EDITORIAL: Idahoans agree: Keep public lands public

Idahoans may not be in agreement when it comes to politics, sports or the weather, but they are in agreement on this: Public lands should remain in public hands.

And that is something we support, as well.

A new poll paid for by Conservation Voters for Idaho found that 96% of registered voters in Idaho believe public lands should remain in public hands. We're talking registered Republicans and registered Democrats, so that's saying something.

While there is division in the state, there doesn't seem to be with one of Idaho's greatest assets: Land. More specifically, public lands. 

Idaho has a lot of it. Nearly 35 million acres of public lands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. These public lands include premier hunting and fishing destinations, remote backcountry trails, and some of the most wild and unparalleled parts of the United States, CVI said.

Idaho boasts more designated roadless wilderness than any other state in the lower 48, with four federally protected wilderness areas.

Many live in Idaho because it is paradise for those who love the outdoors. They treasure their access to the wilderness that is home to our amazing wildlife.

Idaho’s public lands offer the chance to get away from things and perhaps find some peace of mind, just a short drive from our front doors. 

"Surrounded by expansive national forests, these wild landscapes provide critical habitat for an incredible variety of wildlife, including moose, elk, deer, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, and raptors, along with countless small birds and mammals," according to CVL.

The poll comes on the heels of a federal proposal from U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, to make millions of acres of public land in the U.S., including in Idaho, available to be sold off.

Most didn't care for it, despite reassurances it would help ease the housing crisis and there would still be many millions of acres for the public to continue to enjoy in the future as they have in the past and still do today.

Lee withdrew his amendment to sell public lands after a public backlash and three of Idaho’s four members of Congress provided public opposition from within the Republican Party to selling public lands, the Idaho Capital Sun reported.

One poll question asked: “Did you support or oppose the amendment to sell off over 3 million acres of public land across 11 Western states, including Idaho?” 

Eighty-seven percent of respondents said they did not. That seems pretty adamant.

These days, we often see Idahoans at odds over many issues, but keeping public lands open to the public is not one. United at last.