in the National Wilderness System. Our National Parks are bursting at the seams with tourists and our nation is bordering on anarchy because of the crush of too many people. More parks and wilderness is one way to relieve the strains of civilization. We must in particular save the few wilderness areas we have left for the enjoyment of the masses who are coming on with more time to spend than ever before in history. The timeworn argument of the sawdust people that we must not lock up any more timber since so few get into the wilderness is ridiculous. Just take a trip up any canyon around this area and see all the pack strings going in and out, the hunting camps set up. In fact litterbugs are already a problem. Wilderness is one thing we Americans cannot make, we can only save the little we have left by action now. Please include my remarks in the permanent hearing record. MARK EVANS. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, HAMILTON, MONT., September 17, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: The public of Western Montana in the last 15 days has been barraged by the opponents of wilderness in newspapers, on TV editorials, at civic club meetings and even in school class rooms. The timber industry and its hand maiden, the Forest Service, protest too much. Using the same time-worn, hackneyed arguments such as multiple use, let all the public drive in to see the country, locking up resources; all being drug across the stage again like "dead cats." We, who live in the Bitterroot Valley, have come to the conclusion that the only multiple use, outside of Wilderness protection, is clear cutting. Drive down into our valley and gaze at the mountains on every side now hopelessly scarred and I'm sure you would vote for putting the Lincoln Back Country into Wilderness protection. It is strange to me that one of the Forest Service proposals is a scenic highway through this most precious heritage. Send these anxious car tourists down to the Bitterroot and let them use all of our scenic timber access roads and let them gaze at acres and more acres of tree stumps and piled brush. We have miles and miles of Forest access roads where they can build camp grounds and provide untold space for Weiner roasts and beer busts. If your committee wishes to leave part of America with a high quality recreational environment, the Lincoln Back Country is an increasingly rare opportunity to do so. You can insure this by giving it legal wilderness protection. Yours truly, THOMAS A. FORD. HAMILTON, MONT., September 20, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: My name is Robert Smith and I am a biochemist at the U.S. Public Health Service laboratory in Hamilton, Montana. I have never been in the Lincoln-Scapegoat country and can not offer specific arguments why this particular area should be given wilderness status. However, from what I read, specific features of this area are not strongly emphasized by either proponents or opponents of the proposal. It seems to be another campaign in the familiar contest between those who oppose wilderness in general because it puts some of our natural resources out of reach of commercial exploitation and those who favor wilderness areas because they preserve certain esthetic values. I think that it is extremely unfortunate that the U.S. Forest Service in Region 1 seems to be oriented toward commercial exploitation. In this case the opponents of wilderness seem to be relying heavily on the pseudo-utilitarian argument that putting an area in wilderness is discriminatory because only those who have a horse or can carry a pack are able to use it. While this true, it is not a convincing argument against wilderness. In the first place, those with access to a horse and those who can carry a pack are a large and growing number. They should not be deprived of their enjoyment in the name of equal justice for all. In the second place, there are already vast areas of national, state, and private forest that are laced with roads. The pleasure of those who like to drive around and look at the woods from a car or a snowmobile will not be notably increased by adding 3 or 4% to the millions of acres now available. To those who love wilderness its value increases with size. The Lincoln-Scapegoat country, like the Selway corridor, is particularly valuable because it is contiguous with a large existing wilderness. I strongly favor its inclusion in the national wilderness system. I would like to have this statement made a part of the permanent hearing record. Sincerely, R. F. SMITH. JUNE 5, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: We are the Bitterroot Packers and Guide Association of Bitterroot Valley. Sinve we spend a great deal of our time in hills we know the necessity of having wilderness area for the present time and also in the future for our children. We want to go on record as urging that the 240,500 acres described in Senate bill 1121 be made a part of the National Wilderness System. Sincerely, BITTERROOT PACKERS ASSOCIATION, HAMILTON, MONT., June 6, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: My occupation is attorney; I am self-employed and serve as Assistant County Attorney and Juvenile Officer for Ravalli County, Montana. I urge that the 240,500 acres described in S 1121 be made a part of the National Wilderness System. My reasons are as follows: (1) The history of our wilderness areas are that once they are gone, they are gone forever, and I believe future generations should have a say in their administration of our heritage. (2) Natural beauty is preserved by such areas and are of great lasting value