Plan Targets Groups That File Lawsuits

Rep. John Campbell, R-Sandpoint, wants to stop groups that sue the state from gaining appointments to advisory panels.

Campbell said members of the environmental group the Alliance for the Wild Rockies were appointed to a water-quality advisory board after it sued the state over similar problems.

The proposal sparked many concerns, but the House Resources and Conservation Committee agreed to debate the bill Tuesday.

The committee also accepted another bill by Campbell that would require legislative approval of conservation agreements or rangewide management plans that affect third parties.

Campbell cited an example where the Bonner County Commissioners rejected an agreement with the federal Fish and Wildlife Department that would have listed bull trout as endangered species. The agreement, Campbell said, would have unfairly affected all counties, not just Bonner County.

, DataTimes