chris smith wildlife management institute may 21, 2014
TRANSCRIPT
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Public Trust – Ancient Doctrine… Modern Imperative
Chris SmithWildlife Management InstituteMay 21, 2014
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What Business Are You In?
Recreation? Mitigation? Information & Education? Scientific Investigation? Wildlife Protection? Conservation?
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What Business Are You In?
You are in the business of managing the public’s trust:
The “trust” assets embodied by Idaho’s fish and wildlife – an ancient doctrine
The “trust” the public has in you as professional resource managers – the modern imperative
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“Ancient” Public Trust Doctrine
What is it and where did it come from?
What is the role of “government”? What is your role as a Department
employee?
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The Essence of the Public Trust Doctrine
Certain natural resources – such as air, water, submerged lands, fish and wildlife – are held in “trust” by the government for the benefit of the public.
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Origins of the Public Trust Doctrine
“By the law of nature these things are common to all mankind: the air, running water, the sea, and consequently the shores of the sea”
From The Justinian Institutes, AD 529
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Progression of Sovereignty
From the Magna Charta…
English Common Law
Colonial Charters
Declaration of Independence
…to Massachusetts
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Supreme Court Rulings onthe Public Trust Doctrine in the U.S.
Martin v. Waddell, 41 U.S. 16 Pet. 367 367 (1842)
Justice Taney
“…when the people of New Jersey took possession of the reins of government…the prerogatives and regalities which before belonged either to the crown or the parliament became immediately and rightfully vested in the state…”
“…dominion and property in navigable waters, and in the lands underneath them [were] held by the King as a public trust…”
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Supreme Court Rulings onthe Public Trust Doctrine in the U.S.
Illinois Central R.R. v Illinois, 146 U.S. 387 (1892)
Justice Field
‘‘Every legislature must, at the time of its existence, exercise the power of the State in the execution of the trust devolved upon it.’’
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Supreme Court Rulings onthe Public Trust Doctrine in the U.S.
Geer v. Connecticut, 161 U.S. 519 (1896)
Justice White
“The adjudicated cases recognizing the right of the states to control and regulate the common property in game are numerous.”
“…the power or control lodged in the state… is to be exercised, like all other powers of government, as a trust for the benefit of the people...”
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The Public Trust Doctrine in State Case Law
States
Recognized as valid legal doctrine 41
Extended to resources other thannavigable waterways 21
Discussed in relation to wildlife 15
Batcheller, G.R. et al. 2010. The public trust doctrine: implications for wildlife management and conservation in the United States and Canada. Technical Review 10-01. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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The Public Trust Doctrine in State Constitutions and Statutes
Constitution Statute Clear statement of public ownership of wildlife 1 41
Clear delegation of Management responsibility 2 48 Mission and purpose appropriate to PTD 2 48
Accountability of trustees 2 39
Batcheller, G.R. et al. 2010. The public trust doctrine: implications for wildlife management and conservation in the United States and Canada. Technical Review 10-01. The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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The Public Trust Doctrine in Idaho Statutes
Title 36 – Chapter 1 FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 36-103. Wildlife property of state --
Preservation. (a) Wildlife Policy. All wildlife, including all wild animals, wild birds, and fish, within the state of Idaho, is hereby declared to be the property of the state of Idaho. It shall be preserved, protected, perpetuated, and managed.
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The Public Trust in Idaho Case Law
Idaho Court of Appeals:
“…the wildlife in our state belongs to the people as a whole in their collective, sovereign capacity and is treated as a common trust.”
State v. Thurman 996 P.2d 309,316 (Idaho App. 1999)
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Elements of a Trust
Trustees
Assets
Beneficiaries
Trust
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What Are The Assets?
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Who Are the Beneficiaries?
…in short…everyone.
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Rights of Beneficiaries
Demand that trustees: Protect the corpus of the trust Consider their needs and interests Provide benefits from the trust :
Consistent with the capacity of the trust and
In consideration of competing interests
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Who Are The Trustees?
“Government”
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Judicial Branch
Origin and guardian of the Public Trust Doctrine
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Trustees – Elected & Appointed Officials
Legislature
Governor
Commissioners & Director
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Responsibilities of Trustees
Maintain the corpus of the trust and its ability to provide benefits in perpetuity
Consider the needs of all beneficiaries – both current and future generations
Allocate benefits from the trust among competing interests
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Trust Managers – Resource Professionals
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Responsibilities of Trust Managers
Monitor the status of the trust assets Identify potential benefits of the trust Inform trustees and beneficiaries of options Inform trustees of beneficiaries’ interests Facilitate dialog among beneficiaries Manage the trust as directed by trustees
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Trustees vs. Trust Managers
ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Fiduciary duty to the people
Highest level policy decision-makers, including allocation of benefits
Accountable to the people
IDF&G PROFESSIONAL STAFF
Ministerial and executive functions
Recommend, but do not decide, policy unless delegated
Accountable to appointed elected & appointed officials
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How Can You Promote The Public Trust in Idaho?
Inform the trustees and public about the PTD
Provide trustees and beneficiaries with comprehensive, objective analysis
Be honest and direct with trustees and beneficiaries
Resist the temptation to act as trustees
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Why This Matters
Public Trust Doctrine is Fundamental
Foundation of the “North American Model”
Spans the needs of all wildlife and all people
Gives everyone a stake in wildlife Basis for broader public and financial
support
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Earning/Keeping the Public’s Trust
Public trust in you is your most valuable asset
Trust is easy to lose and hard to re-gain
Keys to public trust: Honesty, openness, fairness – with all Reliability - meeting expectations
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Why This Matters
Public Trust in You is Essential
With it…much is possible Without it, nothing is.
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Thank you
Questions?