Potential Payette Lake Land Exchange
Overview
The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) is evaluating a potential exchange of endowment lands around Payette Lake for federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
No final decisions have been made. IDL is conducting due diligence and evaluating options to determine whether a potential exchange would be in the best interest of Idaho’s endowment trusts and beneficiaries.
Read the memo presented to the State Board of Land Commissioners in April 2026.
Why is a Land Exchange being Considered?
Some endowment lands around Payette Lake have significantly increased in value while revenue generated from those lands has not increased at the same pace. Under Land Board policy, underperforming assets may be evaluated for improved management, leasing, exchange, or other opportunities.
Benefits to Idahoans include:
- Continued public recreational access to any federal lands acquired by IDL through the exchange plus continued public access to Payette Lake.
- More effective land and resource management.
- Increased income for the endowments primarily through leasing and timber management.
What Lands are being Considered?
While the exact acreages are still unknown until independent, third-party appraisals are completed, the potential exchange could involve up to approximately 15,700 acres of endowment land around Payette Lake in Valley County.
Substantially more than 15,700 acres could be acquired to achieve equivalent value. The exact number of acres won’t be known until the appraisals are complete.
Potential federal lands under consideration are located in Adams, Benewah, Boise, Bonner, Latah, Shoshone, Valley, and other identified counties.
What Options are being Evaluated?
Alternative 1 Map: Full exchange of approximately 15,700 acres.
Alternative 2 Map: Partial exchange retaining approximately 1,040 acres.
Alternative 3 Map: Partial exchange retaining approximately 1,520 acres.
Alternative 4 Map: Partial exchange retaining approximately 2,560 acres.
Recreation and Public Access
If a future exchange is approved, lands acquired would be managed as Idaho endowment lands.
Public access considerations are part of the evaluation process.
What Happens Next?
- IDL completes due diligence.
- Independent appraisals determine land values.
- Congressional action would be required to authorize federal agencies to complete the exchange.
- Any proposed exchange would return to the Land Board for consideration.
No final exchange has been approved.
Share Your Thoughts
In-person Information Sessions
June 23, 2026, Cascade
6:30 p.m.
American Legion
105 E. Mill Street
Cascade, Idaho
June 24, 2026, McCall
6:30 p.m.
McCall Library
218 Park St.
McCall, Idaho
June 25, 2026, New Meadows
Details will be posted soon.