09/28/07 Craig stays for now; judge says yes to prescribed burn

Senator Larry Craig is not going to step down on Sunday but will remain in office until a Minnesota judge rules on his request to withdraw a guilty plea. Craig issued a statement after the Wednesday court hearing on his disorderly conduct charge in a Minnesota airport bathroom. The other three members of the Idaho congressional delegation are standing by Craig, supporting him but other Congressional Republicans have been silent. The BLM plans to burn 26 hundred acres in Owyhee County to reduce Western Juniper and other hazardous fuels. US District Court Judge Lynn Winmill game BLM the green light after denying a Western Watershed Project call for a temporary restraining order. Winmill said WWP did not appeal the BLM decision in the Castleford burn when it was issued one year ago but instead waited until four days before the burn was to begin to file the motion. Judge Winmill also quoted from a 1997 Idaho Sage Grouse Management plant which supports prescribed burns to reduce juniper encroachment, restore more normal fire frequencies while promoting a variety of vegetation. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott