Local lawmaker bashes feds over road closures

In another burst of fiercely anti-Washington D.C. legislation from Idaho’s Statehouse, a western Treasure Valley Republican lawmaker wants to stop the Department of Fish and Game from helping enforce road closures on federal land. Sen. Monty Pearce of New Plymouth introduced his measure Thursday. The Department of Fish and Game would be forbidden from enforcing — or entering into an agreement with — agencies like the U.S. Forest Service when it comes to federal laws or rules governing roads on federal land. Pearce is joining Idaho sportsmen who are furious about federal management of Idaho’s backcountry, including efforts to shutter some trails or areas long coveted by motorized off-road vehicles...more