In the Idaho Statesman, Rocky Barker reports that sportsmen and conservative groups are upset that U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo breathed life into movement for states who want to take over public lands:

Idaho’s three-year campaign to force the government to transfer most of the 35 million acres of federal land to the state ended when a state Senate committee voted April 1 against joining Utah and Arizona in a compact to study legal action. The vote was a victory for sportsmen and conservation groups, who have fought vigorously against an idea they worry could lead to the sale of places they hunt, fish, hike, camp and ride. It also was an affirmation of U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo’s 25-year campaign to shift public land policy away from confrontation to collaboration between conservationists, ranchers, loggers and local officials. ... But just as Idaho legislators were moving away from the land transfer idea, the U.S. Senate approved a budget resolution that would establish a procedure for selling, exchanging or transferring to the states federal lands that aren’t national parks, monuments or reserves. The amendment, sponsored by Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, passed 51-49 on March 26, with Idaho Republicans Crapo and Sen. Jim Risch both voting yes. More here.

Question: Is Crapo started to bow to pressure from Tea Party wing of Republican Party?

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