Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Van Alten. Senators Symms and McClure, thank you for this opportunity to testify at this hearing. I can't speak as elo quently as others before me have on some of the areas that are being considered, but in the 8 years since I've made Idaho my home, I can speak for the effects that wilderness has on me — has had on me. I've spent several weeks in a number of different areas. Hells Canyon and Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness and the Sawtooth Wilder ness and each time I came away a different person. I think the op portunity for growth that wilderness offers is not offered by any thing else that we can manufacture or that we can replace. Knowing it's there and having it as a legacy for the future, for future generations, is very important. To summarize my position, which is in my written testimony, I support the wilderness core and the conservation proposal that's going to be coming out in Oc tober. I urge that at least one-half of the remaining roadless areas be preserved as wilderness. I would also reiterate some of the things that people have said before me that we should consider wilderness as a national global treasure and not narrowly as it concerns just our State. The rest of the country sees Idaho as a place unlike anything that's left here. Idaho will realize benefits from our wilderness, both economic and otherwise, as people have said. Wise manage ment can provide for both a healthy Idaho economy and the health of our natural systems. There's plenty of room for improvement in the wisdom of our management. One of the crucial importances of wilderness is the noneconomic and irreplaceable wealth that is found there. Consider this wealth as knowledge, knowledge or our natural environment that is mostly undiscovered still. Thank you.