Land Board Endorses Crapo's Owyhee Initiative

Boise â?? The five members of the Idaho Land Board today voted unanimously to endorse the Owyhee Initiative comprehensive land management bill introduced in the U.S. Senate last week by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo discussed via telephone the Initiative with Board members during the meeting and after the vote expressed his appreciation for the unanimous endorsement.Governor Jim Risch, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden, Superintendent of Public Instruction Marilyn Howard, State Controller Keith Johnson and Secretary of State Ben Ysursa all voted to support the Owyhee Initiative Implementation Act of 2006, S. 3794. The resolution states: â??Whereas, a diverse coalition of Idaho citizens and interests, including landowners, ranchers, environmental organizations, County government, and recreation groups, worked cooperatively to develop the Owyhee Initiative Agreement; â??Whereas, the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners commends the collaborative work of Senator Crapo, the Owyhee County Commissioners, the Owyhee Initiative Work Group and those who have participated in and supported the development of the Owyhee Initiative; â??Now, therefore, the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners support the prompt passage of the Owyhee Initiative Implementation Act of 2006 in the Congress of the United States and its signature by the President of the United States.â??Crapo said the endorsement of the Idaho Land Board is important as he works toward passage of the long-awaited Owyhee legislation. â??Local and state support are critical to the Owyhee Initiative. I greatly appreciate the members of the Land Board offering their support as we seek to move the bill forward in Idaho and in Washington, DC.â??# # #