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IDAHO & REGIONAL HEADLINES

FEDERAL JUDGE: BLM DISREGARDED ITS POLICY IN RENEWING IDAHO GRAZING PERMITS
In a lawsuit filed by Western Watersheds Project that challenged the Bureau of Land Management's renewal of five grazing permits in southern Idaho, U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill ruled that the BLM ignored its own policies in renewing those permits without tightening restrictions or without considering the impacts on what the agency itself defined as key habitat for sage grouse, a species that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has determined needs federal protection, although a decision on such protection isn't due until 2015. (Feb 10) Twin Falls Times-News

IDAHO HOUSE PANEL APPROVES BILL GIVING STATE OVERSIGHT ON OIL, GAS DEVELOPMENT
The Idaho House Resources and Conservation Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to give the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission final authority on oil and gas development and limits counties' ability to prohibit drilling or other energy-related work. (Feb 10) Idaho Statesman

IDAHO BILL WOULD EXPAND RANCHERS' OPTIONS ON DEALING WITH PREDATORS
Idaho state Sen. Jeff Siddoway, who operates a sheep ranch in the eastern part of the state, said he has lost tens of thousands of dollars due to predation by wolves, and his bill would open up a wide range of now illegal methods to ranchers dealing with wolves. (Feb 10) Twin Falls Times-News