Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - March 07, 2007)

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By Mr. CRAPO:

S. 802. A bill to provide for the implementation of the Owyhee Initiative Agreement, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Owyhee Initiative Implementation Act of 2007, a bill which is the result of a five-year collaborative effort between all levels of government, multiple users of public lands, and conservationists to resolve decades of heated land-use conflict in the Owyhee Canyonlands in the southwestern part of my home State of Idaho.

This is comprehensive land management legislation that enjoys far-reaching support among a remarkably diverse group of interests that live work and play in this special country.

Owyhee County contains some of the most unique and beautiful canyonlands in the world and offers large areas in which all of us can enjoy the grandeur and experience of untouched western trails, rivers, and open sky. It is truly magical country, and its natural beauty and traditional uses should be preserved for future generations. Owyhee County is traditional ranching country. Seventy-three percent of its land base is owned by the United States, and it is located within an hour's drive of one of the fastest growing areas in the nation, Boise, ID.

This combination of attributes, including location, is having an explosive effect on property values, community expansion and development and ever-increasing demands on public land. Given this confluence of circumstances and events, Owyhee County has been at the core of decades of conflict with heated political and regulatory battles. The diverse land uses co-exist in an area of intense beauty and unique character. The conflict over land management is both inevitable and understandable--how do we manage for this diversity and do so in a way that protects and restores the quality of that fragile environment?

In this context, the Owyhee County Commissioners and several others said ``enough is enough' and decided to focus efforts on solving these problems rather than wasting resources on an endless fight. In 2001, The Owyhee County Commissioners, Hal Tolmie, Dick Reynolds, and Chris Salove, met with me and asked for my help. They asked whether I would support them if they could put together, at one table, the interested parties involved in the future of the County to try and reach some solutions. I told them that if they could get together a broad base of interests who would agree to collaborate in a process committed to problem-solving, I would dedicate myself to working with them and if they were successful, I would introduce resulting legislation. They agreed. Together, we set out on a six-year journey on a road that is as challenging as any in the

Owyhee Canyonlands. Sharp turns, steep inclines and declines, big sharp rocks, deep ruts, sand burrs, dust and a constant headwind is exactly what those of us who have worked so hard on this have faced every day.

This is very difficult work and in speaking of difficult work, I want to acknowledge the effort of my friend and colleague from Idaho, Representative MIKE SIMPSON, and the challenge he has taken on as he advocates his Central Idaho Economic Development Act. I support his work and his legislation.

The Commissioners appointed a Chairman, an extraordinary gentleman, Fred Grant. They formed the Work Group which included The Wilderness Society, Idaho Conservation League, The Nature Conservancy, Idaho Outfitters and Guides, the United States Air Force, the Sierra Club, the county Soil Conservation Districts, Owyhee Cattleman's Association, the Owyhee Borderlands Trust, People for the Owyhees, and the Shoshone Paiute Tribes to join in their efforts. All accepted, and work on this bill began. As this collaborative process gained momentum, the County Commissioners expanded the Work Group to include the South Idaho Desert Racing Association, Idaho Rivers United and the Owyhee County Farm Bureau. Very recently, the Commissioners have further expanded the effort to include the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and the Idaho Backcountry Horsemen.

The Commissioners also requested that the Idaho State Department of Lands and the Bureau of Land Management to serve and those agencies have provided important support.

This unique group of people chose to work without a professional facilitator, preferring instead to deal with differences face-to-face and together create new ideas. For me, one of the most gratifying and emotional outcomes has been to see this group transform itself from polarized camps into an extraordinary force that has become known for its intense effort, comity, trust and willingness to work toward a solution.

They operated on a true consensus basis, only making decisions when there was no voiced objection to a proposal. They involved everyone who wanted to participate in the process and spent hundreds of hours discussing their findings, modifying preliminary proposals and ultimately reaching consensus solutions. They have driven thousands of miles inspecting roads and trails, listening to and soliciting ideas from people from all walks of life who have in common deep roots and deep interest in the Owyhee Canyonlands. They sought to ensure that they had a thorough understanding of the issues and could take proper advantage of the insights and experience of all these people.

