings and grounds after a short ribbon cutting ceremony starting at 3 p.m. "We are very excited," said Cal Groen, Idaho Fish and Game Regional Supervisor. "Not only will we be able to provide better public service, but the new facility is much more energy efficient and economical." The new office was made possible by the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Using their tax advantages and the low interest rates on bonds, the Foundation was able to build the office complex at a minimum cost. Fish and Game will lease the facility for 20 years, and at the end of the lease, the bonds will be paid and the Foundation will donate the facility back to the department. The new office is located at 3316 16th Street in Lewiston. For more information on the new building or the open house, call 799-5010. Features of the new office include: - A large conference room that can be divided to accommodate public meetings, hunter education classes, and all staff meetings. - An indoor shooting range which will allow both archery and rifle education classes to be taught year round. - A wet lab for biologist to examine fish and wildlife. - Adequate storage, which will save the department nearly $10,000 a year in storage locker rentals. - One central ADA-accessible office will house all regional staff under one roof. One central heating and cooling system versus 6 separate systems, some nearly 4 decades old, will save considerably in monthly operating costs. - The location will guarantee little interruption to customer service, an office recognized as one of the top license vendors in the state.