Lands Department Building Plan Has Life

Legislative budget writers have found money for a new Department of Lands building in Coeur d’Alene.

Gov. Phil Batt had recommended that the department seek a lease-purchase arrangement, but the Legislature’s budget committee this week identified $2.2 million from the department’s timber funds for the project.

The Lands Department now has its Coeur d’Alene staff spread among several overcrowded and substandard buildings.

Rep. Don Pischner, R-Coeur d’Alene, pushed his fellow budget committee members to agree to the funding.