SJM 104: Seizing the Camas National Wildlife Refuge — 2025

Senate Joint Memorial 104, introduced by Senator Van Burtenshaw (R-Terreton), reflects concerns from farmers about the management of the Camas National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Idaho. The memorial urges the federal government to fast-track permits for “cleaning” Camas Creek and calls for transferring the refuge from federal to state ownership. This despite the fact that the National Wildlife Refuge’s water rights appear to have seniority over most downstream, and the Idaho Department of Water Resources has confirmed that there has been no “injury” to downstream senior water rights holders.

The Idaho Conservation League (ICL) strongly opposes SJM 104 because it seeks to strip federally managed public lands from public ownership and place them under state control, specifically under the authority of the Idaho Department of Fish & Game. Another major concern is that the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes have reserved treaty rights on these lands—rights that would be lost if the refuge were transferred to the state.

Established in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Camas National Wildlife Refuge was designated to provide a sanctuary for migratory birds and other wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it remains a vital part of the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge complex, supporting critical wetland habitats for numerous species of plants, birds, and other wildlife.

Rather than attempting to take over these public lands through SJM 104, ICL urges Sen. Burtenshaw and other concerned parties to collaborate with the local Friends of the Camas Wildlife Refuge, federal refuge managers, and permitting agencies to find solutions. Working together, we are convinced that we can address concerns while preserving the refuge’s role as a crucial part of America’s public lands network.

Disagreements over public land management are understandable, but seizing and transferring federal lands to state control is not the solution.