Idaho Senate OKs new bill to help resolve sheep conflict

The Senate passed a new bill to help remedy conflicts between wild bighorn sheep and their domestic brethren after Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter vetoed an earlier bill he said shortchanged domestic sheep and wildlife. Tuesday's vote was 26-8. The measure now goes to the House. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game must develop a plan to keep bighorns away from domestic sheep within 120 days, if the measure becomes law. Sen. Jeff Siddoway, the measure's sponsor and a sheep rancher, says he hopes this will help douse a brewing fight in the Hell's Canyon area of western Idaho, where federal agencies could shutter public grazing allotments on concern domestic sheep pass deadly illnesses to bighorns. Area ranchers are on guard, fearing for their livelihoods. Siddoway, a Terreton Republican, says, "The big horns certainly are valuable, but the domestic sheep industry is worth saving, too."...AP