Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. O'Connor. My name is John O'Connor. I'm a resident of Boundary County, Idaho. I'm an agricultural worker and school bus driver. I'd like to present somewhat conservative testimony on the issue of Long Canyon as wilderness and to steer away from the radical views too often taken by those of my age and station in life. I believe it would be a grievous mistake to lock Long Canyon away from perpetuity, denying ourselves and our children the many benefits to be had if this drainage were managed conservatively and to the public's greatest good. May I submit that the treatment of Long Canyon as anything but wilderness would be the most secure way of locking all citizens away from the invaluable resource of one of the last three virgin, unroaded drainages in the American Selkirks. Once violated, Long Canyon will never be virgin again. May I say, also, that putting all of our eggs in one basket or investing all of our capital toward one short-term end or putting roads up all our American Selkirk drainages is neither good business, conservative, or wise. It would be a short-sided, threatening, radical move. Thank you for your time.