Hon. LEE METCALF, GREAT FALLS, MONT., September 20, 1968. Care of Judge Robert J. Nelson's Chambers, Cascade County Court House, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SIR: Since I will be unable to attend the hearing concerning the proposed Lincoln-Scapegoat Wilderness Area, I would like to add this note as one more voice in support of this proposal. In general I think that man and civilization have combined to alter too much of the world. Some of this is necessary, and some for our own comfort. We have tempered with ecology and have yet to evaluate the results of much of our activity. Our one absolutely priceless resource is our land as it was created. Naturally, this isn't possible everywhere, but in those few remaining natural areas we should be very cautious in our plans. There is an eternity in case we should change our minds and wish for a fully developed recreational area. Once we bring too much civilization into wild country, however, we can never turn back that intrusion. I think that there should be places on this earth where man can escape from machinery of all types, and where he must depend upon himself or a horse to see the rest of the trail. The land can only appreciate in value if we leave it protected as it is. Wilderness areas will become a rare thing indeed, as our population grows. And if the time should come, it can always be "developed." Thank you for your attention. Sincerely, HELENE T. ALLAIRE. UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA, Missoula, July 23, 1968. Senator LEE METCALF, DEAR SENATOR METCALF: This is a letter in support of the proposed LincolnScapegoat Wilderness area. It is my strong belief that we have reached a decision point in history. If my grandchildren are to enjoy the benefits of this state as I have enjoyed them, then action must be taken now. Formation of wilderness areas is one of the few ways to insure that unspoiled natural beauty will be around for future generations. it is my understanding that a number of groups are soliciting support to keep the area open for snow mobiles and scooters. In my opinion, this course of action would be a tragedy. Not only does the presence of motorized vehicles severely detract from the natural beauty of such an area, but the way would be open for further development including roads, logging, recreation areas, etc. As this kind of development takes place, the possibility of a true wilderness is forever lost, and those who wish to enjoy Montana as it was are further restricted. In closing, I would again like to urge the wilderness classification of the Lincoln-Scapegoat area. I request that this letter be made part of the Hearing Record. Sincerely, ROY R. FOLSOM, Audiologist, Speech and Hearing Clinic. CARTER, MONT., June 7, 1968. Senator LEE METCALF, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SENATOR METCALF: Since it will be impossible for me to attend the public hearing in Great Falls on June 11, I am taking this means of expressing my whole-hearted support for the proposal to include the Lincoln Back Country in the Wilderness system and ask that this letter be made a part of the record of that hearing. I have lived my entire life in the dry land farming area north of Great Falls. The most completely satisfying, enjoyable and relaxing experience I have had has been a pack trip to the Lincoln back-country. The natural scenic beauty along with the diverse wildlife including grizzley and black bear, mountain goats, deer, elk and moose is an incomparable thrill to behold. The fact that this fabulous area is so readily accessible from existing roads by horse-back or on foot to anyone interested in expending a relatively small amount of time and effort is indeed gratifying. I think we can all agree that any richly rewarding experience is deserving of the expenditure of some time and effort on the part of the recipient. The cost need be no more, if indeed as much, as for any comparable amount of time spent on another recreational activity. Further extension of roads into this fragile area would certainly destroy the present natural balance of scenic and wildlife beauty for all time to come. Adoption of this proposal would be of priceless benefit to present and future generations. Yours very truly, NORMAN W. JACKSON. LITTLE VALLEY RANCH, Senator LEE METCALF, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR METCALF: We wish to go on record as endorsing the LincolnScapegoat Area being declared a Wilderness Area. There are many other areas more suitable for development as public recreation areas, and we feel that the Lincoln-Scapegoat Area should be retained in its natural state. To develop this area would be to destroy it, and this indeed would be a great loss both to the State of Montana and to the Country. Sincerely yours, Re Lincoln Wilderness classification. LIT and BETTY DUPONT. MILLTOWN, MONT., June 4, 1968. I have watched areas similar to this one become grossly overtraveled, trampled; fishing become strictly a plant one day and catch the next program. This Lincoln-Scapegoat area could become too accessable for the streams to withstand the influx of tourism and increase in population that will inevitably befall Montana. On short term planning, I would say yes, go ahead and use this area for logging and mass recreation-I'd no doubt sell more gas. However, the use of foresight far better applies here. I therefore urge the establishment of the Lincoln-Scapegoat local as a wilder ness area. Sincerely, ROD STEBBINS. CHINOOK, MONT., June 4, 1968. SENATE INTERIOR SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LANDS, GENTLEMEN: As I am not able to attend the hearing on Senate Bill 1121 on the Wilderness classification of 245,500 acres of the Lincoln-Scapegoat area in Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests, I would like to indicate my full support for the passage of this bill by means of this letter. Sincerely, HAROLD SHANKLE. BOZEMAN, MONT., June 4, 1968. DEAR SIR: My comments have to do with the Senate Bill 1121 regarding the Lincoln-Scapegoat area. Since our wilderness areas are rapidly diminishing I feel that it is essential that we preserve and extend such areas as we can. I therefore urge that the area named be brought into the National Wilderness Preservation System. Thank you. LEONARD J. KOVAR. POLSON, MONT., June 2, 1968. