JFAC backs Clagstone easement

Sen. Dan Johnson, R-Lewiston, moved to fund the portion of the Clagstone Meadows conservation easement that falls within the state Department of Lands budget; Rep. Marc Gibbs, R-Grace, seconded the motion. “This is not a new program,” Johnson said. “The department paid out $887,000 so far in FY16 for Bonnner Lake Firehouse ($100,561) and Bonner Lake South ($786,475). There is a small conservation easement, 7 acres, that will likely go to the Land Board soon, about $92,000, Bonner Lake West. So the total for FY16 is around $979,000.” The Lands piece of the easement is $5 million in federal funds. Johnson’s motion passed on a 17-3 vote, with just Sens. Sheryl Nuxoll, Steven Thayn and Jim Guthrie dissenting/ Betsy Russell , Eye on Boise. More here.