This July 18 aerial photo shows the mixed ownership of forests north of the Clearwater River in Idaho, including Potlatch private forest, Idaho State Endowment Lands and the Clearwater National Forest.

BOISE – A chairman of a legislative committee studying the pros and cons of the state taking control of federal land in Idaho has a simple message for the public and his colleagues: Be patient.

Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, vowed that the Federal Lands Interim Committee he co-chairs will take its time to study all the angles, benefits and consequences of such a big idea. The first few meetings will be devoted to education before members turn their focus to a report and recommendation due to the Legislature in 2015.

“These first few meetings will be more educational than anything else,” Winder said as part of his opening remarks at the panel’s first meeting Friday. Full story.

Are you in favor of the state taking control of federal land in Idaho?

 

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