Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

AND GAME COMMISSION Mr. Stonebraker. I am Keith Stonebraker, a member of the Idaho Fish and Game Commission. I appreciate the opportunity to present the view of the commission on the remaining roadless areas of the State of Idaho—of Idaho and potential wilderness legislation. In the national forests emphasized at this particular hearing the commission specifically recommends the roadless areas designated as Kelly, Hoodoo, and Moose Mountain and Cayuse Creek and Bighorn Wietas in the Clearwater National Forest. One of the major resource values associated with this potential wilderness is the protection of the Kelly Creek watershed and the 1979 Forest Service proposal falls far short of the area required. Kelly Creek in its entirety is being managed as a catch and release fishery to provide an opportunity to catch large westslope cutthroat trout. The westslope cutthroat was on its way to extinction about 20 years ago. And this has really been the turning point for this particular species. The drainage is nationally recognized as a blue ribbon fishery and considered by many to be one of the finest in North America. Fishing intensity has steadily increased since the inception of the catch and release regulation in 1970, primarily because of the enhanced opportunity to catch fish. Most of this virtually pristine watershed supports unexcelled spawning and rearing habitat but is very susceptible to degrading caused by sedimentation from roads and their construction. The drainage is potentially being threatened by plans to bring the Toboggan Creek drainage—a very important tributary to Cayuse Creek—under management with roads. Both Toboggan and Cayuse Creeks support essentially—essential spawning and rearing habitat for cutthroast trout. Any loss of habitat in those drainages will ultimately affect Kelly Creek. The drainage supports excellent elk range. And its present untagged and unroaded status enables the department to manage for longer elk seasons and opportunities to harvest large bulls. Now, this sentence I think is very important. It's really critical to use because this undeveloped area along with the adjacent Weitas drainage produces the largest harvest of bull elk in the State for a single management unit. So it's paramount that the entire Kelly Creek watershed be maintained in its present status for protection of the fish and wildlife and recreational opportunities. The commission also takes the position that any State wilderness bill should not include the so called hard release wording. Therefore, if release wording prohibits future considerations—consideration of wilderness classification, the commission then recommends that certain roadless areas listed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game be assigned to the separate category of further planning as outlined under the RARE II procedures. 523 Mr. Chairman, the commission has judiciously considered the State's remaining roadless areas and the implications of a State wilderness bill. We feel that our statement is very moderate, especially in consideration of the fact that we are even asking for less than the forest industry is asking for. But we are emphasizing quality and not quantity. And the selected few areas which are endorsed for wilderness classification have strong justification based upon the important fish and wildlife vales.