For the week of December 12 - 18, 2001

Land Board employs double standard

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The Idaho Land Board has undertaken a high-handed court action to force Blaine County to allow it to lease 20 acres of state land in Ohio Gulch for use as a gravel pit.

The board’s argument: Blaine County is preventing it from fulfilling its constitutional duty to manage state lands to generate maximum long-term financial returns for Idaho schools.

This is the same constitutional provision the Land Board blithely dodges¾ despite an Idaho Supreme Court ruling¾ every time it rejects high bids from non-ranchers in favor of low bids from ranchers. Or, when it refuses to allow non-ranchers to bid at all.

This is the same provision the Land Board has argued should be interpreted to protect grazing leases to ensure the health of the ranching industry and rural communities.

Yet, the Land Board wants different rules for Blaine County.

The Land Board consists of the governor, superintendent of public instruction, secretary of state, attorney general and state controller.

Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and Attorney General Alan Lance aim their most impassioned rhetoric at the federal government when it threatens to trample states’ rights.

Yet, when the state suits up as the jackbooted thug, they see no problem.

It matters not to the Land Board that the Ohio Gulch property is zoned for residential and agricultural use, not heavy industry.

It matters not that plunking pit operations and diesel-spewing heavy truck traffic near two growing neighborhoods will have a decidedly negative effect on property values and the area’s landscape.

It matters not that in 1999, Blaine County generated $18 million in state sales tax receipts and that the lion’s share went to education.

The Land Board has fought mightily to protect ranchers and ranching communities. Yet, it would deny tourist wranglers, residential developers, and second-home owners¾ the bread and butter of the valley’s economy¾ the same protection.

If the Land Board prevails, what’s next? A shopping center or a factory or a power plant for another neighborhood?

On the other hand, perhaps there’s another way. Blaine County and Ohio Gulch residents should buy a few cattle, form a ranchers association and offer to lease the property for grazing.

 

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.