There are 4.7 million acres of designated wilderness in central and southern Idaho, but none north of the Lochsa River in the nine northern counties. This isn’t due to a lack of wild spaces—northern Idaho and northwest Montana hold some of the greatest potential for wilderness expansion in the lower 48 states.
The absence of designated wilderness in the Inland Northwest is no coincidence. Past efforts to protect areas like the Scotchman Peaks, Selkirks, Mallard-Larkins, and Great Burn were blocked. Legislation drafted by Republican Senator Jim McClure and Democratic Governor Cecil Andrus, as well as later attempts by Congressman Larry LaRocco, faced strong opposition from the timber industry. Today, motorized recreation groups are also a significant source of resistance.
The path to protecting the last wildlands in the Idaho Panhandle requires collaboration. Conservation groups must engage with the timber industry, recreationists, hunters, anglers, county commissioners, and tribes to explore whether compromise is possible.
This is why the Idaho Conservation League helped launch the Idaho Panhandle Public Lands Initiative (IPPLI). Since April, this group of stakeholders has been meeting to determine if consensus on a legislative proposal for wilderness in Bonner and Boundary Counties can be reached. Negotiation and compromise will be key to securing the support of groups historically opposed to wilderness protections.
If successful, the legislation may do more than just designate wilderness. It could also boost recreational opportunities, secure public access, and address concerns around forest and wildlife management.
Dialogue within IPPLI has just begun, with the goal of drafting an agreement by the end of 2025.