Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Boling. Mr. Chairman, my name is Kevin Boling. And I am responsible for the purchase of all timber for Potlatch in Idaho. I would like to get a little specific regarding the Clearwater. The forest covers approximately 1,839,000 acres of which at the present time almost 500,000 acres are set aside for either wilderness, scenic river corridors, research natural areas, recreation sites, cultural and historic sites, and on and on. Our industry recommendation for wilderness additions to the Clearwater would add 57,000 acres to this total for approximately 550,000 acres, almost a third of the entire forest off limits to timber management. Will this mean the remaining two-thirds of the forest will have the benefit of timber management as one of its uses? No, sir. As you know, these hearings are partly in response to getting the Forest Service planning process back on track. This planning process has identified almost 600,000 acres where management decisions will be geared toward roadless recreation, roadless fishery management, special watershed management, winter and big game summer range management, et cetera. Even though the cloud of wilderness may be removed on some of the above areas, we remain skeptical given the present appeals process that a dependable timber supply from the Clearwater Forest will come from those areas. The problem of stall and delay used so expertly by our wilderness advocates through the appeals process in the courts is the primary reason we ask you to develop some kind of language that will allow those areas that have been released to be developed and managed in a reasonable fashion. Finally, Senator, there's been a lot of reference made to the quality of life for our children. I have three children. And their quality of life depends on the fact that I remain employed. And I'd like to remain employed in the forest products industry in Idaho. Thank you.