Habitat is small price to pay to protect caribou

I am writing to voice my opinion about the new U.S. Forest Service management plans regarding the Idaho panhandle national forests. I read the letters in our local publications and their authors disdain for any regulation that might restrict their ability to go anywhere they want to, be it a snowmobile or some other motorized machine, because it would be harmful to caribou or some other animal.

I realize that this public outrage comes from a very vocal, localized majority. These people need to realize and accept that this is not their land, but our land and that even though they are the local majority they are an American vocal minority. What management plan the U.S. Forest Service adapts, hopefully respects what is best for all of us, including the caribou.

The U.S. in U.S. Forest Service means that it is for the whole of America. I cannot accept that a few(the vocal majority in a small area) selfish motorheads have absolutely no concern for a few caribou and want it all for themselves.

I believe that every effort possible needs to be made to protect the few remaining caribou, be it one animal or 100. In fact if we are down to one animal, more extreme preservation efforts are needed. The very selfish attitude of the snowmobilers seems to be that if there is only one or two caribou left, then we should just throw in the towel and give up on the caribou and open the whole area to the snowmobilers’ voracious appetite for more, more and more. If we let this one group decide that a plant or animal species gets in their way for their own desires, it sets a precedence for others to do the same.

There is about 5,000 square miles in the Idaho panhandle. The caribou inhabit less than 400 square miles, probably much less. Keeping 5 percent or 10 percent of the Idaho panhandle safe for something as rare as the caribou seems like a no brainer. Do the math, this is about 11130th of 1 percentof the total U.S. land area for protecting an animal as rare and as great as the caribou.

Of course, the vocal locals of Priest Lake will counter with — do the math — regarding the money they stand to lose if there is some restriction to snowmobile use. Probably true, but only because they fail to recognize other potential attractions to their beautiful area. I know of people who lived around Priest Lake who sold their homes because they could not deal with the motorized, summer and winter machines that seem to have taken over the area. To them these activities drove down the values of their homes. Some moved to Washington state’s Methow Valley for its more peaceful, quietness. I, for one, would prefer to travel to Priest Lake for snow shoeing or Nordic trails rather than the six- or seven-hour trip to the Methow.

So don’t cry for dollars lost due to snowmobile restrictions. Create other non-motorized activities — it’s working wonders for the Methow and other like minded places. I am appalled and saddened at this group of people for their selfish attitude for wanting it all. They are willing to drive into extinction a magnificent and extremely rare species for their personal desires. This land, and the caribou,belongs to all of us. I would urge the U.S. Forest Service to protect as much land as possible for the preservation and non extinction of the caribou.

MARTY STITSEL

Sandpoint