Legislature Urges Forest Talks

The Idaho Legislature has approved a bill urging state land managers to open talks with the federal government on possible state management or co-management of forest lands.

But at least one lawmaker says it’s meaningless.

“It doesn’t do anything,” said Rep. Kathleen Gurnsey, R-Boise. “We already do this. It says go out and do what you’re already doing.”

The House voted 64-2 on Thursday for a bill directing the state Land Board to enter into a “joint exercise of powers” agreement with the Forest Service.

Sponsors saw it as a way to get the state into management of millions of acres of federal forest lands they say are producing little timber for harvest. The measure cleared the Senate 31-4 earlier and now goes to the governor.