Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

FEDERATION OF FLY FISHERMEN Mr. Korte. Thank you, Senator. My name is Chris Korte, K-o-r-t-e. I represent over a thousand Idaho fishermen and their families. I am the conservation chairman for the Federation of Fly Fishermen. I also represent people from across the Nation and foreign coun tries who have enjoyed Idaho's opportunities. As State representative, I have addressed the State in general and not necessarily the southern portion of the State of Idaho. Many members of our organization fish in accessible areas in the State and many fish in wilderness areas. We are not here to be onesided. We believe that we need both accessible areas and nonaccessible areas. But the importance of wilderness is very important to the State. It is the breeding ground for our fish and wildlife. It is our pure water, our aquifer, our recreational area. It is our heritage and money to the State of Idaho and its economy. A decision should not be taken hastily nor lightly. The general direction we propose on this issue is where timber, and I guess not mining after listening to the last panel, interest and conservation groups can agree upon classification, we should release those prop erties from further study and provide those areas with timber and mining or wilderness. Where the two cannot agree, then a further in-depth study on a case-by-case basis should take place. If this approach cannot be taken and we are forced to take a po sition, then our position leans toward a combination of the Forest Service and fish and game recommendations. Notwithstanding a general indication, we would like to address specific locations, the first being the Hoodoo Great Burn area, Clearwater National Forest. This involves the Kelly Creek, Kayuse Creek, and Tobaggan Creek drainage. I have attached to my testimony letters and articles, both locally and nationally, that relate to the importance and value of that fishery to the State of Idaho. It is the