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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eye On Boise

State considers changes to grazing fees

Here’s a news item from the Associated Press: TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) — Idaho lands officials are considering increasing how much ranchers pay to graze on state lands for the first time in more than 20 years. The Times-News (http://bit.ly/WMZDMm) reports that Idaho's grazing fees are lower than its neighboring states but the state hasn't updated its fee formula since 1993. Idaho Department of Lands spokeswoman Emily Callihan says the state could change the rate depending on the quality of forage in an area a rancher wants to graze in. However, Idaho Cattle Association president Jared Brackett says ranchers could opt to graze on federal lands, where fees are significantly lower than those charged by the state. Callihan says the department will collect public input on how to change its grazing rates over the next year.



Betsy Z. Russell
Betsy Z. Russell joined The Spokesman-Review in 1991. She currently is a reporter in the Boise Bureau covering Idaho state government and politics, and other news from Idaho's state capital.

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