Classification of the Idaho Primitive Area, Salmon River Breaks Primitive Area, and Salmon River

              The American River Touring Association
A non-profit educational association.
Telephone -Area 415/465-9355 1016 Jackson Street
1016 Jackson Street Oakland, Calif. 94607
November 29, 1973
Gov. Cecil D. Andrus
State House
Boise, ID
Dear Sir:
At the Western River Guides Association meeting in Boise last month,
we had the opportunity to view an Idaho Fish and Game slide presentation
explaining the need for expanding the Salmon River Primitive and
Wilderness Areas. We found the discussion to be extremely interesting,
informative, and based upon sound ecological considerations. We wish
to commend both the Forest Service and you and your office for the effort
put in initiating and developing the plan as well as the energy and support
dedicated towards carrying through its adoption. The Salmon River area
is certainly worthy of its wilderness stature and its fragile beauty must be
protected for the future. The integrity of the entire watershed must not
be violated, which necessitates inclusion of the head waters of Thomas, Loon
and other streams within the Primitive Area. Idaho must indeed be proud
to have and share with others a wilderness region of such high quality.
As the largest river outfitter in Idaho, we have a unique opportunity
(and we believe a great responsibility) to help the public appreciate and
understand wilderness on its own terms and as it relates to the individual.
This includes not only a feeling for the essence of wilderness bttf also
knowledge of specific issues that surround its existance and continued
survival. Thus, helping to educate the public to the value of the plan you
propose - and the necessity of protecting the watershed of the Middle Fork
and Main Salmon - is a role we can and will assume both through staff
orientation sessions and on-river Interpretative programs.
We would appreciate receiving any written Information you have available
on the subject. Please let us know if we can be of further asslstance in
PURPOSE: To teach the basic skills necessary to safely enjoy our wilderness waterways, our rivers, lakes and seacoasts;
to teach people to protect adjacent shores; to publish Information, describe routes, access areas, campsites, points of .
Interest and facilities along the way; to conduct trips which demonstrate the Pleasures of river touring and shore camping.
supporting both your office and the Forest Service in insuring that wilderness
quality of the Salmon River area remains protected.
cc: Vern Hamre
Steve Yurich
Richard L. Harris
Richard Benjamin
Samuel Warren
RLE/djp
ll/29/73
Sincerely,
Robert L. Elliot
Jessica Y. Smith
CLEARWATER INVESTMENTS, INC.
BOX 1621 OROFINO, IDAHO 83544
AC 208 476-3821
Governor Cecil Andrus
State Capitol Building
Boise, Idaho 83707
Dear Gover nor Andrus,
December 18, 1973
Darrel E. Olson, S.E.C.
Frances D. Olson
Specializing In Exchange
Real Estate
This letter is to commend you on your stand regarding the expanded
wilderness area. I can appreciate the fact that this is an unpopular
decision with many of your friends, and former timber business
acquaintances, not to mention the major lumber and mining interests.
Your decision reflects a far-sighted concern for the true values
and resources that we have in Idaho. The short term exploitation of the
areas involved as desired by the chambers of commerce and other private
interest groups for immediate benefits would be a grave error.
The wilderness areas in Idaho are what makes our State unique and
they are possibly our greatest long term asset. The chambers of
commerce in North Central Idaho never cease to amaze me. They seem to
want hifp yields without effort or investment. That seems to mean
opening up the wilderness for logging or damming up a river which
triggers higher prices for goods and services but a reluctance to
improve the shopping areas or housing situation. Short sighted people
with this business philosophy obviously oppose the wilderness concept.
It is a shame that these individuals cannot look a little further down
the line and realize that tourism will one day soon be the major
economic stimulus to the Northern one half of the State. The wilderness
areas are a non-depleting asset that our heirs can enjoy and from which
they can economically receive benefit for many generations.
Actually, this letter is an effort to try to brighten your day.
Surely the fact that a real estate broker, who is a conservative
republican bordering on being a libertarian, agrees with you on this
point cannot help but give you a little lift.
Our family backed you in the last election and while your
political philosophies and ours are often worlds apart we
anticipate voting for you again and want to wish you the best of
luck.
Respectfully,
Darrel E. Olsson
DEO/f

WILLAMETTE SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION  1100 TWENTY-FIRST STREET • MILWAUKIE. OREGON 97222 • 659-3880
17411 SW Canal Circle
Lake Oawego, Oregon 97034
December 5, 1973
Stave Yurioh, Regional Forester
Federal &.lilding
Missoula, Montana 59801
RE: Wilderness Act of 1964
Dear Mr. Yurioh:


I would like to voice my strong approval the permanent classification
of the Idaho Primitive Area as wilderness. I further favor inclusion
of the additional areas to protect the main Salmon river under the
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the acreage that would preserve the
Middle Fork ot the Salmon and its tributarias. The rivers in this
area provide important spawning beds tor the many salmon and steelhead
that migrate up the Columbia River.
The wildlife; elk, sheep, goats, moose, predators and all types of
birdlife must have an area in which to retreat from our "so called"
civilization. Man himself must preserve such areas where he can
retreat from what many consider "advancing" civilization.
