[From nobody Tue Apr 22 10:50:19 2008
Received: from p-ess-sen4.senate.gov ([156.33.203.39])
	by mail.turbonet.com (Cactus Mail Server v9.1.0) with ESMTP id CUN16555
	for <lfalen@turbonet.com>; Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:43:55 -0700
Received: from p-ess-sen4.senate.gov (localhost [127.0.0.1])
	by p-ess-sen4.senate.gov (Switch-3.2.7/Switch-3.2.7) with ESMTP id
	m3MGWib7011895; Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:32:44 -0400 (EDT)
Received: from p-ess-sen4.senate.gov with LMTP by p-ess-sen4.senate.gov
	(3.0.4/sieved-3-0-4-build-1135); Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:32:44 -0400
Received: from SHARED-BH01.shared.ussenate.us (bridgeheadpsq.senate.gov
	[156.33.222.9])
	by p-ess-sen4.senate.gov (Switch-3.2.7/Switch-3.2.7) with ESMTP id
	m3MGVImF011330; Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:31:19 -0400 (EDT)
Received: from SENATE-MS09.senate.ussenate.us ([156.33.222.41]) by
	SHARED-BH01.shared.ussenate.us with Microsoft
	SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.3959); Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:26:43 -0400
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft Exchange V6.5
Content-class: urn:content-classes:message
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
	boundary="----_=_NextPart_001_01C8A495.A61E4619"
Subject: OWYHEE INITIATIVE HEARING FEATURES RANCHER, CONSERVATION TESTIMONY
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:26:42 -0400
Message-ID: <96DEE6F0B1EE704E855E780DE10A033D0408E3FA@SENATE-MS09.senate.ussenate.us>
X-MS-Has-Attach: 
X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: 
Thread-Topic: OWYHEE INITIATIVE HEARING FEATURES RANCHER,
	CONSERVATION TESTIMONY
Thread-Index: AciklaPFuYpBih24TQKwML8Jt+DKlQ==
From: "Crapo News Release (Crapo)" <newsclips@crapo.senate.gov>
Bcc: 
X-OriginalArrivalTime: 22 Apr 2008 16:26:43.0549 (UTC)
	FILETIME=[A6CB68D0:01C8A495]
X-Flow-Control-Info: class=senate.gov reputation=moderaterisk ip=156.33.222.9
	ct-class=T3 ct-vol1=0 ct-vol2=2 ct-vol3=2 ct-risk=71
	ct-spam1=80 ct-spam2=54 ct-bulk=0 rcpts=78 size=22111
X-Client-IP: 156.33.222.9
X-SenderID-Status: PASS
X-Spam-Status: No, hits=1.01 required=5.00 tests=SUBJ_ALL_CAPS=1.00,
	HTML_MESSAGE=0.00, BAYES_50=0.00, NO_RDNS2=0.01 version=3.2.1
X-Spam-Level: *
X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.2.1 (1.0) on mail.turbonet.com
X-CTCH: RefID="str=0001.0A010207.480E15CC.00C2:SCFMA1119083,ss=1,fgs=0";
	Spam: "Unknown"; VOD: "Unknown"

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

------_=_NextPart_001_01C8A495.A61E4619
Content-Type: text/plain;
	charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

=20

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:    Susan Wheeler (202) 224-5150

April 22, 2008
Lindsay Nothern (208) 344-1108

=20

=20

                                                                  =20

=20

OWYHEE INITIATIVE HEARING FEATURES RANCHER, CONSERVATION TESTIMONY=20


Crapo legislation is before Senate Energy & Natural Resources
subcommittee


=20

Washington, DC - Representatives from Idaho's ranching and
conservationist communities are testifying before a Senate subcommittee
on Idaho Senator Mike Crapo's Owyhee Initiative legislation today.  They
say the bill; S. 2833, will provide protection for both wild lands and
economic activity in the Owyhee Canyonlands.  Crapo's legislation is
being heard today before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee's Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests.  A markup of the
legislation would be the next step for the Initiative process. =20

