Stanton, Paul, Hamilton, Mont

218

Stapf, Wayne C., Izaak Walton League, Plainfield, Ind..

324

Stark, John and Marie Laird, Seeley Lake, Mont

254

Stebbins, Rod, Milltown, Mont

230

Stefalo, Ed, Deer Lodge, Mont..

223

Steffech, Joyce and Jim, Helena, Mont

366

Stephens, Jim, Kalispell, Mont-

235

Stevens, Leyland E., M.D., San Francisco, Calif

324

Stevens, Mary Edna, Helena, Mont

267

Stewart, Robert L., Missoula, Mont

315

Stjern, Charles, Rhinelander, Wis----

361

Stockton, Robert W., and Dorothy M., Helena, Mont

Sykes, Robert C., Judge of the District Court, Kalispell, Mont

194

Tingle, Eugene, Marion, and David, Stevensville, Mont..

302

Waltner, Richard H., Billings, Mont.

278

Ward, Bernt F., secretary, Sheridan County Sportsman Club

197

Wayne, Elsie M., Hamilton, Mont-

332

Webb, Clyde S., Spokane, Wash---

202

Weber, Miss Frances, Butte, Mont

297

Weber, Richard A., D.D.S., Glasgow, Mont

222

Weed, Ernest M., Bigfork, Mont

366

Weeks, Jean, Helena, Mont---

266

Weeks, Martin, Vermillion, S. Dak

319

Wells, Darrell G., Brookings, S. Dak....

300

West, Grace I., Hamilton, Mont

217

West, John J., Hamilton, Mont

221

Weydemeyer, Winton, Fortine, Mont

270

Wheat, James K., president, Helena Jaycees.

329

White, Allen R., timber manager, Van-Evan Co., Missoula, Mont

Wise, Lloyd, secretary-treasurer, Missoula County Trades and Labor

Council

196

Wiseman, Col. Lee V., USAF, retired, Hamilton, Mont_

LINCOLN BACK COUNTRY WILDERNESS AREA, MONT.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1968

U.S. SENATE,

SUBCOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC LANDS

OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS,

Great Falls, Mont.

The subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 9 a.m., in the Cascade County Court House at Great Falls, Mont., Senator Quentin N. Burdick (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Present: Senator Burdick, of North Dakota, and Senator Metcalf, of Montana.

Also present: Congressman Battin, of Montana.

Staff member present: Porter Ward, professional staff member. Senator BURDICK. This is the time noted and set by the Senate Public Lands Subcommittee for a hearing in Great Falls, Mont., on S. 1121, a bill to authorize and direct the Secretary of Agriculture to classify as wilderness the national forest lands known as the Lincoln back country, and parts of the Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests, in Montana, and for other purposes. Approximately 240,500 acres of national forest land is involved. I direct that the text of the bill appear at this point in the record.

(The bill referred to follows:)

[S. 1121, 90th Cong., first sess.]

A BILL To authorize and direct the Secretary of Agriculture to classify as wilderness the national forest lands known as the Lincoln Back Country, and parts of the Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests, in Montana, and for other purposes

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secreetary of Agriculture is hereby authorized and directed to classify as wilderness those national forest lands containing approximately 240,500 acres in the Helena National Forest in Montana, known as the Lincoln Back Country, and parts of the Lewis and Clark and Lolo National Forests specifically described as bounded by a line on the southeast boundary of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area at Deadman Hill running southeasterly to Bench Mark, then along the ridge of Wood Creek Hogback to the top of Crown Mountain and across Welcome Pass to the midpoint of Steamboat Mountain; thence running in a more southerly direction down the ridge between Milk and Pear Creeks, across the Dearborn River and up the Continental Divide to a point above Bighorn Lake; thence along the Divide and down the ridge northwest of Falls Creek, across Landers Fork to the top of Lone Mountain; thence in a southwesterly direction to Heart Lake Trail, westward to the top of Red Mountain; thence southwesterly to Arrastra Peak; thence along Daly, Iron, and Echo Mountain Peaks, and across Windy Pass to Mineral Hill; thence across the North Fork of the Blackfoot River at the Big Slide to BM 8320, northwesterly across Canyon Creek (excluding the upper Conger Creek timber stand) to the top of Canyon Peak; thence more westerly to the top of Omar Mountain, and northward along the ridge to the southern boundary of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area on a ridge west of Danaher Pass, and thence along the southern boundary of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area to the point of beginning. The Secretary of Agriculture shall promptly after such classification transmit to the Congress a map and legal description of the wilderness area and such description shall have the same force and effect as if set forth in this Act. Upon its classification, such wilderness area shall be subject to the same provisions and rules as those designated as wilderness areas by the Wildernes Act of September 3, 1964 (78 Stat. 890).

