Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Robinson. Senator McClure, members of the panel, my name is Dave Robinson. I'm a resident Coeur d’Alene. I'm here specifically for seeking your approval to include Kelly Creek and Cayuse Creek drainages in your wilderness bill that is to be proposed to Congress. And my position, I think I come to you and state that it's based upon my experiences in the area, primarily as a recreationalist. I'm a backpacker, a hiker, and foremost fly fisherman, and I truly 39 believe that the Kelly Creek and Cayuse Creek drainage systems support the finest west slope cutthroat trout the fishery probably in the State of Idaho, if not in the western United States. I'm sort of torn here today because I come to you as an attorney who also represents loggers. So, I'm in sort of precarious position in this regard. I think that people in the State of Idaho have to be able to make a living, and this State—the primary industries in the State, at least in northern Idaho, is the logging industry and the mining industry. So, I think there has to be a balance here. We all have to make a living somehow, but I truly belive from the information that I have been able to develop that the timber that exists in that area would—and the significant distance that it would have to be hauled if the area were to be roaded and logs were to be taken out of that area, would not justify a cost-efficient basis for the opening of that area. Thank you.