Policy Analysis Group (PAG) Report Series
Out of dozens of possible issues that have been discussed during 49 meetings of the PAG Advisory Committee during the program’s first 13 years (July 1, 1989, to June, 2002), 21 publications in the PAG Report Series on issues suggested by the committee have been completed and distributed to policy makers, libraries, media, and interested citizens.
To order reports in the PAG Report Series, call, write, or use our electronic Order Form.
Some of these PAG Report Series publications can be downloaded in PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader). As of June 2002, Report 15, Report 18, Report 19, Report 20, and Report 21 are available in PDF format. Executive Summaries of most other reports can be accessed below.
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Idaho Forest, Wildlife, and Range Policy Analysis Group |
phone: 208-885-5776 |
#1. Idaho's Endowment Lands: A Matter of Sacred Trust. Jay O'Laughlin (March 1990).
Analyzed the historical and legal background of the 2.4 million acres managed by the Idaho Department of Lands for "... maximum long term financial return to the institution to which granted." Public schools are the primary beneficiaries of these federal land grants made at statehood a century ago. A bill introduced in the 1990 legislature to amend the management imperative to include as an alternative "... secure the greatest public benefits" was withdrawn after the sponsor read the report. View full report.
#2. BLM Riparian Policy in Idaho: Analysis of Public Comment on a Proposed Policy Statement. Kendall L. Johnson, Carrie Mosley, Jeffrey C. Mosley, and Jay O'Laughlin (June 1990).
Gathered and analyzed comments from 8 workshops and a mail survey of 225 organizations to determine if the proposed policy addressed important public concerns. It did, with the exception of educational outreach, which has now been incorporated into the BLM's final policy statement.
#3. Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Land Acquisition and Management Program. Carla Wise and Jay O'Laughlin (October 1990).
The program's history, purpose, and status was analyzed to educate voters about a referendum for a constitutional amendment that would authorize the Department to make payments in lieu of property taxes to the counties where the Department's 116,101 acres of land are located. Neighboring states own at least as much land exclusively for wildlife purposes; Utah and Washington each have three times as much. Information in the report appeared in newspapers and was used in the legislature. Voters approved the referendum, and a bill introduced in the 1992 legislature to implement such payments quietly passed into law.
#4. Wolf Recovery in Central Idaho: Alternative Strategies and Impacts. Carla Wise, Jeffrey J. Yeo, Dale Goble, James M. Peek, and Jay O'Laughlin (February 1991).
The report did not focus on whether wolf recovery should proceed, but instead on three recovery strategies and their likely impacts on other land use activities (grazing, hunting, etc.) in and around potential wolf recovery areas in central Idaho. Alternatives are: (1) natural dispersal, (2) reintroduction, and (3) federal legislative action. Arguments for and against each strategy were presented in concise tables indicating potential impacts. The report was used to develop the Environmental Impact Statement released in 1994. View Table of Contents and Executive Summary.
#5. State Agency Roles in Idaho Water Quality Policy (Special Report for the Idaho Legislature). Allen C. Turner and Jay O'Laughlin (February 1991).
The framework of laws and regulations that affect water quality was analyzed, with an emphasis on nonpoint sources of surface water pollution. Agency responsibilities for program implementation were determined; 196 full-time equivalent state agency personnel are involved in water quality programs. The policy design is adequate, with little or no duplication of effort due to carefully designed agency assignments and interagency cooperative agreements. A list of 34 unresolved policy issues represents an agenda for action. View Executive Summary.
#6. Silver Valley Resource Analysis for Pulp and Paper Mill Feasibility. James G. MacCracken and Jay O'Laughlin, editors (October 1991).
Seven chapters prepared by ten authors analyze the non-mineral resources of this economically depressed area affected by heavy metal pollution from historic mining and smelting activity. A pulp and paper mill is not feasible in the 21-square mile Bunker Hill superfund site for three reasons: (1) the lack of water to dilute mill effluent during low flow periods, (2) questionable availability of wood fiber, and (3) potential liability for Superfund cleanup costs.
#7. A National Park in Idaho? Proposals and Possibilities. James G. MacCracken and Jay O'Laughlin (June 1992).
Idaho does not have a national park. Four areas seem to meet National Park Service "significance" criteria: (1) Sawtooths six congressional proposals surfaced between 1913 and 1970, and studies conducted in 1975 and 1989 without generating significant political support; (2) Craters of the Moon a congressional proposal was introduced in 1991, but did not get very far; (3) Hells Canyon citizen groups currently propose a park; (4) Owyhee Canyonlands a citizen group currently has an informal proposal in 1992. Analysis of three general arguments for and against designating a national park revealed little information applicable to Idaho. View Table of Contents and Executive Summary.
