Opinion ID: 2542695
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Wildlife habitat

Text: Cowan argues that the score of zero for wildlife habitat was error. His expert testified that Eagle's Nest is in critical wildlife habitat. Cowan concedes that the development is not included at all on the natural resource inventory map, but argues that this is because at the time the map was prepared the land was part of a National Forest and only private land was mapped. This, he contends, should have led the Board to conclude that the land was critical wildlife habitat because had the land been privately owned when the map was prepared it would have been included as critical wildlife habitat. The FCDC defines critical wildlife habitat as [a]ny area that provides the environmental factors required for the survival of a particular species of wildlife. Critical wildlife habitat includes all important habitat areas shown on the natural resource inventory maps prepared for the county, or other areas so identified by the Idaho Fish and Game Department. FCDC Ch. XIV (DDDD) (emphasis removed). After holding a hearing on the final plat for the second application, the Board determined that Eagle's Nest was not included on the map when the natural resources inventory maps were prepared and for that reason the development was not scored. It then determined that the development was not in a critical wildlife area. Once again, the Board's decision is supported by substantial and competent evidence. Neither the existing maps nor letters from the Fish and Game Department place the development in critical wildlife habitat. While Cowan's expert opined differently, it was not error for the Board to rely on the existing maps and letters from the Fish and Game Department when making its determination that the development was not in critical wildlife habitat. [14]