2005 Idaho Code - 22-2716 — LEGISLATIVE DETERMINATION AND DECLARATION OF POLICY

                                  TITLE  22
                         AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE
                                  CHAPTER 27
                         SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
    22-2716.  LEGISLATIVE DETERMINATION AND DECLARATION OF POLICY. (1) It is
the determination of the state of Idaho that:
    (a)  Forest lands, rangelands and agricultural lands maintained in a
    healthy condition are a legitimate land use contributing to the economic,
    social and environmental well-being of the state and its citizens;
    (b)  It is essential to the general welfare of all citizens of this state
    that multiple use conservation improvements be implemented on a broader
    scale on both public and private lands;
    (c)  Due to numerous economic and practical issues relating to the
    improvements of individual tracts of land, both public and private
    resource conservation improvements, projects and programs of the nature
    contemplated by this chapter would enhance the economic productivity and
    environmental quality of the state; and
    (d)  It is sound public policy for the state of Idaho to provide for
    accounts to finance loans, grants, cost-share funding and tax incentives
    to the end that forest lands, rangelands and agricultural lands within the
    state can provide the greatest benefit to all concerned.
    (2)  It is the intent of the state of Idaho to provide a means by which
funds, including federal, state, private and other moneys, can be obtained and
utilized for the accelerated development of water quality programs, multiple
use forest land, rangeland, and agricultural land conservation improvements in
the state, and to provide that these improvements, projects and programs be
locally planned, coordinated and implemented through statutory provisions
pertaining to soil conservation districts, the state soil conservation
commission, appropriate state and federal agencies, and the owners and
operators of privately owned lands.
    (3)  It is in the best interest of the state of Idaho:
    (a)  To emphasize nonregulatory, science-based technical assistance,
    incentive-based financial programs and informational and educational
    programs at the local level;
    (b)  To maintain, preserve, conserve and rehabilitate forest lands,
    rangelands and agricultural lands to assure the protection and
    productivity of the state's natural resources;
    (c)  That soil conservation districts, as governmental subdivisions, and
    the state soil conservation commission, as a state agency, are the primary
    entities to provide assistance to private landowners and land users in the
    conservation, sustainment, improvement and enhancement of Idaho's natural
    resources;
    (d)  To establish policies for cooperative working relationships between
    local soil conservation districts, the state soil conservation commission,
    local, state and federal agencies and public and private groups to plan,
    develop and implement conservation goals and initiatives with local
    landowners and land users;
    (e)  That soil conservation districts and the state soil conservation
    commission lead nonregulatory efforts to conserve, sustain, improve and
    enhance Idaho's private and state lands and to provide assistance to
    private landowners and land users to plan, develop and implement
    conservation plans addressing soil, water, air, plant and animal
    resources. Technical, financial and educational assistance to landowners
    and land users is vital to that effort; and
    (f)  That the state soil conservation commission provide support to soil
    conservation districts in the wise use and enhancement of soil, water and
    related resources.
    (4)  It is the policy of the state of Idaho:
    (a)  To provide appropriate tax policies and program mechanisms that
    provide incentives for private landowners and land users to voluntarily
    manage forest lands, rangelands and agricultural lands in a manner that
    promotes conservation;
    (b)  That the health, safety and general welfare of the people of this
    state can be greatly enhanced by providing nonregulatory opportunities to
    landowners and land users in order to increase the ability of such
    landowners and land users to readily understand  and plan for local, state
    and federal natural resource requirements and opportunities through
    technological innovation and processes;
    (c)  To enhance natural resource productivity in order to promote a strong
    natural resource sector, reduce unintended adverse effects of resource
    development and use, protect individual and community health and safety
    and encourage stewardship;
    (d)  That conservation plan implementation shall include best management
    practices implemented according to the standards and specifications
    developed by the United States department of agriculture natural resources
    conservation service (NRCS) as designated by the agricultural pollution
    abatement plan. Those practices shall include, but not be limited to:
    irrigation water management systems; prescribed grazing; forest stand
    improvement; establishment of grass, trees and shrubs to reduce wind and
    water erosion; promotion of sound community development; protection of
    water and air resources from agricultural nonpoint sources of impairment;
    maintenance, restoration or enhancement of wetlands and fish and wildlife
    habitat; protection of upstream watersheds from flood risk; and protection
    of watersheds from the effects of chronic water shortages and risks; and
    (e)  That all conservation programs authorized pursuant to this chapter
    shall deliver services fairly and equitably, strengthen the conservation
    district delivery system, provide timely science-based information and
    provide conservation information and educational programs and experiences
    to youth and adults.