Two recent news articles bring up an interesting dilemma about fires. On January 16, the Bonner County Bee reported that the Sandpoint mayor was concerned about water service limits. On January 17, the Idaho Capital Sun reported on steps proposed by Governor Little to address fires.
These articles came after Speaker Mike Johnson and several other members of the US House of Representatives spoke of putting conditions on disaster aid to California. Before receiving aid, California would have to show that (1) it has sufficient water to fight fires, (2) that areas are maintained to reduce fuel load, and (3) that sprawling development and development in hard to access areas is regulated.
What is being proposed applies to most of Idaho. It does not take much sleuthing or driving around to recognize that we are dealing with “California conditions.”
How does federalism apply? Idaho legislators have been direct on what they consider a proper relationship between the states and the federal government.
Imagine a fire in North Idaho. Then imagine the federal government saying that each city must (1) improve its water infrastructure, (2) craft regulations to regulate landscaping, and revise its planning and zoning regulations (and enforcement) to (3) reduce sprawl to receive aid.
It is not much of a stretch to imagine that what is happening in California has a high probability of happening in Idaho. It’s not a question of “if” but a question of “when.”
Years ago, my father warned me about people being too willing to pass laws. He said, “If you start passing laws on what people have done because you don’t approve, things may turn and they may force those laws on you.”
That the federal government can put strings on aid concerns me. But it also concerns me that many Idahoans will balk at working together to ensure we craft and enforce policies that reduce risks for all of us.
Mary Ollie
Bonners Ferry