Kempthorne Has Key Role In Congress

The opening of the 105th Congress on Tuesday began another chapter in the story of how Dirk Kempthorne has gone from Boise mayor to a U.S. senator respected by Republicans and Democrats alike.

The man rated with the least seniority when the Senate convened four years ago will play a lead role this year in rewriting the Endangered Species Act. Those who have tracked his career say Kempthorne’s future may be defined by how he brings clashing interests together on this most sweeping of environmental issues.

Kempthorne is chairman of the Drinking Water, Fisheries and Wildlife subcommittee. The panel will resume work on redefining the Endangered Species Act, a task that put environmentalists, industry and property rights advocates at odds in the last Congress.

Kempthorne is vague about what he thinks should be done to the Endangered Species Act. Of all the listed species, virtually half have no recovery plan, he said.

“That’s no victory,” Kempthorne said.

Like other members of Idaho’s congressional delegation, Kempthorne says the law also should take the needs of property owners into account.

Kempthorne is convinced there is middle ground.

“If you’re a good listener and get creative, you can figure out how to accommodate concerns of other parties and still have your principles,” he said.

Mindful that Kempthorne may be the toughest Republican to defeat in 1998, Idaho Democrats are watching the Endangered Species Act debate.

This will be what defines Kempthorne’s success or failure, said Bill Mauk, chairman of the Idaho State Democratic Party.