Scorecard: Clagstone Meadows project
In her weekly legislative Scorecard, Sandy Patano of North Idaho PAC spotlights the North Idaho legislators who voted against the common-sense Clagstone Meadows Forest Legacy project and the Idaho Fish & Game budget:
Idaho has long been synonymous with the outdoors; one of America’s last frontiers. Few places in the world provide the access to high quality of life next to the pristine and beautifully rugged environment found in North Idaho. This coexistence drives North Idaho’s economy by bringing tourism and by attracting workforce professionals from around the country.
The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a federal program that supports state efforts to protect environmentally sensitive forests through the use of conservation easements. During this legislative session, HB 646 provided the appropriation to the Department of Lands and the Department of Fish and Game to partner with others to purchase the Clagstone Meadows conservation easement in Bonner County.
The Clagstone Meadows Forest Legacy project is composed of over 13,000 acres of contiguous private forest land. Rather than sell to a golf course developer, the land owner, Stimson Lumber Company, preferred to sell the development rights, valued at $12.6 million, and keep the land in timber production in perpetuity. This transaction would help protect the region's drinking water; protect wetlands; maintain habitat for elk, deer, moose, bear, forest grouse, waterfowl and a variety of native species; retain local timber jobs; and allow for non-motorized public access to private property.
With this in mind, one wonders why several North Idaho legislators voted against the Idaho Fish and Game budget this year – a budget which is primarily user fee based (the sportsmen’s money) and contains no General Fund tax dollars. Are they accusing Idaho Fish and Game of fraud or abuse? Are they concerned about waste in the agency? No. Instead, these legislators and the Idaho Freedom Foundation are upset about a constituency driven project with federal, state, and a private cooperation. More here.
