Idaho Lawmakers Weigh Pro and Cons of Taking Federal Lands

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A House committee has introduced a resolution calling on lawmakers to study the pros and cons of Idaho wresting control of public land managed by the federal government. The House State Affairs Committee on Thursday also introduced a resolution laying out the historical and legal argument behind any potential transfer of federal lands to the state.

Republican Rep. Lawerence Denney of Midvale is the chief sponsor of both proposals. Denney says the state is often at odds with the way federal agencies manage land, species and approach to harvesting timber. Idaho's latest push for the federal government to turn over millions of acres is modeled on legislation approved last year in Utah. In Idaho, Denney expects any national parks and monuments and tribal lands to be exempt from state control.