Idaho Wilderness Hearings

Statement:

Ms. Woods. My name is Marilyn Woods. I am a resident of Elk City, Idaho. Together with my husband, I operate a small business enterprise providing jobs for nine people in a small community located in a large forest; the Nez Perce National Forest. As a small business person, I was part of an endangered species—until Reaganomics took hold. Thank goodness our Government is finally beginning to show some signs of reasonableness and commonsense. We must now have the courage to apply these same traits to the management of our national resources. The Nez Perce Forest has almost one-half million acres of designated roadless areas. These lands were thoroughly investigated and discussed in 1979, prior to passage of the River of No Return Wilderness bill. It was no mistake then that these lands were left out of the wilderness classification and it would be no mistake now to statutorily declare these as multiple use lands dedicated to man639 agement for the most beneficial uses of society. The Elk City economy is based on mining, timber harvest, fishing, hunting, and recreational pursuits of all forms. Proper management considers and optimizes all these factors. The wilderness designation is a 'no management' designation and, as such, we have no further need for that category in our area. I urge that you release our lands, once and for all, and let us get about the business of using and protecting our environment. Thank you.