Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Sanders. My name is Linda Sanders. And I did have the opportunity to speak yesterday at the hearing in Coeur d’Alene. I will try to vary my testimony today. I was born and raised in Kellogg, Idaho. And I've seen what exploitation of resources without regard to its environmental impact can do to an area. I endorse the Idaho Conservation League's Wilderness Core. And I also support a soft release language. Although I support maximum wilderness for Idaho, I wish to emphasize on one specific area today—Mallard-Larkins. I had the pleasure of backpacking into this area—the area this summer. My outdoor experience there was a truly enjoyable one. And a couple of weeks ago a group of friends and I hiked along Goat Ridge to Craig Lake. Along the rail I viewed the spectacular scenery on either side. The first area I marveled at was the beautiful Minnesoka Creek drainage. Please leave it in its natural state. Further along the trail one observation I found to be disturbing was that mountains had large patches of clearcuts. I'd hate to see any more timber stripped from the mountains. Besides scarring landscape, such practices destroy habitat and wildlife. I want Idaho to be a State to be proud of. The fact that Idaho has so much wilderness now—second to Alaska—is a positive, not a negative thing. One of the main drawing points to Idaho is its natural beauty, fishing and hunting opportunities. And I feel this is probably the main drawing point to Idaho. Let's not exploit it. American's need wilderness. It's been realized in the past. And wilderness is multiple use. It has been wisely said that, 'In wilderness is the preservation of the world.' And I quote from this month's National Geographic. It says: A world that contained only human beings would not be worth living in, nor would it be habitable very long. This is a lesson that our urban<entered, technologically oriented culture is painfully relearning, though our ancestors knew it well. Thank you, Senator.