CAMAS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE – States findings of the Legislature and requests an expedited permitting process to clean Camas Creek and a transfer of the ownership of the refuge.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

Idaho lawmakers urge federal agencies to fast-track the Camas Creek cleanup permit and transfer Camas National Wildlife Refuge to Idaho Fish and Game to join Mud Lake WMA.

Reported delivered to the Secretary of State on 03/26/25

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Overview

Senate Joint Memorial 104 (SJM 104) is a joint memorial from the Idaho Legislature urging action by federal authorities. Its two central requests are:
- An expedited permitting process by the federal government to clean Camas Creek, which flows through the Camas National Wildlife Refuge (Camas NWR).
- Transfer of ownership and administration of the Camas NWR from the federal government to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) for incorporation into the nearby Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

The memorial identifies Camas NWR and Mud Lake WMA as hydraulically connected via Camas Creek and emphasizes water rights and wildlife management considerations for southeastern Idaho.

Context and Rationale

Camas NWR: about 11,000 acres managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Mud Lake WMA: about 11,500 acres managed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Camas Creek links the two areas and historically supported seasonal wetlands that recharge the aquifer feeding Mud Lake.

Current conditions: willow growth and sedimentation have obstructed Camas Creek, reducing water delivery to Mud Lake water users and impacting agricultural operations dependent on water rights.

The memorial argues that the federal permitting process for cleaning Camas Creek is slow, and that state permitting would be less onerous while providing equivalent protections.

Idaho has long managed Mud Lake WMA with funds from Pittman-Robertson wildlife restoration programs.

Key Provisions / Requests

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (and any relevant federal agencies) should promptly process and authorize a forthcoming permit application to clean Camas Creek.

The Legislature requests the transfer of ownership and administration of Camas NWR to IDFG for integration into Mud Lake WMA, to improve coordinated management of the area.

The Secretary of the Senate is authorized to forward copies of the memorial to federal leaders (President of the Senate, Speaker of the House), Idaho’s congressional delegation, and the incoming director of USFWS.

Affected Parties and Impacts

Federal: USFWS and potentially other federal agencies involved in permitting for Camas Creek.

State: Idaho Department of Fish and Game would assume ownership/administration of Camas NWR and integrate it with Mud Lake WMA.

Stakeholders: Idaho water users (agriculture), wildlife managers, and recreational users who rely on Camas Creek and Mud Lake water systems.

Fiscal and Procedural Details

Fiscal note: The memorial states no additional state or local expenditures and no net change in revenue; therefore, no fiscal impact.

Status and timeline: Introduced 03/12/2025; reported delivered to the Secretary of State on 03/26/25; reflects the legislative process through March 2025 with concurrent House/Senate actions typical of a memorial (non-binding, advisory).

Nature: This is a memorial, not a bill to enact law; it seeks federal action and a transfer of management rather than state-imposed requirements.

Bill

CAMAS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE – States findings of the Legislature and requests an expedited permitting process to clean Camas Creek and a transfer of the ownership of the refuge.

Summary of SJM 104 — Camas National Wildlife Refuge

Overview

Context and Rationale

Key Provisions / Requests

Affected Parties and Impacts

Fiscal and Procedural Details

Notes

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