Idaho’s abundance of parks, forests, and public lands makes our state a wonderful place to live, work, and play. I know that our state has some of the best places in the country to hunt and fish, hike, mountain bike, and ride snowmobiles and OHVs. As a member of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I have been a strong advocate for continued access to recreation on public lands.
As a life-long Idahoan, I have always strongly believed that Idahoans are more qualified than Washington bureaucrats to determine what is best for Idaho. It is important to have local consensus when we pass laws to set aside public lands for the protection of ecosystems, habitats, and species. Those who live and recreate in an area should have a say in the management decisions made there. I will continue working to ensure that Idahoans have access to the beautiful places in our state.
In the 115th Congress, I joined Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) to form the first ever House Outdoor Recreation Caucus. This growing industry contributes $887 billion to the economy and is responsible for supporting 7.6 million jobs. With the abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities in Idaho I am proud to support this economic driver that also promotes stewardship of our public lands.
