Sen. Risch won’t push for Lochsa River basin land swap

LEWISTON, Idaho – U.S. Sen. Jim Risch says he will not push for legislation that would authorize a proposed upper Lochsa land trade due to public opposition.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that the Idaho Republican on Thursday sent a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell saying he would drop the proposal by Western Pacific Timber Co. that would swap about 39,000 acres of its land near Lolo Pass for Forest Service land east of Grangeville.

Risch has been considering Wester Pacific’s bill since 2014, but members of the public have been outspoken in their criticism of the plan. Detractors said the plan would lead to fences, no-trespassing signs and a loss of their favorite close-to-home hunting, camping and berry picking spots.

Forest Service officials said they are reviewing Risch’s letter.