How should Idaho’s public land be controlled and managed? Who should decide how the land is used, who can access it, and what industries can extract its timber and minerals?
The federal government manages 34.5 million acres of land in Idaho. That’s almost two-thirds of Idaho’s land mass. Federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service control the lion’s share of this land, allowing a variety of uses, including conservation, timber and mineral extraction, and recreation.
Should that continue to be the case?
In 2024, the state of Utah petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the nine justices to declare it unconstitutional for federal agencies like the BLM to hold on to such land in perpetuity without a formal designation. The state of Idaho, through its attorney general, joined the lawsuit and asked that these lands revert to state control. Proponents of the lawsuit argued, in part, that states are better poised to manage the land within their borders. Federal bureaucracy, they argued, unnecessarily restricted more localized management that could generate tax revenue for the state and its citizens.
On the other hand, opponents of the lawsuit, maintained that state government is not equipped to manage 34 million acres of land and that states would inevitably sell off or otherwise privatize public lands. Opponents point to public support for wilderness, national parks, and other public lands in addition to federal protection for wildlife refuges and protection from environmental degradation and industry exploitation of wilderness resources.
The College of Idaho’s Director of the Master of Applied Public Policy(MAPP) program, McKay Cunningham, along with VP of College Relations, Jack Cafferty, lead a conversation on this precise topic. Collaborating with Boise City Club, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, among others, we invited debate, data, and discourse. The results? See here.
About The College of Idaho’s Master of Applied Public Policy (MAPP) program:
The MAPP program is designed for working professionals. Its hybrid structure and curriculum are rooted in the real-world issues shaping our communities. Students will learn from and connect with former governors, current legislators, lobbyists, nonprofit leaders, and executives from Idaho’s largest for-profit companies because public policy isn’t just for politicians; it affects us all.
Key Features of the MAPP Program:
- Applied Learning: Students engage in case studies, policy simulations, and internships focused on current issues in Idaho and beyond.
- Tailored for the West: The program addresses the policy landscape of Idaho and the Intermountain West, from education reform to economic development.
- Designed for Working Professionals: Evening in-person class per week in Boise, providing flexibility and a built-in local network as you enhance your career.
- A Powerful Network: Students join a cohort of peers from diverse industries and gain access to influential leaders shaping policy today.
To learn more, visit learn.collegeofidaho.edu/mapp/. Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2025 semester. For further information, please contact program director, McKay Cunningham, [email protected] .