Background
Private lands create the mosaic between large blocks of federal ownership and the growing cities in Idaho. Although public lands in the state receive much attention, the combined ranch, farm, and private forest land in the state totals 13.8 million acres. An increasing population has converted 145,000 acres to other land uses between 1997 and 2003. Although the credit crunch has slowed the rate of growth temporarily, the pace will again increase when the housing market recovers. Forecasts estimate 500,000 acres of forest lands will be developed by the year 2030.
A public opinion poll conducted in November, 2007 found that 6 out of 10 Idahoans are concerned about these trends:
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Conversion of farms and forest to development
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The loss of family farms and ranches
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Pollution of streams and lakes
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Unplanned growth
70% of Idahoans favor the use of tax dollars to offer private landowner incentives that would protect land around lakes and streams, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, and preserve natural areas. These residents share a vision for 2030 that reserves a place for working lands in the future landscape of Idaho.
Where are Idaho’s Private Working Lands?
Working forests, farms and ranches are exempted from market valuations within the state. Land use and productivity determine the resource value. As a result of this policy, the Idaho State Tax Commission is a source of current acres for each of these land uses. Since assessors review a portion of the private property annually within a county, the records offer a basis to measure changes in land use over time.
The tax records for 2008 report a total of 13.8 million acres. The statewide map (inset) summarizes the distribution of working lands by county – broken into three categories: cropland, grazing, and forest. The pie chart size for each county depicts the relative total acres.
Click on the map for an enlarged, printable document.
