Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Peterson. My name is Jeannie Peterson, and I live in Boise. I'm a native Idahoan and very proud of our State. This is the State we have today which is made up of some wonderful wilderness. Therefore, I support the endangered wilderness core, which I have listed in my written testimony. I am a professional nurse in a critical care area and it is so im portant for me to have these roadless areas to go into so I can renew my senses and revive my spirits. To many of us the enjoy ment of solitude, complete independence and the beauty of undefiled panoramas is absolutely essential to happiness. On an economic standpoint, I don't want my tax dollars to go for the construction of roads into these areas so that the timber indus try can have deficit timber sales. This makes absolutely no sense. Plus, as it's been pointed out, the timber industry is now number five economically in the State, whereas tourism and recreation are number two. Wilderness brings money to Idaho. So in closing, I urge you to examine everything carefully. A wrong decision can never be corrected. I do believe, with careful planning, we can have a 20th Century and a primitive world. Please include the endangered wilderness core in your legislation and an antimining clause for the White Clouds. Thank you.