Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Schauble. Senator, the committee, I'd like to thank you for the opportunity. I'm Jeff Schauble. And I've lived in Boundary County for 24 of my 31 years spending the last 13 in timber and 302 lumber industries. I love the work, and I plan on staying in it the rest of my life. Back in the days of RARE II, I helped the vast majority of the community support the Boulder Creek drainage for multiple use in logging. And I've never regretted it. However, I can't feel the same about Long Canyon. Surely we don't think that this 3 percent of our timber base is going to affect our jobs. If this were the case, I don't think we could plan on being in the business much longer. I remember back when I started back in the sawmills back in 1970. I was told that after 10 years', there would be no timber left in the county. Well, 13 years later I think I can always see timber in the county as long as we think better to not rely on bigger. What we need is better management in the existing areas and not to rely on a 3-percent bigger timber base. We've all seen marvels of good management and the disasters of poor management. Good management must be the key and the priority in looking for future timber supplies. As a rapidly growing demand in the country, save praise of what this land once was. And I think Long Canyon is an excellent opportunity to help supply it. And with this in mind, we ask that you designate Long Canyon as a wilderness. Thank you.