Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

RIVER CHAPTER, TROUT UNLIMITED Mr. Fantelli. Thank you, Mr. Senator. I am not a native of Idaho; I've only been here about 4 years. I was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and that s the place, you might recall, where the river caught on fire about 15 years ago and burned a bridge down. So, I think I can at least appreciate somewhat the proper use of land and water resources. I am speaking to you today on behalf of the Upper Snake River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, of which I am the president. It's a con tribution organization, I admit. We believe that part of our objec 701 tives are to commit ourselves to maintain and improving where possible the health of our fresh water resources. It is our belief that healthy aquatic and riparian life are symbols of environmen tal qualities, proof that our fresh water resources are healthy. It is to this end that our objectives are aimed. Some of the objectives in clude working with State and Federal fisheries, supporting enact ment of laws, et cetera, and also protecting salmonoid habitat by encouraging integrated watershed management, supporting good forestry and agricultural practices, and advocating intelligent land development. It is in response to these objectives that I am here today. I would first like to agree with any multiple-use proponent that a large part of the remaining wild lands need not be protected as wil derness. There are, however, many land areas, some of which have been mentioned, that are critical to wildlife, as well as important to the quality of streams and wild fish populations in addition to being valuable for wilderness recreation. I am first and foremost urging caution in designating lands for multiple use where the ef fects of such designation may result in habitat degradation that has not been fully studied. As for specifics, we would recommend at the very minimum the 1983 Wilderness Recommendations by the Idaho Fish and Game Department. They are summarized in appendix A that I have in cluded in my written testimony. I would like to summarize some of these areas now. Clearwater National Forest area, this encompasses the Kelly Creek Watershed, which is, needless to say, near and dear to the hearts of many fishermen, not only in Idaho, but in other areas of the country. The 1979 Forest Service proposal excluded two road less areas critical to the protection of this watershed. One area in volves Cayuse Creek, and the other is situated between Moose Mountain, in the Lower Kelly Creek, and they are designated as Q1.301 upstream. We would strongly urge wilderness classification for these two roadless areas in addition to the areas recommended by the Forest Service. Kelly Creek is being managed as a catch and release fishery and is an area that provides large westslope and cutthroat trout. Also present in this area are numerous other wild life species which can be protected by wilderness classification. The Challis National Forest, Borah Peak, the Sawtooth Moun tain area, as well as the Northern Lemhis, also we feel are certain ly appropriately designated as wilderness areas.