I want to encourage Rep. Mike Simpson to continue to work and pass the Boulder-White Cloud wilderness bill (CIEDRA). I understand all legislation is a compromise, but I also understand the natural world is constantly being compromised by man.
Protecting wilderness is the single biggest act society can do to protect this planet. We are seeing the loss of biological diversity. We are seeing the effects of global warming and drought. We are seeing the increased use of motorized equipment and mechanized equipment taking its toll on the land. The loss of solitude and the loss of wildlife habitat is constantly increasing. Wilderness stops these losses by saying these certain areas are off limits to continued degradation. Right on.
Idaho is blessed and unique on a global scale by what we have left to protect. Idaho can offer a gift of optimism to the rest of the country by saying it's not too late to think long term. Passing legislation to permanently protect more than 319,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness forever is unquestionably the ecologically correct thing to do. It may be a compromise, but at least it's one thinking about the future.
Tom Pomeroy
Ketchum