Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Green-minded Idahoans willing to put money where their hearts are


Because polluting industries and weak-kneed yes-men in the White House have worked to sabotage bold efforts to protect the environment, the United States has lost valuable ground and time in setting higher standards for guarding public lands from private corporate exploitation and cleansing air and water quality.

The public is far ahead of politicians: U.S. public opinion studies time after time have found that taxpayers want tougher programs to protect the environment and will pay higher taxes for them.

Naysayers, however, argue for relaxed enforcement because better anti-pollution practices would be costly for industry. They ignore more compelling costs of doing nothing and allowing the planet to gradually deteriorate.

In a resounding retort to the do-nothings, a new Idaho poll found astonishing support for new, unconventional methods to protect land that would result in long-term protection of air and water.

An estimated 83 percent of those polled would support legislation giving farmers and ranchers state tax credits to preserve their land in perpetuity, rather than selling off to developers for housing subdivisions and shopping malls.

This is no academic question. As one of the fastest growing states, Idaho is seeing much of its rural agricultural and ranching land sold to accommodate new homes. This growth is too rapid for 51 percent in the poll, with another 66 percent concerned that converting farms and forests into urban developments would adversely affect quality of life.

Despite the stereotype of a state opposed to higher taxes, the poll by Moore Information that was underwritten by The Nature Conservancy, discovered that 70 percent support spending more state funds to preserve land around wildlife and fish habitats. A large 64 percent are willing to cough up $20 per year of their own money.

To this end, the "Idaho Ranch, Farm and Forest Protection Act" will be introduced in the 2008 state Legislature, similar to a bill that went nowhere in 2007.

This time around, however, lawmakers should be more aware of the vanishing agricultural lands being sold for real estate development, the economic impact of lost farms and the corresponding impact on the environment of more urbanization in a state known for its rugged wild lands.

Thanks to the vision of Idaho's late Democratic U.S. Sen. Frank Church, the state is the gold standard in preserving geographic wonders for generations to come.

The 21st century more than ever requires a renewed vision and renewed boldness in reasserting Idaho's reputation as a guardian of the land.




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