Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

SHEARER LUMBER CO. Mr. Waldemarson. Yes, Senator. I'm Jack Waldemarson, Senator. I'm the logging manager for Shearer Lumber Products in Elk City. Our mill is completely dependent upon Federal timber which we purchase from the Nez Perce National Forest. Shearer Lumber is directly or indirectly providing most of the jobs in the city of Elk City. Without that mill, the town would literally cease to exist. In 1979 and 1980, company executives, employees of Shearer Lumber, and most of the townspeople of Elk City worked very hard to convince Congress to keep the stands of merchantable timber north of the Salmon River, outside the boundaries of the River of No Return Wilderness. As you know, we were very successful in our efforts. We hope the Central Idaho bill would modify the land base of the Nez Perce Forest and make enough timber available to support our mill and save Elk City. Unfortunately, our hopes have been shortlived. Officials of the Nez Perce Forest recently told us the decision of the ninth circuit court of appeals in a California lawsuit will force them to reexamine the wilderness characteristics of much of the roadless land on the Nez Perce. These officials have given us the map, which I have handed to your assistants. And I wish that that map be added to the record.