Idaho - A Place for Working Lands
Family farms, ranches and private forests are an important part of Idaho’s history and rural lifestyle. Early homesteaders of the region provided food and fiber for the state’s first settlements. Today, private landowners continue their contribution to the state’s economy, the rural character of communities, and the stewardship of streams and wildlife habitat.
The amenities of the Gem State attract new residents every year. Idaho’s population growth ranks as the 4th highest in the nation (Census 2000). Housing the new neighbors competes with the existing rural land uses. In 2005, a group formed to study the conversion of working lands. Ranchers, farmers, forest owners, conservationists and sportsmen formed a partnership - The Idaho Working Lands Coalition. The partners work to reserve a place in Idaho’s future landscape for farms, ranches, and private forests while accommodating additional growth.
Senate Committee Hearing – Working Lands Fund – S 1343
The Senate Resources and Environment Committee has scheduled a hearing on the Idaho Working Lands Fund Act. The bill proposes that the Idaho Legislature establish a Working Lands Fund to protect and enhance the benefits that working lands provide to Idahoans. The Fund will accomplish this purpose by providing a “source of funds to complement the land conservation and stewardship programs of state natural resources agencies by, among other things, assisting such
agencies and public organizations in meeting match requirements of land”.
The Committee will meet on March 3rd at 1:30 pm, Room WW55. The following materials provide background on S 1343:
- The draft of S 1343
- Background information in the form of frequently asked questions
- Materials presented to the Interim Natural Resource Committee in July, 2009