=20

Dr. Chad Gibson is providing testimony on behalf of the Owyhee Cattle
Association, and says the Association "perhaps has never engaged in an
effort more important to the future of Ranching in Owyhee County."
Gibson, a retired rangeland scientist and extension agent, says the
Owyhee Initiative can end decades of debate over public lands use in the
area and create the Owyhee Science Review and Conservation and Research
Center to augment government decisions with independent and
peer-reviewed expertise. =20

=20

Gibson says consensus land management agreements like the Owyhee
Initiative will slow development and damage to the landscape and
maintain its Western heritage.  He notes both wild spaces and open
spaces can be protected under the agreement.  "The best hope for
avoiding fragmentation through special use ownership is to maintain the
opportunity for viable ranching use," he said in remarks planned for
delivery during the hearing. =20

=20

Craig Gehrke, Idaho Regional Director for the Wilderness Society, also
will testify, noting that the Initiative rises "above the polarization
in many Western public land discussions."  Gehrke says the "common
ground and common sense proposal that Senator Mike Crapo took to
Congress" can be a critical start to ending land management disputes in
the Owyhees and elsewhere.

=20

"We are committed to working with Congress to ensure that the
legislation is true to the intent of the Owyhee Initiative Agreement, a
unique agreement developed in Idaho between conservationists, ranchers,
Owyhee County elected officials, members of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribe,
and others," Gehrke said.  "S. 2833 provides lasting protection for
critical ecological, scenic, recreation and wild areas that are
threatened from development and degradation."

=20

A contingent of many Idaho leaders, from Owyhee County Commissioners to
conservationists and representatives of the Shoshone-Paiute Tribes, will
also attend the hearing beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time in the
Senate Dirksen Office Building, Room 366.

=20

"The Owyhee Initiative transforms conflict and uncertainty into conflict
resolution and assurance of future activity," Crapo said.  "Ranchers can
plan for subsequent generations.  Off-road vehicle users have access
assured.  Wilderness is established.  The Shoshone-Paiute Tribe knows
its cultural resources will be protected.  The Air Force will continue
to train its pilots.  Local, state and federal government agencies will
have structure to assist their joint management of the region.  And this
will all happen within the context of the preservation of environmental
and ecological health.  This is indeed a revolutionary land management
structure-that looks ahead to the future.

=20

"The status quo is unacceptable," Crapo continued.  "The Owyhee
Canyonlands, its inhabitants and cultures and are truly a treasure of
Idaho and the United States; they deserve to have a process of conflict
management and a path to sustainability.  I hope you will join me in
ensuring their future.  =20

=20

"I will continue to work with Senators Bingaman, Domenici, and Craig,
their staff and others to make the policies and funding that were so
carefully negotiated in the Owyhee Initiative Agreement become a
reality.  As promised eight years ago, I regard the support of the
Owyhee Initiative Work Group and the diverse interests you represent as
mandatory for my continued advocacy for this bill.  Our hard work will
continue after today's hearing and I am committed to achieving the
objectives that brought us together many years ago and keep us together
today."=20

=20

S. 2833, the Owyhee Public Lands Management Act of 2008, will protect
the economic base and wild lands of Owyhee County.  It would designate
517,000 acres of BLM land as wilderness, while releasing 199,000 acres
of wilderness study areas to full multiple use.  The legislation keeps
ranching operations whole through land trades and purchase agreements
and would offer federal protection to 316 miles of wild and scenic
rivers in the Owyhees.

=20

=20

A satellite feed with remarks from today's hearing will be available
later today with coordinates forthcoming. =20

=20

=20

=20

To directly link to this news release, please use the following address:


http://crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=3D296487

=20

=20

# # #

=20

FOR INTERESTED MEDIA: A radio actuality is available by calling
1-800-545-1267.  Press 327 at any time during or after the greeting and
instructions.  You can also access the actuality through the Internet at
http://src.senate.gov/radio/.

......................................................................

This is generated from an unattended mailbox. If you have constituent
comments or information you would like forwarded to Senator Crapo,
please do so at the Senator's website, http://crapo.senate.gov
<http://crapo.senate.gov/> . Comments sent to this e-mail address will
not be responded to.


