Idahoans should be allowed to control their own destiny

Jonathan Oppenheimer, with the Idaho Conservation League, wants us to believe that “…out-of-state ideologues pushing their own agenda.” are behind the effort to return to Idahoans its’ federally controlled land. He should talk, as one of ICL’s biggest contributors ($190,000) in 2014 was the Wyss Foundation, headquartered in Washington, D.C. and founded by Hansjorg Wyss, of Switzerland. Their stated purpose is “...to place large swathes of land under government protection.”

Let’s consider Mr. Oppenheimer statements. “The new costs of management … would bankrupt the state…” What are the numbers concerning those costs? It would be convenient if ICL could provide factual documentation of those costs, instead of fear-mongering. It would help all of us.

Meanwhile, on the American Lands Council web site can be found a study by Montana’s Property and Environment Research Center providing worthwhile details concerning the 2009-2013 average cost of land management of federal agencies versus Idaho:

• Cost of timber management:

The U.S. Forest Service receives $181 million in revenue, has $565 million in expenses, the revenue per dollar spent is 32 cents with the net revenue per million board feet sold at minus $149.

The Bureau of Land Management receives $52 million in revenue, has $18 million in expenses, the revenue per dollar spent is 2.82 cents with the net revenue per million board feet sold at minus $149

The state of Idaho receives receives $28 million in revenue, has $75 million in expenses, the revenue per dollar spent is 38 cents with the net revenue per million board feet sold at 28 cents

• The cost of recreation:

U.S. Forest Service gets revenue of $130 million, expenses are $466 million and the revenue per dollar spent is 28 cents.

The Bureau of Land Management gets revenue of $18 million, expenses are $87 million and the revenue per dollar spent is 20 cents.

The state of Idaho gets revenue of $400,000, expenses are $100,000 and the revenue per dollar spent is 9.51 cents.

The federal government controls 32.6 million acres in Idaho and pays roughly $ 2.09 per acre to state and local communities. Idaho owns 2.5 million acres in land trusts and pays $ 21.12 per acre to local communities. Do the math.

Visit the above-mentioned website, dig up facts regarding costs of management, determine the net benefits from Idahoans controlling their own destiny.

JEREMY CONLIN

Cocolalla