This week, the Idaho Senate passed S1338 a bill that, if enacted, will bring disarray to land management across our state. This bill will allow a county sheriff or a single county commissioner to declare federal lands to be a "catastrophic public nuisance" and demand abatement from federal land managers. Here's why we think this legislation is problematic:
The guidelines or basis for making such a declaration are sketchy at best - the bill includes some suggestions of nuisance conditions, but ultimately provides that a sheriff or county executive can consider "any other factor" that they consider relevant to concluding that the lands are "neglected" or "mismanaged" in a way that threatens public welfare.
This bill was originally introduced by outside wealthy interests with strong ties to the public lands takeover movement. So far these interests have attempted to pass similar versions of this bill in other Western states, and are now looking to force the same on Idaho.
This bill undermines the collaboration and science-based management necessary to be good land stewards by placing the fate of public lands at the whim of an individual's opinion. The fact is, challenges are already being addressed the right way with coordination, investment and collaboration among diverse interests. From logging to ranching to recreating, Idahoans are coming together across the state to advance ground-up recommendations to resolve problems associated with land management. At least ten efforts are underway across the state that promote solutions for federal land managers, find common ground, create jobs and restore watersheds and habitat.
