Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

CHAIRMAN, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, IDAHO FALLS BRANCH Ms. Majumdar. Good morning, Senator. I am here to testify for the Idaho Falls branch of the American Association of University Women. We have about 100 members in our local branch, and Statewide we have approximately 650 members. The Idaho Falls branch of the American Association of Universi ty Women supports the Conservations Coalition's proposal for wil derness designation of approximately half of the remaining 6.5 mil lion acres of Forest Service roadless areas in Idaho. We are espe cially concerned about the 10 areas the Conservation Coalition has designated as the endangered wilderness core. We recognize the importance of wilderness as a valued recre ational resource in our growing tourist industry. Available wilder ness is an important factor in attracting people to work in Idaho. We also recognize the values of wilderness for traditional multipleuse activities: Watershed protection, wildlife habitat, and rangeland. Wilderness has added values for scientific research and artis tic inspiration. We feel roadless areas offer these same multiple-use activities. Therefore we oppose, including in the legislation, release language that will preclude future wilderness designation for existing road less areas. Roadless areas not designated for wilderness should not automatically be opened to logging, a single use which limits many other uses. Thank you.