Idaho Senators shill for snowm0bile industry-
” . . . Mount Jefferson is a tiny portion of Tester’s plan, it is one that many supporters of the bill hold dear.”
Read the rest in Idaho enters . . . By Daniel Person. Bozeman Chronicle.
This is one where Idaho residents can really help. I’m emailing Tester, “As an Idahoan, Senators Crapo and Risch don’t speak for me. Please keep Mt. Jefferson in your bill. My senators only represent the snowmobile industry which already totally dominates the area south of Mt. Jefferson.” Added. Email Senator Tester.
The hearing on the bill in the Senate Committee is tomorrow.
Mt. Jefferson is a key part of the Continental Divide wildlife migration corridor to central Idaho, which is already messedup in part by the [domestic] Sheep Experiment Station on the Continental Divide in Idaho.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is President of the Western Watersheds Project.
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Not only is it a migration corridor, I think there is wolverine habitat up there as well. With wolverine dens at high elev. and snowmobilers running over them…
Tim Bennet is also right, it impacts his business, which is a real wilderness experience, when the snowmobile crowd isn’t running them down. Island Park has hundreds of miles of trails on FS land including several square miles along/in the mountain range directly to the west of the Henry’s Lake flats, apparently that’s not enough for them.
Salle – well, apparently there is not enough wilderness for you?
TWB,
No. There isn’t enough for me, you, and the bioshpere ~ including all the things that live in it.
Salle – thanks for your opinion.
I was in that area several times this summer and people weren’t obeying the road closures there. Their sense of entitlement resembles that of ranchers.
The Centennial Mountains need much more protection than they have. In fact it is one of the biggest barriers to dispersal for wolves and grizzly bears and plays a big role in keeping them on the ESA list.
If I were Tester I wouldn’t budge. If 4500 acres of wilderness puts a snowmachine dealer/rental company out of business than his business plan needs retooling. That region of the country is the snow-mobile mecca of the U.S. with plenty of National Forest lands open to these machines. The wilderness characteristics of these 4500 acres should outweigh the interests of snowmobile recreation. Find another mountain to high mark.
TWB,
You’re welcome, thanks for asking.
I also think Mt. Jefferson is cattle and sheep free.
Please correct me if this is wrong.