Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

TRUS JOIST CORP. Mr. Thomas. My name is Harold Thomas from Boise substituting for Mr. Chaney. I would just like to make two general points in a short time, one being that Idaho underrates its tourism business. I believe that the tourism in Idaho is an extremely valuable resource and should be given a higher priority than it has in the recent past. I also believe that our timberlands are a renewable resource, should be managed as a renewable resource, and I believe to a much higher extent than it is today. And those marginal lands that are now roadless and — or wilder ness — in my opinion should be considered for their highest and best use. And when they are considered for their highest and best use, I believe they would become recreational areas rather than logging areas. I would also propose that, in summary, if we would in fact put logging on a profitable basis, if we would stop subsidizing logging, make every logging show a higher income than outgo for roads, it would solve the problem by itself. Therefore, logging would only be accomplished when the scenic and recreational values — meaning water pollution and the other programs that serve the people of Idaho — would be accomplished, and especially the taxpayers. I believe that the stop subsidizing logging is absolutely impera tive, particularly when you consider today we have a $200 billion deficit. That seems to be an unreasonable thing to do at this point in time. Thank you, Senator.