Idaho Begins Yearlong Process to Set New Grazing Rates

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — State officials are looking at possible changes to grazing fees on 1.7 million acres of endowment land. The Idaho Land Board started the yearlong process Tuesday that could result in changes to a rate formula that has been in place since 1992. The Land Board is constitutionally obligated to manage the state's 2.4 million endowment acres received at statehood to get the greatest long-term financial return for state beneficiaries, primarily public education.

State officials say Idaho grazing rates appear to have fallen behind when compared to what private landowners charge and what neighboring states charge for their trust grazing land. The schedule calls for an advisory group to provide the Land Board with possible alternatives next spring followed by public meetings and comments, with a final decision in the fall.