SANDPOINT — U.S. Senate candidate Paulette Jordan said she will introduce legislation to bring Scotchman Peaks under the protection of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

“This magnificent area in northern Idaho deserves statutory protection as wilderness. It has been studied and studied. There has been significant public discourse. There is broad consensus across Idaho that Scotchman Peak should be protected. It is time to act,” Jordan said in a statement.

Scotchman Peaks were tracking toward a wilderness designation until 2018, when Bonner County conducted an advisory vote among residents during a primary election. The wilderness proposal drew 5,672 opposition votes and 4,831 support votes. The outcome of the election caused Sen. Jim Risch, Jordan’s opponent in this fall’s general election, to rescind legislation that would have established the wilderness designation.

The wilderness proposal was dogged by a misinformation campaign which alleged that the designation would forbid fishing, hunting and timber harvesting.

“It comes down to educating people with the facts,” said Jordan, who has summited the 7,009-foot peak with friends and plans to do so again with her two children. “It’s a matter of regaining people’s trust.”

Jordan said she looking forward to working with U.S. Senator Jon Tester in Montana to draft legislation that crosses state borders. She noted that the proposal enjoyed solid support during the scores of town hall meetings over the years.

Jordan plans to hold hearings on the legislation so that Idahoans from throughout the state can testify on a proposal she considers overdue and one which will make sure the area is protected for future generations. Jordan adds that the Scotchman Peaks have essentially managed as a de facto wilderness by the U.S. Forest Service since the implementation of a 1987 forest management plan.

“Unfortunately, Sen. Risch recoiled on his promise to protect Scotchman Peak and for no good reason. I expect to enter the U.S. Senate in the majority and I can quickly move to make the Scotchman Peak Wilderness a reality,” said Jordan.

Jordan suspects money was behind Risch’s about-face on Scotchman Peaks legislation. She points to a $35,000 campaign contribution by Koch Industries and other corporate donors.

“Money has a lot to do with it,” she said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.