BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) will host three public information sessions to share details and answer questions about a potential exchange of endowment lands around Payette Lake for federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
No final decisions have been made. IDL is currently conducting due diligence and evaluating options to determine whether a potential exchange would be in the best interest of Idaho’s endowment trusts and beneficiaries.
The potential exchange could involve up to approximately 15,700 acres of endowment land around Payette Lake in Valley County. In exchange, IDL could acquire substantially more acreage of federal land to achieve equivalent value, though the exact number of acres will not be known until independent, third-party appraisals are completed.
The potential exchange is being considered because some endowment lands around Payette Lake have significantly increased in value, while revenue generated from those lands has not increased at the same pace. Under Idaho Land Board policy, underperforming assets may be evaluated for improved management, leasing, exchange, or other opportunities.
If approved, a land exchange could provide benefits including continued public recreational access to lands acquired by IDL through the exchange, more effective land and resource management, and increased revenue for Idaho’s endowment beneficiaries through leasing and timber management.
Community members are invited to attend one of the following public information sessions:
Cascade: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 6:30 p.m. American Legion 105 E. Mill Street Cascade, Idaho
McCall: Wednesday, June 24, 2026 6:30 p.m. McCall Library 218 Park St. McCall, Idaho
New Meadows: Thursday, June 25, 2026 6:30 p.m. Meadows Valley School 500 N. Miller Ave. New Meadows, Idaho
IDL is evaluating several options, including a full exchange and partial exchange alternatives that could retain some endowment lands near Payette Lake.
Before any exchange could move forward, IDL must complete due diligence, independent appraisals must determine land values, congressional action would be required to authorize federal agencies to complete the exchange, and any proposed exchange would return to the Idaho Land Board for consideration.
