Article published by the Clearwater Tribune on November 2, 2022, Updated November 9, 2022
Longtime Orofino resident Alex Irby was presented an award from Senator Mike Crapo on Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Senator’s office in Lewiston, for Irby’s dedication to the Clearwater Basin Collaborative. The Congressional Record statement (a statement read on the floor of the Senate to recognize Irby for his work) by Senator Crapo stated, “Madam/Mr. President, I honor Alex Irby, of Orofino, Idaho, for his many years of natural resources and collaborative work in the Clearwater Basin of Idaho.
“More than 14 years ago, Alex Irby and Dale Harris asked for my help with setting up and supporting the Clearwater Basin Collaborative, CBC. They love this wonderful part of Idaho and put their hard work into pulling together a collaborative effort to resolve natural resources challenges in the area. Alex even dedicated 10 years to serving as co-chair of the CBC. “The focus of the collaborative was to support the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests to get work done on the ground and save the local sawmills in the area. We launched the CBC in May of 2008, and the CBC has had an important role in furthering discussions about the management of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and achieved much needed restoration of landscapes, including water quality improvements, which are also providing a supply of raw materials to our local mills.
“The accomplishments of the CBC and the fact it is still going strong today is due in large part to the forethought and commitment of Alex Irby, the Nez Perce Tribe and the other partners in the collaborative effort. Alex brought his decades of natural resources experience to the collaborative table. In 1959, at the age of 16, Alex started fighting fires for the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protection Association, C-PTPA, with roots in Idaho stretching back more than 100 years. Alex worked for C-PTPA for 26 years. He also worked for Konkolville Lumber Company from 1984 to 2000, and he served as an Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner for eight years starting in 1999. After his service to the Idaho Fish and Game Commission ended in 2007, Alex served as the Idaho Fish and Game Representative to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board, with his position ending in 2014. His other contributions to the natural resources sector include his service with his local soil and water conservation district and rural fire district. Alex is also a founder of PLAY, Public Lands Access Year-Round, started in 1999 to work with public land managers, to help ensure more roads and trails remain open for continued motorized access for off highway vehicles.
“To this day, Alex is out cutting trail and hunting in the Clearwater Basin. He has a wealth of knowledge and history of the area, and backs the responsibility of taking care of our public lands with hard work and know-how. He is willing to work with anyone who is a team player. Thank you, Alex Irby, for your remarkable contributions of your time and talents to improving and sustaining an amazing part of our great state and country.”