Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Shea. Senator, I support the Endangered Idaho Wilderness Corps proposed by the Idaho Sierra Club, the Idaho Conservation League, the Wilderness Society, and the Audubon Society. I will support in full the conservationists and sportsman's proposal once it's reached in October. I do not support however, the release language. I don't believe that it is fair to our future generations that we should decide at this time the fate of all roadless areas. Those areas not designated wilderness should be managed by normal forest planning, processing, and later, if necessary, reevaluated for their best usage. The areas in the Panhandle that should be protected are Long Canyon, Salmo Priest, and the Selkirk Crest. As for Salmo Priest, the same mature lumber that they're talking about dragging out is also the main principal diet for the endangered caribou. It's on these trees that the moss grows that they mix up the majority of their diet. And I believe that this herd is more important than the value that would be brought about from the timber. Thank you.