Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Moses. I'm substituting for Richard Hughes. My name is Dean Moses; I work for Atlantic Richfield Co. Atlantic Richfield is primarily a domestic producer of oil and gas; therefore, we are very concerned with the management of our Nation's public lands. We believe it is essential for the Idaho dele gation to decide on a wilderness proposal which will provide for a balance of multiple uses. Atlantic Richfield Co. is not opposed to the concept of wilderness. On the contrary, we recognize that wil derness lands are an important part of our Nation's heritage. We do not believe, however, that lands containing energy and mineral potential should be designated as wilderness. It is imperative that priority consideration be given to mineral exploration in those areas which contain potential for energy reserves before a longterm decision, such as wilderness is made. Atlantic Richfield Co. believes that areas should be explored for energy and mineral po tential prior to permanent placement in a highly restrictive singleuse management prescription, wilderness. With regard to specific areas, Atlantic Richfield is particularly concerned with the Mount Naomi further planning and Worm Creek recommended wilderness areas. Despite what I heard earlier this morning on the Idaho Overthrust, anyone who fully under stands geology and geophysics realizes that it takes time to develop a viable prospect. We are just beginning a long-range exploration plan involving surface and subsurface geological evaluations in this part of Idaho and Utah. We believe this area has similar structural features as the main producing trend of the Overthrust Belt. As a result, we are committed to spending more than $800 thousand this year on a seismic program which covers a regional 40 mile line di rectly south of Mount Naomi. Worm Creek and Mount Naomi are directly on trend with this line. Mount Naomi's southern boundary lies within 10 miles of our regional seismic program. We believe that our willingness to spend such considerable funds, as well as time and effort, on this project should be taken into consideration during your deliberations on wilderness. In addition, we support permanent release of those areas deter mined not suitable for wilderness designation. One of the most crit ical factors in making a balanced wilderness decision is providing for the permanent placement of areas determined to be unsuitable for wilderness designation. Lands placed in wilderness remain so in perpetuity until Congress determines otherwise. It seems only fair and reasonable that lands unsuitable for wilderness be returned to multiple-use management in perpetuity until Congress determines otherwise. Atlantic Richfield Co. would like to thank you, Senator, for the opportunity to present our views here today, and we commend you for holding these public hearings prior to drafting the actual wil derness legislation itself. Thank you.