Hammes: Let Idaho Manage Forest

He deserves credit for trying but there is little reason to expect success. Rep. Raul Labrador recently introduced legislation that would allow states to manage large tracts of federal forest. Under his proposal, any state could manage some federal forest land. Federal environmental regulations would still be in effect, but only as they currently apply to state land. In other words, the land managed under the pilot projects could actually be managed. This is not a new concept. Everyone agrees federal land managers are hamstrung by regulations and the lawsuits they spawn. No matter how diligently Forest Service personnel complete paperwork, nor how voluminous they make it n efforts at any land management that includes timber harvesting are rare in success and limited in scope. It doesn’t take a forester — or a Congressman — to recognize that the state of Idaho could do a better job managing those lands. It is as obvious as the dead timber that permeates federal forests/Dan Hammes, St. Maries Gazette. More to come.

Question: Do you agree with St. Maries Gazette publisher — and Congressman Raul Labrador — that Idaho can do a better job managing federal land than the feds?