Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Egbert. Thank you Senator McClure and Senator Symms. I appreciate this opportunity of being here and I appreciate your ef forts in trying to obtain a cross-section of the sentiment of the people of this great area. I would say to you that these areas, many of them that have been mentioned as possible wilderness areas, I have been riding over them as much as any other individual, maybe more than any individual that I know of in the entire east ern Idaho. I've walked them since the turn of the century, or at least since 1915. I've seen that under the management of the Forest Service these areas are improving. Actually, the Garns Mountain is in better condition this year than it was 20 years ago, or 30 years ago. The west slope of the Tetons is in better condition now, as far as vegetation, wild flowers, trees, et cetera, where the bugs have, for a bone of contention, have destroyed millions and millions of large bole pine. These large bole pine are tipped over, crossways and this ways, like that. It would be almost impossible for moun tain goats to get in to these areas where the down timber is, as far as a truck path. But I have a brief statement here; I gave some copies. I am Rich ard A. Egbert. I live in Tetonia, Idaho, I have lived there all my life; I was born there. I have more than a half century of experi ence farming and ranching in Idaho. I served 29 years as senator and represenative in the Idaho State Legislature. I have served on many boards and commissions deal ing with the management of public lands. I believe strongly in careful and reasonable use of our renewable resources. I believe that we must protect and preserve our beauti ful surroundings. I interject here, I don't believe wilderness desig nation will add one more beautiful cliff, one more beautiful tree, one more beautiful wild flower. However, this environment should 773 not be locked up for the enjoyment and benefit of a very small mi nority as the wilderness designation provides. The U.S. Forest Service is managing the public lands in a way that provides the most good for a large majority of the people. When wilderness area is created, 90 percent of my friends are locked out of that area because they are not able to walk long dis tances, are unable to ride horses, or don't have the money to buy or rent them. I ask you to consider what millions of people from all over the world would have lost if Yellowstone Park had been classified a wilderness area. Thank you very much.