“Idaho hunters, ranchers, and land users are the ones most directly impacted by Judge Molloy’s decision to put wolves back on the endangered species list,” said Simpson, “and I am confident that Idahoans have the best ideas when it comes to finding a workable, long-term solution to the ongoing problem of wolf management.” Read more »

“There is simply no data to support a ban on traditional fishing tackle and no reason for the EPA to restrict people’s ability to take advantage of the great fishing opportunities in Idaho and elsewhere in the country,” said Simpson. “At a time when more Americans are taking advantage of the recreational activities that are close to home, we should be encouraging them to reconnect with the outdoors, not making it more cost prohibitive.” Read more »

“This bill is essentially a preemptive strike at any attempt to ban hunting on federal lands,” said Simpson. “We have to be proactive to protect our rights, and I hope Democrats and Republicans in Congress can act to do so.” Read more »

“For some people, the only way to get to some of the most beautiful places in Idaho is by plane—in fact, in the summer one of the busiest airports in our state is a backcountry airstrip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River,” said Congressman Simpson, who is Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment. “I’m pleased that Congress has recognized the value of these backcountry airstrips and the importance of recreational aviation in America.” Read more »

Idaho Congressmen Mike Simpson and Walt Minnick today sent a letter to Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar asking that the Department of Interior work to immediately address to issues of critical importance in Idaho. Simpson and Minnick asked for cooperation from the Department to find solutions on the issues of wolf management in Idaho and potential changes to recreational activities on Lake Lowell in Canyon County - in both cases they express their willingness to fix these problems through legislation if necessary. Read more »

It’s no surprise that disputes over land use in central Idaho have gone unresolved for decades. This is a complex issue, involving those who depend on this land for their livelihoods and those who know the value of preserving it for future generations. The reality is that complex issues don’t always have simple solutions, and such is the case with CIEDRA. Read more »

“Frankly, I find it absolutely ridiculous that, in its zeal to respond to the crisis in the Gulf, the EPA has decided that milk is an environmental hazard,” said Simpson. “Our dairy industry has faced devastating losses in recent years, and having to comply with these unnecessary regulations would make it that much harder for Idaho dairy producers to weather the terrible economic storm they are in.” Read more »

“In the West, we know that if you don’t graze on public lands, you don’t graze at all,” said Simpson. “Creating a federal buyout program is a huge step toward ending grazing on public lands, which would have a devastating impact on local economies throughout the West and would have unintended consequences on the environment. Now is not the time to ignite another War on the West.” Read more »

Most areas affected by CIEDRA are existing federal lands that are currently designated as wilderness study areas. As such, the federal government already manages them as if they were wilderness, which means that land use in this area is significantly restricted right now. Because the federal government has complete discretion over this land today, federal agencies could further restrict access, or even designate the area as a national monument without any local input. Read more »

Congressman Mike Simpson today came out in strong opposition to H.R. 5088, America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act. This legislation cedes authority over all waters in the United States to the federal government, including water currently regulated by states, and makes it subject to regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act. Read more »