Wilderness designation may be closer

—Wilderness Act of 1964

By LYNNE HALEY

Staff writer

SANDPOINT — It is not a fight against a resource extraction corporation, nor does it involve a rhetorical battle between environmentalists and economic developers. Since 2005, the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness have worked quietly with diverse interest groups to gain protected wilderness designation for this stretch of mountains at the west end of the Cabinets Range. 

This broad-based strategy for gaining critical support has taken Phil Hough, executive director, and supporters to Washington, D.C., on several occasions, the most recent of which gave Hough new cause for encouragement.

“I would say all our reps and their staffs were very hospitable while we were there,” he said. “We believe that they’re close to being ready," adding that wilderness designation for Scotchman Peaks could go before Congress before the end of the year.

Bonner County Commissioner Cary Kelly and Bob Boeh, vice president of government affairs for the Idaho Forest Group, accompanied Hough on his latest trip to the nation's capital. While there, the trio met with Idaho and Montana lawmakers about their cause. The very embodiment of broad-based support, both the Bonner County Commission and the Idaho Forest Group are actively involved in the Scotchman Peaks push for wilderness.

“Wilderness  is not something elected officials in Idaho strive after. It puts more regulations on federal property," said Kelly. "For me, Scotchman Peaks is a special case and an exception to the rule.”

The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wildnerness work collaboratively with Boeh and the Idaho Forest Group to facilitate management of timbered lands in Idaho. Selective harvesting helps prevent wildfires and encourages healthy growth, he said.

"Idaho has the second largest amount of roadless acreage in the U.S., after Alaska. Suitable timber base hasn’t been managed. Phil is helping us get the active management, and he’s helped us get sales," Boeh said. "We’ve actually increased our harvest from 28 to 50 million board feet per year. These lands are special and unique and should get protections under the wilderness act.”

Hough noted that the acreage open for active management is separate from the area up for wilderness designation. The forest management area consists of approximately 900 acres already equipped with logging roads. 

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, Montana Governor Steve Bullock and several regional publications have joined the Bonner County commissioners and the Idaho Forest Group in endorsing the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness project. Idaho Sen. Jim Risch has pledged his support as well, according to Hough.

"In the case of the Scotchmans, there’s no active opposition to it — no competing uses," he said.

An affirming vote from federal lawmakers will serve to preserve the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness for future generations. Current users, however, will find the vast roadless area unchanged.

"Nothing changes — it’s already being managed as if it were wilderness," Hough said.