While this whole process and its outcomes are indeed remarkable, one of the more notable developments is the Memorandum of Agreement between the Shoshone Paiute Tribes and the County that establishes government-to-government cooperation in several areas of mutual interest. I want to particularly note the efforts and support of Mr. Terry Gibson, Chairman of the Shoshone Paiute Tribes, a great leader and a personal friend.

All of these individuals and organizations have asked that I seek Senate approval of their collaborative effort, built from the ground up to chart their path forward.

The Owyhee Initiative transforms conflict and uncertainty into conflict resolution and assurance of future activity. Ranchers can plan for subsequent generations. Off-road vehicle users have access assured. Wilderness is established. The Shoshone-Paiute Tribe knows its cultural resources will be protected. The Air Force will continue to train its pilots. Local, State and Federal government agencies will have structure to assist their joint management of the region. And this will all happen within the context of the preservation of environmental and ecological health. This is indeed a revolutionary land management structure--and one that looks ahead to the future.

Principle features of the legislation include: development, funding and implementation of a landscape-scale program to review, recommend and coordinate landscape conservation and research projects; scientific review process to assist the Bureau of Land Management; designation of Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers; release of Wilderness Study Areas; protections of tribal cultural and historical resources against intentional and unintentional abuse and desecration; development and implementation by the BLM of travel plans for public lands; and a board of directors with oversight over the administration and implementation of the Owyhee Initiative.

This can't be called ranching bill, or a wilderness bill, or an Air Force bill, or a Tribal bill. It is a comprehensive land management bill. Each interest got enough to enthusiastically support the final product, advocate for its enactment, and, most importantly, support the objectives of those with whom they had previous conflict.

Opposition will come from a few principal sources: those who simply don't want to have wilderness designated; those who don't want livestock anywhere on public land; and, those who do not want to see collaboration succeed. While I respect that opposition, I prefer to move forward in an effort that manages conflict and land, rather than exploit disagreements.

The status quo is unacceptable. The Owyhee Canyonlands and its inhabitants, including its people, deserve to have a process of conflict management and a path to sustainability. The need for this path forward is particularly acute given that this area is an hour's drive from one of the Nation's most rapidly-growing communities. The Owyhee Initiative protects water rights, releases wilderness study areas and protects traditional uses.

I commend the commitment and leadership of all involved. We have established a longterm, comprehensive management approach. It's been an honor for me to work with so many fine people and I will do everything in my power to turn this into law.

The Owyhee Initiative sets a standard for managing and resolving difficult land management issues in our country. After all, what better place to forge an historical change in our approach to public land management, than in this magnificent land that symbolizes livelihood, heritage, diversity, opportunity and renewal?

And with that, I would like to recognize and thank the people who have been the real driving force behind this process: Fred Grant, Chairman of the Owyhee Initiative Work Group, his assistant Staci Grant, and Dr. Ted Hoffman, Sheriff Gary Aman, the Owyhee County Commissioners: Hal Tolmie, Chris Salova, & Dick Reynolds and Chairman Terry Gibson of the Shoshone Paiute Tribes. I am grateful to Governor Jim Risch of the Great State of Idaho for all of his support. Thanks to: Colonel Rock of the United States Air Force at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Craig Gherke and John McCarthy of The Wilderness Society, Rick Johnson & John Robison of the Idaho Conservation League, Inez Jaca representing Owyhee County, Dr. Chad Gibson representing the Owyhee Cattleman's Association, Brenda Richards representing private property owners in Owyhee County, Cindy & Frank Bachman representing the Soil Conservation Districts in Owyhee County, Marcia Argust with the Campaign for America's Wilderness, Grant Simmons of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, Bill Sedivy with Idaho Rivers United, Tim Lowry of the Owyhee County Farm Bureau, Bill Walsh representing Southern Idaho Desert Racing Association, Lou Lunte and Will Whelan of the Nature Conservancy for all of their hard work and dedication. I'd also like to thank the Idaho Back Country Horseman, the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Roger Singer of the Sierra Club, the South Board of Control and the Owyhee Project managers, and all the other water rights holders who support me today. This process truly benefited from the diversity of these groups and their willingness to cooperate to reach a common goal of protecting the land on which they live, work, and play.

The Owyhee Canyonlands and its inhabitants are truly a treasure of Idaho and the United States; I hope you will join me in ensuring their future.

I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.

S. 802

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