Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Bergerson. Senator McClure, which of Idaho's roadless na tional forest lands do we want to give up? Which herd of elk or an telope? Which wolves or mountain goats will we sacrifice? Which streams or rivers will be allowed to be polluted, and which fisheries abandoned? Of the remnants of America's forests, which will we preserve for the next generation? Civilization, industries, and more people are pressing in on Idaho's wild areas. Many Idahoans who answer that Idaho needs no more wilderness do not realize that their favorite fishing streams, hiking trails, or hunting areas are not protected from mining or timber sales. Will fish be in that stream next year or will they be driven out by pollution caused by a logging road or leaking tailings pond? Will the wildlife be replaced by a hole in the ground? Do we really place the proper value on roadless or wilderness areas? How important are they to Idaho? Idaho's future is in these protected wild areas. They are what makes tourism and recreation Idaho's growing second industry. We must make long range plans for our State and cannot continue to subsidize logging companies to cut the last tree. We cannot continue to ride the boom and bust of mineral extrac tions. These consumptive industries are nothing on which to base a stable economy. We must maintain our forests in multiple use and, judging from the past record of the U.S. Forest Service, wilderness designation seems to be the only way of doing that. I am particularly concerned with maintaining the roadless areas in the Sawtooths and White Clouds and Boulder Mountains. The SNRA, much used by recreationists from throughout the United States and Idaho, is the core of an area rich in wildlife and scenic values. We must protect it with wilderness status. High recreational values of the Sawtooth extensions and eastern White Clouds and the Boulders will take some pressure off the 322 SNRA. The enlarged White Clouds Wilderness must include winter wildlife which has re as well as summer range for the variety of treated there. Idaho must wake up. We haven't much longer to decide to save our heritage and pass it along. Thank you.