Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Vogel. My name is Paul Vogel. I am an attorney practicing law in Sandpoint, Idaho. Senator McClure, although I would like to commend you for taking the time and seeking input from Idaho citizens on a proposed wilderness bill, I feel it is necessary to remind you and to point out to all people present that public lands in the State of Idaho belong to all of the people of the United States. The National Wilderness Act declares that it is the policy of the Congress to secure the American people of present and future generations and benefit of an enduring resource of wilderness. This statement of policy needs to be considered to balance out the claims of people who oppose wilderness on the grounds that less wilderness results in more jobs for the Idaho wood products industry. Whether we like to admit it or not, the economic impact of wilderness on employment figures in Idaho is not that great of a concern to the citizens of the other 49 States. What is of concern to everyone in the United States as expressed in the policy of the National Wilderness Act is that this country have wilderness areas now and in the future. The fact that there are few wilderness areas left outside of the Western States is a compelling reason to heed the desire and needs of all people to have available to themselves and their children wilderness areas in which to visit. I'm also a wildlife ambassador for the Idaho Fish and Game Department. As such, I find their failure to recommend Long Canyon 317 and the Selkirk Crest as wilderness to be somewhat of a shocking decision. I note that they supported the Salmo-Priest area because of the habitat for the woodland caribou. Woodland caribou's habitat also includes Long Canyon and the Crest. Wilderness designation for either one of those areas without the other would serve very little practical purpose for maintaining the caribou. So I ask you to propose any designated bill for all of these areas be included.