Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Crook. Thank you, Senator. went over and got some in it I I formation, dug some information up from the Forest Service. think it's something that maybe people don't know. Now, in Salmon National Forest we have a large wilderness area and we have a large recreation forest. don't think anybody knows exactly how much of their money we spend. We spent $275,000 last year and we received about $5,000, just a little under a 2-percent return. And then they are complaining about a 20- to 30-percent return from our timber roads. Many of these areas do not think anybody realizes what costs to put a trail into any of these areas. Salmon National Forest last miles. The average cost $23,000 for year let go a 3-mile trail; 3 it I it; I believe that the future looks good for all of our resources and my point is simply this: We need to give each one an opportunity to prosper. Where timber can be harvested and replanted in a sus economical, consider where grazing tained manner, consider as a land use; where mining can be done efficiently and the land restored promptly, consider it; and where clear recreational values exist, utilize them. Specifically, here in the northern Lemhis we have one-of-a-kind recreational asset; we are not making any more areas which have such significant wildlife populations, undis turbed watersheds, and overall natural diversity. disappearing commodity, and Simply put, undisturbed land may not always have a dollar value, its relative worth will while always increase. The Northern Lemhis, in particular, are an awe some reminder of the land which greeted early explorers on their way west. These lakes, valleys, and mountaintops should remain unspoiled for others to witness. We have no better use for this land than for grazing and recreation, as was just eluded. The decision should be straightforward; please include the Northern Lemhis in any wilderness bill. Thank you very much.