Idaho Land Swaps Halted

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The director of the Idaho Department of Lands says all land exchanges have been suspended. The Spokesman-Review reports Director Tom Schultz announced suspension on Tuesday.

That means planned land exchanges designed to let some Priest Lake cabin owners get ownership of the land under their cabins has been dropped. Last month the Idaho Land Board rejected two similar land exchanges after a handful of lawmakers and local officials raised legal and political questions about the moves.

For nearly a century the state has allowed residents to rent lakeside property, and the renters typically own the cabins built on the land. That's led to years of lawsuits and protests over what constitutes fair rent for the land. Proceeds go to the state's endowment, which largely benefits Idaho's public schools.