Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

SNOWMOBILE CLUB, BONNERS FERRY, IDAHO Mr. Mesenbrink. Yes. My name is Joe Mesenbrink. And I'm speaking today both as a—as president of the Panhandle Snowmobile Club of Bonners Ferry which represents about 35 snowmobile families and myself personally. I'm going to vary from my prepared statement. The prepared statement represents the position of the Panhandle Snowmobile Club which is basically for multiple use of the forest areas. And I'd just like to say that as snowmobilers, we're concerned with the very brutal possibility of losing some of the most scenic and challenging area in our county to ride with the wilderness designation. And the numbers of Spokane and Coeur d’Alene snowmobilers who do travel to Boundary County to ride in the Selkirks lend support to the value of the area for motorized winter recreation. As snowmobilers, we also have a vested interest in the Selkirks in the form of a $125,000 parking and warmup facility funded by Idaho snowmobile registration fees. This park located in the Naples, Idaho, area is a jumping off point that focuses riding in the southern portion of the Selkirk Crest. I wanted to temper my remarks personally in that I was born and raised in north Idaho. And the only time I left was to go to college. And I determined I didn't want to walk around deserts for the rest of my life as an economic geologist. I enjoy the forest and streams of north Idaho. And that's why I'm back. I'd hate to lose the quality of our forest lands. But I have trouble with the administration of the wilderness designation which will shut down areas I love to visit via snowmobile. The winter here is the only time my work allows me to recreate. And the snowmobile is a means I utilize and enjoy the remoteness of my Idaho. I guess I'm hoping for some way to have some middle ground on the issue. Isn't there some way to preserve our forest quality and to allow multiple forms of recreation? Not just nonmotorized travel. Thank you.