Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Hartman. That doesn't count against my time now, does it? Hon. James McClure and members of the panel, I'm indeed very happy to be here and glad to commend you on bringing this to our local area. I am Dolly Hartman. And I reside at Route 2, Box 116, St. Maries, Idaho. I was formerly president of the St. Joe Valley Association and subsequently as a member of the St. Joe Compromise Team that put the—helped established the perimeters of the classified portion of the upper St. Joe River. I am here today to go on record favoring immediate congressional action to bring RARE II and its uncertainties to a close. Additionally, I am opposed to further wilderness classification for any part of Idaho and more specifically the Mallard-Larkin pioneer area which geographically lies in both the Panhandle and the Clearwater National Forests. I favor multiple use/sustained yield form of management. An end to the RARE II debate is essential so the Forest Service and dependent industries and communities may once more proceed with an orderly and meaningful planning process for the future. Twenty-five percent of timber sales on national forests goes to counties to be used for schools and roads. In our county with its depressed economy, those funds are essential. We hear much from the extreme environmentalists about the need to preserve vast areas of wilderness for the enjoyment of future generations. I ask you, what could be more important for our children and grandchildren and the future generations than food on the table and quality education to help them prepare for their own futures? Here in north Idaho and my own county of Benewah quality education and having the basic necessities of life is synonymous with access to timber in the national forests. Thank you.