By Associated Press and Express Staff
BOISE — U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, has added a provision to his bill to create a 300,011-acre federal wilderness in central Idaho that could also boost the chances of creating a new state park in eastern Idaho.
The provision is designed to answer concerns about Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, which some have criticized because it transfers 162 acres of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area to the city of Stanley in a complex plan to protect national forest and Bureau of Land Management lands as federal wilderness.
The provision would trade 630 acres of state land along the Salmon River northwest of Stanley for federal land in eastern Idaho. That would increase the size of the SNRA by a net 468 acres and provide state land in eastern Idaho for a park.
The recreation area includes 1,200 square miles of public and private land, with 50 peaks that top 10,000 feet and some 500 alpine lakes.
"This type of exchange makes sense because it expands the SNRA and at the same time provides the citizens of Idaho with the land for a much needed park," Simpson said. "My legislation is about finding solutions and opportunities and I believe we have a win-win for the SNRA and the state and citizens of Idaho."
Simpson's plan dovetails with Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne's proposal to spend $34 million on seven state parks. Idaho lawmakers are debating the proposal that includes $4 million to buy and build a new park in eastern Idaho.
Kempthorne's staff and the Idaho Conservation League, which supports CIEDRA, suggested the change in Simpson's bill.
Simpson's staff said no specific land in eastern Idaho has been identified because the site for the park has not been chosen. That would be done by a 19-member selection committee made up of local officials, legislators and residents.
Robert Meinen, Idaho Parks and Recreation director, said he likes Simpson's plan.
"It sure gives us options," said Meinen, who noted that residents have been sending him ideas for a new park. "There's a lot of excitement about having a new eastern Idaho state park."
Besides creating the wilderness and transferring 162 acres to Stanley, Simpson's bill would transfer between 3,000 and 5,300 acres of federal BLM land to Custer County.
There would be some restrictions, but the county and city would be able to resell some of the land for development.
Environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, who oppose the bill have criticized the land transfers.
Rick Johnson, director of the Idaho Conservation League, said the land trade won't necessarily reverse those criticisms, but it will benefit the SNRA.
"The land conveyances in CIEDRA that are problematic are still problematic—this is not like the great glowing light that makes the other (conveyances) disappear," Johnson said. "But for anybody who cares about the SNRA, putting this chunk of land into federal management will be a good thing."
Johnson also feels that Kempthorne's involvement in CIEDRA can only help the bill's chances of passing the House Resources Committee. Kempthorne was recently named the new Interior secretary.
"His interest in CIEDRA is now greater," Johnson said. "It's a way to have the governor more proactively involved.
"The Interior Department has nothing to do with (CIEDRA)—except in a minor way—but he will be a player."
