The battle over the Boulder White Cloud Mountains continues. Last year, the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act aka the Boulder White Cloud Wilderness Bill passed through the House under unusual circumstances. It died in the Senate. Congress Simpson who simply won't give up introduced the bill the first of the year and it was immediately shipped off to the House Resource Committee where it sits. The Congressman continues to push for a hearing and support from the Chairman of the Committee Nick Rahall. In the past, the recreation community enjoyed the support of Senator Larry Craig and then Congressman Butch Otter in opposition to the bill. Senator Larry Craig's objection was the lack of 'trigger language' or a guarantee that the money authorized would be actually appropriated. Congressman Simpson because he sits not he appropriations was able to convince the Senator that he could deliver. (He actually has a better chance of getting a part of it because of his seat on the spending committee) Because the bill has been touted as a 'local solution that enjoyed the supported of the residents of Custer County' and a promise that the money would materialize, the Senator was reluctant to oppose it. Congressman Otter became Governor Otter and he had the same concerns, 'how could he say no to a bill the residents of Custer County wanted?'

Custer County is a rural conservative county and almost everyone who knows anything about it was confident that the residents didn't support CIEDRA.

We, through the Idaho Recreation Council, decided it was time to find out where the people actually stood on the issue. Working with a public relations firm headed by Mike Tracy (former communications director for Senator Craig), we developed a three week media campaign that included radio, newspaper and direct mail aimed at Custer and Lemhi Counties. At the end of the campaign, we commissioned the Tarrance Group (nationally respected group that has done the political work for Senator Craig for 27

years) out of Virginia to do a poll. The results are included in the attached release.

From now on, people can say what they want about CIEDRA but they cannot say it has 'local support.' It is our belief that now the Senator and the Governor can say 'no' for the people of Custer County not to them.

It isn't over but I am confident we have some serious headway in stopping this flawed legislation.

(See below)

IDAHO RECREATION COUNCIL 

Press Release 

For Immediate Release
Contact:  Sandra Mitchell, (208) 424-3870 

NEW DATA SHOWS VIRTUALLY NO SUPPORT FOR CIEDRA IN CUSTER AND LEMHI COUNTIES 

Boise, Idaho (August 9, 2007)  New research in Custer and Lemhi Counties shows that 83% of the citizens of those two counties oppose the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA), also known as the Boulder White Clouds wilderness bill, according to Chris Cook, a member of the Idaho Recreation Council’s (IRC) Steering Committee. 

            “We had the sense that there was strong local concern about this wilderness proposal, but we were shocked with the overwhelming opposition and especially the intensity of the opposition,” said Cook.  “The people who are most affected by this bill, the citizens of Custer and Lemhi counties, have spoken very clearly on this issue and they don’t want more wilderness in their backyard.” 

            The poll was conducted by the highly respected Tarrance Group based in Alexandria, Virginia.  The firm has a long history of accurately gauging public opinion and campaign outcomes in Idaho.  The data is the results of surveys with 400 registered “likely” voters in Custer and Lemhi Counties on July 31-August 1, 2007. 

            “Congressman Simpson has stated that he has support at the local level for this legislation, yet one of the most substantial pieces of research ever done in the region by  one of the best pollsters in the country shows that the local community opposes the bill or any other wilderness designation in their counties,” Cook added. 

            In answering the polling question “Do you favor or oppose this CIEDRA proposal?” 83% opposed CIEDRA and 70% strongly opposed the measure, a sign of the intensity of displeasure with the proposed legislation.  Only 10% supported and 7% were unsure or did not respond. 

            Cook said he was hopeful that the local County Commissioners and Congressman Simpson would reconsider the legislation and find other ways to help the local economy. 

            “The research shows that people want to recreate in a wide variety of ways in the Boulder White Clouds.  We believe that these recreation opportunities should continue and will enhance the economic base of these counties,” Cook said. 

            For more information about the poll or additional questions about CIEDRA and recreation, contact Sandra Mitchell at (208) 424-3870.