Valley County survey finds majority support for exploring IDL–Forest Service land exchange

Randy Fox, representing United Payette, told the Valley County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 29 that a University of Idaho–conducted survey of county residents found 66% of respondents supported a potential land exchange between Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) endowment lands and the U.S. Forest Service.

Fox said invitations were sent to 6,738 addresses and that the survey produced 840 complete responses after cleaning, yielding a 3.3% margin of error. "97% of the respondents did say that they identify as year‑long permanent residents," Fox said.

The coalition seeks to prevent privatization of lake‑front endowment lands. Fox said the exchange idea arises because IDL is constitutionally required to maximize returns for state beneficiaries and some endowment parcels, which are poor for timber production, have gained value as potential development sites. "The whole reason that United Payette formed is to try to find a way to prevent that from happening," he said.

Survey respondents ranked protecting water quality and maintaining public access as top management priorities for lands around Payette and Little Payette Lakes. United Payette reported 91% of respondents were very or extremely concerned about privatization; about 20% of respondents said they needed more information about a potential exchange.

Commissioners asked about forest management differences and wildfire risk if the Forest Service assumed management. Fox and other presenters said management mandates differ between agencies and that concerns about fuels treatments and thinning are legitimate but were outside United Payette’s specific mission; presenters suggested those topics would need separate technical discussion with land managers.

United Payette said it will distribute a PDF of the full survey results to county staff and asked the board to share the material with the land board, congressional staffers and local civic organizations. Fox said no formal parcel‑by‑parcel exchange proposal from IDL or the Forest Service had been received; presenters said additional public information would depend on any formal proposal and identification of specific parcels.

The presentation did not request formal action by the commissioners; United Payette asked only to share the survey results and to coordinate information as federal and state agencies develop any proposals.