Statement:

Mr. Morris. Thank you, Senator McClure. Before I go into the statement I have here, I would like to take a second to make a statement about common phrase, hippie backpacker. I've heard this a lot, and I think we really should go on the record. I think it's an insult to the millions of families, the backpackers, the hunters, the fishermen, the scientists, all users of wilderness, and I take ex ception to this. I don't insult other people's recreational hobbies, and I think this is a really low blow. I'd like to take just a second, also, to respond, because we talk about going into the wilderness with a shotgun and a shovel, and that's a lot different from what we have now, millions of fourwheel-drive vehicles and chain saws, a far cry from going into an area on foot or on horseback. And these areas need some protection from the technology that Americans have. And I think we need to keep that in mind, too. I strongly urge the protection of White Cloud-Boulder Mountain and the Lemhis. White Cloud for its spectacular view, because it's on standing recommendation to provide resources and crucial habi tat for elk, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and also provides salmon spawning grounds. I believe we should continue the prohi bition of mining. Should studies reveal natural resources of miner als, at that time action can be taken. I believe we shall soon develop the option of due process of min erals in wilderness areas, to discover district areas having less mining value and more wilderness value. For example, cyanide is being used to properly extract oil levels of 10 particles or less. We would have wilderness areas we can study to find our Nation's minerals. I would like to see wilderness designation for the Lemhis, espe cially the lower Lemhis. I feel there should be wilderness consider ation for Black Canyon. Wilderness areas are important, and once they are gone they cannot be brought back. I would like to see Black Canyon, Selkirk Crest, the Lemhis, Diamond Peak, the Lost River Range, Borah Peak, White Cloud/Boulder Mountain, all of these become wilder ness areas, also, Pahsimeroi. I suggest that it is not unreasonable to consider soft release lan guage in the wilderness bill. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today, Senator.

Reference Link

"Morris, Randall", Idaho Wilderness Hearings, Center for Digital Inquiry and Learning (CDIL), University of Idaho Library, https://cdil.lib.uidaho.edu/wilderness-hearings/items/aug-11-1983-morris-randall.html