Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

LEAGUE Mr. Walker. My name is Ben Walker. This is what I have to say at this hearing. Perhaps I'm being a little trite when I use the phrase 'an honor and a privilege.' But that's exactly what I mean when I stand again before Members of our Federal Government to air Ben Walk er's views on the use of our public lands. I have lived in this almost untouched State now for the past 33 years, being a transplant from the east. And to say that I appreciate Idaho is to put it in the softest terms. Every time I go through the Sawtooth National Recreation area just north of where I live, I feel quite proud that I had some thing to do with the formation of that and the White Cloud herit age. I also want to express the high regard I have for people like Sen ator McClure who are trying to put into an acceptable framework the many diverse interests of the State. It is very difficult for a lay person who has relatively infrequent exposure to the responsibilities of Government to give an opinion that has to be thoroughly studied and it becomes necessary to ex press one's views through a representative organization. 257 For this reason and for the close philosophical identity — we see things the same way — I support in in their entirety the recommen dations that will be made later this year of the Idaho Conservation League. Thank you.