Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, KOCH & MCKENNA, Hamilton, Mont., June 6, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I am writing to you as a lawyer, a resident of Montana, and as a citizen of the United States who is deeply interested and concerned with the preservation of the wilderness heritage for our children and our children's children. During my teens I spent a portion of every summer either horseback or backpacking through the proposed Lincoln-Scapegoat Wilderness Area and the adjacent Bob Marshall Wilderness, have visited portions of it since and am quite familiar with the area. I sincerely feel that the wilderness concept is a valid concept and becoming of increasing importance as the population of the United States and of the world increases, and that the highest and best use for the Lincoln-Scapegoat area is preserving it as wilderness for the use of our generation and of forthcoming generations. Due to prior commitments I am unable to attend the hearing at Great Falls but would appreciate having this letter made a part of the permanent hearing records. Sincerely yours, THOMAS Р. Косн. GREAT FALLS, MONT., May 29, 1968. For many years, I have visited the Lincoln Back Country-Scapegoat Mountain area. I am quite familiar with the natural resources, the timber, the mining prospects, the wildlife, the rivers and lakes of this area. As a result of this experience, I feel very strongly that these resources should be preserved and protected so that future generations can enjoy them as they now exist. From a practical viewpoint, the timber and minerals in this back country cannot be economically harvested or mined. I believe that the area will contribute much more to our economy by preserving it as a part of the National Wilderness system. I also believe that we owe an obligation, to the young people who will follow us, to leave this area in its natural state, not making it accessible by roads and highways but only by horse-back or walking. This is the only way that we can save what we have, and it certainly is worth saving. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, H. A. DICKINSON. HAMILTON, MONT., June 6, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: We urge you to do whatever is within your power to SAVE the 240,500 acres described in S. 1121 for the National Wilderness System. Mr. Neufelder and I have been through several of our wilderness areas including the Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country. To us, this wilderness must be saved for people that enjoy the "Great Out of Doors" in all its natural beauty. We are retirees but still make trips in to our wilderness areas on foot and also on horseback and enjoy these trips more and more each year. Young and old can enjoy these beautiful lands in our back country. Senator Burdick, Mr. Neufelder and myself wish to have our statements in this letter made a part of the permanent hearing record. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I was born and raised in the Bitter Root Valley; have lived on a small cattle ranch all my life. Some of my land lies within about three miles of the Wilderness Area in Ravalli County. I think it will be a wonderful thing to set aside some 240,500 acres (Senate bill 1121) to be a part of the National Wilderness area. I will go along for Senators Mansfield and Metcalf bill (1121) one hundred percent. I would like to make this a part of your permanent hearing record. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, PRESLEY E. LAY. HAMILTON, MONT., May 31, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: My husband and I, Montana residents all our lives, with grandchildren growing up here, are much concerned about the future of our country, and the conservation of all our resources. The wilderness area is most important to all of us, we believe. We would like our testimony urging the 240,500 acres as described in S. 1121 be made a part of the National Wilderness Area System, be made a part of the permanent hearing reeord. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: My husband and I, Montana residents all our lives, with grandchildren growing up here, are much concerned about the future of our country, and the conservation of our natural resources. The wilderness area is most important to all of us, and should be preserved for our future generations. We would like our testimony to be made a part of the permanent hearing record. Thank you most deeply for your effort in this matter. