Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Dibert. Senator, thank you. Senator Symms, members of the committee and staff, my name is Nickolas Dibert. I'm a resident of Boise, Idaho. And I would like at the outset to thank you for the opportunity to present my views to the committee and to Senator Symms. As a result of a large turnout for testimony here, I will try to be as brief as possible and address two single issues. The first is the inclusion of the White Clouds area to the national wilderness system. The second of all is the proposed release language in the Idaho wilderness. The White Clouds Mountains are of a specific concern to me be cause of my extensive personal experience in that area. In addition, their intimate proximity to the Sawtooth Wilderness Area makes their inclusion in the wilderness system particularly appropriate. Those who have hiked, fished, hunted or camped in these areas are no doubt aware of the outstanding potential for a wide range of outdoor activities. In addition, those who fish the Salmon River are aware of the effect of this important watershed on the production of many anadramous and fresh water fish. In addition to the objective value of this proposed area, it is also a symbol of the efforts of the people of Idaho to preserve wilderness areas for themselves and future gen erations. No doubt you're aware of the fight some years ago to preserve this area in the face of a proposal to operate certain mines. The comments of the people of Idaho stands of a symbol, not only of the efforts of these people to preserve wilderness, but their commit ment which has been politically expressed, I think in terms of that particular question. The desire of the people of this State to preserve substantial wil derness areas as evidenced by that political struggle and this desire continues to this day. Unfortunately, Senator, this inclusion of the so-called release language in any Idaho wilderness bill would act to thwart these wishes. Simply because Congress or any other body or agency has not had sufficient time or opportunity to complete a comprehensive study of the proposed wilderness area, both in terms of the aesthet ic value, biological values and the economic impacts is certainly not sufficient reason to open such an area to multiple use.