Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

CALL POLE CO., AND HERITAGE SOLID WOOD HOMES Mr. Shurtleff. Senator McClure, I want to thank you for the op portunity to be able to appear here and testify before this hearing. My name is Bill K. Shurtleff, and I am a lifetime resident of Idaho. My grandparents moved to Idaho in 1887 and my family has been engaged in farming and ranching in the Swan Valley area since that time. I am presently president of Garland Call Pole Co. and Heritage Solid Wood Homes; both companies are engaged in the logging and manufacturing of wood products. It is my recommendation that Idaho's congressional delegation support no further wilderness areas within the State of Idaho. It is also my recommendation that the release language be definite enough that the managers of the land not be continually plagued with lawsuits and court proceedings, thereby destroying their abili ty to manage the land. On specific areas, I would like to make the following comments: In the Palisades: It is my understanding that this area has a high potential for oil and natural gas production. This country 594 would be foolish not to explore this area and produce all those energy sources needed. In the area of Rainy Creek all the way to Pine Creek: There are a number of grazing allotments which are dry, and water must be hauled to these areas. To place this land in wilderness would cause undue hardships on livestock owners to provide care and water without motorized vehicles. In the area of Garns Mountain: There are a number of communi cation facilities now present in that area. In order to maintain these units, it is necessary that they use motor vehicles both in winter and summer to keep maintenance and insultation and the production there. In summary I would like to say that a man needs three basic items: Food, fiber, and shelter. Wilderness provides none of these. It does, however, provide a quality of life after the three main items are satisfied. In my opinion we have all the wilderness that Idaho can afford. Let us now end this continuous debate and put this country back on the path of logical production. Thank you.