07/14/06 Lawsuit, IACI and Wiggins

07/14/06 Lawsuit, IACI and Wiggins

A federal court lawsuit has been filed in an attempt to block new grazing regulations. The BLM said on Wednesday that the new regulations will go into effect next month but the Western Watersheds Project has filed suit to stop what it believes is more control over public lands and water rights for ranchers. Other environmental groups promise to challenge the BLM rules too. Idaho's most influential business lobbying group is undergoing a major change. IACI, the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry may lose the Wool Growers and the Grain Producers Associations. Both plan to pull out at the annual meeting this weekend at Tamarack Resort because of higher annual dues. The state chambers of commerce may also drop out of IACI and form their own lobbying effort. Governor Risch has created some agency changes in his few weeks in office and he's going to have another vacancy to fill. Idaho Land Department Director Winston Wiggins is retiring. Wiggins will end 37 years of work with the department, the last five and a half as director, when he leaves at the end of August. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott
Previous Report07/13/06 United pleased with spud acreage
Next Report07/17/06 Exports continue to grow