WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher issued a letter Monday to Idaho’s statewide elected officials, state legislators, and county commissioners, calling for renewed discussions about the future of public land management in the state and whether Idaho should assume a greater role in stewardship.
Fulcher wrote that more than 62% of Idaho’s land is under federal management, a structure he said limits the state’s autonomy over grazing, timber, mining, wildfire mitigation, and public access. He described this federal footprint as a long-standing challenge stemming from historical land-use patterns, such as areas with mineral value or those left undeveloped due to poor farming conditions and harsh terrain.
He cited the Lava Ridge Wind Project as a recent example of federal decision-making that, in his view, moved forward despite widespread local objections. Fulcher argued that federal agencies are overextended and face growing backlogs in land-management responsibilities, pointing to an estimated $50 billion in deferred maintenance on public lands in 2024.
The letter also addressed Idaho’s reliance on federal funding sources, including Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and Secure Rural Schools (SRS). Fulcher warned that these programs—critical to local services, infrastructure, and schools—are becoming more difficult to secure in Congress because they are often viewed as subsidies from other states. He noted that more than one-third of Idaho’s state budget currently comes from federal sources.
Fulcher argued that long-term sustainability requires shifting more responsibility to Idaho stakeholders. He stressed that the goal is not privatization but increased involvement from counties, tribes, ranchers, municipalities, and private operators. He said Idaho could potentially achieve stronger financial returns if granted more decision-making authority, noting that Idaho received about $1.25 per federal acre in PILT funding in 2024.
The congressman also highlighted recent federal policy changes—such as updates to the National Environmental Policy Act and expansion of the Good Neighbor Authority under the EXPLORE Act—as initial steps enabling more local engagement. However, he said broader reforms are still needed.
Fulcher stated he has begun convening statewide stakeholder meetings and encouraged Idaho officials to engage in similar conversations. He reiterated that while Idaho’s public lands should remain public, he believes they should be managed more directly by Idahoans.
