Wilderness designation deserves our support

As an avid hunter, hiker, backpacker, I enjoy spending time on our public lands with my wife. I am also a Christian, registered Republican, who leans conservative. I spent 20 years working in sawmills and understand the benefits of the timber industry in our communities.

In other words, I am not a “greenie.” Because I do not consider myself to be a “greenie” doesn’t mean I do not care about my environment. In fact, being a steward of the land is biblical, and something I believe in strongly.

Since I enjoy the outdoors so much, I care about keeping as much public land, public as possible. I have read about federal lands being sold or turned over to the states to manage, and I see that as one of the biggest threats to public lands being lost forever. A wilderness designation in the Scotchmans would ensure that the 14,000 acres in the northern panhandle of Idaho would remain public. Doing so would set guidelines as to the usage of the area so people can always hunt, fish, hike, ride horseback, and more. While no vehicles would be allowed, could you imagine hiking or hunting in the “Bob” or the Frank Church wilderness areas and having roads or trails with vehicles driving around? It just wouldn’t be the “Bob” or the Frank Church anymore.

After reviewing the Wilderness Act of 1964, I found that preserving the Scotchman Peaks would safeguard the area for future generations in a more natural way. We are so lucky in the Northwest to have so much public land that is available for multi-use recreation, and I am a fan of that. I believe everyone should be able to have a place to enjoy for each of their chosen forms of recreation.

For most of our protected public lands, motor bikers, off-road vehicle users, and bikers share the trail with hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders. However, I feel there is a need for more remote and wild places that are only accessible by foot or horse. That is a major reason I support Wilderness in the Scotchman’s. Because on Saturday, you may want to ride your ATV on a designated trail, but want to get away from the loud noise and hike or hunt in the Wilderness on Sunday.

I feel that we all have the right to our own form of recreation including remote, quiet, and as wild as possible. In fact, many of the areas on my “bucket” list require backpacking in an area that looks today as it did 100 years ago.

So, to all my mountain biking, motor biking, and snowmobiling public lands advocates: If you have never been up trail 65, you’re really missing out. Protecting the Scotchman Peaks as Wilderness will only enhance everyone’s experiences and open new windows of public lands opportunities to explore and enjoy. Consider taking a hike and see things for yourself. No one is proposing wilderness for all of North Idaho, just 14,000 acres, which will ensure it remains public for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.

JOHN ZIESKE

Sandpoint