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, Chairman, Senate Interior Subcommittee on Public Lands, Great Falls, Mont. DEAR SENATOR: As I will be unable to attend the public hearing to be held in Great Falls on June 11, I am writing this letter in support of the proposal to place the 245,500 acre Lincoln-Scapegoat Area in the National Wilderness Preservation System as provided for under the Wilderness Bill (P.L. 88-577). I retired recently following 33 years of service as Refuge Manager with the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. I have located here in Montana and built me a home where I could be close to and enjoy the splendid wilderness that still remains unspoiled in this great state. I am just selfish enough to want to see some of it preserved in order that I might enjoy it, as well as those in the generations to come. I am familiar with the Lincoln Back Country-Scapegoat Mountain area, having hunted and fished there in the past. I know this to be true wilderness in character and certainly should be preserved as such. Development of this area would, in addition to destroying its natural beauty, adversely affect the elk, grizzly bear and other wildlife and native fish. I am extremely firm in my belief that it is for the best economic interest of the State of Montana and for the future generations of the people of the United States. that this area remain undeveloped and included within the National Wilderness Preservation System. Certainly I trust, and do feel, that you and your Committee will do everything within your power to accomplish this. It is especially desired that this letter become a part of the hearing record. I thank you. Sincerely yours, BEN M. HAZELTINE. POLSON, MONT., September 15, 1968. CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC LANDS SUBCOMMITTEE, DEAR SIR: Since writing to you on June 2 regarding my sincere interest in the proposed Lincoln-Scapegoat Wilderness Area, I have given this important matter further thought and study. The following comments are to supplement and further emphasize remarks contained in my previous letter. Certainly I want to join and lend my support to the hundreds of wilderness conservation minded people in Montana and elsewhere throughout the United States who feel that the Lincoln-Scapegoat area should be retained in its glorious natural wild condition. The area is now being used by many people-almost to capacity-without abusing it. Roads throughout the area can only result in overuse and destruction of the natural values which people seek. Many excellent campgrounds and sites for their development exist nearby, outside the proposed wilderness area. Meanwhile, existing campgrounds are not being fully used. There are plenty of lands elsewhere in Montana to provide adequate recreation development without sacrificing the irreplaceable wilderness and wildlife values of the Lincoln-Scapegoat area. The U.S. Forest Service roading, logging and intensive recreation plans for the Lincoln-Scapegoat area are in direct conflict with wilderness preservation which is so urgently needed for present and future use by our people. The relatively few timber stands here are known to be of poor quality. Certainly investments in a permanent logging road system and an intensive forest managemet for this timber cannot be justified if the higher wilderess values of the land are considered. Everywhere, bulldozers are poised to strike. And what the other mechanized equipment does not destroy, the strip mine, superhighway and shopping centers will. So why can we not set aside and preserve these relatively small amounts of God given wilderness before it is too late. I had hoped to be able to attend the Senate Committee hearing scheduled on the Lincoln-Scapegoat wilderness proposal in Gt. Falls, Montana on September 25, and to speak before the Committee. However, it now appears unlikely that I will be able to do so. Therefore, I submit these meager written comments in support of the LincolnScapegoat wilderness area, as proposed by the Wilderness Society, Montana Wilderness Association and other wilderness conservation groups. I do hereby request that this letter and these remarks be made a part of the printed hearing record on the Lincoln-Scapegoat area. I feel confident that I, as well as my wilderness minded associates, can depend upon you to give this matter fair and just consideration, and to do your utmost to follow up on this wilderness movement. Sincerely yours, BEN M. HAZELTINE. HAMILTON, MONT., May 28, 1968. MONTANA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION, Bozeman, Mont. DEAR SIR: Our statement regarding the classification of the Lincoln Back Country as Wilderness-we are supporting it 100%. We are definitely not of the more affluent class of people but still do not find these areas prohibitively expensive to enjoy. Because of the more meager needs of a back packer they are more accessible to us than parks. Therefore we feel they are actually available to a larger cross segment of population. Once a 400 year old pine is destroyed it will be generations before our descendants will see one to take its place, if ever. Once a wilderness is gone it is gone forever. Anyone taking a trip through our national parks knows the time is short before we will need tremendously greater areas for the esthetic enjoyment