#8. Design of Forest Riparian Buffer Strips for the Protection of Water Quality: Analysis of Scientific Literature. George H. Belt, Jay O'Laughlin, and W. Troy Merrill (June 1992).
Scientists are at different stages in their understanding of the several important functions provided by buffer strips, which include (a) temperature moderation, (b) sediment filtration, and (c) recruitment of large woody debris. Much is known about (a) and some useful predictive models have been developed. There is only a limited amount of information on (b), and a recent body of descriptive information pertinent to (c). The importance of buffer strips in moderating the impacts of forest practices on water quality and fish habitat is generally understood, even though quantitative relationships are difficult to establish. Very little information exists on what the effective width of buffer strips should be. View full report.
#9. Analysis of Methods for Determining Minimum Instream Flows for Recreation. Troy Merrill and Jay O'Laughlin (March 1993).
Several methods are available to quantify the amount of instream flow for recreation purposes. Justifiable quantification is needed during the legislatively established appropriation process. A survey questionnaire incorporating quantification methods from the scientific literature was developed and administered to those experienced in quantifying instream flows for recreation. Surveys of experts and surveys of users were found to be the most widely used and most reliable methods. View Table of Contents and Executive Summary.
#10. Analysis of Idaho Roadless Areas and Wilderness Proposals.Jim MacCracken, Troy Merrill, and Jay O'Laughlin (July 1993).
How much of the 11.2 million acres of federal roadless lands in Idaho (9.4 million acres in the national forests) should be added to the 4 million acres of Idaho lands in the National Wilderness Preservation System? Since the last wilderness designation in 1980, various proposals have suggested acreage from one-half million to more than four million acres. The disposition or "release" of non-wilderness roadless tracts is one of several issues in the current political debate. View Table of Contents and Executive Summary.
#11. Forest Health Conditions in Idaho. Jay O'Laughlin, James G. MacCracken, David L. Adams, Stephen C. Bunting, Keith A. Blatner, and Charles E. Keegan, III (December 1993).
Forest conditions throughout Idaho are deteriorating, especially in the national forests. The Boise and Payette National Forests recently experienced five years of catastrophic mortality; that is, forests identified as suitable for timber production are dying faster than they are growing. Forests in northern Idaho have root disease problems that will affect long-term productivity. Species conversion and fire exclusion have led to problems throughout the state. The report analyzes several alternative management and policy approaches.View Executive Summary.
#12. Grizzly bear recovery in Idaho. James G. MacCracken, Dale Goble, and Jay O'Laughlin (September 1994).
The report replies to six focus questions: Why are four Idaho areas designated for recovery efforts under the Endangered Species Act? Will grizzly bears ever be taken off the endangered species list? How has the 1993 draft recovery plan changed since 1982? Who makes decisions about grizzly bear recovery? What are the actual impacts of grizzly bear recovery actions on traditional and planned uses of federal, state, and private lands? To what extent is recovery compatible with existing and probable future land uses? Several alternatives for grizzly bear recovery under the ESA are analyzed. View Table of Contents and Executive Summary.
#13. Endangered Species Act at the Crossroads: New Directions from Idaho Case Studies. Jay O'Laughlin and Philip S. Cook, with Kelly Rogers and Troy Merrill (October 1995).
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) calls for the identification, protection, and recovery of species threatened or endangered with extinction. Idaho is home to 18 species currently on the threatened or endangered species lists. The report answers 15 focus questions about the ESA, the species its protects, the issues that cause controversy, and possible modifications of the act. The report includes case studies about salmon, grizzly bear and bull trout.View Executive Summary.
#14. Idaho Water Quality Policy for Nonpoint Source Pollution: A Manual for Decision-Makers. Jay O'Laughlin (December 1996).
In 1995 Idaho enacted new legislation that emphasizes the involvement of local interests in nonpoint source pollution control in their watersheds. This report is intended help these local decision-makers understand what the federal Clean Water Act and Idaho's new water quality law require. The report anwswers 4 focus questions: What does the Clean Water Act require? How has federal court action affected Idaho? What are the features of the new Idaho policy? Will the new Idaho policy be effective? View Executive Summary.
#15. Guidelines for Managing Cattle Grazing in Riparian Areas to Protect Water Quality: Review of Research and Best Management Practices Policy. Jeff C. Mosley, Philip S. Cook, Amber J. Griffis, and Jay O'Laughlin (December 1997).
Grazing management is the key to attaining the benefits riparian areas offer livestock while maintaining water quality standards and fully functioning riparian ecosystems. This report provides management guidelines, based on review of the scientific literature, that will help livestock producers meet the goals of the Clean Water Act while grazing cattle in riparian areas. The report answers 3 focus questions: What are appropriate management strategies for cattle grazing in riparian areas? What are best management practices? How is cattle grazing in riparian areas addressed in Idaho water quality policy? View Table of Contents and Executive Summary. Download Full Report in PDF format
#16. History and Analysis of Federally Administered Lands in Idaho. Jay O'Laughlin, Wyatt R. Hundrup, and Philip S. Cook (June 1998).
