© 2024 Boise State Public Radio
NPR in Idaho
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Apple's latest iOS (17.4) is preventing our livestreams from playing. We suggest you download the free Boise State Public Radio app & stream us there while we work to troubleshoot the issue.

Idaho Congressmen Oppose Fed Plan On Woodland Caribou Habitat

U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

Idaho's U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Raul Labrador (R-ID) want the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to “go back to the drawing board” on the agency’s woodland caribou proposal. 

They released a letter Thursday expressing “deep concerns” with the agency’s idea to designate nearly 600 square miles in the Selkirk Mountains as critical habitat for the endangered species. 

Susan Drumheller of the Idaho Conservation League in Sandpoint says they support the FWS's designation of critical habitat for woodland caribou, but it doesn't have to be a choice between protecting a species or recreation.  "We believe that there’s enough room in the Selkirk Mountains to provide for caribou recovery and for winter recreation, including snowmobiling."

The two Idaho Congressmen want 60 more days for public comment on the proposal. That’s on top of an extension the agency granted at the request of Idaho Governor C. L. "Butch" Otter, the Kootenai Tribe, and Boundary County earlier this year. 

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Jim Risch (R-ID) also expressed reservations with the woodland caribou plan last month.  The Fish and Wildlife Service released the proposal last November. 

Copyright 2012 Boise State Public Radio

You make stories like this possible.

The biggest portion of Boise State Public Radio's funding comes from readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

Your donation today helps make our local reporting free for our entire community.