Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Cavell. I'd like to thank you for this opportunity to com ment today on the wilderness areas being considered for wilder ness. My name is Jeana Cavell and my husband and I live in Salmon, Idaho. I am here today representing myself and my hus band, who was unable to attend today because he is working. We are both members of the Idaho Conservation League. My husband works as a river and backbacking guide in the summer, and we manage a Nordic skitraining center in the winter. Our livelihood is based on the recreation industry and the preservation of wilderness areas. In the past few years we have seen a logging and mining indus try falter under the heavy blows under the recession while recrea tion has remained consistent. In Salmon, Idaho, where we live, out fitting and guiding, as well as local merchants and businessmen, have all benefited from the protection of roadless areas and the promotion of Salmon, Idaho, as a recreation area. Many jobs have opened as a result of this promotion. Wilderness areas need no longer be misinterpreted as economic waste or lockup, but rather a very well built economic asset, con sidering the recreation industry, is a viable resource. The recrea tion industry expands on its own. We have yet to see a Govern ment subsidy for recreation as we have seen deficit logging and mining subsidies — are not national forest lands — our subsidies and deficits picked up by the already overloaded Government welfare system. We are not opposed to the logging and mining industries but feel it is time for the recreation industry to be given merit and areas protected for recreational use. My husband, Bill, and I support the conservation proposal, which is presently being drawn up, for the addition of public lands to the wilderness preservation system. We specifically endorse the Lemhis, Garns, Borah, Pioneer, and White Cloud Ranges. Particu larly on the White Cloud, we support a nonmining clause. We favor soft release language so that our children and future generations may have an opportunity to comment as we have been able to do today. Thank you, Senator McClure, for this opportunity to voice my opinions.