Idaho’s leaders need to come clean: Are they on our side for protecting public lands?

In January of 2017, my Guest Opinion asked, “Why aren’t all of Idaho’s lawmakers protecting our outdoor jewels?”

In that piece I had said, “Picture yourself a year from now going to a favorite spot only to find locked gates and ‘no trespassing’ signs. That’s not our way of life. But if these lands are sold, will rich buyers from out of state let you cross their lands? Don’t bet on it.”

And now it’s two years later. The contentious matter of the Wilks brothers locking off roads and lands historically open to the public is not just disturbing, but is a preview (as predicted) of what could happen.

I was in attendance at the Public Lands rally at the Idaho Statehouse in 2017. The size and intensity of the crowd was impressive. Study after study shows overwhelmingly that Americans love public lands and want politicians to keep their hands off of them.

Yet, time after time we saw Republican Rep. Raul Labrador support bills that would make disposing of public lands easy.

I was at Labrador’s infamous 2017 town hall meeting in Meridian. When my turn to question him came, I asked, “Will you now promise, in front of this crowd, that you will protect our public lands?” He paused, looked down and then walked to the next questioner for the next question, refusing to answer.

Idaho sportsmen like myself are still here. Labrador is not. He’s in the unemployment line.

Idaho’s leaders need to take note. Utah’s “leaders” (who are certainly leading the move to sell off American’s public lands) last year lost $45 million in annual income because they refused to promise to support public lands, leading the annual Outdoor Retailer Show to move its lucrative event to another state. Following their lead is not a good idea. Tourism and recreation is the third-leading industry in our state.

We have a new governor. I have submitted a request, but have yet to hear a word about where he stands on this voter-critical issue. We have a new congressman, too. Where does he stand?

We also have an Idaho Legislature that is more entangled in this mess than they might want to admit. Through lots and lots of Wilks Brother money, they were persuaded to create a trespassing law that every recreation, tourism, sportsman and law enforcement group opposed. It is now the law. A deeply flawed one at that.

In addition, Rep. Judy Boyle wants to introduce bills to make it easier to sell public lands. Idaho historically has sold 40 percent of its lands; don’t let the salesmen fool you into thinking Idaho would keep lands open for public recreation. Even now there are Idaho lands locked up with “No Entry” signs.

It’s time for Idaho’s leaders to fess up. Are you on our side? Or are you the guys who will be responsible for turning our beloved Idaho into tomorrow’s New Jersey West?

This story was originally published January 18, 2019 at 4:43 PM.