By
Rocky Barker
Idaho Statesman
Unresolved issues
Most of the 11 voting members of the initiative panel have
reached agreement on most of the proposal. Still at issue is the
size and number of wilderness areas, access and some considerations
for individual ranchers.
"There are still some big issues outstanding,"
said Sandra Mitchell, who represents People for the Owyhees on
the panel, which advocates motorized recreation access. "We
still have some issues on finality and some backcountry recreation
area designations."
Roger Singer, director of the Northern Rockies Chapter of
the Sierra Club, was added to the panel in April, reflecting the
political reality that the national environmental group has the
power to stop any deal in Congress. He joined representatives
of the Wilderness Society, the Nature Conservancy and the Idaho
Conservation League as environmental interests on the panel.
He said the Sierra Club's national board still has concerns
about the precedents that may be created in the bill. His and
other environmental groups are concerned about how the bill will
address water rights, an issue that remains unresolved.
"I hope we can still reach an agreement, but our group
is giving a critical look at the details of the final package,"
Singer said.
Critics question the process
The Owyhee Initiative's meetings are open to the public,
but the proposals have changed dramatically since the panel began
talks two years ago. As pieces of the deal have leaked out, critics
have jumped on ideas they opposed. Many since have been dropped,
including land exchanges and land trades for grazing permit retirement.
That has bred distrust among groups on all sides that are
represented by others at the table. Janine Blaeloch, executive
director of the Western Land Exchange Project, a Seattle-based
public land watchdog group, opposes the initiative and urges conservation
groups to oppose it.
"I don't think they are representing our interests,"
Blaeloch said of the conservationists on the panel. "I don't
think we're getting straight answers from them."I know
from experience, when you go into those closed-door meetings,
a lot of bottom lines shift."
Russ Heughins of the Idaho Bird Hunters Association and
the Ada County Fish and Game League said he believes the peer
review panel gives ranchers too much power and may allow them
to delay grazing reductions.
"We view it as having the potential to allow the county
to run things out there," he said.
On the other side of the debate, Dick Bass, a former Owyhee
County Commissioner, longtime rancher and one of the organizers
of People for the Owyhees, also opposes the process. He believes
it designates too much wilderness.
"The public is not involved," Bass said.
"I think the opposition will come around by election
time," he said.
Panel urges patience
Cindy Bachman, a rancher who represents the Owyhee County
Soil Conservation Districts on the panel, urged people on all
sides of the issue to be patient and wait until they see the final
package.
"The conservationists, the ranchers, the county, the
landowners and the motorized groups all have these splinter groups
trying to derail us," she said. "We, at the table, all
know where each other stands."
Crapo said no one can expect to get all they want. But he
is confident that if the Owyhee Initiative panel reaches an agreement,
he can get it approved in Congress.
"Those groups that could stop this have been brought
into the process," Crapo said. "That gives it a strong
probability of success."
Who is on the Owyhee Initiative panel, who do they represent,
and what are their interests?
Inez Jaca, a rancher from near Marsing, represents the Owyhee
commissioners. She carries their concerns and those of ranchers
to the table.
Ted Hoffman, a rancher and veterinarian, represents the
Owyhe Borderlands Trust, a stockgrower-dominated conservation
group. He speaks for ranchers. John McCarthy, conservation
director for the Idaho Conservation League,is pressing for as
much wilderness as possible.
Craig Gehrke is the Northern Rockies representative of the
Wilderness Society, a national group that seeks to protect more
wilderness.
Howard Hedrick, a non-voting member, represents the Bureau
of Land Management, which controls the federal public lands in
Owyhee County.
Chad Gipson, a retired University of Idaho range scientist,
represents the Owyhee Cattlemen's Association. He has been one
of the technical Experts of the panel pushing rancher concerns
on range management.
Cindy Bachman, a rancher from south of Bruneau, represents
the Owyhee County Soil Conservation Districts. She speaks for
people from the eastern side of Owyhee County and landowners in
general.
Lou Lunte is the conservation director of the Idaho Chapter
of the Nature Conservancy. This national group owns the 45 Ranch
in southern Owyhee County and seeks research and management to
protect wildlife habitat and biological diversity.
Roger Singer is director of the Northern Rockies Chapter
of the Sierra Club. This national conservation group seeks wilderness
protection, Wild and Scenic Rivers protection and overall protection
of the environment.
Grant Simonds, executive director of the Idaho Outfitters
and Guides Association, represents river outfitters and hunting
guides. He also is expected to represent private hunter interests.
Sandra Mitchell, Idaho Snowmobile Association executive
director, represents People for the Owyhees, which advocates motorized
recreation access. She seeks to limit wilderness boundaries and
help fund management of motorized use.
Bruce Wong (photo not available), a colonel in the U.S.
Air Force, represents the military interest in training facilities
in Owyhee County.
Questions and answers about the Owyhee Initiative
What is the Owyhee Initiative? It is a collaborative process
designed to write legislation to develop and put into place a
landscape program in Owyhee County that preserves and restores
a functioning natural system and provides for economic stability
by keeping livestock grazing viable.
Who set it up? The Owyhee County Board of Commissioners.
Why? The Clinton administration nearly designated more than
a million acres of the county as a national monument without local
involvement. Lawsuits threaten to force many ranchers out of business.
Why are conservation groups participating? Uncontrolled
off-road motorized use is threatening the wilderness character
of parts of the scenic canyonlands and uplands they hope to preserve.
What happens next? If the panel strikes a deal, it will
be sent to the Owyhee commissioners for approval. They will send
it on to Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, who has pledged to introduce
a bill and carry it through Congress.
How can I express my opinion or get involved? Contact the
members of the panel who most closely represent your interest.
Or write Chairman, Owyhee Initiative Work Group, P.O. Box 1272,
Nampa, ID 83653 or e-mail at Owyheeinitiativehotmail.com
To offer story ideas or comments, contact reporter Rocky
Barker at rbarkeridahostatesman.com or 377-6484.