of great masses of people. As population becomes continuously denser and living at an unceasingly faster pace the need for such areas will increase accordingly. We feel this area suitable for such an investment in our nations present and its future. RICHARD AND ROSEMARY MIKESELL. POLSON, MONT., June 4, 1968. Subject: Lincoln back country. MONTANA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION, I'm sorry that my letter is delayed, but wanted to add my firm support to efforts to preserve the Lincoln-Scapegoat country by Senate Bill 1121. I noted with chagrin the characteristic efforts of big lumbermen to prevent this preservation by talk of "locking up" resources. It is typical of the lumber baron as a type that one of them, in a recent Missoulian article, was most critical of this attempt to preserve this beautiful country, while only months ago the same paper carried an account of the same baron flying to northern Saskatchewan to enjoy the wilderness he downgrades here. Sort of a case of "if they have no bread let them eat cake." Good luck. BILL BISHOP. OUTLOOK, MONT., May 1968. I heartily agree with the Mountain Wilderness Association, in its stand concerning the proposed plans for developing the northern Lincoln Back Country for mass recreation and timber harvest. The area is not suited for mass recreation as outlined by the Montana Wilderness Association, in their recent letter of May 1968. Hon. QUENTIN BURDICK, MARGARET HASS. GLACIER REALTY & INSURANCE AGENCY, Chairman, Hearing on Senate Bill 1121, DEAR SENATOR BURDICK: Being unable to attend the hearing in person, I would like to make the following statement: It is imperative that the area comprising the 245,500 acres of the LincolnScapegoat area in Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests be classified as wilderness. This area is contiguous to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, and is most favorably suited for family hiking and camping. With our increase in population it is more important than ever that sites of this type be preserved. More benefit will be reaped from maintaining these areas for family camping, hiking and hunting than by destroying them by logging operations. Yours sincerely, M. S. MCLELLAND. Senator QUENTIN BURDICK, BOZEMAN, MONT., June 4, 1968. Chairman, Senate Interior Subcommittee on Public Lands, DEAR SIR: Please add our support to Senate Bill 1121 for the wilderness classification of 245,500 acres of the Lincoln-Scapegoat area. We believe the Lincoln-Scapegoat Wilderness should be left in its primitive state so that future generations will be able to enjoy an unspoiled bit of nature. There must be a quiet place left for the preservation of forest animals, for bird sanctuaries away from poisonous sprays, and unpolluted water for survival of a few species of mountain trout. These benefits cannot be restored to an area, once lost. Let us preserve a few of our accessible wilderness areas now-for tomorrow! Sincerely, MAE W. and GEORGE H. GABLE. MISSOULA, MONT., May 27, 1968. SENATE INTERIOR SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LANDS, (Attention SENATOR LEE METCALF). As surely as our boys in Viet Nam are fighting to protect their homeland, we here in Western Montana intend to fight to protect ours! I refer to approximately 240,500 acres of the most beautiful country in the world-the Lincoln Backcountry and Scapegoat Mountain Area. I long for the day when public lands will be cared for by governmental agencies with the knowledge that these lands belong to the public-not to the governmental agencies. When that time comes, letters such as this will become unnecessary. I only wish to point out that there is still a large segment of the American population willing to "get off their duff" and enjoy what is left of Outdoor America-they don't need a road to take them there, either! When you combine this with (1) dwindling grizzly bear habitat, (2) fine deer and elk range, (3) lakes that support rainbow, cutthroat, golden, and brook trout, and (4) consider that this area borders an existing wilderness area-it seems senseless to equate this with a few thousand board feet of lodgepole pine. I can only urge you to take all measures possible to get the Lincoln-Scapegoat area into a Wilderness classification before it is too late. Sincerely, Dr. GARY E. EUDAILY, Member, Montana Wilderness Association, Director, Western Montana Fish & Game Association. WOLF POINT, MONT., May 28, 1968. To: Chairman, Senate Interior Subcommittee on Public Lands. Subject: Hearing on S. 1121 (wilderness classification of the Lincoln-Scapegoat area). DEAR SIR: I respectfully request that this statement be included in the written record of the hearing. It has been the wish, for many years, of many people of Montana, that the so-called "Lincoln-Scapegoat" or "Lincoln backcounty" be given wilderness classification, thus protecting it from the misuse and eventual destruction that would result if it were "developed" for mass recreation, logging and mining. I have never been in the area under discussion but I was born and raised in the mountains of southwestern Montana and I have seen what happens when an area is opened to roads and logging. I have hiked the mountain trails for over 20 years and in that short span of my life have seen several areas I love, destroyed by the road of the mass recreationist, logger and miner. Whether we approve or not, our nation is becoming a nation of leisure, with people looking for something to do. More and more they are turning (returning?) to the outdoors, and it is up to people of vision, such as those who have fought for many years for the Lincoln backcountry, to provide these increasing throngs of recreation-seeking Americans with quality-type recreation. There will always be plenty of space for the recreationist who wants a drive-in camp site, |