to our whole country, not something to be desecrated for short term gain of a few. (3) I further do not believe, because of our population increase, that we can have too much such area set aside for recreation and scientific study. (4) In time to come the area's economic value to our County and State will far outweigh present commercial concepts. Sincerely, GERALD D. SCHULTZ. HAMILTON, MONT., June 4, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I am an outdoor photographer-writer with my headquarters in Hamilton, Montana. I am a western Montana native and intimately familiar with land problems of Montana. I believe that the proposed 240,500 acres known as the Lincoln-Scapegoat country described in Senate Bill 1121 should be preserved as a Wilderness in our National Wilderness Preservation System and respectfully request that this letter be made part of the hearing record. I feel that all of the potentials now offered by the Lincoln-Scapegoat area definitely places it in the category of the values which have established our National Wilderness Area System. Sincerely, ERNST PETERSON. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, HAMILTON, MONT., June 5, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: My experience for forty years as an employee of the U.S. Forest Service in the capacity of Ranger and Forest Supervisor prompts me to strongly support establishment of the Lincoln-Scapegoat wilderness area. Since my retirement from the Forest Service in 1955 I have maintained an active interest in local, state and national conservation and natural resource management affairs. I am well acquainted with the timber, wildlife, aesthetic and other values within the area. If the area is subjected to the usual logging and other commercial exploitive uses, the wildlife, recreational, scenic and other values will be seriously impaired. Present day forestry and logging practices that I have observed on National forest and private lands are creating unsightly appearances on the landscape. These unsatisfactory conditions occur as a result of the construction of a network of roads, dozer trails and clearcutting. If natural beauty of all forest lands is to be maintained and restored to protect aesthetic, forestry, wildlife, recreation and other values, the public will be obliged to make vast financial investments to restore and maintain misused lands to their maximum state of productivity. In view of what is occurring to forested lands that I am familiar with, it is obvious that the public interest would best be served by including the area in question in the wilderness system. If so designated, the minimum of public expense would be required to protect and administer the 240,500 acres involved. I will appreciate having this letter included in the hearing record. Sincerely, G. M. BRANDBORG. PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, Senator LEE METCALF, Care of Livingston Rodgers, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR LEE: I'm not entirely aware of all the circumstances surrounding the Scapegoat Wilderness Proposal, but as a general rule, it does appear sound to consider the fact that these vanishing areas will not be around for our use in coming years and generations, unless we take steps now to preserve them. Each summer, for the last several years, we have taken church youngsters of high school age, and also young adults on back-packing excursions into the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. I'm sure you don't need proof of the value this sort of experience provides for youth and adults. Because we've known the advantages of this sort of experience, we would encourage the preservation and extension of this kind of area for the coming ones who will tramp these hills when we are gone. Sincerely, WILLIAM A. BURKHARDT, Minister. HAMILTON, MONT., June 7, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: May I introduce myself by stating we own a business in Hamilton. Montana, have acreage in Ravalli county and I serve as cochairman of the Recreation Committee of the Bitter Root Valley Resource Conservation and Development Project. The Lincoln-Scapegoat area can. I believe, best serve the needs of our fellowman by retaining its natural condition not only for today, but for tomorrow. The trails that lead to our tomorrows must be prepared today. Passage of Senate Bill 1121 would be indicative of man's willingness to exercise the wisdom and intelligence to provide today for one of the trails that will perpetuate the path of tomorrows generations. We endorse the establishment of this wilderness area. 22-003-68- -15 If so desired, this letter may be made a part of the permanent hearing record. Sincerely yours, Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, ALICE R. HARBAUGH HAMILTON, MONT., June 6, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I am LaVern B. Richard, guidance counselor in the elementary schools of Hamilton, Montana. I believe that areas of the United States, such as the Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country, should be set aside and spared the depredation of commercialization. These areas esthetic value and recreational value that far outweighs its commercial value. Therefore I urge that the 240,500 acres described in S. 1121 be made a part of the National Wilderness Sytem. I request that this testimony be made a part of the permanent hearing record. Sincerely, Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, LAVERN B. RICHARD. HAMILTON, MONT., June 6, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SIR: We are opposed to the opening of the Scapegoat Wilderness Area to logging and exploitation. JOE C. AYERS. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, HAMILTON, MONT., June 4, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I am the medical artist here at the Rocky Mountain Research Laboratory and in my off hours devote my time to the drawing, painting, sculpturing, and etching the animals of the West. I realize that an artist may learn in a class or in a museum or a zoo to paint animals and I take full advantage of all these sources. BUT I have found my finest inspiration after a trip to the wilderness. Any area set aside to preserve our heritage is little enough for this country to do. I certainly hope that this Lincoln-Scapegoat area be made part of the National Wilderness System. Any area that could augment the limited range of the grizzly bear is of the utmost importance. I wish to have this letter made a part of the permanent hearing record. SHERMAN L. HAYES. HAMILTON, MONT., June 5, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: We are indebted to local members of the Wilderness Society for calling our attention to the date of the hearing, as we would like to add our support to the efforts of those attempting to maintain and enlarge the wilderness areas of our country. Having lived in European and South American countries and seen the absence of wilderness areas and the indifference toward this type of preservation of natural resources for future generations, we especially appreciate the still untouched areas of the U.S. In light of this week's assassination of Sen. Kennedy, and the recent murder of Dr. King, we feel that the therapeutic value of contact with nature should be a part of every child's life. The money spent on building roads and facilities for well-heeled tourists might much better be spent in bringing large contingents of underprivileged children from slum areas for trips into such regions as the proposed Lincoln-Scapegoat Wilderness. Sincerely yours, SALLIE M. BRUTTO. FRANK BRutto. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, STEVENSVILLE, MONT., June 5, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I am Janie Canton, University student, born and raised on a Bitterroot stock ranch, and a frequent visitor on the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area. I have accompanied a number of parties on pack trips, and have helped guide and train people in riding, packing and camping on trail rides. From childhood I have accompanied my Grandfather on inspection trips over logging areas, livestock ranges, farmer irrigation reservoirs and other forest activities. I am shocked and alarmed at the destructive logging practices I see on every side. As much as fifteen percent of the land cut up with roads, and much more torn up with what they call terraces. After a few years they plant small trees, which in many cases die, often a mortality of eighty or ninety percent occurs. It is said that no money is available to go back and plant again. If this situation persists our timbered hills of this valley will be barren in a relatively few years. What has happened to that sustained yield policy we have heard of ever since I can remember? I am not thoroughly acquainted with the Scapegoat area, but have been around it, and viewed it thru pictures, and the eyes of others. In my opinion it would be a disaster to have this area roaded up, and cut over as is happening here in the Bitterroot. I am a psychology student, and my studies indicate that great numbers of people in this country may benefit thru experiences with nature, especially provided under Wilderness conditions. This country cannot afford to destroy much more of its wild areas thru commercial exploitation. Let us preserve such as this Scapegoat area for our unborn. Please count me in support of Senator Metcalf's bill, S. 1121. I would like to have this testimony made a part of the permanent hearing record. Sincerely, JANIE CANTON. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, HAMILTON, MONT., June 5, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, DEAR SENATOR: As a school teacher for some 20 years in the Hamilton system, I am perhaps more than ordinarily concerned with the young, and with the world we leave them to live in. For this reason, as well as for my personal interest in conservation, I wish to make my thoughts known to you and to the members of your committee, and to request that you make this letter a part of the permanent hearing record. We are running out of wilderness at an alarming rate, and once it is gone it can never be re-created. I believe the existence of wilderness to be a necessity to the American mind and spirit, and to be of greater importance than the board feet or the tons of ore the "practical business man" speaks of. We have to know there is a place somewhere that is untouched by civilization. This becomes more and more important as our land is covered with more and more shopping-centers and paved with more and more asphalt. Even if one never visits the wilderness, it is essential to know that it is there. There are other benefits (a living-place for the grizzly bear, for example), but the mental one is of the most importance, so far as I am concerned. I therefore request that the Scapegoat area, all 240,000 acres of it, be declared a wilderness area, and that it be so maintained. I'd like to be able, with a straight face, to tell my students that they are inheriting a country worth the having! Sincerely, IVAN E. AHLGREN. HAMILTON, MONT., June 5, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: My name is Frank Cash, and I am the mayor of Hamilton. |