Senator BURDICK. We do not plan on hearing any of the Government witnesses at this hearing, but only the people of Montana and others interested in this magnificent mountain area. The Government witnesses will be heard later, when hearings are conducted in Washington. To save time, I believe we should move directly to the witnesses, but first I believe we should have a word from your distinguished Senator, my colleague, Lee Metcalf.

STATEMENT OF HON. LEE METCALF, A U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF MONTANA

Senator METCALF. Mr. Chairman, first I am very pleased, and I know we are all honored that you are out here to conduct this hearing for us. As Senator from our neighboring State we feel that you partly belong to this area, and we are very grateful that you take the time out to come here. I know you have to fly back to participate in a very important hearing tomorrow in Washington.

Mr. Chairman, Senator Mansfield and I propose to reintroduce this bill as early as possible next year. Under the rules of the Senate, for the information of the people who are attending the hearing, we don't introduce legislation in the Senate the first day. We wait until after the state of the Union message of the President. So about the 20th of next January, Senator Mansfield and I will introduce this legislation. But the benefit of this hearing is that we will have printed statements from these people who are testifying today as a preliminary so that we can go into early action and activity on the legislation next year. As you said, next year we will hear both witnesses from the Forest Service and from the bureaus and the Government agencies involved, and principal witnesses representing large groups of people such as the Wilderness Society, Isaac Walton League, and so forth, in Washington on the pros and cons of the new legislation. The second purpose of this hearing today is to note modifications of the bill that are necessary, or the suggestions that come forth, to be incorporated into the new bill that is introduced. Of course, no one knows what will happen to the two Congressmen involved, but Congressman Battin has introduced this bill. I talked a few minutes ago to Congressman Olsen, Mr. Chairman, and he is back in Washington working on the copper tariff, so he can't be here today. But he asked me to say, for the record, that he is wholeheartedly in accord with this proposed legislation.

I don't want to take any more time of these witnesses. These are all very distinguished, very important constituents, and each of them has a message for both of us.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Senator BURDICK. We have a list of over 82 people scheduled to be heard today. Naturally, we can't hear everybody at length before 5 o'clock this afternoon. All statements, in all events, will be made a part of the record in toto. In Washington we are accustomed to have witnesses summarize statements. I can say that it is appreciated by all

committees. But no one will be denied the right to give their statement as long as we will be here, and as long as we can end by 5 o'clock. So I urge you to be as brief as you can. Summarize as much as you can, and all those who wish to file statements later on this morning may do so. Your statement will appear in the record as fully as given here today. Senator METCALF. May I also comment on that, Mr. Chairman. I hope that you will follow the testimony as it is developed, especially in the opening statements of some of the early witnesses, and if there is matter that is repetitious in your statement, file that part of the statement. It will be printed and appear in the record. Really, the two of us are only hearing examiners for 98 other Senators who will examine and read this record if we can get the bill reported from committee. So you will have just as much exposure for your statement if it appears in the record as if you have given it in person.

Senator BURDICK. I feel at home back in the courthouse again. I want to say to any of you who are standing back there I see two ladies-there are still some seats in the jury box.

The first witness will be James Patten for Governor Babcock.

STATEMENT OF GOV. TIM BABCOCK, PRESENTED BY
JAMES B. PATTEN

Mr. PATTEN. My name is James B. Patten. I am executive assistant to Gov. Tim Babcock, who, unfortunately, cannot be here today. I want to make this clear, this is his statement. I am not speaking, this is his statement. On his behalf, I would like to make the following

statement:

This hearing involves the determination of future use of a piece of Federal land. The Governor has consistently supported multiple use of public lands except in those circumstances where the land itself clearly indicates a single use. In the instance of the Lincoln back country, such single use is indicated.

If the proposal under consideration is controversial, it is because of the increasing demands upon public lands. Timber and the related wood industry is the fastest growing segment of Montana's economy. It is of significant importance to all Montanans, particularly those residing west of the Continental Divide. That industry is trying to meet an increasing demand for wood products from an ever-shrinking base of forest lands. Obviously, to ignore its views out of hand would well have lasting detrimental effects on this State.

Another important Montana industry is tourism. Despite tremendous investments by both public and private agencies, Montana is struggling to keep up with the demand for tourist accommodations, particularly for those tourists who want to get off the beaten trackthose who make use of campsites and backwood areas. In the effort to meet that demand, the Forest Service is a partner of State government, and it has been a good one.

Unlike most other States, Montana has a unique opportunity to preserve wild and unused areas. Wilderness protection is now, and will certainly be in the future, of tremendous public benefit when applied to land which will yield its greatest value in such fashion. The base for wilderness is also shrinking and once gone will be lost forever. Fortunately, Montana possesses large areas that can and