Jonathan Oppenheimer of the Idaho Conservation League spoke against both public lands transfer resolutions, HCR 21 and HCR 22. HCR 21 would set up a study committee on a state takeover of federal land within the state; it passed the House on a 64-4 vote. HCR 22 demands that the federal government turn over title to the land to the state; it passed the House on a 55-13 party-line vote, with all House Democrats opposing it.

“This is contrary to the Idaho Constitution and admissions acts,” Oppenheimer told the Senate State Affairs Committee. “Public lands really represent the areas where Idahoans fish, where we hunt, where we recreate. They represent a tremendous economic engine to the state.” He said if title were transferred, “Public lands would be at risk for sale to the highest bidder, a notion that is steadfastly opposed by the majority of Idahoans.”

Wally Butler, range and livestock specialist for the Idaho Farm Bureau, spoke in favor of the measures. “Being a resource person, I see lots of benefits in the analysis that’s been prepared,” he told the committee. “HCR 22 does pull back or proposes to pull back the wilderness areas, monuments, etc.”

Betty Richardson, former U.S. Attorney for Idaho, said she’s concerned that proponents of the bill have looked only at the possible benefits to the state from the move, and haven’t looked at the full potential costs. “As the U.S. Attorney for Idaho for seven years, I know that the costs are not only the cost of the rangers and the biologists and the technicians, it is also the cost of federal law enforcement,” she warned. She urged the Legislature “to do the study committee first.”