Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Chenoweth. Senator McClure, my name is Helen Chenoweth. I am appearing before you today to express my concern that no more wilderness legislation be considered, that the mass confusion in the status of designated nonwilderness lands be solved, and the hope that legislation for Idaho will address the cur rent problem of de facto wilderness management by land manage ment agencies and prohibit this practice. To cite a specific instance, in addition to the present limbo status of RARE II lands, the management of designated multiple use lands for enhancement of the gray wolf. Just this last week I witnessed, along with approximately 25 other resource leaders in the State, U.S. Forest Service rangers pointing out roads in multiple use areas that had been closed for the specific purpose of creating a prey base for the gray wolf. We really thought you had expressed a legislative solution of des ignating the gray wolf to management in the wilderness areas 288 only. Somehow the agencies are not listening, further adding to the confusion. Finally, I would like to express my keen disappointment in what appears to be a clear departure of some of our leaders from the age old concept of the value of private ownership. In a very peaceful way, thousands of Idahoans expressed their concerns that BLM lands be passed to private ownership in order to increase productivity and add much needed support to a sadly depressed State tax base. It was then disappointing to read that those same thousands of Idahoans were told they ought to be like Nixon in Vietnam, declare victory and withdraw. Stunned as we were by this tragic comparison, we felt, nonethe less, that perhaps our leaders in Washington had a solution they did not care to share with the residents of their home State. Further discouragement came in the last 30 days with statements suggesting disbanding the property review board, and in the minds of our citizens, bringing a halt to the meager land sale program that was in existence. I challenge the Senate committee that abandoning the concept of private ownership and embracing more wilderness is no soluton at all. I respectfully submit this testimony. Thank you.