Crapo attempts collaborative policy decisions

LEWISTON, Idaho – Sen. Mike Crapo is trying to make the public lands decision-making process into a more collaborative effort.

He said the current system – where competing groups flood federal agencies with comments, petitions and supporting science when a project is proposed – creates an atmosphere that makes every decision a high stakes, heated battle.

He said the system invites public input, but it’s “public input in the context of conflict. We need public input in the context of collaboration.”

In the continued environment of hard-fought battles, Crapo said more groups are considering a collaborative process, where they are willing to meet and agree about issues on controversial issues.

Crapo was in Lewiston last week to hear recommendations from the Clearwater Elk Collaborative, a group he brought together last year. After several meetings, the once polarized group eventually met consensus on measures to stabilize struggling elk herds.

And a southern Idaho group comprised of ranchers, environmentalists and recreationalists met on his call to decide which areas of the Owyhee canyonlands should be dedicated as wilderness and which should be opened to public use.

The group is soon expected to release a wilderness management plan.

Crapo said he would like to introduce legislation mandating a collaborative decision-making process, but admits that’s far off.