For the week of June 26 - July 2, 2002

No exemption

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The State Land Board, stung by a district court decision making it subject to local land-use laws, could ask the Idaho Legislature to give it an exemption.

Barring successful appeal to a higher court, an exemption is clearly an option.

It’s an option neither the Land Board nor the Idaho Legislature should pursue.

Pursuing it will be attractive to many. It could be lobbied with the rallying cry that it would be good for Idaho schools, which receive revenues derived from activities on state land. It would put Blaine County and its contrary residents in their place—a big plus in some quarters.

On the other hand, an exemption may let the Idaho Land Board approve any use it deemed suitable on any state land anywhere. A gravel pit in the heart of Boise? A stinky dairy, polluting hog farm, noxious power plant or big box stores? No problem, if the Land Board says so.

The idea of this Boise-based board making land-use decisions for everyone else in Idaho is as palatable as eating slugs.

 

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.