PUBLIC LANDS -- Comments on the latest Idaho lawmaking effort to take control of federal lands were mostly against the measure this week, but committee members approved it anyway -- because they have an agenda.

S-R Boise reporter Betsy Russell followed up on a Lewiston Tribune report on the state Senate Resources and Environment Committee recommended approving legislation Wednesday aimed at giving county officials a "stick" to use against federal land managers.

Bill Spence of the Lewiston Tribune reported that supporters say the bill, which is sponsored by Sen. Sheryl Nuxoll, R-Cottonwood, and backed by the Idaho Freedom Foundation, doesn't provide counties with any authority beyond what they have now, but they hope it encourages counties to take a more aggressive stance.

Opponents said collaboration is a better approach.

The measure lets county sheriffs or the chairmen of county commissions declare a "catastrophic public nuisance" if they feel federal lands are being neglected or mismanaged in a way that threatens public health, safety or welfare.

"Counties can already do this, but having it in state law might give a little more spine to some," said Idaho County Commissioner Jim Chmelik, who testified in favor of the bill last week.

The panel took testimony over two days, nearly all of it against the bill, before approving it on a party-line vote with only minority Democrats dissenting.