Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Thank you very much, Jim. And let me ask unanimous consent that the entirety of my text be inserted in the record. The issue under discussion today involves more than just how much land is needed for wilderness. Idaho's public lands are used for timber harvest, grazing, mining, recreation, agriculture, and support of schools, maintenance of roads, the construction of homes and related support industries. These lands involve thousands of lives, the lifestyle of Idahoans, and an essential tax base for our es sential services. Senator, in considering wilderness, additional wilderness, for Idaho there are several important things that I think need to be discussed besides the issue of wilderness itself. As Senator Symms has mentioned, Idaho is on record as being the second State in the Nation to recognize the importance of wilderness and as a result of that has placed nearly 3.8 million acres into wilderness. Along with the importance that we have placed on wilderness, I think it is the importance of utilizing Idaho's land base as has been felt in the last recession. One of the many resources of funds for the State and public land counties is the Forest Reserve Fund. This fund is derived by the sale of timber from the Forest Service and funds later distributed to counties, not only for wilderness, but for schools and school maintenance. This fund plays a critical role in many of the counties of our State. The Mineral Royalty Fund is a very important source of revenue to Idaho. As the recession has hit the mining industry, some mines have been forced to close but mining still plays a very important economic role in our State. A conservative multiplier of impact in terms of jobs supportive to the mining industry is about 2.5. In other words, approximately 25 to 30 thousand people in Idaho are directly or indirectly employed because of mining activities, primarily on the public lands of our State. These numbers will increase substantially in the future if we do not close the door to the opportunity to mine. The importance of keeping land open for grazing is well known. The livestock industry uses public land to graze in Idaho. And in conjunction with the private lands, this relationship is clearly needed for our present industry and for the future industry. All and all, the issue of wilderness and the Roadless Area Review and Evaluation has been going on for at least 12 years, Senator. The first RARE I was started in 1970. RARE II was initiated in 1977. And of course, we are attempting with these hearings and with the efforts of wilderness legislation to bring this process to a conclusion. The people of Idaho deserve a reprieve from the indecisions and the confusion that have resulted in the past several years. If Idaho is to maintain an economic base strong enough to keep its young people from leaving its boundaries, then the question of wilderness in our State needs to be resolved. Many people are unwilling to discuss economics when the issue of wilderness comes up. But they are so intertwined, they must be viewed as inseparable. The livelihoods and lifestyles of generations of Idahoans are ultimately at stake. Whatever decision affecting Idaho's natural resources is made over the next several months, a proper balance between protecting pristine areas and allowing the economic development must be weighed evenly and fairly. Senator McClure, you must be commended for taking this forth right and steady position on the issue. Idaho is indeed fortunate to have Senator McClure as Chairman of the Natural Resource and Energy Committee in the U.S. Senate. His willingness to hold hear ings in Idaho and discuss this issue is reflective of his commitment to achieve a solution to the indecision and confusion that has sur rounded us for a good number of years. 5 The hearings and the input from Idahoans will be interesting and important and I look forward to working with the Idaho con gressional delegation in bringing a conclusion to this issue. Thank you very much, Senator.