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Did Marvel run away before losing this one??????
WWP pulls bid to lease range land
By LAURIE WELCH South Idaho Press
An environmentalist group has walked away from its bid to lease state land in Cassia County.
The Western Watersheds Project (WWP), headed by Jon Marvel of Hailey, withdrew its application for the Robinson Hole state parcel, No G-7506, which has been leased by Pickett Ranch and Sheep Company since the early 1970s, said Doug Pickett of Pickett Ranch and Sheep Company.
"I have no comment," said Jon Marvel, of Western Watersheds Project, when contacted by the South Idaho Press.
WWP's attorney Laurence (Laird) J. Lucas of Boise announced the withdrawal in a letter to the Idaho Department of Lands dated April 7.
"They (Western Watersheds Project) are walking out the back door so it doesn't draw any media attention after they lost the lease," Pickett said.
Paul Christensen, Cassia County Commissioner said letting the land go back to its natural state is not always the best way to protect the resources.
"The Western Watersheds Project has an opinion and a view about protecting the environment but managing the resources are also critical. A lot of what they are doing is unproven science," said Christensen.
It also could have a huge economic impact on the county.
"Cattle and livestock is one of the largest economic sectors in the county," Christensen said.
The l5,050 acres is located 10 miles south of Oakley in the Goose Creek Grange and is a combination of BLM and state land. It is part of the school endowment lands set aside by the Idaho Constitution for the benefit of public schools.
The Board of Land Commissioners are charged with the protection, sale or rental of the state endowment land in a manner which will secure the maximum long-term financial return for the schools.
Pickett ranches applied to renew its grazing lease when it expired December 31, 2000. WWP also applied to lease the same land triggering a "conflict auction" where the parties bid to obtain the right to the grazing lease.
Both parties submitted grazing plans with WWP's plan stating "no grazing of domestic livestock" during the lease term.
"They out bid us in the auction $14,000 to $13,000," Pickett said.
Which started a three-battle with Jon Marvel, he said.
We appealed to the state land board which recommended the lease be awarded back to us, Pickett said.
"Marvel sued and it was remanded back to the land board for the facts," he said.
The State Board of Land Commissioners for the State of Idaho conducted a Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Recommended Order on the contested case.
A hearing officer gave a recommendation in favor of the Picketts stating the $1,000 more bid by WWP over the term of the 10-year lease amounted to $100 per year which would not offset the additional costs of required site visits several times annually to inspect the state lands and make necessary assessments.
If the state gave the lease to WWP the state would not have BLM assistance to do the maintenance and monitoring work it currently has due to an exchange of use agreement. Without the BLM assistance, state personnel would be required to collect the more detailed information currently provided by the BLM.
It was determined the maximum long-term financial return to the public schools endowment fund would be achieved by awarding the lease to Pickett for the bid price of $13,000.
"The courts upholding the managing of the resources is right on the money," Christensen said.
Published April 11, 2003
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