Idaho and America are rich in natural resources, including our critical public lands.
Idaho’s public lands make up nearly two-thirds of our state and are an important resource that must be managed and protected to meet multiple uses.
As a rancher and the Senate’s only trained forester, I bring a distinct voice on issues facing Idaho and the West. I am a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which oversees issues such as nuclear, hydroelectric, and other energy production; mining; grazing; timber production; and oil and gas leasing on public lands, western water, and national parks.
Public land management does not work when Congress passes a top-down mandate. As governor, I worked with a collaborative group of land users to design a plan for managing Idaho’s roadless public lands. The resulting policy provided higher levels of protection for some lands that truly deserved it and allowed multiple use of other lands where it fit. That collaborative effort enjoys widespread support.
As Senator, I support legislation that protects our environment for future generations, while maintaining private property rights and prioritizing the needs of local communities and industry.