Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Tarvin. Hello. Today I'd like to say a little something about changes, and my attitude about change is that it's gross, and I'd like my statements heard in that vein. I'm not against timber management or logging, and I appreciate the safeguards that protect our public lands from indiscriminate logging. This lends itself to even protect the logging industry. However, I feel the Forest Service has as its management priority a timber-only attitude, and I would like to have equal value considerations given to other areas of forest management. Forests have more than just a monetary value, and that's only one aspect. I do not agree with plans to keep on logging especially when it's not even economical. This practice imposes an unfair kind of false economy on all of us who live in areas with a timber based economy. Rather, I would like to see us change and grow by diversifying our economic base. I do not believe Long Canyon is more beneficial to our economy for its timber than for its wilderness qualities. There are many areas with timber attributes, but only one unroaded wild Long Canyon. I believe many elected officials are capable of changing their attitudes, and, in fact, have. And hopefully, I'll see the time when this will come around. Thank you.