Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Gerber. Thank you. Idaho is blessed with a wealth of re I believe we need to use these resources for the longterm economic growth of the State. That's why I support the pres ervation of the 10 endangered core areas of the wilderness. On a recent trip that I took to British Columbia, the tour guide pointed out some paintings on the ceiling of the capitol dome indi sources, and 309 eating the four industries of the province at the turn of the centu ry. And since the time of the painting, though, tourism had grown from insignificant to become the second largest industry. Times change and we have to adjust our views of the world ac cordingly. We've seen the national economy move from a manufacturing base to a high-tech service base, and we will also see Idaho become less and less dependent upon the traditional industries that built the State. The State economy will follow the national trend to high-tech service industry, including the tourism service industries. But our growth rate will depend primarily on whether we choose to follow the national trend or lead that trend. Idaho has over 10 million acres of roadless area. The recreation value of this land is a salable resource that can produce long term economic returns for the State far into the future. Most Americans and many foreigners have a very romantic view of the American West. I've seen Japanese tour groups on horseback and Sawtooth Wilderness camping there. There is an Idaho outfit ter that takes wealthy French businessmen into Idaho back coun try on hunting trips. People will pay to see Idaho if they know what's here and if we preserve it for them to see. Many people have no idea where Idaho is, in the first place. In the Boise, Payette, Sawtooth and Challis National Forests, I support wilderness designation for the White Clouds, Boulder Mountains conservationist proposal there, French Creek, Lick Creek, The Needles, North Lemhis, Smoky Mountains, Cache Peak, Pioneers, and Borah Peak. Mining should be prohibited in the White Clouds. Anyone who has been in the White Cloud Mountains knows that they are a very special place. Tax dollars should not subsidize road logging construction. And I should also mention that I do not support hard release.