Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

IDAHO Rogers. Thank you. Senator, members of the panel, I'm Wil Dr. liam P. Rogers, a veterinarian from here in Idaho Falls. My family and I have lived here almost 15 years and have had the pleasure of hiking, backpacking, and horsebacking to several of the areas under consideration here today. Specifically they are the White Cloud/Boulder Mountain areas, the Northern Lemhis, Palisades, and the Gams Mountain areas. I would like to point out that none of these were expensive guid ing trips; we did all of this on our own, using our own equipment and own skills. We enjoyed the wide variety of wildlife and catch ing a few native trout from streams and being able to drink from generally unpolluted sources. But, most of all, we enjoy the solitude that undeveloped country provides. And solitude to me is probably the most important need that wilderness can fulfill for modern man. Our present-day lifestyle makes very strenuous demands upon all of us, and many of us need wilderness experience to re fresh our minds, our bodies, and our souls. I'd like to point out that in just 200 years our country has gone from a country of total wilderness to our present state. Our forests were cut, our prairies were plowed, and, as a consequence, wildlife habitat and the numbers were greatly reduced. Our rivers were damaged and the spawning runs of salmon and steelhead either disappeared forever or were greatly reduced. We have rushed to supply man's every conceivable material need, but we have done so with little regard for man's spiritual needs. Forty years ago my home State of Louisiana was a sportsman's paradise. But widespread oil and timber develpment has changed all of that. Many streams and rivers now have a thin film of oil on their surface, most game fish are gone, and those that remain are unfit to eat. Large chunks of residue from chemicals and detergent foul the sandbars in the river. I don't want to see that happen to Idaho's few remaining road less areas. I don't believe the majority of Idahoans are willing to sacrifice those lands which so enhance our quality of life for a few more jobs, for a few more barrels of oil, or for a few more board feet of lumber. Wilderness is like virginity; once it is gone, it is gone forever. Senator, I urge you to protect Idaho's roadless land during the forthcoming legislation. At least 50 percent of this area, including all the endangered Idaho wilderness core, should be put into our wilderness system as soon as possible. I favor the soft-release language so that in the future additional lands may be included. Idaho s in a unique position of being able to preserve some truly wild country for the benefit and use of all Americans. I believe we will take advantage of this opportunity. Thank you. 759