Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

IDAHO WILDLIFE FEDERATION Mr. Schnider. Senator McClure, I'm Cliff Schnider, District 1 chairman of the Idaho Wildlife Federation up in Coeur d’Alene. District 1 IWF believes there's a need for wilderness classification for Long Canyon, Salmo-Priest, Selkirk Crest, Scotchman's Peak, Mallard-Larkins areas, and the endangered Idaho wilderness core. We are in support of the Forest Service prescription for roadless areas as shown in management area 10 of the draft forest plan map. We ask that five key game habitat areas be left roadless at this time. They are Turner-Nelson, Lost Creek, Foehl's Creek, Buck Canyon Creek, and Indian Creek. We propose a short-term committee of Fish and Game, Forest Industry, IWF District 1, ICL, and Elk Unlimited for the remainder of 1983 to settle this issue. District 1 IWF is within 100,000 acres of agreement on these issues with the Forest Service. Recreation is a valuable addition to the economy of the area, 17,000 hunters spend at least $3.4 million in North Idaho per season. We are working for a strong road closure program for north Idaho with the cooperation of the forest industry. There should be access by trails to these roadless areas which are enjoyed by many people and a great hunting experience. Wilderness is important but let's not forget the areas which can be managed for game and timber on a rotation basis through soft release language. Thank you.