Idaho’s Private Forests, Ranches And Farms

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Idaho’s Private Forests, Ranches

And Farms

Natural Resources Interim Committee

July 31, 2009

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Private Working Lands - 2008

Land Use Acres

(million)

Forest 2.3

Pasture & Range

5.9

Crop 5.5

Total 13.8

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Idaho Population

• 1955 Benchmark• 2008 Census estimate• 2030 Census forecast• Change ~ 500K

• 1990-2008• 2008-2030

0

500

1000

1500

2000

1955 1990 2008 2030

Idaho Population(000's)

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Land Conversion Studies

• Forests on the Edge - 2007

• Strategic Ranchland - 2000

• Farmland on the Edge - 2002

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Forests on the Edge• Phase I

• Forecasts conversion of private forestland

• By watershed• 2000-2030

• Phase II• Focus on private land

adjacent to national forests

• Published 2007• Statewide Assessment of

Forest Resources• In process• IDL using Phase II methods

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North Idaho Example

2000 2030

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Strategic Ranchland• Seven States• Conversion risk 2020• Idaho Counties in

West’s top 25• Bingham 336K• Idaho 325K• Cassia 275K

• American Farmland Trust

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Farmland on the Edge• 2002 Study

• Identifies Growth Pattern• Based on past

development• High quality

• High development (red)• Low development

(green)

• Source• American Farmland Trust

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Conversion Impacts

• Fragments Private Land & Displaces• Economic contribution• Demand for support services• Habitat for game and non-game species• Access to public land• Water – rural to urban uses• Property tax revenue vs. service costs• Amenities that attracted growth

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Economic Contribution

• Private land • Product sales

• Direct & indirect

• Economic base• Support services • Agriculture - >$20

• Wildlife• Recreation related

purchases

Total $8 Billion

2.3

3.3

1.50.9

Crops LivestockWood & Paper Wildlife

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Wildlife Habitat

• Idaho Wildlife Strategy

• Focal Areas • Species of

conservation need

• Habitat includes private and public land

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Cost of Community ServicesCost of Community Services Per Dollar Revenue by Land Use

$-

$0.25

$0.50

$0.75

$1.00

$1.25

$1.50

$1.75

$2.00

Residential Commercial & Industrial Working Lands

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State Policy Tools

• Common issue in Western States• Market forces drive conversion

• Real estate vs. production land value

• Policy Trends• Market based incentives• Conservation easements – voluntary agreements• Partial funding by state, match to external funds• Revenue source and administration varies

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Market vs. Production Value

Idaho Market and Economic RentAverage Per Acre by Year

$0

$500

$1000

$1500

$2000

$2500

$3000

$3500

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Market Economic Rent

Incentives

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Habitat Montana• Funding - nonresident licenses•223,800 acres•$23 million over 20 yearsWyoming Wildlife and

Natural Resources Trust• Funding - permanent account, donations, appropriations•$14 million since 2006•Match Ratio: $6.50/$1

Utah Critical Land Conservation Fund• Up to 50% of easement cost•Match Ratio: $5/$1

Nevada Conservation Bond• 2002 voter approved•Objective – match external sources•$6 million/year

New Mexico Income Tax Credit•Transferrable •50% of cost

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www.idahoworkinglands.com