Idaho studying bighorn issues

BOISE — Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter says his Bighorn/Domestic Sheep Advisory Group will resume its meetings on Sept. 29.

The group has not met since last May.

The group seeks to protect the ranching industry while looking for ways to keep bighorns away from domestic sheep.

Domestic sheep have been blamed for spreading deadly diseases to bighorns.

The Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho Conservation League and the Wild Sheep Foundation dropped out of the group earlier this year when Otter signed a law the groups say undermined the process and put bighorns at risk.

The law requires the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to work with producers to develop a plan to keep bighorns away from domestic sheep while preserving grazing on federal land.

The Wild Sheep Foundation has said it will return to the group, but the Tribe and Conservation League have said they will not take part.

— Associated Press