Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Farm an. Since time is limited, I wish to address only a few issues. I favor retention of the maximum amount of undisturbed land and wilderness quality in its present state. On a national scale wilderness is a scarce and precious commodity and will increase in value in the future. I particularly oppose the enactment of what is referred to as hard release legislation, which would preclude further consider ation of wilderness classification for any areas so designated. I do not believe it imperative to rush into irrevocable decisions of this kind. We hear a great deal about economic impacts. It is well known that many logging roads cost the taxpayers more than the value of associated timber. The public should not be required to subsidize the destruction of our public lands. Cessation of further Federal funding for logging roads would be a useful measure to take in con nection with public-land management policy. A conservative approach to the disposition of our natural re sources demands that radical changes be viewed with skepticism, and my changes be treated with caution. Please do not enact any measures which will lead to the unnecessary destruction of our re maining wild lands. Thank you for the opportunity to make these remarks.