07/12/07 Changes to Owyhee Initiative?

Senator Mike Crapo says his Owyhee Initiative legislation is getting attention in the US Senate. Last week aids to Senators Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and Idaho's Larry Craig came to southwestern Idaho. CRAPO "And we have given them a very good tour not only of the area but have introduced them to the players and those who worked so hard to negotiate this legislation." Bingaman chairs a committee, Craig a subcommittee that will deal with the Owyhee initiative which creates wilderness, protects scenic rivers and allows for the rural lifestyle so many have cherished over the decades. Crapo says with new Democratic leadership in Congress there are suggested changes in the legislation and he hopes to offer a re-written bill within the next couple of months. CRAPO "And we are fighting our hardest to maintain the integrity of the work product that was achieved in Idaho while facing the realistic need to make some adjustments and determine whether the Idaho work group can support the adjustments that we may need to make in order to move forward here in Congress. The Owyhee Initiative team that has been negotiating and working on this bill for so long must approve any proposed changes." He says the opportunity is still there this year to get the bill passed and put into law. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott