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100+ Economists Make Case for More Public Lands Investment in ID

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Monday, December 5, 2011   

BOISE, Idaho - Securing Idaho's economic future requires a look at what's wild. More than 100 economists have sent a letter to President Obama and Congress, calling for investment in public lands infrastructure along with more protected designations to help local economies grow.

Economist Gundars Rudzitis at the University of Idaho signed the letter, and says his years of research focused on geography and economic health demonstrate the connection.

"These lands, national parks, wilderness, national forests, have been among the fastest-growing counties and places in the nation."

The letter was coordinated by Headwaters Economics, and notes that public lands in Idaho and throughout the West boost economies because of resource extraction, as well as recreation and tourism, all of which can attract businesses. The letter stresses that investments in education are important, too, and that economic success tied to public lands takes time.

Andy Munter owns Backwoods Mountain Sports in Ketchum, and credits his company's success to the lure of protected public lands.

"And the number-one reason they love Idaho is all the wild, uncrowded space. They may not use it all the time, but they know that for hundreds of miles, there's wide-open wild spaces and healthy ecosystems."

Ray Rasker, executive director of Headwaters Economics, says that, while Idaho is already home to millions of acres of public lands, there are some sweet spots still ripe for protected designations that could boost local economies, with the Boulder-White Clouds at the top of the list.

"The combination of protected public lands, but also an educated workforce and good airport connections to major markets; that's something that certainly exists around the Boulder-White Clouds."

He adds that the Scotchman Peaks area is also suitable for federal designation.

The letter and supporting research are at headwaterseconomics.org



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