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Bonner County commissioners split over endorsing private conservation easements
Summary
Commissioners debated whether the county should lend its name to privately negotiated Forest Legacy easements, with concerns about taxpayer funds benefiting private owners and counterarguments that the projects align with the county comprehensive plan and timber-economy interests.
Members of the Bonner County Board of Commissioners expressed a range of views after the Idaho Department of Lands presented two Forest Legacy proposals and asked for county support. One commissioner said, "I don't see the benefit to the taxpayers," and several commissioners raised concerns that publicly funded easements could constrain future county growth or reduce the tax base.
Other commissioners and IDL staff responded that the program is voluntary, aims to keep working forests productive and that the funds come from a federal account tied to offshore energy royalties rather than the county general fund. Commissioners noted the item was listed as an annual update and therefore no vote could be taken at this meeting; several advocated a standalone workshop to hear landowners and see case studies before any formal county endorsement.
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