The below content was originally published at www.idahocapitalsun.com at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/j796y267
Public lands belong to all Americans — not just a fortunate few or the highest bidders. They’re a shared national treasure that defines our identity as Westerners.
Last summer, Idahoans from every political background stood together to reject a dangerous plan to sell off these lands, and leaders like Congressman Mike Simpson and Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo stood with us. Public lands aren’t a luxury — they’re a legacy. Once they’re privatized or sold, we never get them back.
That legacy faces a serious new threat. Congressman Russ Fulcher is pushing a plan to explore transferring management — and eventually ownership — of Idaho’s national public lands to state government. He’s called this transition “imminent,” pointing to frustrations with federal agencies and concerns about programs like Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS).
But his plan ignores a simple fact: Idaho cannot afford the more than $500 million annual cost of managing these federal lands. With Idaho already facing a $58 million shortfall this year and up to a $1 billion shortfall next year, the state would only have two options: raise taxes or sell our land. And Idahoans have made it clear repeatedly — they don’t want either.
Public lands are part of our family traditions, passed down from one generation to the next. They aren’t just property; they’re a way of life. Our public lands sustain local communities through Idaho’s multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy; they support our $20 billion agriculture economy, and they’re the source of our clean drinking water. Congressman Fulcher’s proposal threatens those values and our way of life.
A recent survey found that 96 percent of Idaho registered voters want public lands to remain in public hands — a clear mandate from the people who live, work, and recreate here.
But there are real challenges on our public lands that need addressing, and that includes support for our public lands counties. The federal programs that help fund county services such as PILT and SRS enjoy a long history of strong bipartisan support from across the country.
Just last week, the U.S. House reauthorized Secure Rural Schools funding on a 399–5 vote, hardly the sign of a program in danger. But these programs aren’t perfect, and Idaho’s counties deserve practical solutions from Congress that strengthen and stabilize county budgets without selling off or privatizing the lands that define Idaho.
This starts with improving PILT so that large public lands counties get their fair share of payments to handle the costs associated with providing access to our public lands, such as county road maintenance. We also need to work to make sure that SRS is reauthorized before it expires in the future. Critically, Congress needs to authorize permanent funding to cover the needs of both programs so that our counties have long-term budget security and stability.
We agree that public lands need improved management. Partnership programs like Good Neighbor Authority and Shared Stewardship programs have increased the capacity to get work done, but more improvements are needed.
Agencies require funding and an adequate workforce to protect clean water, restore habitat for fish and wildlife, manage recreation, reduce hazardous fuels, and manage wildfire.
We also need to deepen collaboration with local communities, Tribes, and state agencies; and modernize policy so land managers have the adaptive tools needed in a changing West.
There are real challenges on our public lands but handing them over or selling them off to the highest bidder is not the solution. The responsible path is to work together with our counties, our state, Idahoans, and our federal delegation to strengthen county finances and ensure strong local input — while keeping these lands in public hands, where they belong.
Congressman Fulcher’s proposal is a short-sighted plan that risks our way of life and robs future generations of what makes Idaho, Idaho.
Let’s keep Idaho’s public lands public, conserved, and accessible. Once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
