Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Groves. Other than in Idaho Falls and building some houses over in Yellowstone, I went on a weekend backpacking trip in Cari bou National Forest just west of Palisades Reservoir in the Bear Creek roadless area. In 2 days up there we encountered motor bikes, hunters, horses, explosions, creeks full of mud from sheep trampling through them, high mountains with so much grazing I could hardly find the grass. Needless to say, we didn't see much wildlife up there, nor did we find much peace and quiet. And if this is the idea that the Forest Service has for multiple use, I think we I have been out back packing, I have encountered sometimes fishermen, and I appreciate the fact that Idaho has some excellent wilderness areas where I can see a lot of wildlife; the hunting and fishing is good and I can generally find peace and quiet. But I think that's changing. A couple of years ago I took a back country trip into the Sawtooth Wilderness and saw more people and horses than anything else and experienced little, if any, solitude. In the River of No Return Wilderness every day there were over 100 people that began float trips down the Middle Fork during the season. As a recent article in Newsweek points out, Americans are descending upon wilder ness at a greater rate than ever. And one point seems clear to me, and this is, we need more wilderness. I've urged the Senator to include in his legislation the endan gered Idaho wilderness core that's being proposed by conservation groups. This proposal includes two outstanding areas near Idaho Falls, the Garns Mountain wilderness area and the Palisades wil need a lot more wilderness in Idaho. When 638 area. The Garns Mountain Area is another one with an abundance of wildlife and excellent fishing or as a steep canyon country. The Palisades has excellent hiking trails and lots of wild life. Though there's been some controversy in the Palisades of oil and gas, none have been found there yet. In addition to the 10 areas proposed by the conservationists in their four proposals, I'd like to comment on a couple of other road less areas in eastern Idaho. Just outside of Pocatello in Caribou Na tional Forest is a small roadless area, the West fork of the Main Creek. In deciding the source of water supplied to the Pocatello areas, I used a great deal of effort in day hiking and cross-country skiing just miles from Pocatello. This areas seems like an excellent candidate for wilderness. In other nearby roadless areas, Lionhead is north of Henry's Lake. This small roadless area up at Targhee is part of the Great Yellowstone Ecosystem and is a very important grizzly bear habitat. If you've read the papers lately, you know the grizzly is in trouble, and wilderness designation can help save this part of his habitat. Last, I urge the Senator not to include the hard release language in his wilderness bill. By banning roadless areas from ever being considered for wilderness again, this language would eliminate the potential of future generations to enjoy these pristine wildlife lands. Deciding the fate today of tomorrows wilderness areas in Idaho seems to be shortsided at best to me. Thank you.