Rep. Russ Fulcher discussed federal land policy and U.S. military involvement related to Iran during a telephone town hall Wednesday evening with constituents in Idaho’s 1st Congressional District.

Fulcher said he favors greater participation by local, state, municipal and private interests in decisions involving federally managed land, while opposing a transfer of federal title. Nearly two-thirds of Idaho’s landmass is federally owned public land.

Federal Land Management

Fulcher said he wrote local leaders last December seeking meetings on possible shifts in the control of federal lands to local entities. He described his position as a shared-management approach rather than a wholesale transfer of ownership.

“I’m talking about how we combine efforts, federal, state, local, municipal, private, in the management decisions of what we have,” Fulcher said.

Last year, Fulcher voted for an amendment that would have authorized sales of thousands of acres of federal land in Nevada and Utah. That amendment was later removed. Fulcher, Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch also voted against an amendment intended to block sales of large areas of public land. Rep. Mike Simpson was the only member of Idaho’s congressional delegation to support that amendment.

Iran and Israel

Fulcher also addressed the House resolution approved Wednesday that would limit the president’s ability to continue military action in Iran without congressional approval. Fulcher and Simpson voted against the resolution, while four House Republicans joined Democrats in supporting it.

Fulcher said he supports U.S. backing for Israeli military action against Iran if it prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He said the United States provides Israel about $3.8 billion annually under a 10-year foreign-aid agreement scheduled to expire in 2028.

Fulcher said stronger military cooperation could take the place of the aid arrangement after it ends. “But frankly, after that, my preference is to get out,” Fulcher said, referring to U.S. involvement after preventing an Iranian nuclear capability.