[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 106 (Thursday, August 3, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8810-S8811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAPO:
  S. 3794. A bill to provide for the implementation of the Owyhee 
Initiative Agreement, and for other purposes; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce the Owyhee 
Initiative Implementation Act of 2006, a bill which is the result of a 
5-year collaborative effort between all levels of government, multiple 
users of public lands, and conservationists to resolve decades of 
heated land-use conflict in the Owyhee Canyonlands in the southwestern 
part of my home State of Idaho.
  This is comprehensive land management legislation that enjoys far-
reaching support among a remarkably diverse group of interests that 
live, work and play in this special country.
  Owyhee County contains some of the most unique and beautiful 
canyonlands in the world and offers large areas in which all of us can 
enjoy the grandeur and experience of untouched western trails, rivers, 
and open sky. It is truly magical country, and its natural beauty and 
traditional uses should be preserved for future generations.
  Owyhee County is traditional ranching country. Seventy-three percent 
of its land base is owned by the United States, and it is located 
within an hour's drive of one of the fastest growing areas in the 
nation, Boise, ID.
  This combination of attributes, including location, is having an 
explosive effect on property values, community expansion and 
development and ever-increasing demands on public land. Given this 
confluence of circumstances and events, Owyhee County has been at the 
core of decades of conflict with heated political and regulatory 
battles.
  The diverse land uses co-exist in an area of intense beauty and 
unique character. The conflict over land management is both inevitable 
and understandable--how do we manage for this diversity and do so in a 
way that protects and restores the quality of that fragile environment?
  In this context, the Owyhee County Commissioners and several others 
said ``enough is enough'' and decided to focus efforts on solving these 
problems rather than wasting resources on an endless fight. In 2001, 
The Owyhee County Commissioners, Hal Tolmie, Dick Reynolds and Chris 
Salove met with me and asked for my help.
  They asked whether I would support them if they could put together at 
one table the interested parties involved in the future of the County 
to try and reach some solutions. I told them that if they could get 
together a broad base of interests who would agree to collaborate in a 
process committed to problem-solving, I would dedicate myself to 
working with them and if they were successful, I would introduce 
resulting legislation. They agreed.
  Together, we set out on a 5-year journey on a road that is as 
challenging as any in the Owyhee Canyonlands. Sharp turns, steep 
inclines and declines, big sharp rocks, deep ruts, sand burrs, dust and 
a constant headwind is exactly what those of us who have worked so hard 
on this have faced every day.
  This is very difficult work and in speaking of difficult work, I want 
to acknowledge the effort of my friend and colleague from Idaho, 
Representative Mike Simpson, and the challenge he has taken on as he 
advocates his Central Idaho Economic Development Act. I support his 
work and his legislation.
  The Commissioners appointed a chairman, an extraordinary gentleman, 
Fred Grant. They formed the Work Group which included The Wilderness 
Society, Idaho Conservation League, The Nature Conservancy, Idaho 
Outfitters and Guides, the United States Air Force, the Sierra Club, 
the county Soil Conservation Districts, Owyhee Cattleman's Association, 
the Owyhee Borderlands Trust, People for the Owyhees, and the Shoshone 
Paiute Tribes to join in their efforts. All accepted, and work on this 
bill began.
  As this collaborative process gained momentum, the county 
commissioners expanded the Work Group to include the South Idaho Desert 
Racing Association, Idaho Rivers United and the Owyhee County Farm 
Bureau. Very recently, the commissioners have further expanded the 
effort to include the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and the 
Idaho Backcountry Horsemen.
  The commissioners also requested that the Idaho State Department of 
Lands and the Bureau of Land Management serve, and those agencies have 
provided important support.
  This unique group of people chose to work without a professional 
facilitator, preferring instead to deal with differences face-to-face 
and together create new ideas. For me, one of the most gratifying and 
emotional outcomes has been to see this group transform itself from 
polarized camps into an extraordinary force that has become known for 
its intense effort, comity, trust and willingness to work toward a 
solution.
  They operated on a true consensus basis, only making decisions when 
there was no voiced objection to a proposal.
  They involved everyone who wanted to participate in the process and 
spent hundreds of hours discussing their findings, modifying 
preliminary proposals and ultimately reaching consensus solutions. They 
have driven thousands of miles inspecting roads and trails, listening 
to and soliciting ideas from people from all walks of life who have in 
common deep roots and deep interest in the Owyhee Canyonlands.
  They sought to ensure that they had a thorough understanding of the 
issues and could take proper advantage of the insights and experience 
of all these people.
  While this whole process and its outcomes are indeed remarkable, one 
of the more notable developments is the Memorandum of Agreement between 
the Shoshone Paiute Tribes and the County that establishes government-
to-government cooperation in several areas of mutual interest. I want 
to particularly note the efforts and support of Mr. Terry Gibson, 
Chairman of the Shoshone Paiute Tribes, a great leader and a personal 
friend of mine.
  All of these individuals and organizations have asked that I seek 
Senate approval of their collaborative effort, built from the ground up 
to chart their path forward.
  The Owyhee Initiative transforms conflict and uncertainty into 
conflict resolution and assurance of future activity. 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 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--and one that 
looks ahead to the future.
  Principal features of the legislation include:
  Development, funding and implementation of a landscape-scale program 
to review, recommend and coordinate landscape conservation and research 
projects;
  Scientific review process to assist the Bureau of Land Management;
  Designation of Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers;
  Release of Wilderness Study Areas;
  Protections of tribal cultural and historical resources against 
intentional and unintentional abuse and desecration.