Sixty-four percent of the land in Idaho is administered by the federal government. This report answers four focus questions: Why is 64% of Idaho federal land? What is the purpose of federal lands? What does the law say about "ownership" of federal lands? What "federalism" issues are relevant? The report analyses 10 alternatives for management of federal lands: two "no change" alternatives (current plans and interim directions, ecosystem-based management), two "change ownership" alternatives (land sale, ownership transfer to states) and six "change rules for management" alternatives (economic-based reforms, land leasing, Federal Land Management Commission, local advisory council, trust land management, cooperative state/federal management). A framework for comparing the alternatives is presented. View Table of Contents and Executive Summary.
#17. Public Opinion of Water Quality Issues and Funding Options in Idaho. Jay O'Laughlin, Kevin McGuire, and John Carlson (December 1998).
The State of Idaho faces the expensive task of designing and implementing programs to reduce nonpoint source pollution in Idaho's watersheds. In 1998, the PAG measured public opinion about potential funding sources for water quality programs aimed at reducing nonpoint source pollution, especially in the agricultural sector. This report focuses on four facets of public opinion, attitude, or orientation towards water quality issues in Idaho: (1) relative importance of water quality issues, (2) knowledge about water pollution problems, (3) responsibility for water pollution control program operations and funding, and (4) acceptable options for sources of funding and willingness to pay increased taxes for water quality programs, specifically programs for reducing pollution from nonpoint source activities not regulated by state law. View Table of Contents and Executive Summary.
#18. Toward Sustainable Forest Management: Part I - Certification Programs. Philip S. Cook and Jay O'Laughlin (December 1999).
Programs certifying that landowners practice sustainable forest management, or that wood-based products come from sustainably managed forests, are in the early stages of development. Certification programs, and criteria and indicator (C&I) frameworks on which they are based, are tools for describing and implementing sustainable forestry. This report explains what C&I frameworks are and reports on a field test in Idaho. The report also explains what forest certification is, describes prominent certification programs, and analyzes policy issues that arise from the development and implentation of this approach to sustainable forest management. Executive Summary and Short Summary in PDF Format. Download Full Report in PDF Format.
#19. Toward Sustainable Forest Management: Part II - The Role and Effects of Timber Harvesting in Idaho. Philip S. Cook and Jay O'Laughlin (December 2000).
Sustainable forest management is one goal of a growing list of human activities that impact the environment. This report places timber harvesting in Idaho in that context. The focus questions that guide the analysis are: What is sustainable forest management? How important is the timber harvesting issue in Idaho? What is the timber situation in Idaho's forests? What policies affect timber harvesting in Idaho? What are the effects of timber harvesting on other resources? The report also examines alternative approaches to watershed analysis as a tool to assure that forest management activities are sustainable. Executive Summary in PDF Format (48 pages, 1017KB). Full Report in PDF Format (188 pages, 4739KB).
#20. Taxing Forest Property: Analysis of Alternative Methods and Impacts in Idaho. Philip S. Cook and Jay O'Laughlin (October 2001).
Forest landowners in Idaho are taxed under one of two property tax options: [1] the productivity tax option or [2] the bare land & yield tax option. In 2002, landowners with between 5 and 5,000 acres of forest land will have a chance to choose a tax option for the next 10 years. Large increases in taxable value under the productivity option during the 1990s may influence many landowners decision to switch to the bare land & yield option. The first objective of the analysis is to examine the impacts on forest landowners of the current forest valuation formula under the productivity option. The second objective is to examine the potential impacts on county property tax revenues in 2002 of a potential shift of forest landowners from the productivity option to the bare land & yield option. Full Report in PDF Format (43 pages, 1265KB)
#21. Endowment Fund Reform and Idaho's State Lands: Evaluating Financial Performance of Forest and Rangeland Assets. Jay O'Laughlin and Philip S. Cook (December 2001).
State trust lands in Idaho are to be managed to provide "maximum long term financial return" to the public schools and other beneficiary institutions. This report evaluates trust land assets and asset management with appropriate indicators of financial performance. Specific objectives are: review the changes in Endowment Fund management that have heightened concern for financial performance of land assets; select appropriate financial performance indicators for forest lands and rangelands; appraise the value of endowment forest lands and rangeland assets, and then measure the return on asset value provided by current IDL operations; discuss managerial flexibility in the context of the Idaho Constitution’s goal to provide "maximum long term financial return" to the trust beneficiaries; and analyze alternative approaches for managing underperforming land assets. Full Report in PDF Format.
This page last updated 04/15/03.
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