Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Gross. Senator McClure, I am testifying today on the Saw tooth completion, the roadless areas adjoining the existing Saw tooth Wilderness on the south and west. This is a scenically beauti ful area. The Sawtooths have a number of rugged peaks over 10,000 feet high. And Steel Mountain and other peaks on the western flanks of the Sawtooths are outstanding. All the areas in the com pletion have high wildlife values supporting deer, elk, black bear, bobcat and a host of other wildlife species. The Sawtooth completion is located close to both Boise and the Wood River Valley areas with high demand for recreation. Addi tion to the completion would relieve hiking and other recreational pressure on the Sawtooths, an area currently overcrowded. This would both expand recreational opportunities in the Sawtooths, and by dispersing recreational use, improve the quality of the expe rience for all users. The Sawtooth National Forest has constantly lost money in its timber sales program in the last decade. According to a National Resources Defense Council study, during the period from 1974 to 1978, the Sawtooth returned 26 cents to the Treasury for each dollar spent on timber sales. This is a drain on the economy, and contributes to our national deficit. Designation of the Sawtooth completion will slow the economic drain, as well as providing a positive economic asset to southwest ern Idaho. Thank you for this opportunity.