Leaders of three Idaho tribes testified against an idea to transfer federal land to the state.

The Idaho Legislature's Federal Lands Interim Committee is considering whether to pursue the transfer of some, or all, of the 32 million acres of federal property in the state. Tribal leaders said that would violate their off-reservation treaty rights.

"The tribes unequivocally oppose this notion," Nathan Small, the chairman of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, told the committee, The Idaho Statesman reported.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe and the Nez Perce Tribe also opposed the idea. Any transferred federal lands should first go to tribes, representatives said.

The committee took seven hours of testimony on the idea on Monday. Mining, timber and other business groups supported a potential transfer.

Get the Story:
Idaho tribes want first crack at federal land (The Idaho Statesman 10/29)
Tribal Members Speak Out Against Federal Lands Transfer (The Magic Valley Times 10/29)
Tribes’ tale sends quiet chill over public-lands transfer hearing (The Spokesman Review 10/28)
Federal lands transfer hearing draws seven hours of pro/con testimony (Idaho Reporter 10/28)
Federal Public Lands Takeover Hearing Today (Public News Service 10/28)