Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Mr. Heitzman. Thank you, Senator McClure. What I want to say here now I want to be included in the record. And I would do a little repeat here and apologize for it. But there are 36 other testimonies there that you have from people that couldn't come with me. And these are their views also. So I would repeat just a little of what has already been said. I want immediate and uncompromising release of all RARE I lands released to multiple use development by individual unit plans. The areas in question in the Nez Perce Forest under RARE II multiple use development by committee language attached to the Central Idaho Wilderness Act are as follows: Jersey Jack, Mallard Creek, Bargamin Creek, Running Creek, East and West Meadow Creek. I also want immediate and uncompromising release of those lands covered in the Gospel Hump multiple resource development area plans. I want no changes or modifications to the present boundaries of any of these units. And I especially do not want deferred or further study status given to any of the lands in question. The real issue before us is economical. If t*ie areas close to Elk City, Idaho, were the only areas in question on wilderness or no wilderness, it would be one thing. But they are not. The whole Northwest and/or areas that are timbered are in question. Though I live in the Elk City area, I am directly affected by this wilderness question. But so is the box boy in a supermarket in New York. Your reply is how can that be? The answer is simple—America was built on free enterprize. Any country that stops their raw material output soon is destroyed economically. Under the guise of saving the wilderness for future generations, if this wilderness question goes to RARE III, it will have cost you and future generations over $1 billion. Our Government and Forest Service officials are most competent and are now and have been doing a good job taking care of our forests. Groups of people who have been thwarting the logging industry are not helping America. But in reality are destroying it. I am not deceived by their slogans save the forests for the future. Again may I say the answer is simple—stop logging and you stop America. Because everything depends on the logging industry. You say know? All right, stop logging, home building stops, carpenters are out of work, electricians are out work, plumbers are out of work, cement masons are out of work, painters are out of work, furniture manufacturers go bankrupt. And then pulp and paper manufacturers go broke, no more wood chips, every office worker in the United States loses here—no paper, no jobs. The question on wilderness in Idaho Nez Perce Forest is too large for us, nor can I be so selfish to think only of my little corner of the world. For us not to see that the whole Nation is affected by this wilderness question and will ultimately be destroyed by a few small interest 585 groups. The United States of America is still a democracy and is for majority rule. Thank you.