Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Reverend Kremlick. Senator McClure and Senator Symms, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I would ask that my full testimony be included in the record. I also want to thank you for conducting these hearings in Idaho. I have been a resident of Idaho for 4 years. My wife and I enjoy camping. We are both committed to conserving and preserving the beauty of our country for future generations to enjoy. I speak as a private citizen, even though I am a minister of the Presbyterian Church in this city. I support the concept of protect ing the wilderness areas in Idaho through national legislation, for these areas belong to and benefit not only the residents of this State, but all Americans. I believe in preparing this legislation, you and the Congress must consider the feelings not only of the trade and industry groups, but of private citizens such as have testified today, who know and use and love the areas being considered for inclusion in the bill. To fail to consider the wishes of the public is to deprive them of access to and use of the resources which are owned and managed for the benefit of all Americans. I believe the Congress has a moral obligation to search out and protect from exploitation and ruin all wilderness areas. I support the so-called Idaho core of areas as well as any other areas which may come to the attention of the committee through a variety of sources. I would urge secondly, that any proposed legislation keep the door open for areas not now designated wilderness, so that they might be designated wilderness at a later time. I believe we should try to avoid imposing on future generations decisions which are made in this generation and I will urge you that the language of the current laws be included in any new legislation that you might draft. In an era of tight Federal budgets and growing deficits, I strong ly object to the subsidy the Government gives to the timber indus try so that these companies can harvest timber from public lands. I would urge that your legislation put an end to such practices and prohibit the Federal Government from selling timber from public lands as less than true