Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Hinson. Senator McClure and committee members; I am Karen Hinson of Hayden Lake, Idaho. I appreciate the opportunity to express my thoughts on a subject that is important to me. My husband is a forester and is employed by the forest industry in Idaho. I, too, am a forester, holding a bachelor of science degree in forest recreation. As you can see, my interests, as well as livelihood, are dependent on a healthy forest resource. I am here today in behalf of Idaho Women in Timber as well as to express some thoughts from my own experiences. As the previous two speakers have said, Idaho Women in Timber would like a quick resolution of the roadless areas, and we urge that the 5 years of RARE II study and the resulting environmental impact statement be recognized as sufficient, and that the roadless 29 areas not designated as wilderness be released to the Forest Service for management. On the personal side, I would like to put my recreation education and experience to work and address two misconceptions held by the general public concerning wilderness. The first is that congressionally designated wilderness is needed for a wilderness experience. I believe that wilderness is an imprecise term in the public's mind, defined by personal perceptions. In the summer of 1974, I worked for the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., presenting nature programs to inner-city children attending day camps. Often this would include a nature hike through the woods. To my surprise, many of the children were hesitant to enter the woods for fear that lions, tigers or bears would get them. To these children Rock Creek Park, in the center Washington D.C., was the wilderness and as much of it as they wanted to handle. Of course this example is extreme, but points out the fact that different people with differing perspectives can get optimum wilderness experiences from areas other than congressionally designated wilderness. This includes parks, unroaded back country and forests managed for other benefits including wood production. In fact some of the restrictions of wilderness actually deter use or dampen the recreational enjoyment of many people. There are, of course, those for whom only the true wilderness will do and their needs should be recognized. They, in fact have been recognized with 3.8 million acres in Idaho. Thank you.