Press Release Kootenai County Commissioners
Do you have an interest or experience in protecting agriculture in Kootenai County? If yes, then the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) wants to hear from you. The BOCC has established a Commission to promote and protect the long-term use of land designated for agricultural and timber production in Kootenai County.
What Function Will the Commission Do?
Their recommendations will play a crucial role in shaping policies that protect the agricultural heritage of Kootenai County, as outlined in Idaho Code 67-9705. The Commission may make recommendations to the BOCC concerning the process by which the agricultural protection area commission will accept, review, and offer recommendations regarding agricultural protection area proposals to the BOCC, including the nature and type of information provided by applicants and the evaluation criteria required to review agricultural protection area applications.
The Commission shall review applications for inclusion in an agricultural protection area pursuant to the county agricultural protection area ordinance and make recommendations to the BOCC regarding such applications.
The Commission shall review applications to include eligible land in an agricultural protection area and make recommendations to the BOCC within sixty (60) days of receiving such applications.
Who Should Apply?
Members may include representatives from the local soil and water conservation district board of supervisors, the local cattlemen’s association board, the county farm bureau board, an irrigation district or water users association board, or a grower/commodity association or commission board, to serve as the agricultural protection area commission for the county.
When is the Application Deadline?
Please submit your application online at www.kcgov.us/advisoryboardapply by December 13, 2024, to be considered.
Since this is a new Commission the various terms must be staggered, initial members may start
with shortened terms. The initial appointments will be structured as follows: one member will
serve a one-year term, two members will serve two-year terms, and the remaining two members
will be appointed to three-year terms.
With this proactive measure, Kootenai County is taking significant strides toward ensuring that
agriculture remains a cornerstone of the community, contributing to both the local economy and
the preservation of its rural character. Kootenai County encourages community members
involved in agriculture and timber industries to apply and help us shape the future of our local
lands.
