Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Scherr. Thank you, Senator. My name is Emanuel Scherr. I reside in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Senator McClure, I am truly grateful for this opportunity to have my comments heard regarding the Idaho Forest Wilderness decisions. I am in favor of protecting 50 percent of the presently remaining forest and roadless areas. The fact that Idaho how almost 4 million acres of wilderness, the most in the 48 contiguous States, is something to be proud of. And we would be prouder, still if some of the forest roadless areas in northern Idaho were to be designated as wilderness, specifically Long Canyon and Salmo Priest Areas. Let us at this point say that we will try to preserve as much wilderness as possible for those generations that are not here to speak for themselves, for the 21st century and on for whatever wilderness exists now is the most that we will ever have. I'd like to add a comment or two from what I heard this morning. Years ago when I traveled out here, I saw many clear-cuts years ago. Those same clear-cuts exist today. That's almost 20 years. And I learned since then that these clear-cuts do not enhance not only view but they contribute to rapid snow melt since there's no cover. And the rapid show melt increases erosion. And erosion, naturally, adds to stream pollution. So in regards to these clear-cuts, I've also learned that in the Panhandle Forest that as the management plan suggests that 20 cubic feet per acre of timeber can be harvested per year. And I question that whether this number can be achieve into perpetuity. I doubt it very much. And it's only a matter of years that if the timber industry goes ahead and harvests it, that it will only be a matter of time that they will have to move out and on. Thank you, Senator.