This is a long summary of where the bighorn sheep controversy in Idaho stands and who is saying what. I think it’s a useful article for bringing folks up to date.
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project and the creator of The Wildlife News.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Is the Fish and Game Commision not required to Post and Inform the public about their meetings to comply with Idaho’s Open Meeting Law? There is nothing to be found anywhere on their site about the 8 am “conference call” Thursday morning mentioned in the article. Does this mean you can go to any Fish and Game office around the state to listen in?
TITLE 36
FISH AND GAME
CHAPTER 1
FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
36-104. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION. (a) Organization —
Meetings. The members of the commission shall annually meet at their offices
and organize by electing from their membership a chairman, who shall hold
office for a period of one (1) year, or until his successor has been duly
elected. In addition to the regular annual meeting, to be held in January,
said commission shall hold other regular quarterly meetings each year at such
places within the state as the commission shall select for the transaction of
business. Special meetings may be called at any time and place by the chairman
or a majority of the members of the commission. Notice of the time, place and
purpose of any and all special meetings shall be given by the secretary to
each member of the commission prior to said meeting.
It seems to me that this is an opportunity for a public trust lawsuit against the State of Idaho for its proposed mismanagement of the peoples’ wildlife.