04/16/08 Owyhee Initiative hearing

Idaho Senator Mike Crapo has been working on the Owyhee Initiative for more than six years. Next week his new revised version to produce wilderness, ranches and wild rivers gets a congressional hearing. Crapo says the April 22nd hearing before the Energy Committee will show Congress the changes that were made with the help of Democratic leadership. CRAPO "This legislation is supported by all sectors from the interest groups who have been working with us whether it be from the private property and ranching groups to the environmental and conservation organizations to the hunters and fisherman and recreationists to the off road vehicle advocates to the tribes to the Air Force and the like." Key to getting the Owyhee Initiative passed is support from Idaho Senator Larry Craig. CRAPO "He raised some very strong and legitimate issues at that time in the 2006 hearing now the least of which is how are we going to make sure of the funding provided for the private property owners is actually provided." Crapo believes that Craig will support the legislation that will protect more than a half million acres of wilderness, designate 315 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers, establishes livestock grazing areas and sets up a science review to examine grazing decisions. Crapo's hope is for a markup on the bill so it can go to the full Senate for a vote. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott