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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Idaho exploring another baby step in campaign to take over federal lands

Time to thaw: Minimal snowpack remains at 8,300 feet elevation in central Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness as Ed Shaw stands at Baron Lake. The photo looks west toward 10,000-foot Monte Verita Spires, left, and 10,201-foot Warbonnet Peak, right. (Bob Drzymkowski photo)
Time to thaw: Minimal snowpack remains at 8,300 feet elevation in central Idaho's Sawtooth Mountains Wilderness as Ed Shaw stands at Baron Lake. The photo looks west toward 10,000-foot Monte Verita Spires, left, and 10,201-foot Warbonnet Peak, right. (Bob Drzymkowski photo)

PUBLIC LANDS -- Some Idaho lawmakers are bent on joining Utah in devoting more time and money to taking control over federal public lands through the front door or back door.

Idaho bill gives counties ability to declare federal, state lands a 'nuisance'
Using legislation in Utah that is based on a model bill from the American Legislative Exchange Council, Idaho state Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll is proposing to allow counties to demand state or federal officials take steps to address wildfire risk and if the requested action is not taken, to take legal action.

The Arizona Legislature is considering a similar measure. Nuxoll presented the bill to the Senate Resources and Environment Committee on Monday, but withdrew it to clarify the language.

--Twin Falls Times-News



Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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