[[Page S8811]]

  Development and implementation by the BLM of travel plans for public 
lands;
  A board of directors with oversight over the administration and 
implementation of the Owyhee Initiative.
  This can't be called ranching bill, or a wilderness bill, or an Air 
Force bill, or a tribal bill. It is a comprehensive land management 
bill.
  Each interest got enough to enthusiastically support the final 
product, advocate for its enactment, and, most importantly, support the 
objectives of those with whom they had previous conflict.
  Opposition will come from a few principal sources: those who simply 
don't want to have wilderness designated; those who don't want 
livestock anywhere on public land; and, those who do not want to see 
collaboration succeed. While I respect that opposition, I prefer to 
move forward in an effort that manages conflict and land, rather than 
exploit disagreements.
  The status quo is unacceptable. The Owyhee Canyonlands and its 
inhabitants, including its people, deserve to have a process of 
conflict management and a path to sustainability. The need for this 
path forward is particularly acute given that this area is an hour's 
drive from one of the nation's most rapidly-growing communities. The 
Owyhee Initiative protects water rights, releases wilderness study 
areas and protects traditional uses.
  I commend the commitment and leadership of all involved. We have 
established a long-term, comprehensive management approach. It's been 
an honor for me to work with so many fine people and I will do 
everything in my power to turn this into law.
  The Owyhee Initiative sets a standard for managing and resolving 
difficult land management issues in our country. After all, what better 
place to forge an historical change in our approach to public land 
management, than in this magnificent land that symbolizes livelihood, 
heritage, diversity, opportunity and renewal?
  And with that, I would like to recognize and thank the people who 
have been the real driving force behind this process: Fred Grant, 
Chairman of the Owyhee Initiative Work Group, his assistant Staci 
Grant, and Dr. Ted Hoffman, Sheriff Gary Aman, the Owyhee County 
Commissioners: Hal Tolmie, Chris Salova, and Dick Reynolds and Chairman 
Terry Gibson of the Shoshone Paiute Tribes. I am grateful to Governor 
Jim Risch of the Great State of Idaho for all of his support.
  Thanks to: Colonel Rock of the United States Air Force at Mountain 
Home Air Force Base, Craig Gherke and John McCarthy of The Wilderness 
Society, Rick Johnson and John Robison of the Idaho Conservation 
League, Inez Jaca representing Owyhee County, Dr. Chad Gibson 
representing the Owyhee Cattleman's Association, Brenda Richards 
representing private property owners in Owyhee County, Cindy and Frank 
Bachman representing the Soil Conservation Districts in Owyhee County, 
Marcia Argust with the Campaign for America's Wilderness, Grant Simmons 
of the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association, Bill Sedivy with Idaho 
Rivers United, Tim Lowry of the Owyhee County Farm Bureau, Bill Walsh 
representing Southern Idaho Desert Racing Association, Lou Lunte and 
Will Whelan of the Nature Conservancy for all of their hard work and 
dedication. I'd also like to thank the Idaho Back Country Horseman, the 
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, Roger Singer of the Sierra 
Club, the South Board of Control, and the Owyhee Project managers, and 
all the other water rights holders who support me today. This process 
truly benefited from the diversity of these groups and their 
willingness to cooperate to reach a common goal.

  The Owyhee Canyonlands and its inhabitants are truly a treasure of 
Idaho and the United States; I hope you will join me in ensuring their 
future.
  It is my honor and privilege to introduce this legislation today to 
protect and preserve this tremendous part of Idaho and the people who 
live there.
                                 ______