Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Senator Little. Thank you, Senator. I got in late, so I don't know all the ground rules. Two minutes aren't very long. But my name is David Little. I reside at 1595 East Fourth Street in Emmett. I'm in the cattle business. My wife and I have three children. And one of these cattle operations does bind me with a certain wilderness area. I'm also a State Senator from Legislative District 9. And I am serving my sixth term. And when I first ran for the State Legisla ture, I was opposed to any wilderness, in particular any additional wilderness, have not changed my position one iota. My constituents in district 9 are very concerned about the wood products industry. We have active sawmills in the area. We have untold millions — we feel billions —of mineral wealth should be harvested. I am vitally interested in keeping our State solvent, educating our children, taking care of the needy people that really need the support. I have been in that area, my first trip into what is now part of the No Return Wilderness in 1924. So I have been there a long time. And I can honestly tell this group, there were more people in that part of the area — in the Sulpher Creek, Indian Creek area — back there using that area in those days. 12 If there is something there that should be harvested. Lord knows there's worlds and worlds of acres there that will never be used. And in contrast, if it ever gets to where — some people visit a real playground. For the people it would be similar to the Sawtooth recreation area where mankind has to be monitored. We are the only species that has to be governed by law. We cannot turn people loose. We have sanitation problems — Senator, you were with us on a trip through the Sawtooths. And the firewood is all gone from those designated campground areas. Sanitation facilities have to be built. So it is going to be half as great a pleasure to the people. It is not going to be wilderness. It's going to have to be managed. Thank you, Senator.