Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Medberry. First of all I wanted to thank you for giving us all this opportunity to testify. We really do appreciate it. And Mr. Craig, I'm fascinated by your interest in creating wil dernesses out of formerly devastated areas. And I suggest maybe that we begin by re-creating or fixing up the Crystal Beach Condo miniums on Payette Lake in McCall for future wilderness area, if you would like someplace to start. Since Idaho is blessed with some of the largest area of roadless land in the country, it's natural that the State should formally des ignate more wilderness than other States. Mining is important, but it's not supreme and it is undeniably a short term and rapacious affair. Logging is important, but it's not the end all use of forest land. Neither is wilderness the best use of all land. But I propose it as the proper use of the following areas, with which I am familiar. And I will refer to the RARE II names where I can. First, French Creek. I believe that all of French Creek drainage should be wilderness along with the areas south — excuse me, to Fisher Creek and Granite Lake Reservoir and east to the upper Payette Lake. The western portion of the French Creek area should take in Twin Lakes, Rainbow Lakes, Coffee Cup Lake and the land south to Granite Mountain. In addition, the Little French Creek drainage with or without the proposed timber sale, and I would prefer to have it with in that area, including Elk Meadows. And Upper Hazard Lake should be included. The next area that I would like to address is north, south and east Lick Creek area. The area is a large area east of McCall and contains some of the most impressive and accessible countryside around. 416 The north and south Lick Creek portions are separated from the eastern portion by the dramatic landscape from the Secesh River to the South Fork of the Salmon River. All of this area should be wilderness, including the Needles, and as much of the riparian habitat along the South Fork as is possible, given the road, which parallels the river. Next, the Meadow Creek and Pinnacle Peak area. They should run from — the wilderness area I believe should run from the Mis souri Ridge to Profile Creek and south