BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho House of Representatives has approved a nonbinding resolution requesting that the state take over management of the Camas National Wildlife Refuge from the federal government.
Senate Joint Memorial 104, which passed the House by a 53-15 vote on Monday, urges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Idaho’s congressional delegation to transfer oversight of the approximately 11,000-acre refuge in Eastern Idaho to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The memorial also asks the federal agency to expedite a permit related to Camas Creek, which flows seasonally through the refuge.
The Camas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to protect migratory bird habitats. It is currently managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Supporters of the memorial, including Rep. Jerald Raymond, R-Menan, argue that federal control limits maintenance efforts on Camas Creek, which affects water availability in the Mud Lake area.
“Camas Creek runs seasonally, and it doesn’t always reach Mud Lake,” Raymond said on the House floor. “We’ve not been able to maintain the creek by removing debris and sediment. As a result, farmers must rely on aquifer water to irrigate their land.”
Opposition came from all nine House Democrats and six Republicans. Rep. Monica Church, D-Boise, raised concerns about the legal and financial implications of the state assuming control of the refuge.
Church noted that the Idaho Constitution requires state-managed lands to be operated for maximum long-term financial return, unlike the federal government’s multiple-use mandate. She warned that managing additional land could increase state expenditures and potentially lead to higher taxes.
Church also highlighted the refuge’s location on land reserved under treaties with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, cautioning against undermining tribal rights.
“This isn’t just about water or land—it’s about respecting the law and our obligations to tribal nations,” Church said.
The Idaho Senate had already passed the joint memorial by voice vote on March 17. As a nonbinding resolution, Senate Joint Memorial 104 does not create law and will not be sent to Gov. Brad Little for approval.
The memorial is intended to signal Idaho lawmakers’ interest in gaining more local control over federal lands within the state.
