On behalf of the board, staff and many volunteers and supporters of Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, I would like to applaud Sen. Jim Risch’s vision and leadership in introducing the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Act of 2016. When eventually passed, this legislation will both protect and preserve roughly 14,000 acres of an area cherished by many for its rugged beauty, abundant wildlife and opportunities for primitive recreation.

Sen. Risch’s action is built upon strong and diverse support from many quarters in our community. Local businesses and civic organizations support wilderness designation for the Scotchman Peaks. And so do everyday people including over 6,700 supporters who have signed on as “Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.” These supporters have diverse opinions on many other matters including other natural resource questions. But, they do agree on one thing: the greatest value of the Scotchman Peaks would be to keep it that way it is now, as a wilderness.

Of course, not everyone agrees to applaud Sen Risch. But then there are no issues or matters around which everyone agrees. Thankfully, we are free to express our opinions and, as Americans, have robust dialogue around matters which interest us. Sen. Risch recognizes this need for dialogue and has brought that opportunity to us with the introduction of this bill.

While we may not all agree on wilderness designation questions, it is important that our dialogue is built upon an accurate understanding of the situation and facts at hand.

Recent letters by Mr. Roach and Mr. Myers raise some good topics and questions, very worthy of conversation; both letters also show there is a need for more and better information.

The potential repair and ongoing maintenance of the Lightning Creek road (419) will NOT be impacted in any way by the proposed wilderness. The bill and the wilderness area impose no restrictions on what the Forest Service can do with that road, or what equipment they can use to do it.

The paved part of Lightning Creek Road does not border the proposed wilderness. The only area where the wilderness comes close to Road 419 is a section about 2 miles long from Regal Creek to East Fork Creek. In this area, the proposed wilderness boundary is set back 300 feet from the road keeping it above the floodplain. The proposed wilderness does not impact roadside parking.

The area proposed for wilderness in this bill is one contiguous area in Idaho. It is immediately adjacent to the forest service’s recommendations in Montana. There are no “islands” or disconnected parts.

Lighting Peak, with its weather monitoring installations, it is in the Scotchman Peaks Roadless area, but not the part recommended for wilderness designation.

A look at the map of the proposed wilderness will clear up these and other misconceptions. This map, the legal description of the area with waypoints and a copy of the legislation as introduced can be found at: www.scotchmanpeaks.org/news/idahobill/

As for carrying game out of Morris Creek — that trail flooded out in several places in 2006 and again in 2008. It has been repaired, thanks to the efforts of a large number of FSPW volunteers over the last six years. Game can be carried out, just not on a wheel. Wheeled equipment is not allowed in wilderness, except for management actions permitted by the Wilderness Act. Wilderness designation will ensure that the area remains as it is now, preserving its natural state so that future generations will enjoy it much as we do today.

In 2016, the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness had over 140 volunteers contribute over 2,500 hours to stewardship activities — from trail ambassadors, to trail maintenance, weed mitigation, whitebark pine habitat restoration and natural resource education. These dedicated volunteers are committed to the ongoing future stewardship needs of the area.

The Ecoflight tour offered a near eyelevel look at the top of the Scotchmans — their flight plan kept them at 7,000 foot, over a mile above the valley residences. They did not “buzz” anyone’s house.

The Wilderness Act allows the Forest Service to fight fire including management discretion for all activities. In 2015, the agency’s resources were stretched thin, so they built containment roads at the base of Goat Mountain (the SW corner of the Scotchmans). They did deploy more resources to protect residents along the Bull River since they prioritize safety of residences and structures.

The so called “mountain goat problem” is really a problem of behavior by a few people who are not well informed and who have been feeding goats and encouraging dangerous close encounters. The best way to inform people is “one-on-one” outreach at the source of the situation. Our trail ambassadors helped to reduce conflict and harm to both humans and goats this summer. No one wants to see any of the goats removed from their home. This is not a problem of numbers. Idaho Department of Fish and Game has the final say on management plans for wildlife in the area, now, and will continue to have that decision making capability upon wilderness designation.

The re-route of the lower mile of the Scotchman Peak Trail 65 is not in the proposed wilderness — it is, of course, an important way to access the wilderness. We worked out a plan with the Forest Service and went to work to improve the trail. We are proud to have collaborated with many stakeholders on the Panhandle Forest Collaborative, so that the warming hut near the Lunch Peak Divide could be built for the enjoyment of all, including snowmobilers, backcountry skiers, hikers and hunters.

If you want to find out more about the Scotchman Peaks, the effort that FSPW is undertaking to preserve the area and provide for its good stewardship, there is abundant information available on our website (www.ScotchmanPeaks.org).

And, of course there are other sources of information available from the county, the Forest Service and Sen. Risch’s office. Whatever you are inclined to think about Sen. Risch’s action, find out more and become engaged. Sign up for our newsletter, come out on one of our group hikes, or get one of our free hiking maps and explore on your own. If you have questions — I am easily available — my contact info is prominent on our website.

Phil Hough is the executive director of the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.