Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Bailey. Good afternoon Senator McClure, Congressman Craig. My name is Jeffrey S. Bailey, from Blaine County. I come to you advocating the proposed wilderness areas of the State. I believe that these areas should remain untouched and should retain their wild characteristics. I urge you to include the endangered Idaho wilderness core. These designated areas should not have their ecosystems and quali ties tampered with. The erosion from these proposed roads would hurt the delicate fish populations and their abilities to spawn. These roads would also hamper the mobility of game and the endangered species. 395 I would also like you to strike the hard release language from your bill. I support the soft release of wilderness. These roadless lands should be studied again during the next forest planning cycle. One point I would like to stress is that as a country we are slowly amending our ways since the Industrial Revolution. During that time we realized that it would take years to bring back the sacred earth. We saw that we needed parks for recreation, appreciation and preservation of wildlife. This was the reason for the Yellowstone Park in the late 19th century. It was the first of its kind. The Wilderness Act of 1964 was another step forward. We saw that man and his technology was beginning to roll through his fragile ecosystem. We should continue to follow in these footsteps. We should not turn back our progress, but be looked upon as a caring generation who had the foresight to protect something that we have enjoyed and to preserve the lands for future generations. Thank you.