Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Littlefield. My name is Gene Littlefield. I am a retired citizen of Bonner County and I have lived in Boundary and Bonner County for over 50 years. I have hunted and fished in this area during this time. I was in the automobile business for the past 21 years. So I am speaking as a private citizen, not for any group or business. All of our government lands should be multiple use for the highest return for all the people. Raising trees, extracting minerals and fuels, wildlife habitat, and recreation can all be done together. Letting our one renewable resource fall on the ground without being utilized is an ultimate waste for all of our citizens. We must harvest our trees and use them to the best advantage, not let them rot 301 or burn. After we harvest them, like a farmer, replant for our next generation. On August 2, 1983, I flew in a helicopter over the Long Canyon area. We land on a sandbar two-thirds of the way up the canyon and walked through the timber. It is quite obvious that the area needs to be harvested. The Alpine pine and spruce are dying. The white pine is overmature and showing signs of rot. There is a lot of down material on the ground which is building fuels for a fire. The contour of the land and the good soil makes it a proper place to harvest and replant for our next generation. It would be such a waste for the people of the State of Idaho and the United States if we do not use this asset.