------_=_NextPart_001_01C8A495.A61E4619
Content-Type: text/html;
	charset="US-ASCII"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

<html>

<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV=3D"Content-Type" CONTENT=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Dus-ascii">


<meta name=3DGenerator content=3D"Microsoft Word 11 (filtered)">

<style>
<!--
 /* Style Definitions */
 p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
	{margin:0in;
	margin-bottom:.0001pt;
	font-size:12.0pt;
	font-family:"Times New Roman";}
h1
	{margin:0in;
	margin-bottom:.0001pt;
	text-align:center;
	page-break-after:avoid;
	text-autospace:none;
	font-size:14.0pt;
	font-family:Arial;
	font-weight:bold;
	font-style:italic;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
	{color:blue;
	text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
	{color:blue;
	text-decoration:underline;}
p
	{margin-right:0in;
	margin-left:0in;
	font-size:12.0pt;
	font-family:"Times New Roman";}
span.EmailStyle18
	{font-family:Arial;}
@page Section1
	{size:8.5in 11.0in;
	margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
	{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>

</head>

<body lang=3DEN-US link=3Dblue vlink=3Dblue>

<div class=3DSection1>

<div>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-left:4.0in;text-indent:-4.0in'><font size=3D3
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-left:4.0in;text-indent:-4.0in'><font size=3D3
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>FOR =
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE           =
            &=
nbsp;           &n=
bsp;          =
            &=
nbsp;           =
CONTACT:    Susan Wheeler (202) =
224-5150</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal =
style=3D'margin-left:4.0in;text-indent:-4.0in'><font size=3D3
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>April =
22, =
2008           &nb=
sp;           &nbs=
p;           &nbsp=
;            =
            &=
nbsp;           =
            =
            &=
nbsp;           =
          
 Lindsay Nothern (208) 344-1108</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>         =
            
<b><i><span =
style=3D'font-weight:bold;font-style:italic'>    &nbs=
p;           &nbsp=
;            =
            &=
nbsp;   </span></i></b></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><b><font =
size=3D5
 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>OWYHEE</spa=
n></font></b><b><font
size=3D5 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:
bold'> INITIATIVE HEARING FEATURES RANCHER, CONSERVATION TESTIMONY =
</span></font></b></p>

