Land Use Summit - Overview

Background

The need and how the Summit came to be.

What Happened

The program and attendee survey.

Results

Rural values and long and short–term priorities.

Idaho Land Use Summit - Background

19 million acres of private land

11 million acres of farmland

25,000 farms

2 million acres of privateforest lands

Idaho Land Use Summit - Background

10 big game species

20+ furbearer and upland game species

salmon and steelhead

229 species of greatest conservation need

Land Use Summit - Background

300 miles of new local roads built every year

6200 acres/year of cropland converted to urban land (1982-1997)

2500 acres/year of forested land converted to urban land (1982 – 1997)

Trends are increasing as land values increase

Land Use Summit - Background

Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society

Steering Committee

Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife SocietyGovernor’s Office of Species ConservationIdaho Department of AgricultureIdaho Rural PartnershipIdaho Department of Fish and GameThe Nature ConservancyIdaho Rangeland Resources CommissionIdaho Association of CountiesRocky Mountain Elk FoundationUniversity of Idaho School of Natural ResourcesBoise State University

Land Use Summit - Background

Idaho Association of CountiesNatural Resources Conservation ServiceU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceBoise State UniversityU. S. Forest ServiceBureau of Land ManagementIdaho Conservation LeagueE.R.O. ResourcesThe Idaho Planning AssociationThe Nature ConservancyForest Capital, LLCIdaho Rangeland Resources Commission

Idaho Office of Species ConservationIdaho Parks and RecreationUniv. ID, College of Natural ResourcesLandowner Conservation Incentives ProjectIdaho Department of LandsIdaho Department of Fish and GameRocky Mountain Elk FoundationWestern Pacific Timber, LLCPotlatch CorporationIdaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society

Sponsors

Land Use Summit – What Happened

ProgramSurvey of Attendees

Land Use Summit – What Happened

Survey Results

• 128 respondents of approx. 200

• 42% from communities of > 50,000

• 18% from communities of <10000

• residents from 30 Idaho counties (35% from Ada)

• 78% characterize growth as too fast or much too fast in their community

• 17% say growth is about right

• 85% say growth in Idaho is too fast or much too fast

Land Use Summit – What Happened

Survey Results

Schools, hospitals, and emergency services were viewed as the biggest beneficiaries of growth.

Quality of life and better rural jobs and incomes were viewed as the least benefitting from growth.

From most to least level of involvement, attendees felt county, then state, then non-profit, then

business should help direct how and where growth occur.

83% felt that half of the information or very little of the information necessary to make land use

decisions is being used in Idaho.

Land Use Summit – What Happened

Survey Results

County P&Z, federal, and state funding were viewed as effective or very effective by most in helping to protect and maintain rural lifestyles.

But 50% believed state funds or tax incentives were used hardly or not at all.

63% believed the rights of all Idaho’s citizens to have abundant wildlife, clean water, and clean air should have slightly or more protection than the rights of an individual landowner.

Land Use Summit - Overview

Rural Values

Short and Long Term Priorities

Land Use Summit - Results

•Stewardship philosophy and natural resource dependent lifestyles.

•Working farms, ranches, and forests.

•Clean and healthy air and water quality.

•Ability to readily access public lands.

•Abundant and healthy wildlife and fish populations and habitat.

•Open space, visual landscapes, scenic vistas, natural areas.

•Outdoor recreation such as hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, camping.

•Low traffic congestion.

•Clear night sky.

•Quiet and solitude.

•A sense of place/community.

Idaho Rural Values

Land Use Summit - Results

Immediate Priority Strategies

Defeat Proposition 2

Develop and nurture an Landowners Incentives Work Group

Collaborate with each other – vision, strategies, problems, priorities

Keep the ball rolling!

Land Use Summit - Results

Long-Term Priority Strategies

Capacity BuildingFunding – impact and recreation

fees, mitigation, otherP&Z support – ordinances, comp.

planningIncentives for land conservation –

tax, fish and wildlife, water quality values and services

Leadership

EducationDevelopment impactsConnections to land, Benefits of working lands and

stewardshipInvolve urban populations in rural

issues

Land Use Summit - Results

Long-Term Priority Strategies

Clearinghouse information exchange and learningworkshops, web site, networking

Promote SustainabilityBuy Idaho!Alternative and renewable energyConserve and recycle