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I am the art teacher in the Hamilton Schools and have taught in Hamilton for the past 7 years. My wife and I feel that the proposed addition to the wilderness area is a vital necessity because of the increasing misuse of the present accessible forested lands and the decrease in accessibility to campers and others who enjoy being out for the enjoyment of outdoor living. The motorized vehicles now in common use have virtually wrecked most areas for good camping and good outdoor recreation. We urge that the 240,500 acres described in S. 1121 be made a part of the National Wilderness System. This letter is to be made part of the permanent hearing record. Sincerely, Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Mr. and Mrs. JAMES A. ROTH. HAMILTON, MONT., June 6, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I live in Hamilton, 50 miles south of Missoula, Montana. My husband and I came here on retirement from 30 years for Federal Aviation Agency. Our main reason for choosing this area was its beauty and the availability of hunting, fishing, and hiking. Am much interested in proposed addition to the Wilderness System, namely "Lincoln-Scapegoat Wilderness." The proposed area is well located as it is easily accessible from Missoula, Helena, Great Falls. We very much need to preserve these unspoiled areas for our children and grandchildren. After one has lived in a havily congested city such as Los Angeles, one truly appreciates this God-given, rugged, unspoiled country. I urge that the 240,500 acres described in S. 1121 be made a part of the National Wilderness System. Please make this testimony a part of the permanent hearing record. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I am John "J" West, a retired Detroit police officer from Detroit, Michigan. I served 25 years in this department. I am 61 years old. I was born and reared in Michigan. I think the National Wilderness System is essential for the preservation of our wilderness. Without this system, the economy of this country would devastate the beauty of our state of Montana. People all over the United States travel to Montana for its scenic beauty. I moved to Montana for its beauty, fishing, and hunting. Deveolping roads and parks for the public creates a problem. The public litters the roads and parks, cut down trees unnecessarily. Montana is konwn as "The Big Sky Country." We need a beautiful forest to harmonize with the big sky. I urge the 240,500 acres, described in S. 1121 be made part of our National Wilderness System for the Montanan's sake and the rest of America. Please make this letter a part of the permanent hearing record. Sincerely, JOHN "J" WEST. HAMILTON, MONT., June 6, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: I am deeply interested in seeing the above mentioned back country made a part of the wilderness area. My name is Henry G. Neidhardt and I am a teacher in the Hamilton school system. I have a degree in Wildlife Technology and feel that if we are to preserve any back country including fish and game, we must begin soon. With our increase in population growth it is essential to be able to keep for future generations at least a part of what we are able to enjoy now. This instead of talking about "the good old days-when, etc." I am in full support of making the 240,500 acres described in S. 1121 a part of the National Wilderness System. I wish to have my testimony made a part of the permanent hearing record. Sincerely, HENRY G. NEIDHARDT. RESOLUTION OF THE YOUNG DEMOCRAT CLUBS OF MONTANA Whereas because of the impact of our rapidly expanding industrial culture, tracts of unspoiled, undeveloped lands preserved in their natural setting are rapidly disappearing. Whereas tracts of land remaining in their natural state have certain cherished values scenic, scientific, conservational, historic, and recreational. Whereas these cherished values can today be found almost exclusively in wilderness and wild areas and can never be replaced after improvement of an undeveloped area. Whereas the Lincoln Back Country and its adjoining areas is a region which remains unroaded and in its natural state, and in this natural state it is today enjoyed by a growing number of hikers, backpackers, hunters and fishermen, and nature lovers. Whereas there is absolutely no economic basis for the development of the Lincoln Back Country and its adjoining areas: Be it Resolved, That the Young Democrat Clubs of Montana strongly support the plan of conservation and sportsmens groups in Montana for the designation of the Lincoln Back Country and its adjoining areas as a wilderness area; and be it further Resolved, That the Young Democrat Clubs of Montana urge the enactment by Congress of a strong Wilderness Bill guaranteeing preservation for future generations of Americans of a small portion of America in its natural state. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, OPTIMIST CLUB OF GREAT FALLS, Great Falls, Mont., June 6, 1968. Chairman, Lincoln-Scapegoat Back Country Hearing, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: The Optimist Club of Great Falls, composed of 100 members of which all are business and professional men, wish to make known that they support Senate Bill 1121. The membership of this club voted to support the Wilderness Society in their effort to preserve the Lincoln Back Country and Scapegoat Mountain area by including this beautiful land in the National Wilderness System. The motto of our club is "Friend of the Boy" and we believe in America and its youth. By supporting this movement and Senate Bill 1121 we can be assured that some of the Americas beauty will be retained for future generations. Very truly yours, FRED C. JONES, Jr., President. GLASGOW, MONT., June 7, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, DEAR SIR: It is my pleasure to voice my full support for the proposals made that the Lincoln Scapegoat back Country be included in the National Wilderness system. Our natural recreational resources are so fast diminishing that it will behoove us to act with all expediency to preserve those area that it still exist in their pristine beauty. Sincerely, RICHARD A. WEBER, D.D.S., Past President, To Whom It May Concern: ROGER SPRINKLE INSURANCE AGENCY, I would add this tract to the Bob Marshall Wilderness area because the land is needed now by our people. We no longer have wilderness areas to spare. Benefits of the wilds are various, depending upon the person, and usually intangible (fishing and hunting are exceptions), but are commonly associated with such things as outdoor living, the appreciation and knowledge of nature and its beauty, and other advantages less general such as permitting our citizens to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of just plain living in our modern world. The alternate plan, I believe promulgated by the Forestry Service, would permit various kinds of commercial development totally incompatible with a wilderness. The end result of such a plan would be more in the nature of a suburban development or city park. If one must enjoy nature between times, that is between the rumble of traffic and the thunder of jets, do it at home; it would certainly be cheaper, about as realistic, perhaps even more so if your home was well insulated from outside noises and your television program was an especially good one on natural history, complete with color, sound, and occasional musical background. ROGER SPRINKLE. KASOON, MINN., September 16, 1968. GENTLEMEN: We are interested in saving the Lincoln Back Country as Wilderness. With civilization fast engulfing the land I think its imperative that we save what little wilderness that there is left. Our oldest son was able to take a canoe trip with the Boy Scouts this summer in Superior National Park on into Canada. Michael said that there were many campers on the Minnesota side but as they went farther into Canada they didn't meet any other campers but saw evidence of their camps. How long will this beautiful country remain wilderness? There have been articles in the paper with concern of pollution of these northern lakes. Ten years from now when our younger sons want to go camping will there be any unspoilt land left for them to see? We live on a dairy and cash crop farm in southern Minnesota. The reason that we are given for our low prices is that there is a surplus if this so then why is there any need for any more land to be brought into production? Until there is a real need for more food I think that it is our duty to protect this land for the future generations. Thank you, Mrs. ROBERT ZELINSKI. DEER LODGE, MONT., Junc 5, 1968. Senator LEE METCALF, DEAR SENATOR: I am writing in regards to the Scapegoat, Lincoln Back Country here in Montana. Sir, I make my living packing in the back country. If you could make one trip with me when I take people in to our back country and see the way their whole outlook on life changes in ten days you could understand what I am trying to say. I've attended the Chicago Sportsman show at the Amphitheatre and also the Los Angeles Sportsman show at the Pan Pacific Building. I have in excess of 600 signatures of people concerned with our Wilderness. I also have 60 signed contracts for the hunting season alone. This summer I hope to handle 125 people on fishing, camping and just plain trail riding and sightseeing in the Wilderness. All these original names and addresses I can put in your hands. Sir, this back country must remain as the Good Lord created it. Because of my livelihood, the people who work for me and all the people concerned, I'm asking for permission to have my say at the hearing in Great Falls June 11, 1968. Sir, we have enough asphalt jungles, we need this wilderness for the good and welfare of our country. Thanking you in advance for your time, I remain DEAR SENATOR JACKSON: The proposal under H.R. 7148 and S. 1121 to reclassify and place under wilderness type of management about 240,000 acres of national forest land in northwest Montana is unsound, unjustified and inadvisable. I am opposed to such action. In this section of Montana with some 50% of its economy based on timber products and since the entire state has declining tax revenues more vast wilderness would only increase tax burdens on other properties that are already increasingly excessive. In fact a state sales tax program is being advocated to secure needed revenues. I am quite familiar with the Blackfoot-Sun River Divide area and with the U.S. Forest Service's indicated plan for its multiple use management with limited road access that would be of lasting national as well as local benefits to all. A few roads, some recreational developments and good harvesting practices of the timber resources under Forest Service policy is absolutely essential to the best interests of the public. Likewise big game management would be enhanced and better fire control would result. |