[Vision2020] Upper Lochsa: The fight continues

[Moscow Cares]

Courtesy of today's (February 22, 2014) Moscow-Pullman DailyNews.

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Upper Lochsa: The fight continues
Land exchange outcome in the hands of Congress
A recent letter-writing event hosted by three groups seeking to thwart the Upper Lochsa Land Exchange drew 40 people to the Garden Lounge on Feb. 6 in downtown Moscow.
That turnout was pretty impressive because "it was very cold that night," said Marilyn Beckett, a Latah County resident and a founder of Friends of the Palouse Ranger District, one of the host groups.
The letters were for members of Idaho's congressional delegation. Beckett hopes constantly bringing attention to the issue might help ensure the public doesn't lose any of the land on what she and other opponents believe would be a losing proposition for the owners of the land - the American public.
"A lot of people think the exchange is over. Dead," Beckett said. "But it's not. Now it's being done away from public view."
Western Pacific Timber Co. would provide approximately 40,000 acres of logged-off, remote pieces of property in exchange for federal land. The amount of federal land that would be offered is still unknown.
The exchange process changed from a U.S. Forest Service procedure to a congressional process in early fall. Any wider public hearings - if any occur - won't happen until the involved parties reach an agreement. Those with an interest in the outcome continue to meet, said Andrew Hawes, attorney for WPT.
WPT, a timber and real estate company, and the U.S. Forest Service are the main parties involved in this proposed swap of private and public lands that has been in the works since 2006. Others with interest in the proposal include Idaho County, the Nez Perce Tribe, groups of land users, such as hunters and snowmobilers, and environmental groups.
Exchange opponents aren't happy about the change in approach partially because it doesn't have a series of set procedures, as is the case with planning such a deal with the U.S. Forest Service.
It's a process that "shows the power of special interest," said Gary Macfarlane, ecosystems defense director for Friends of the Clearwater. This group also participated in the letter-writing event earlier this month in Moscow.
The Upper Lochsa corridor includes Canada lynx and gray wolves, species considered sensitive, as well as bald eagles during the winter. It's also used for snowmobiling, cross-country and backcountry skiing in winter and for camping and hunting during the warmer seasons.
Hawes also said there would be up to 80 percent conservation easements on the land WPT would receive so public access would be preserved. In the agreement would be a stipulation the easements would have to remain in effect - even if part or all of the land is sold.
Including conservation easements works in favor of WPT because it makes the land less valuable, Macfarlane said.
"It seems like (WPT is) trying to make money by doing a land trade," Macfarlane said.
Land appraisals continue. This valuation will be instrumental in determining how much land - and which parcels - would be included in a possible swap, according to environmental organizations. Hawes said the easements shouldn't end up enhancing or detracting value.
Land exchanges are extremely controversial, and using a congressional process makes them even more subject to criticism, said Janine Blaeloch, director of the Western Lands Project in Seattle.
Elected officials step in to "make people happy," she said.
Blaeloch and other opponents to congressional action on this matter say the inability to participate in the process is something members of the public are against. The U.S. Forest Service and other agencies have public hearings and opportunities for comments built in to the process.
Lobbyists adding language to the bills can pose a problem as well, Blaeloch said.
"Chances are the public won't be served," she said.
Another group against the land exchange is Concerned Forest Service Retirees. Its membership is composed of long-term rangers, supervisors and other professionals who have worked on federal lands.
They recently sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources expressing concern.
Throughout the lengthy administrative study of the proposal, the "land exchange never gained general public approval because the Forest Service was unable to give a good and compelling reason(s) for doing it, or describe clear, significant and measurable public benefit," according to the letter.
WPT wants to use the land it would obtain as a result of this deal for timber production, not for its real estate operations, Hawes said.
The move to a congressional resolution came as a result of concerns about what might happen to the proposal during the government shutdown that occurred in October, he said.
The concerns of Idaho County officials, who want to see the bill go through, are why the congressional delegation stepped in, Hawes said.
Most people don't realize counties possessing federal land within their borders can't levy property tax on that land, and tourism business related to such areas isn't steady, said one county official there. So if public land in Idaho County becomes private land that would be a potential source of tax revenue as well as jobs for locals.
"We're finding tourism is seasonal," said James Rockwell, commission chairman for Idaho County.
"You don't raise a family on three months of rafting guide business. It doesn't replace year-round work," he said.
The Forest Service process also wouldn't allow for a different method of land valuation to help determine how much land the involved parties agree to trade. The Forest Service must use a dollar-for-dollar, value-for-value exchange rate.
An acre-for-acre exchange is a possibility now that the process is going to be legislative.
Hawes said WPT would like to see the process wrap up this spring. Opponents wouldn't be surprised if it took longer, however. Some say it might not be resolved until after the November election.
The Daily News sent out email inquiries to members of Idaho's congressional delegation Friday afternoon to follow up telephone messages. The written questions weren't answered by the end of the day, however.
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"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
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Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
 
  
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