Common sense prevails

The Owyhee Initiative lands bill, signed into law Monday by President Obama, is a remarkable piece of legislation creating several wilderness areas.

Designed to protect, among other things, some of the more rugged and inaccessible sections of the Bruneau and Jarbridge river systems and canyonlands, this legislation shows what can be accomplished when people are willing to compromise and use common sense. A broad coalition of conservationists/environmentalists, cattlemen, hunters, native Americans and public lands users, under the leadership of the Owyhee County Commissioners and Sen. Mike Crapo, came together to create this law. It wasn't litigated in the courts. It was debated over the years.

Much of existing multiple uses and land-use practices remain. Only a small number of roads will be removed from service. Water rights were protected.

We wound up with several wilderness areas that didn't destroyed the lifestyles and economy of people who live and work in the area.

That's amazing.

It should stand as a model to how to get things done, how to both protect and expand our wilderness areas, without massive disruption of the lives of people who live nearby.

Sen. Crapo and all those who worked over the years to craft this legislation should be proud of what they have accomplished.

Good job.

-- Kelly Everitt