History and Analysis of Federal Administered Lands

Sixty-four percent of the land in Idaho is administered by the federal government. This report answers four focus questions: Why is 64% of Idaho federal land? What is the purpose of federal lands? What does the law say about "ownership" of federal lands? What "federalism" issues are relevant? The report analyses 10 alternatives for management of federal lands: two "no change" alternatives (current plans and interim directions, ecosystem-based management), two "change ownership" alternatives (land sale, ownership transfer to states) and six "change rules for management" alternatives (economic-based reforms, land leasing, Federal Land Management Commission, local advisory council, trust land management, cooperative state/federal management). A framework for comparing the alternatives is presented.