Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Gibbons. Senator McClure and Representative Craig, we live on a ranch in Boise National Forest, and we have elk in our fields in the wintertime and deer and all other kinds of wildlife And we have deer and other wildlife during the summer and fall and spring, but there aren't as many as there used to be just a few years ago. Summer homes and subdivisions are taking their habitat, and logging industries are building roads into the forest. So our wildlife is becoming ever more scarce. Unless the wilder ness is safe for them, one day there may not be many around for our children and our grandchildren to enjoy. Our family has hiked many trails in the wilderness area, and we have enjoyed the meadows with many beautiful wild flowers, the rivers, the creeks, the lakes and the forest, and even the rocks; also the wildlife, which is always more fun away from the main trav eled road. Many people who cannot afford to buy an RV can buy a back pack and a sleeping bag and put together enough dry fruit or what ever for a week's vacation and so they can hike in the high coun try. Years ago there were not many people on the trails, but anymore they are very much overused, and I think we need more area of wilderness so these people will have more places they can go. Please include in your legislation the Endangered Idaho Wilder ness Core. All of these should remain wilderness for the enjoyment and for the people that come to see our beautiful State as well as for the protection of wildlife. I would like to see at least 3.3 million acres of roadless wilder ness land protected in your legislation, and please do not include any hard release language in your bill. Future generations may have entirely different ideas about this land. Thank you.