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 »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is advocating for continued access to recreation on public land, sending a letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar regarding the use of the Antiquities Act. The letter followed up to a recent hearing by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and the Environment where Simpson addressed concern that was raised over a Department of Interior internal planning document that identified 17 potential sites for new or expanded national monument designation in the western United States under the Antiquities Act. Read more »

 Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson is an original cosponsor of legislation that would provide a reasonable, long-term solution for fees paid by owners of cabins on Forest Service land.  H.R. 4888, the Cabin Fee Act of 2010, would replace the existing flawed appraisal system for determining fees and establish a tiered yearly fee structure based on current appraisals and tied to inflation to… Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson advocated for a comprehensive national energy policy today during a hearing with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Salazar testified on the President’s FY2011 Department of Interior budget request before the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, of which Simpson is Ranking Member. Simpson is a strong supporter of an “all-of-the above” energy policy that will make our country energy independent. Read more »

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson discussed the impact on Idaho of the recent sage-grouse decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with Interior Assistant Secretary Tom Strickland.  Strickland testified today before the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, of which Simpson is Ranking Republican Member, regarding the President’s FY 2011 budget request. Earlier… Read more »