[Vision2020] Experts Disagree on Land Exchange Proposal

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (January 6, 2012) Moscow-Pullman Daily New.

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Experts disagree on land exchange proposal
By Kathy Hedberg, Lewiston Tribune staff writer | Posted: Friday, January 6, 2012 12:00 am
GRANGEVILLE - Depending on the perspective, the Idaho County Commissioners' proposed alternative to the Lochsa land exchange is either the best way to preserve the county's economy or "an abomination."
Two experts in economics and business finance debated the commissioners' proposal Wednesday night before the task force charged to make a recommendation on which alternative to the land swap the county should support.
Steven Peterson, a research economist at the University of Idaho, has devised a scenario showing that transferring about 39,000 privately owned timberland acres to the U.S. Forest Service would be a loss of jobs and revenue to the county and is not in the best interest of the citizens of Idaho County.
Clarence Chapman, a landowner near White Bird with a background in business and labor relations, called the commissioners' proposal "an abomination" and urged citizens to push for continued federal support of the county's timber acres.
The task force plans to have a recommendation for the commissioners by Jan. 16, Chairman Roy Lee said. Clearwater-Nez Perce National Forest Supervisor Rick Brazell earlier announced he would make a final decision on the controversial land swap by Jan. 17. But Teresa Trulock, who is the U.S. Forest Service representative for the issue, said Wednesday that deadline will be pushed back to mid-February.
Peterson noted the decline of the timber industry over the past 20 years, but said there are indications the housing market will begin to improve in the next two to five years and when that happens there will be more demand for timber products.
"Make sure that you're kept whole in terms of the forest products industry," Peterson said, indicating Idaho County should seek ways to maintain its resource-based economy. He said the federal budget is undergoing severe cutbacks, and the county cannot continue to rely on subsidy payments for non-taxable public land.
Chapman, however, predicted Congress will pass some legislation to continue funding timber-based counties at about 90 percent of the current levels.
"Let's focus on (payment in lieu of taxes) and (secure rural schools) and let's make sure it's not going away," Chapman said.
He said the land swap the commissioners have proposed would cheat citizens by trading away land worth $150 million for property worth $25 million to $40 million.
Ray Anderson, one of the task force members, asked each speaker how much they were paid for their research.
Peterson said he was paid between $12,000 and $15,000 by the county, adding he receives various levels of compensation for his work.
Chapman said his only remuneration was in the satisfaction it gave him.
"It was more fun for me than doing a crossword puzzle," Chapman said.
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Seeya later, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Spokane, Washington

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown
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