Thursday February 10, 1994
The Idaho Statesman
Dan Popkey
Sentiment tops cash in bidding

The cowboys won again. In a room packed with scarfs and Stetsons, the Idaho Land Board on Tuesday overturned a grazing lease won at auction by an environmental group. Rejecting the high bidder, the board awarded the 10-year lease to Will Ingram of Challis, holder of the lease for two decades. Gov. Cecil Andrus, on the short end of a 4-1 vote, explained it aptly: "I'm the only one who's not on the ballot this year." Despite evidence of shifting political strength, ranchers retain enormous power. Enough clout that three board members - Attorney General Larry EchoHawk, Auditor J.D. Williams and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jerry Evans - reversed themselves and voted with Secretary of State Pete Cenarrusa, a sheep rancher. Last month, they opposed Cenarrusa's effort to delay the auction. The Ingrams had the support of the Idaho Farm Bureau and Idaho Cattle Association. In case the politicians missed the message, a dozen cowboys paraded into the room in the middle of the hearing.

Family ranching at stake

Their pitch went beyond politics. The Ingrams said the future of family agriculture in Idaho was at stake. They introduced all but the ranch dogs - children, spouses, grandchildren. "We, the ranchers, are the the environmentalists," said Gary Ingram, who left his calving cows to testify. "I have to take care of the land," he said. "That's what feeds my family." The land has been good to the Ingrams. Their Warm Springs Ranch is for sale for $4.35 million. It has a lighted tennis court, two houses, two mobile homes and two hydro plants that generated $225.000 in sales in 1992. Despite that wealth, the economic and emotional appeal worked. "I was very impressed with the Ingrams' presentation," EchoHawk said. To reverse the auction, the board sidestepped the constitutional requirement that lands be managed to "secure the maximum long term financial return" to the school fund. Hailey architect Jon Marvel won the Jan. 28 auction by paying a $30 premium. On Tuesday, he offered another $2,000 for the 640 acres. Marvel planned to fence a mile of Lake Creek to show that barring cattle would improve water quality and help endangered salmon. After the vote, Marvel said he wasn't surprised. "Nobody wants to disappoint them in front of the grandkids."

Change at the margins

Still, there were signs things are slowly changing. Bob Sears, executive vice president of the cattle association, caught up to Marvel outside after the vote. Sears buttonholed Marvel on the city sidewalk and said things might have been different with another lease holder. "We're not going to defend people who aren't performing proper stewardship," he said. Sears said both sides won. "Mr. Marvel has called it to our attention that we need to do a better job." Cattlemen aren't used to giving a damn about public relations. Now, they do, because they're battling for public sentiment. And they know people like Marvel - who plans more bids - will be increasingly aggressive in challenging the old ways of the West.

Dan Popkey's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Ideas: 377-6415.