Chenoweth Questions Blm’s Restrictions

U.S. Rep. Helen Chenoweth wants to know what led the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to limit the use of firearms and vehicles in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.

Chenoweth, R-Idaho, wrote BLM Director Mike Dombeck on Tuesday, saying she is concerned the multiple-use intent for the area might be jeopardized.

“What troubles me is that it appears the BLM is taking the first step toward managing the area solely for wildlife habitat,” she wrote. “The intent of the original designation, however, was for the region to be a multiple-use area to be shared among hunters, hikers, rock climbers and other recreational enthusiasts.”

John Sullivan, area manager, announced earlier that so much shooting was going on that it had become dangerous for other visitors. He said a bullet hit the arm of a man roofing his house on Kuna Cave Road and a National Guardsman was shot in the thigh.

Excessive use of four-wheel-drive vehicles also is destroying vegetation and cutting into the jack rabbit population, the prey for the birds of prey, Sullivan said.

Vehicles will not be allowed on about six miles of road along the Snake River between Swan Falls Dam and Celebration Park. They also will be prohibited on some roads crisscrossing the area.

Public lands will be closed to rifle and pistol use year-round a half-mile on each side of the river from Grand View to near Celebration Park. An area on the Snake River plateau in the eastern part of the conservation area also will be closed to rifle and pistol use.

Shotgun and muzzleloader use will be allowed except from Feb. 15 to Aug. 31.

Chenoweth said she wants information about what public hearings were held on developing the management plan, whether those attending represented a broad range of users and if the public can expect more restrictions.

“Frankly, some of my constituents feel that they worked in good faith with the BLM to develop an area that would be widely used, only to now have it be shut off to some of the most popular activities,” she wrote.