Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Kritz. My name is John Kriz and I'm a local health care professional. My written wilderness testimony discusses timber economics and draws you attention to wildlife values in the Sawtooth and Boise completion areas in Lime Creek. Challis and its large animal population and fisheries are also mentioned. Any designation but wilderness will threaten these pop ulations and fisheries. I support the endangered core. But I would like to depart from my written testimony. In my dental practice I treat many handicapped folks as well as elderly. Boise, Sawtooth, and Challis are the closest to our largest popula tion centers. In this population and smaller ones are physically and mentally handicapped citizens. One might first think that roads would be better for the handi capped. But really, the wilderness should be the same for everyone. The economic gains are the same for the elderly, the handicapped, and nonhandicapped populations. I believe it is important that we preserve roadless areas for their access. Whether deep penetration or just a hundred feet, this seg ment of population needs to be considered. Some may or may not need universities and museums. So it is with wilderness. These educational resources are required even though all do not use them. In Idaho we are lucky to have these resources to produce educa tion, recreation, and capital gain for all Idahoans. Americans and man and woman strength have always been their creativity. Living in concert with the land and changing our life style to the better is our challenge. Quick wilderness decisions are neither creative nor economically sound. I really appreciate the chance to