Abstract
U.S. Representative Mike Simpson touted his collaboration efforts regarding the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (CIEDRA). He stated he had worked hard to bring together different stakeholders representing local ranchers, local, state, and federal government officials, recreationists, wilderness proponents, and other interested groups and individuals to work toward resolving the public land use issues facing the Boulder-White Clouds area in Central Idaho. On its face it appeared to be a perfect example of collaborative decision making. Yet, CIEDRA failed every time it was introduced in Congress. Analysis of the process utilized by Simpson reveals that the CIEDRA collaboration was unsuccessful because there was, in fact, no collaboration. The necessary steps for collaborative decision making were not followed and ultimately, when resistance to the collaborative efforts was encountered early on in the process, a conscious switch was made to “shuttle diplomacy” which was ultimately unsuccessful.
Highlights
Mike Simpson (R-ID) began his collaborative efforts to pass CIEDRA (Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act) shortly after being elected in 1998 to the U.S House of Representatives
Slater himself identified the four broad categories of stakeholder groups to include in the collaboration Simpson desired
The evidence elicited through the interviews indicates that there was no sustained collaborative decision making process, but instead Simpson‟s efforts devolved into shuttle diplomacy.iii
Summary
Mike Simpson (R-ID) began his collaborative efforts to pass CIEDRA (Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act) shortly after being elected in 1998 to the U.S House of Representatives. He was concerned that lawsuits filed against ranchers operating in the Boulder-White Cloud Mountains area (Boulder-White Clouds) inhibited their ability to operate. Numerous ranchers graze cattle in the area, with historic cattle grazing going back six generations All of these uses are included in the 66 licensed activities in the Boulder-White Clouds. Some believe that more wilderness is necessary to protect the area, while others are adamant that there is already enough, if not too much, wilderness in the state
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