Category: Who Else Is Attacking Our Trails

January 23, 2025 Good morning, Thank you so much for your recent letter concerning the State of Utah’s lawsuit that our office supported over the federal ownership of undesignated Bureau of Land Management lands in our western states.   Many people contacted my office with letters of support, opposition, and general interest on the topic and I am grateful for the widespread engagement on this important issue. On Monday, January 13, the United States Supreme Court declined to hear this case, so for now, this case regarding undesignated BLM lands is on hold.  However, the conversation about federalism, public recreation access, and management practices is one that our state and country need to have.  Regardless of your position, I am thankful for your communication and hope you stay engaged as we set priorities for Idaho lands together.  I recently put out a newsletter on this topic and have included a link below.  It articulates my position as well as my concerns regarding federal ownership of Idaho lands and their management practices. It may address some of the concerns and correct some of the misinformation that was spread about the Utah lawsuit. Labrador Letter – Idaho Lands in Idaho Hands Again, thank you for reaching out on this important issue.  Best regards,

Please contact your State Representatives by mail and phone and ask them not to support the release of BLM managed land to state management.

Keep the message short (They don’t want personal details)

Tell them:

1. You don’t support the release of public managed lands from the BLM to the State of Idaho.
2. This land is where we recreate; Camping, Riding, Fishing, et. Look at how much revenue is spent on this activity in Idaho.
3. The state cant afford to manage the land.
4. If they support this, don’t count on a vote at the next election.

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Go to “Your Legislator” tab to get phone numbers and addresses.

U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Utah’s Effort to Seize Control of Public Lands

Over 9 million acres of public lands in Idaho will remain protected from privatization and exploitation, for now.

More Information HERE.

Received this from Karen Steenhof:

The State of Utah filed a motion to the Supreme Court, bypassing the District Court, asking that all “unappropriated” federal lands be turned over to the state.  Attorney General Raul Labrador filed an Amicus brief on behalf of Idaho, supporting Utah’s motion.  The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Friday January 10 and will decide on January 13 whether to take the case.  If they don’t, that won’t be the end because will probably go back to the District Court.   So, it is still important to speak up and contact Congressional representatives as well as Idaho legislators about how important it is to keep public lands in public hands.

Unappropriated lands include lands were not reserved for another purpose (i.e., a National Park, National Forest, National Monument, National Wildlife Refuge, or other designation like National Conservation Area).  Unappropriated lands comprise 9 million acres in Idaho—17% of all land in Idaho.

If the state gets title to unappropriated lands, it would not be able to afford what it takes to manage them.  The firefighting responsibilities alone would bankrupt the state, so they would be forced to sell off the lands or lease them to the highest bidders.  Privatizing the lands would eliminate public access for trail riding, hunting, fishing, hiking etc.

The comments recommended by ICL here: https://takeaction.idahoconservation.org/09a2aFx  are good.  My understanding is that going through this portal will get comments to Labrador, the Congressional delegation, and Idaho legislators.

Here is more information about the situation:  https://idahoconservation.org/blog/utah-files-the-big-one-lawsuit-seeks-to-seize-18-5-million-acres-of-public-land/  We can hope that the Supreme Court will dismiss Utah’s case, given that language in the Utah, Idaho, and other western states’ constitutions and statehood acts “forever disclaim[ed] all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within…”

I know that all of us have been frustrated by various BLM decisions and actions, but we can’t toss out everything because of a few bad decisions.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting Utah’s latest attempt to take millions of acres of public land out of the control of Congress and instead have the Supreme Court designate other managers. The Attorney General is also asking the Supreme Court to declare the landmark 1976 law (FLPMA) that directs BLM to manage public lands for multiple use and sustained yield unconstitutional. 

In his brief, the Attorney General specifically called out for the transfer of 9 million acres of “unappropriated” BLM lands in Idaho. These are the classic BLM “multiple use, sustained yield lands” that make up the over 9 million acres of Idaho or 77% of BLM lands in the state. These are the same lands where Idahoans go to fill out their elk tag, go bird hunting, collect firewood for the winter, ride trails, and take their families camping. All it will take is for five of the nine justices to agree and Idaho’s heritage and our way of life could be lost forever. For example, State ownership would open the door to privatization, jeopardizing lands we use as a source of clean water for our communities, hunting, fishing, and recreation. We need you to speak up today – tell our decision-makers that you do not support this stance.