Bill About Forest Management Introduced

A much-talked-about bill to promote state involvement in managing national forest land was introduced Wednesday in a Senate committee.

Sen. Judi Danielson, R-Council, and Sen. Bruce Sweeney, D-Lewiston, proposed the measure, which would direct the state Land Board to negotiate cooperative management agreements with the U.S. Forest Service.

“This is the bill that’s caused such a stir,” Danielson told the Senate Resources & Environment Committee.

“For those who think the transfer of lands will occur … you’re sadly mistaken if you think that will happen just with this bill. That takes an act of Congress.”

U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth said last week that she and Sen. Larry Craig will work together on congressional legislation.

The two already co-sponsored a measure that would allow states to take over federal Bureau of Land Management lands.

Several committee members questioned the need for the bill.