I want my voice to be part of the record supporting declaring this
area as permanent primitive. Thia is most urgent.
cc: Governor Cecil Andrus, Boise
Senators: Robart Packwood
Mark Hatfield
Representatives:
Wendall Wyatt
Edith Green
Al Ullman
John Dellanbaoh
Sincerely,
Wm. O. Wright

4911 Parkwood Drive
Boise, Idaho 83704
26 November 1973
Hearing Officer
U.S.  Forest Service
Idaho and Salmon River Breaks
Primitive Area Hearings
Rideway Inn
Boise, Idaho 83704
Dear Sir:
I ask that my written testinwny be made a part of the hearing record.
I am a native son of Idaho, having been born just outside of Lapwai, Idaho
in an early American logging community known as Webb, Idaho.
I am in full support of Governor Andrus' position of (1) placing the meaning
of "wilderness" in perspective by recognlzing what "wilderness" really means
to Idaho and Idaho people and (2) defining "Wilderness" as Idaho the Way it
was, which means that the small "wilderness" portion of Idaho can remain the
way it was for future generations. In this view, I of course believe that
the management of the Idaho and Salmon River Breaks Primitive Areas in the
above land management perspective will not result in any appreciable loss of
employment, because the areas under consideration have been managed as "wilderness"
since the 1930's, and I consider the local economies to have been
economically stimulated because of these "wilderness" areas.
I have recently retired from Federal Government employ (Department of the
Navy, and prior to that the U, S. Forest Service) and my wife and I have
returned to my home state to enjoy the many benefits of living in one of the
few remaining areas of the United States which has such unspoiled "wilderness"
areas, and ·me hope to stand up and be counted as frequently as necessary
among those who want this "wilderness" situation to continue for our children
and for our children's children.
Respectfully submitted,
uku~ S2'u~-J~ &t~-v«YVJ-.)uh_
~n E. Studer and Eleanor J. Studer
Co~ to: Governor Cecil D. Andrus
Office of the Governor, State of Idaho
Boise, Idaho
U, S. Senator Frank Church
Rcom 338, 304 N. 8th Street
Boise, Idaho
U. S. Representative Steve Symms
Rou.te 6, Caldwell, Idaho 83605
TESTIMONY PRESENTED BY THE CITI.<::ENS ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL OF POCATELLO, IDAHO
AT THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE HEARINGS held in Pocatello Nov. JO and Dec. 1, 197J.
Spokes11111n: Mary Al.ice Shaw, Pocatello, Idaho
There are several reasons why the Pocatello Citizens Environmental
C'ouncil feels that the Forest Service Proposal for the Salmon River
Wildernes• end Id~ho Wilderness is an absolute minimum area to be put
into wildern .. ''" elaaRificstion. We favor additional inclusion of the
P-ntir• are11 Hhicil 1s nm• referred to as the Idaho Primitive Area and areas
incluced by th .. Riv•r of No Return Wildernes~ council.
Our desire to have this area declared a wilderness is motivated by
more than the land's beauty, the rarity of some organiBms, the natural
formations, the educations! value, or the need for the relief provided by
nature! open spaces. The•e i~diPte reeaona are important, but there are
0v~n more vital and far-reaching purpose• for the preservation of such
oatur:'l 1 areafl.
Failure of civUhattons which were successful for short. periods of
time i 'l pnet hhtory shoo u~ thlt t we cannot survive and prosper in a
tot.1l ly .. 1 t .. red and man-managed bioRphere. It R!'l'4l'!rs that perhaps the
only reason hu11111n society ho• peroisted is because of our failures in land
oun.egemf'>tt. It 1" the resilience of rwtura 1 systems, the dynamism of
plant nnd animal communities snd natural ecological succession which have
sometimes managed to overcome the ""t:st effect• of ~~an's abusive alteration
of the lanriAcape. Dr. Eugene Odum, an internationally famous biologist,
has quantified the values of natural areas. He has approached these studies
by utilt~ing the universal currency of energy transfer to compare three
b11s1c tdnrla of ~y~tems.
The first is sun-powered •y8tems •uch as open oceans, forests, and
grasslands.
The second i'' >·.ubsidized sun•powered •ystea1s euch as ''" lt marshes
and fertilized agriculture.
The thirJ is fuel-powered system>· cuch as cities.
Sub' id l.?.P.d sun·p=ered sys terns are estimated to have average energy
requirements about JO times greater than sun•p<Krered systems, and fuel·
powered ,ystems, becRuse th"Y are very inefficient, have energy requirement,;
100 time" greater than the sub•idized sy.tems, or 1000 time' greater than
the sun•powered systems, In the fue !•powered, man-managed systems, 'We have
attempted to extract the maximum poHsib 'e product for humRn use and have
not allocatvd the requisite energiee for closi11g the circle of >'t<lf•
•uctensnce. For example, the effluents of the ~rtificial systems, the
man-managed ones, are dumped oif on natural 'ystems for recycling, Organic
sewage and vast asia•aw" of nove, woleculeb are <lumped into both air and
water. Natural proce,;se& of bio-degradation are expected to reduce this
load. It is estimated that if only tr .. es were to absorb the carbon dioxide
produced by one medium-large city, three miLlion acre~ would be required.
Thus, each area we preserve in its natural dynamic state has, if for no
other reason for being, tbe function of 11bsorbing and buffering and abating
our pollution, mediating hydrological cycles, accommodating and dissipating
flood waters, maintaining soil fertility, perpetuating biogeochemical
cycles, and maybe moderating our clilll6te. OdUIII 1s estimate is that "ell
over half of the 1<orld is going to have to be kept in functional, natural
ecosystems if we are to avert a general biologics 1 collapse which would
include man.
In addition to the reason• stated above, ""' also feel thst the
following are reasons, each one sufficient i.u itse Jf, to c lasDify the
entire area BE \o.'i ldernt·- ·~
l. Thir; il'· tile last, large, relatively undisturbed area in which
man can study and Learn from in the entire United States.
2. ~here are unique plant communities which should be saved and
can be saved only if such classification is designated.
3. Tilere are unique an11Z181 communities which require an area of
at least this magnitude if they are to survive.
4. It represents the largest primitive area in the continental
Unito<d Sta tea.
5. It repre•ents a fraction of what Idaho represented when white
man arrived here. It represents what most people live in Idaho
for rather than living in more populated areas.
6. It is probably the largest, high-quality river system left in
the United States which has not been tampered with.
7. It contains the most significant bighorn sheep herd in Idaho.
8. It contoinA a large elk herd, maybe the largest in Idaho, now
that tb~ formerly iargest elk herd was lost to the Dvor~hak Dam.
9. Becauce of its uniqueness, it is an area where cQuntless
Iduhoan• anc.l Aruericans gu to recreate, bunt, fish, f.loat, bike,
snd recover from the problems of civilization.
lO. It contains a large, important fishery in which salmon, steelhead,
nnd cutthroat trout abound.
11. The are" is oue of fragile soils and water sy•tems which, if
df'~troyed by developm6!nt, will not only be lost to this area,
but •·•ill in their mov,.ment degrade other areas downstream,
causing co,·ts to us through taxes which muAt be asResaed to
r"...,,dy the damage.
12. The area would appear to have -e positive value being left a~
it is than it would if it were mined, logged, or dammed.
Idaho State University
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY
POCATELLO, IDAHO
83201
November 29, 1973
The Honorable Cecil D. Andnus
Governor of the State of Idaho
State House
BBise, Idaho 83702
Dear Governor Andrus:
( ' I,~ : I'
Both as a biologist and as a private citizen, I am very
pleased with your stand in backing the Forest Service proposal on
the Idaho and Salmon River Breaks Wilderness, and with your stand
against such as held by Boise Cascade. I am pleased that a person
in your position has taken the time and interest needed to educate
himself on the needs for such a primitive area within our state.
I am sure that history will show that those of us who have
taken this stand have supported the correct view both from an
aesthetic standpoint and from an economic standpoint.
These feelings are shared by many concerned people in
Pocatello. Enclosed is a copy of a statement which I wrote for
the Citizens Environmental Council to be presented at the hearings
this weekend in Pocatello.
Sincerely,
Karl E. Holte, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Botany
Dear Sir,
I am a 13 vear oih:d boy attending South Junior High.
In our science class, we have seen films, had discussions,
and read articles about preserving or destroying our
environment.
Currently in our state there is a primitive area
proposed to be mined and cut for lumber. If we allow
this to happea, a wonderful area,will be destoryed.
Of course there are some good points like it will give
us a lot more raw materials but these good reasons are
tremendously out wayed by the bad reasons. For instance
if it is mined it will not only scar the land but as soon as
they use up these areas they will wamt to use more of
the primitive are until there is nothiR left form others,
Another bad reason is if this area is open to motor cycles
and other vehicles it will scare away the animals from their natural
habitat:.If the cutting of timber is allowed, who will
~o backpacking into the wilderness just to re-adjust the
land? Nobody would do that so the land would lay exposed
to the elements •
.Uso the problem of Nitrogen SLiper-Saturation is
killing amny fish in our rivers. People say that more
dams will help hold m~ back the water btu I feel if
over k 100 dams can't do the job then a few more can't
possibly do any good.
ml!!
I hope that you will help in any way you can to help
preserve our wonderful wilderness. If we allow the miners
and lumber companies to degrade this natural wonder
then there will be nothing left for others. x So, plese,
lets preserve this Wilderness. Thank-You.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey R, Jones
Idaho Environmental Council
CLASSIFICATION OF THE
IDAHO PRIMITIVE AREA,
P. 0. Box 3371 • University Station
Moscow, Idaho 83843
SALMON RIVER BREAKS PRIMITIVE AREA,
AND SAT~ON RIVER
Presented at the Public Hearing conducted
by the Forest Service in Pocatello, Idaho
on November 30, 1973
by Carl J, Hocevar
The Idaho Environmental Council wishes to thank the Forest Service
for the opportunity to comment on the proposals for reclassification
of the Idaho and Salmon River Breaks Primitive Areas under the Wilderness
Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-577) and for classification of a 237 mile stretch
of the Salmon River under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (P.L.
90-542). The council's statement will be divided into t~ro major
sections; first comments on the Forest Service proposals, and second
a citize~ proposal for a 2.3 million acre River of No Return Wilderness.
The IEC commends the Forest Service for the diligent job it has
done in collecting resource data for both of the primitive areas and
for the Salmon River. This data plays a vital role in determining a
management plan for the areas in question.
Comments on Forest Service Wilderness Proposal
The Forest Service's proposal to classify as wilderness a majority
of the study area gives the impression that the agency is proposing
~rilderness classification for a large portion of the tlilderness quality
lands in central Idaho, This is a misleading impression because the
Forest Service limited its trilderness study to 1.7 million acres of
the approximately 3 million acres of undeveloped trilderness quality
lands in and adjacent to the existing primitive areas,
The Forest Service studied alternatives which ranged from trilderness
classification for nearly all of the study area to complete declassification
of the existing primitive areas. Hotrever, other alternatives
classifying the existing primitive areas and varying amounts of contiguous
areas as trilderness should also have been proposed, Such a study
would have given the public a much better idea of all the possible
management alternatives for the undeveloped regions in central Idaho.
The Forest Service is to be commended for studying contiguous areas
totaling 248,000 acres. However, many other areas with comparable
wilderness values were ignored, All roadless contiguous areas having
significant uilderness characteristics should have been included in
the ~rilderness classification study and considered simultaneously with
the primitive areas as one integral unit,
The study of contiguous areas is required under the provisions of
the Wilderness Act •. This Act clearly indicates that Congress intended
to have a meaningful opportunity to consider contiguous areas having
significant uilderness qualities to determine whether they should
be classi fled as trilderness,
In ignoring the contiguous areas the Forest Service has also
disregarded the regulations in the Forest Service Manual, According
to Section 2321(1) (Amendment No. 35, May, 1969) ''Each Primitive Area
(so classified as of September 3, 1964) and contiguous lands which
Seem to have significant Wilderness resources will be studied to
determine whether to recommend that all or part should be included
in the National Wilderness Preservation System."
The Forest Service had originally included the Big Mallard Creek
and Upper Bargamin Creek regions in the wilderness study, Then in a
letter dated February 27, 1973, from Orville Daniels, Supervisor of
the Bitterroot National Forest, the Service said ''Big Mallard and Upper
Bargamin Creek Units cannot be included in this proposal because a
mineral survey has not been made." The letter also stated "When the
U.S. Geological Survey and the u.s. Bureau of Mines report for the Big
Mallard Creek and Upper Bargamin Creek is available, the alternatives
for these areas ~1ill be reevaluated," The IEC contends that the Forest
Service is incorrect in maintaining that a min<,ral survey must be performed
by the u.s. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines before
an area can be proposed to the President and Congress for ~~i~~~.~~j
the National Wilderness Preservation System, Section 4, ( cf) ('Z) 1\'(f"a'f"es'
that "such areas shall be surveyed on a planned recurring basis" and
further that "the results of such surveys shall be made available to
the public and submitted to the President and Congress." While mineral
surveys are definitely required by the Act they are not mandatory prior
to the designation of area as wilderness,
Even though the Forest Service was in error in deleting these areas
from the study it indicated that the areas would be studied at a later
date, Ho~1ever, in the wilderness proposal the Forest Serv1 ce reversed
itself and decided to eliminate these areas from all possible further
evaluation, On page 30 the agency states "No further study is necessary
for the portions of the roadless and undeveloped areas studied but not
recommended for inclusion in the proposed Wilderness, A discussion of
these areas is found on page 32,'' Both the Big Mallard Creek and Upper
Bargamin Creek Units are discussed on page 32 and the reason given for
not recommending these areas for· wilderness ~ms the timber resources
in the regions. The uncertainty by the Forest Service in regards to
these two areas indicates that a thorough and thoughtful evaluation
was not performed,
The Dixie Tail region was not recommended for wilderness classification
because of its size and shape and the fact that it is detached
from the remainder of the Salmon River Breaks Primitive Area bv a road,
An alternattve to deleting this area would have been to study the entire
unroaded area from the Dixie Tail north~1ard to the Elk City Road,
The proposed deletions of more than 60,000 acres in the Big Creek
and Thunder ~lountain areas due to mining activities are unwarranted.
While the mining activities and the roads are undesirable they are
legal under Section 4,(d)(2) of the Wilderness Act, The existence of
the mining roads should not be used as an excuse to declassify large
segments of the present Idaho Primitive Area. Instead, the Forest
Service should close the roads to the general public and carefully
regulate the prospecting and mining act1 vi ty,
The Wilderness Act also states that prospecting should be "carried
on in a manner compatible with the preservation of the wilderness
environment." The Forest Service should guarantee that this provision
is enforced.
( 2)
The IEC feels that the 16,000 acre deletion along the main Salmon
River for a river corridor ls not necessary nor desirable. The Salmon
River is an integral part of the total ecological unit and should be
included ln the wilderness area. While the Forest Service states that
the permanent jet boat camps would not be allowable in a wilderness
area the Council believes that the Wilderness Act ls not clear on this
point. Section 4.(d)(1) specifically states that existing jet boat
operations could continue but did not explicitly say anything about
the existing camps. The IEC recommends that the Forest Service propose
wilderness classification for the Salmon River with the stipulation that
the jet boat camps would be allowed to remain and then allow Congress
to determine the intent of the Act regarding this issue. If Congress
decides that the jet boat camps would not be allowable under a wilderness
classification then the Forest Service river corridor plan could be
adopted.
The management of the ~rilderness area should essentially maintain
the status quo providing no abuses exist. The jet boat operations
should be allo~red to continue at existing usage levels until such a time
that public opinion dictates otherwise. Similarly, existing outfitter
camps in the wilderness and along the Salmon River should be allowed
to remain provided the camps are unobtrusive and the operation is
environmentally sound. If future public opinion indicates that these
uses are no longer desirable then appropriate action can be taken.
The Forest Service has indicated that current fire suppression
practices ~rill continue. The IEC recommends that only man caused fires
be extinguished. Natural fires should be allowed to continue as long
as private property or human life is not endangered.
Comments on Forest Service Salmon River Proposal
The IEC supports the recommendation of the Forest Service to classify
the 237 mile stretch of the main Salmon River from North Fork to the
confluence ~11th the Snake Rl ver in the Wild and Scenic River System.
The proposed classification ls1
North Fork to Corn Creek Recreational
Corn Creek to Long Tom Wild
Long Tom to Hammer Creek Recreational
Hammer Creek to Snake River Scenic
The proposed classification and management plan appears to be fairly
well conceived. The Fore&Service has over-emphasized development, both
public and private, along the recreational stretches but in general the
plan is a good one. The mineral entry lrl thdralral is a necessity if the
river bed and banks are to be adequately protected.
( 3)
Governor Andrus• Hilderness Proposal
Governor Andrus has proposed a 1,8 million acre llilderness. This
propoFoal is basically a good one and the Governor is to be applaude1
for the concern he has sholln for the ~rater quality of the Salmon River
drainage and for the llildlife and fishery habitat. He has also sholln
an a~rareness for the need to preserve this magnificent llilderness region
for present and future recreation uses,
Idaho Environmental Council Hilderness Recommendation
While the Council concurs with Governor Andrus that additional
contiguous lands must be classified as wilderness we feel that a larger
area than that proposed by the Governor is required to provide the
protection needed for the excellent watershed in the Salmon River
drainage.
Several areas adjacent to the Idaho Primitive Area and the Salmon
River Breaks Primitive Area have been recommended previously for inclusion
in the National Wilderness Preservation System by the IEC. In 1969 the
Clear Creek-Garden Creel{, Camas Creek, and Jacobs Ladder areas were
recommended for ~rilderness classification. The IEC suggested that the
Loon Creek area be studied for possible classification as llilderness.
In 1971 the Council further recommended that the Horse Creek and Soldier
Lakes areas also be included in the wilderness proposal, Since the IEC's
recommendations were made the Forest Service has conducted its roadless
area inventory, This study has sholln that there are several other
unroaded areas uith significant ~rilderness characteristics adjacent to
the primitive areas. At this time the IEC recommends that a number of
these areas also be included in the wilderness proposal, These areas
are included in the wilderness proposal described beloll,
The IEC supports the 2.3 million acre River of No Return Wilderness
which has been proposed earlier this year by the Council and by a number
of other citizen conservation groups. This proposal recommend'' that
the entire Forest Service study area be classified as trilderness. This
region includes the Big Mallard and Upper Bargamin Creek areas uhich
llere originally included in the study, Also, thirteen separate conti~uous
areas with slgni ficant llilderness qualities are recommended for classification
as Hilderness. The uilderness proposal is briefly described
in Attachment 1. A detailed i inch to the mile map shelling the proposed
boundaries of the River of No Return Wilderness is included as Attachment
2,
( 4)
Attachment 1
RIVER OF NO RETURN WILDERNESS
Idaho Primitive Area Boise, Challis, Payette, &
Salmon National Forests
1,2)2,744.acres
The Idaho Primitive Area is the largest existing classified
primitive area in this country, The area is a valuable watershed
and a prime recr~tion area, Recreational use in the form of hiking,
float trips, fishing, and hunting is increasing. This area is
unquestionably one of the finest wilderness areas in this country
and should be classified as such in its entirety,
Salmon River Breaks
Primitive Area
Bitterroot and Nezperce
National Forests
216,870 acres
The entire Salmon River Breaks Primitive Area is recommended
for classification as a wilderness area, The area was originally
a part of the Selway-Bi tterroot P1·~mi ti ve Area and should have been
classified as a wilderness area in 196) along with the present SelwayBitterroot
Wilderness Area,
Forest Service
Contiguous Areas
Challis, Salmon, Payette, &
Nezperce National Forests
248,000 acres
The contiguous areas nhich ~rere studied by the Forest Service
include parts of the Rapid River, Little Loon, Loon, Camas, Clear,
Horse, Big Mallard, Bargamin, and South Fork of the Salmon River
drainages. These areas are all vital to the preservation of the high
water quality in the Salmon River drainage, The contiguous area
boundaries uere sho~m in the booklet "Possible Management Alternatives
for the Idaho and Salmon River Breaks Primitive Areas" which ~ras
publl shed by the Forest Service in January, 197 ).
CONTIGUOUS AREAS
1. Clear Creek Salmon National Forest 80,000 acres
This spectacular area is bounded by the Salmon River on the
north and Panther Creek on the east, and includes most of the drainage
of Blg Deer Creek on the south. It includes all of the inventoried
Clear Creek roadless area as well as a major portion of the Big Deer
Creek roadless area, The former has been recommended by the Forest
Service as a separate wilderness study area,
The area is just east of the rugged Bighorn Crags, which drop
off sharply on the west from over 9000 feet to 3500 feet on the
Middle Fork Salmon River. Big Deer, Garden, and Clear Creeks drain
the more gentle eastern slopes into Panther Creek, The lower
elevations are open with scattered sagebrush, while the slopes further
up are forested with Douglasfir, lodgepole pine, and beautiful,
large ponderosa pine, Goats, sheep, elk, deer, cougar, and bear
are found here, This is an important elk calving area, as well as
being critical winter range for both elk and bighorn sheep,
The Bighorn Crags area is heavily used for recreation, although
recreation use is much lighter in the Clear Creek area, it is
increasing, To date, this area has probable been the most controversial
of the contiguous areas proposed for wilderness, with
conservationists stopping logging plans in Clear Creek three years
ago,
( 1,1)
Attachment 1
2. Yellowjacket Salmon National Forest JO,OOO acres
Bounded on the east and north by the Bighorn Crags road and
the Middle Fork Peak road on the south, this area is the same as
the inventoried Yellowjacket roadless area. Although the Forest
Service has recommended limited development to protect key resource
values of hunting, water production, and primitive recreation, they
have not recommended wilderness study.
Elevations vary from about 5500 feet on Yellowjacket Creek
to over 9000 feet on Middle Fork Peak, with the land sloping to
the south and east. Tree species include Douglasfir, lodgepole
pine, Englemann spruce, and subalpine fir. The ground cover of
grass and shrubs.is sparce and the soils are generally fragile.
Gentle basins are found at the intermediate elevations, with more
rugged and scenic land higher up. Several lakes are in the area
northeast of Middle Fork Peak,
J, Camas Creek Salmon & Challis National Forests 90,000 acres
This proposed contiguous area includes a small part of the
Duck Peak roadless area inventoried on the Salmon National Forest
and a large part of the Camas Creek area inventoried on the Challis
National Forest. It encompasses much of the large drainage area
of Camas Creek. On the north, it is bounded by the road to Middle
Fork Peak and the ridge north of Little Jacket Creek; on the east
by Duck Peak, Duck Point, the ridge between Hammer and Duck Creeks,
then up Duck Creek t1est of the road, up White Goat Creek, and on
around the east and south following the ridge defining the remainder
of the Camas Creek drainage, The road from Challis to Sleeping
Deer Mountain at the primitive area boundary is on this ridge,
Camas Creek is an important anadromous spawning stream and a
major water producing area. Wildlife species include deer, elk,
bear, goat, 'sheep, cougar, bobcat, coyote, and many other smaller
mammals, and numerous birds. Scenic values are high, with hunting
and fishing being major recreational uses, There are several lakes
below the major ridges. There are considerable mineral deposits
in the Meyer's Cove vicinity at the eastern edge of this area, and
there has been some mining activity there. Soil is generally
unstable on the steeper slopes.
4. Warm Springs Challis National Forest 117,000 acres
This large, spectacular mountainous area includes most of the
Warm Springs roadless area identified by the Forest Service. Major
drainages are all of Warm Springs Creek and most of LooPo&deek.
It is bounded on the east by the Sleeping Deer Mountaiw, on the south
by the drainage divide between Warm Springs Creek and Yankee Fork,
and on the west by the road down West Fork Mayfield Creek.
The terrain is steep and rough and the soils are fragile. Warm
Springs and Loon Creeks are important as spawning areas for salmon
and steelhead. These creeks, tributaries of the Middle Fork Salmon,
are heavy water producers. Wildlife is numerous, with several species
of large mammals. Deer and elk hunting is good,
( 1. 2)
Attachment 1
5. Vanity Lakes Challis National Forest 2),000 acres
This area is bounded by the Vanity summit road on the west and
the Beaver Creek road on the east. The terrain is rugged and steep,
with elevations varying from 6000 to 9000 feet, There are many
small lakes. This is the same as the Vanity Lakes roadless area
as inventoried by the Challis National Forest. Although it appears
as a rather narrow finger pointing to the south, the Vanity Lakes
area is separated from a large undeveloped area around the headwaters
of Loon Creek only by the Beaver Creek road.
The area is wildlife habitat for many species of animals,
includin~ the large mammals, and the creeks provide spawning beds
for salmon and steelhead.
6, Soldier Lakes Boise & Challis National Forests 72,000 acres
This highly scenic and rugged area includes most of the Soldier
Lakes roadless area inventoried by the Challis National Forest as
well as most of the Blue Bunch Mountain roadless area inventoried
by the Boise National Forest. The former lies on the east side of
the Salmon Middle Fork, north of Lola Creek and west of the Vanity
Summit road; the latter west of the Middle Fork and bounded on the
west by the Dagger Falls road, Part of the Soldier Lakes area on the
Challis National Forest has been recommended by the Forest Service
as a wilderness study area, and part of the area on the Boise National
Forest was recommended by the Boise Forest Supervisor but not by the
Chief of the Forest Service,
The Soldier Lakes area is some of the most attractive country
in the entire Idaho Primitive Area complex, with numerous alpine
lakes popular with fishermen. Salmon spawn in the Middle Fork and
Bear Valley Creek. The area is also excellent habitat for several
large mammal species.
There are thick stands of Lodgepole pine and Dou~lasfir at
lower elevations. The soils are loose granites, highly erodible,
The easte~ edge of the area is highly mineralized and mining
activity has occurred adjacent in Seafoam Creek, Greyhound Ridge,
and Float Creek,
7. Sulphur Creek Boise National Forest 88,000 acres
This area is the same as the National Forest Sulphur Creek
inventoried roadless 3rea. It is contiguous to the Soldier Lakes
area and the Dagger Falls road on the east, the Bear Valley Mountain
road and the Stanley-Landmark road on the south, and lies about
four miles east of Deadwood Summit. It includes portions of three
major drainages - Elkhorn, sulphur, and Elk Creeks, all draining
eventually into the Middle For~ of the Salmon River.
Sulphur Creek valley is unusual in the region, for the Creek
meanders through a broad valley for eight miles, winding through
deciduous thickets and beaver dams. Sulphur Creek watershed was
badly overgrazed in the late 19501 s, and the vegetative cover in
places is still sparse,
Some logging has been planned on Elk Creek for the near future,
On the northern edge of this area a mining road follows Pistol Ridge
on the Idaho Primitive Area boundary for several miles.
(l.J)
Attachment 1
8, Chilcoot Boise National Forest 12,000 acres
The area is bounded on the north by the Thunder Mountain road,
on the west by the Buck Creek road, and on the south by the East
Fork Burntlo~ Creek, It was not inventoried by the Forest Service,
Deep glacial trou~hs with many marshes and meadows behind
moraines provide unusual ecological associations, A jeep road cuts
across the area on its way up to a tungsten mine near Trapper
Mountain on the Idaho Primitive Area boundary,
9. Pinnacle Payette National Forest 42,000 acres
This is the same as inventoried by the Payette National Forest
and referred to as the Pinnacle roadless area, It has been recommended
by the Forest Service as a wilderness study area, It is bounded on
the south by the road from Yellowpine to Sti bni te and on the ~Jest and
north by the road from Yellowpine to Big Creek Ranger Station.
The terrain is rugged and steep and the scenery attractive.
The area provides summer range for several species of large mammals,
including cougar, bear, elk, goats, deer, and sheep, There are
numerous lakes, and on some of the streams are beaver dams.
10, Salmon South Fork Payette National Forest 13,000 acres
This area is essentially the breaks on the uest side of the
South Fork Salmon River from Porphyry Creek to the main Salmon River.
It includes the eastern part of the Forest Service inventoried
roadless area known as the Salmon River-to-Smith Creek Unit, Inclusion
of this steep area will give added protection to the beautiful South
Fork Salmon River.
11. Dixie Tail Nezperce National Forest _36,000 acres
This area is bounded on the east by the Mallard Creek road, and
on the north and west by the road from Red River to Dixie. It includes
most of the Nezperce Forest inventoried roadless area referred to
as "Dixie Tail''. The latter road generally follows the Red River
drainage and the Salmon River drainage. The present boundary of the
Salmon River Breaks Primitive Area cuts across the Salmon side
drainages and is quite close to the Salmon.
This is steep, beautiful country ~1hich is essential habitat for
Bighorn sheep, a!'O well as heine: 1mportant winter range for elk and dePr.
12, Reynolds Creek Salmon National Forest 17,000 acres
This area is the same as the inventoried area called Reynolds
Creek. It is bounded by the Oreana Ridge road o~ the south,
Cathedral Rock on the east, Reynolds Lake on the north, and Squaw
Peak on the ttest.
The area is heavily forested with Lodgepole pine, alpine fir,
Englemann spruce, and limber pine. Soils are granitic and highly
unstable. There are five lakes into which many people hike to fish.
13. Wheat Creek Salmon National Forest J,OOO acres
This small drainage of Wheat Creek is the northern part of
the Forest Service Long Tom Mountain roadless area. It is
presently undisturbed.
( 1. 4)
At;-.:;acnment: ~
i'--'· ""'
R
OF
I
Wilderness Bo un d ary
River o r 11 o Return Fild
(
· erness
2.1)
»IDA-ORE &~ t:J~
A. J. Eiguren
P. 0. BOX 311 WEISER, IDAHO 83672
Phone AC 208 549·2411
Barton F. Bailey
Encufi'te Oirecfot
December 27, 1973
Assistant Administrator, DECS, and
Director of Environmental Services
Department of Environmental and
Community Services
Statehouse
Boise, Idaho 83720
ATTENTION: Al Murray, P.E.
Environmental Services Section
Dear Mr. Eiguren:
~ ASSN., INC.
An Ida-Ore Economic Development Association staff member met with
Mr. Al Murray of your staff and Mr. McKee from EPA on Friday, December 21,
1973. The purpose of that meeting was to better familiarize the association
with Section 208 of the "Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972" and the position of the State of Idaho with respect
to Section 208 of that Act.
As a result of the Friday meeting, it is our association's understanding
that the only "208 Planning Area" designations at this time will
be the Boise River and Indian Creek which traverse Ada and Canyon Counties.
We would support this designation if requested by Ada and Canyon Counties,
Although the municipalities and counties within the region recognize
that some water quality problems do exist, (e.g. Payette Lakes)
Section 208 does not provide for an acceptable solution to the "rural"
water quality problems at this time. Therefore, the association does not
request any designations at this time; however, if the State of Idaho
determines that planning areas other than Ada and Canyon counties are
A. J. Eiguren
Page 2
December 27, 1973
to be designated within State Planning Region III, Ida-Ore requests ample
opportunity to comment and/or apply for the planning agency designation.
cc's Governor Cecil Andrus /
Bob Wise
Regional Forester
u. s. Forest Service
Department of Agriculture
Ogden, Utah 84400
Dear Sir:
December 28, 1973
After having reviewed the Forest Service proposal for Wilderness
classification of the Idaho Primitive Area, the Salmon River Breaks
Primitive Area and the Wild and Scenic Rivers classification for
the Salmon River; and, after having attended two of the formal hearings
that were held with regard to these proposals, I am firmly
convinced that the Forest Service proposal is totally unjustified.
If the Forest Service is going to honor its commitment to be responsive
to the expressed public needs with regard to their management
proposals, it has to be recognized that there is a very definite
split in the public's view as to whether or not these areas should
be formally classified. This balance of opinion has been apparent
since the reclassification process was started.
In 1960 I worked as Ranger Alternate for the Forest Service on the
district which covers most of the area known as the Idaho Primitive
Area. Even at that early date, it was obvious that much of the area
had a higher potential for resource values than Primitive or Wilderness
classification allowed. The potential for the development of
the mineral, timber and recreational resources far surpassed any need
for a primitive environment. Since that time I have spent several
years working throughout the Northwest as a professional forester
and I feel very strongly that my original observations were correct.
The opportunities for resource development have been documented by
the Forest Service in their resource analysis. Significant improvements
can be made in wildlife, grazing, timber, minerals and recreation
use through development management techniques. It was also noted
that an analysis of the public inputs to the study were predominantly
againstwilderness classification.
The concern over the future timber supply of the nation has been well
documented. The Forest Service has recognized the need for an expanded
timber supply for some time. Chief McQuire has stated, "We
foresee major increases in potential demands for timber that will
out-pace available supplies, particularly for soft wood timber". Reports
by the President's Advisory Panel on Timber and the Environment,
the comptroller General, and actions by the Cost of Living Council and
the National Homebuilder's Association have pointed out an ever increasing
need for wood products. When all of these things are considered,
it would seem to be impossible for the Forest Service to justify total
classification for the area.
12/28/73 ltr to
USFS-O<Jden
-2-
To my knowledge, the only persons outside the Forest Service who have
made a serious study of the development potential of these areas are ·
Joel Frykman and the Boise Cascade Corporation. I would endorse
either of their proposals as being far superior to the one proposed
by the Forest Service.
The testimony of Governor Cecil Andrus starts off by stating, "Whenever
an issue is controversial the facts tend to be disguised by emotion,
misrepresentation, prejudice and exaggeration". The lack of fact and
foresight in the rest of his testimony and most of the similar statements
that were presented are excellent examples of his observation.
If the Forest Service considers all of the facts as they have been
accumulated and presented, they can chart no other course than to
develop some alternative proposal which may not be entirely satisfactory
to anyone.
I am particularly concerned that the Horse Creek area in the Salmon
River Breaks Primitive Area and the Chamberlain Basin area in the Idaho
Primitive Area not be classified or restricted from development.
Access is available to both these areas from the existing roads that
extend down the Salmon River, North Fork, Idaho. I have personally
examined access routes into both of these areas and feel that there
are viable development opportunities for each. It is feasible to
build a road from the vicinity of Corn Creek into the Chamberlain Basin
to tap the vast timber potential that exists there. I'm.anxious to
see ~uch an alternative left in any management plan.
I am personally opposed to the formal classification of either the
Salmon River or the adjacent primitive areas. I further feel that a
compromise alternative is the only defensible alternative that is open
to the Forest Service.
Sincerely,
lew-~ 63. ~~"'"}'
LARRif B. BLASING
LBB:ja
r
The Idaho Statesman
% Letters to the Editor
P. 0. Box 40
Boise, Idaho 83704
Attention: Mr. Ken Robison
Dear Sir:
December 14, 1973
The environmentalists told us we didn't need to use DDT to control
~he Tussock Moth. We've now lost millions of board feet of good
timber to these bugs and the end is not in sight.
They told us we shouldn't build any more dams and now we are so
short of power they say don't turn the Christmas tree lights on.
They said don't build a pipeline across Alaska because you'll
disturb the caribou and now we face gasoline rationing.
They said coal mining was a "no-no" and off-shore drilling for
oil was out and now we don't know if we'll have enough fuel to
heat our homes this Winter.
They said the smog in Los Angeles was bad and now our new cars
average about te.n miles per gallon.
There are many good reasons for developing the resources within
the Primitive Areas of Idaho. One of the best reasons, in my
opinion, is that these self-styled experts say we don't need the
timber or minerals.
They've been wrong every time. So far the odds are awfully good
that they are wrong this time, too.
Let's manage the forests for the things we all want and need.
There will always be plenty of open spaces for those who want
to get away from it all!
Sincerely,
Boise C~cade Mill em~lo~ees - Emmett
Rural Route #3, Box 129
Emmett, Idaho 83617
cc: ~overnor Cecil D. Andrus -------------\
Rep. Steven D_,_.Symms ______ _______.------- --------- -
asee other signatures attached) ),
Sen. Frank urch -_ ---
Rep. Orval Hansen
Sen. James A. McClure