Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Motors and CIEDRA

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We'd like to correct one of several glaring inaccuracies in a recent letter opposing Rep. Mike Simpson's legislation to designate wilderness in central Idaho. The wilderness proposed in CIEDRA is definitely not "riddled with ATV corridors". In fact, the bill would designate 2 very large areas as wilderness -- 235,000 acres (larger than the entire Sawtooth Wilderness) and 75,000 acres. The two areas are separated by a single-track motorcycle trail along Germania Creek. Another motorcycle trail in the West Fork of the East Fork will be closed and included in the Wilderness -- a big boost for quiet areas and for wildlife.

Simpson's bill would add thousands of acres of valuable wildlife habitat in the White Clouds over Trail Creek summit, in areas that are threatened by new roads created by 4-wheel ATV riders who don't stay on designated trails. Although we do not support all aspects of the bill, Idaho is the nation's fourth fastest growing state and it is past time to permanently protect more of Idaho's wild country as wilderness. No new wilderness has been protected in Idaho in more than a generation. This is the best chance we've had in all those years to protect 315,000 acres of the gem that is Sun Valley's back yard -- the Boulder-White Cloud Mountains.

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Linn Kincannon

Idaho Conservation League

Ketchum