Rep. Simpson’s Boulder-White Clouds Bill Clears Committee

BOISE, Idaho (KTVB) - Rep. Mike Simpson's Boulder-White Clouds wilderness bill cleared a major hurdle Thursday with a unanimous vote of approval in the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee.

The bill - called Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act - now moves to the full House for a vote. "To say I am pleased about the BWC bill moving forward would be an understatement," said Simpson in a news release. "For more than a decade, Idahoans of all walks of life have worked tirelessly on this legislation. It is because of their dedication that we are one step closer to achieving our goal – creating an Idaho solution for managing the Boulder White Clouds."

According to Simpson's office, the bill would establish certain wilderness areas in central Idaho and would authorize land conveyances involving federally managed lands. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) sponsored the Senate version of the bill. That bill is waiting to be considered by the Senate Resources Committee.