A group of citizens, led by a coalition of 31 sporting and environmental groups, is proposing an initiative to reduce the number of Fish and Game commissioners from seven to five, and to change the way the commissioners are selected. On its face this does not appear to be a good idea.

Reducing the number of commissioners from seven to five will not solve the alleged problem. Proponents of the initiative say we need a change because Gov. Dirk Kempthorne called a number of commissioners into his office and asked them to fire Rod Sando, former director of Fish and Game. Assuming for the moment this happened (I do not believe it did, but assuming it is true), going from seven commissioners to five will not eliminate that from happening again. Kempthorne or some other governor could do the same thing with five commissioners, so nothing is solved.

Reducing the number of regions from seven to five results in less representation, not necessarily better game management. The two regions to be eliminated (southeastern Idaho and the Salmon/Challis area) are important wildlife areas in their own rights. Diluting them into larger units will not result in better game management. I expect the real reason for eliminating these two regions is because the two commissioners, John Burns and Roy Moulton, do not meet with the approval of the initiative groups.This sounds strangely like politics to me, not concern for wildlife.

If the number of regions is reduced from seven to five the balance of power in the structure of the commission shifts back to Boise and northern Idaho. How does this change result in commissioners being better informed about wildlife conditions and in recognizing the concerns of hunters and anglers within the representative regions?

I have no problem with a panel of sportsmen from each region selecting one or more candidates for commissioner, to be approved by the governor. I do believe six years is too long for a commissioner to serve - for his or her own peace of mind if nothing else.

On balance, I see very little in the proposed initiative that I like. I believe we in eastern Idaho, as well as the wildlife, would be better served if the initiative is defeated.

Jim Gerber is a retired forester and a public land adviser for Fremont County.

Reprinted from The Idaho Post Register.