<h1><b><i><font size=3D4 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:14.0pt'>Crapo
legislation is before Senate Energy & Natural Resources =
subcommittee</span></font></i></b></h1>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
 font-family:Arial'>Washington</span></font><font face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-family:Arial'>, DC – Representatives from =
Idaho’s
ranching and conservationist communities are testifying before a Senate
subcommittee on Idaho Senator Mike Crapo’s Owyhee Initiative =
legislation today. 
They say the bill; S. 2833, will provide protection for both wild lands =
and
economic activity in the Owyhee Canyonlands.  Crapo’s =
legislation is
being heard today before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee’s Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests.  A =
markup of
the legislation would be the next step for the Initiative process.  =
</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Dr. Chad Gibson is providing testimony on behalf of =
the
Owyhee Cattle Association, and says the Association “perhaps has =
never
engaged in an effort more important to the future of Ranching in Owyhee =
County.”  Gibson, a retired rangeland scientist and extension =
agent, says
the Owyhee Initiative can end decades of debate over public lands use in =
the
area and create the Owyhee Science Review and Conservation and Research =
Center
to augment government decisions with independent and peer-reviewed
expertise.  </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Gibson says consensus land management agreements like =
the
Owyhee Initiative will slow development and damage to the landscape and
maintain its Western heritage.  He notes both wild spaces and open =
spaces
can be protected under the agreement.  “The best hope for =
avoiding
fragmentation through special use ownership is to maintain the =
opportunity for
viable ranching use,” he said in remarks planned for delivery =
during the
hearing.  </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Craig Gehrke, Idaho Regional Director for the =
Wilderness
Society, also will testify, noting that the Initiative rises =
“above the
polarization in many Western public land discussions.”  =
Gehrke says
the “common ground and common sense proposal that Senator Mike =
Crapo took
to Congress” can be a critical start to ending land management =
disputes
in the Owyhees and elsewhere.</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>“We are committed to working with Congress to =
ensure
that the legislation is true to the intent of the Owyhee Initiative =
Agreement,
a unique agreement developed in Idaho between conservationists, =
ranchers, Owyhee County elected officials, members of the =
Shoshone-Paiute Tribe, and others,”
Gehrke said.  “S. 2833 provides lasting protection for =
critical
ecological, scenic, recreation and wild areas that are threatened from
development and degradation.”</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>A contingent of many Idaho leaders, from Owyhee =
County
Commissioners to conservationists and representatives of the =
Shoshone-Paiute
Tribes, will also attend the hearing beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time =
in the
Senate Dirksen Office Building, Room 366.</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>“The Owyhee Initiative transforms conflict and
uncertainty into conflict resolution and assurance of future =
activity,”
Crapo said.  “Ranchers can plan for subsequent =
generations. 
Off-road vehicle users have access assured.  Wilderness is
established.  The Shoshone-Paiute Tribe knows its cultural =
resources will
be protected.  The Air Force will continue to train its =
pilots. 
Local, state and federal government agencies will have structure to =
assist
their joint management of the region.  And this will all happen =
within the
context of the preservation of environmental and ecological =
health.  This
is indeed a revolutionary land management structure—that looks =
ahead to
the future.</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>“The status quo is unacceptable,” Crapo
continued.  “The Owyhee Canyonlands, its inhabitants and =
cultures
and are truly a treasure of Idaho and the United States; they deserve to =
have a
process of conflict management and a path to sustainability.  I =
hope you
will join me in ensuring their future.   </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>“I will continue to work with Senators =
Bingaman,
Domenici, and Craig, their staff and others to make the policies and =
funding
that were so carefully negotiated in the Owyhee Initiative Agreement =
become a
reality.  As promised eight years ago, I regard the support of the =
Owyhee
Initiative Work Group and the diverse interests you represent as =
mandatory for
my continued advocacy for this bill.  Our hard work will continue =
after
today’s hearing and I am committed to achieving the objectives =
that
brought us together many years ago and keep us together =
today.”<font
color=3Dnavy><span =
style=3D'color:navy'> </span></font></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>S. 2833, the Owyhee Public Lands Management Act of =
2008,
will protect the economic base and wild lands of Owyhee County.  It =
would
designate 517,000 acres of BLM land as wilderness, while releasing =
199,000
acres of wilderness study areas to full multiple use.  The =
legislation
keeps ranching operations whole through land trades and purchase =
agreements and
would offer federal protection to 316 miles of wild and scenic rivers in =
the
Owyhees.</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><u><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>A satellite feed with remarks from
today’s hearing will be available later today with coordinates
forthcoming.  </span></font></u></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><b><u><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><span =
style=3D'text-decoration:none'> </span></span></font></u></b></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><a name=3D"OLE_LINK1"><font size=3D3 =
face=3DArial><span
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font></a></p>=


<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>To directly link to this news release, please use the =
following
address: </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 color=3Dblue face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:blue'><a
href=3D"http://crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=3D=
296487">http://crapo.senate.gov/media/newsreleases/release_full.cfm?id=3D=
296487</a></span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font =
size=3D3
face=3DArial><span style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'># # =
#</span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font =
size=3D3
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'> </span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal><font size=3D3 face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>FOR INTERESTED MEDIA: A radio actuality is available =
by
calling 1-800-545-1267.  Press 327 at any time during or after the
greeting and instructions.  You can also access the actuality =
through the
Internet at <a =
href=3D"http://src.senate.gov/radio/">http://src.senate.gov/radio/</a>.</=
span></font></p>

<p class=3DMsoNormal align=3Dcenter style=3D'text-align:center'><font =
size=3D2
face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>............................=
..........................................</span></font></p>

<p><font size=3D2 color=3Dblack face=3DArial><span =
style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial;color:black'>This is generated from an unattended =
mailbox. If
you have constituent comments or information you would like forwarded to
Senator Crapo, please do so at the Senator's website, <a
href=3D"http://crapo.senate.gov/" =
title=3D"http://crapo.senate.gov/">http://crapo.senate.gov</a>.
Comments sent to this e-mail address will not be responded =
to.</span></font></p>

</div>

</div>

</body>

</html>

------_=_NextPart_001_01C8A495.A61E4619--]