Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

SOCIETY Mr. Cole. Senator McClure, the Portneuf Valley Audubon Socie ty wishes to thank you for the opportunity to present testimony concerning the proposed Idaho wilderness bill. I am Pete Cole and I am the chairman of the conservation committee. I'd like to emphasize just two of the many aspects that are part and parcel of the upcoming bill. One, I would like to argue the di lemma of wilderness designation and the need for further study classification. Second, I would like to touch on the immediate need provided for the endangered Idaho wilderness core in the areas of eastern Idaho which need to be a part of that core. The true purpose of wilderness classification is to maintain eco logical diversity. The impact that it has on individuals who explore, hike, who operate in the wilderness areas is one thing; the diversi ty is a true environmental control. Wilderness is created only by nature; it cannot be created by man, but it can be destroyed by man. Wilderness is designated by Congress; Congress does not enact laws which cannot be modified, amended, or eliminated. The Wilderness Act of 1964 was no exception. The law provides that under specific conditions, wilderness classification can be with drawn; hence, wilderness cannot be guaranteed forever. Thus, the wilderness dilemma, wilderness cannot be created, wilderness cannot be guaranteed, wilderness can be destroyed. Ordinary logic would dictate that wilderness classification should not be decided at any one single point in time; logic provides for the necessity of the further planning categories. In the wilderness legislature this is referred to, I believe, as release language. Land should not be excluded from the wilderness classifications unless it may demonstrate a particular resource that cannot be obtained elsewhere. It is important that we don't foreclose on future genera tions' right to evaluate their needs. Maintaining lands in all such States provides that option and assures no economic benefits will be lost. Minerals will not evaporate nor migrate to Russia. Twenty years is not too long a time to exclude wilderness. The second point I would like to emphasize is the need provided for the endangered wilderness core. There are 10 areas throughout Idaho which should be included, and they have been mentioned previously and they will be mentioned in further times. Eastern Idaho contributes 3 of these 10 areas; that is, the Northern Lemhis, 606 the Palisades, and the Garns Mountains. In addition, at least 11 other areas meet all the criteria for wilderness classification. My favorite areas lie between Idaho batholith and the Montana border, and these are the Borah Peak, Pahsimeroi, the Diamond Peak, and the North Lemhi. These areas are geologically recent, rugged, and relatively free of conflicts. I see them characterized as fossils and flowers and eagles and antelopes.