Boise, ID
High 50 | Low 33
Currently: 44°
Mon
54|37
Tue
56|36
Wed
52|34

Idaho Legislature considering a compromise to keep sheep collaboration alive

BY ROCKY BARKER - rbarker@idahostatesman.com

Published: 04/24/09


Bookmark and Share
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
print story email story to a friend
Comments (0) |

A compromise could be in the works at the Legislature to keep a collaborative effort on wild and domestic sheep alive.

Idaho Republican Sen. Jeff Siddoway introduced a new bill without the requirement for Idaho Fish and Game officials to kill or move bighorn sheep that wander into federal sheep grazing lands.

His earlier bill, which would require killing or moving bighorns, sits before Gov. Butch Otter waiting for his signature, a veto or a decision simply to allow it to pass, which would happen Saturday. Otter told reporters he had not decided what he would do.

“All my efforts right now are to help Sen. Siddoway get his (bill) passed,” Otter said.

Sportsmen, environmentalists and Indian tribes appointed to a panel to seek a way to keep bighorns and domestic sheep apart said Wednesday they would leave the committee if Otter signs the bill.

John Robison, of the Idaho Conservation League and a member of the panel said the new bill, SB 1232, which gives Fish and Game 120 days to develop a cooperative plan that uses best-management practices to keep bighorns away from sheep, is an improvement. But he urged Otter to veto the earlier bill first.

Siddoway said the bill was rewritten to meet Otter’s objections to the first bill, SB 1175.

“I hope he signs it into law or lets it go in without a signature, but I don’t know what he’ll do,” Siddoway said.

OPTIONS: Most Read Stories  |  Story Comments  |  Email story  |  Print story
hide comments

Story Comments
We welcome comments but ask that you remain on topic. Some comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. Comments that are profane, personal attacks or otherwise inappropriate or are off topic are subject to removal. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Do not flag comments merely because you disagree with the comment.

more about comments here.
Local Deals
Find a Job
Keywords:
Location: