Clinton's Forest Plan Divides Idahoans
12/20/99
*******************************
RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: Clinton's Forest Plan Divides Idahoans
Source: EarthVision Reports
Status: Copyright 1999, contact source for permission to reprint
Date: December 20, 1999
BOISE, ID, December 20, 1999 - With eight to nine million acres of
pristine wild country in Idaho not designated as wilderness by
Congress, hordes of Idahoans are turning out around the state for
public hearings on what to do with the land.
According to an article in the Idaho Statesman, environmentalists are
lobbying for the area to be turned into "wilderness" in order to be
protected from mining, logging and motorized vehicle access. They are
very enthusiastic about President Clintons plan to complete a
protection program on up to 50 million acres of roadless land by the
end of 2000.
On the other side of the coin however, is another group of Idahoans
who feel as strongly opposed to Clintons plan as environmentalists
are in favor of it. Many residents argue that they live in Idaho
because of their love of the wilderness and their ability to enjoy it
as they please. This contingent of residents is made up largely of
motorized vehicle users, loggers, miners and ranchers who see
Clintons plan as an attack on their region and their very way of
life.
According to the article, the Forest Service is developing
alternatives ranging from halting all roads, logging and motorized
use, to keeping some area open for all users. The article reported
that the agency will have a more detailed plan available for comment
in the spring.
References
Visible links:
1. http://204.255.211.112/ColdFusion/news_top10.cfm?start=1
Hidden links:
2.http://204.255.211.112/ColdFusion/News_Page1.cfm?NewsID=9008&start=
1