Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

ASSOCIATION OF THE MOUNTAIN STATES Ms. Spangler. Senator McClure, my name is Laura Spangler. I'm representing IPAMS, Independent Petroleum Association of the Mountain States. I have been a resident of Idaho for 30 years. I'll just make a few points, since I will submit formal testimony later. Oil and gas exploration and development must continue. Eco nomically, we are all losers when lands are closed to such develop ment. One-half of all rental paid to the Federal Government for oil and gas leases is returned to the State with 10 percent returned to each county involved. Also, 50 percent of the 12V2-percent royalty paid from a produc ing Federal lease is handled in the same way. In this period of low income and poor economy, we should be en couraging exploration in this State, not shutting out more areas. Approximately 10.8 million acres are under Federal lease or ap plication. One million of those acres are in the Panhandle Forests and about 30,000 acres in the Payette National Forest. They are, of course, unissued. Finally, 3.8 million acres is enough for single-use designation. Leave the remaining forest lands open to multiple use so those of use who have reached the age of needing a vehicle, rather than our feet, to take us to the beautiful scenic spots, can enjoy them, too. We do want hard release language. It is impossible to work in the uncertain atmosphere of leases being issued with a stipulation of no occupancy while environmentalists and other advocates of in creased wilderness study until they are absolutely satisfied. Thank you.