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Idaho is fortunate to be represented by the highly qualified and respected U.S. Sen. Jim Risch. Sen. Risch is to be commended for not reintroducing that Scotchman Peaks Wilderness bill, now that he recognizes the considerable widespread opposition. As if there were not already enough reasons to oppose it, this year’s wildfires and smoked-out summer skies should be a wake up call. Scientists agree that we are facing continuing climate change, and that warmer temperatures, with more bugs and disease, will cause more trees to die. This will lead to more catastrophic wildfires.

Roadless areas hinder access for necessary forest management to remove this hazardous fuels buildup. As Nature Conservancy, a leading environmental organization, has realized, some thinning may also be necessary. Twenty years ago, 15 percent of the U.S. Forest Service budget was spent on fires. Now it is more than half and is expected to be two-thirds by 2025. Wildfires caused Williams Lake, a city of over 10,000. in British Columiba, Canada, to be evacuated this year. Think it can’t happen here? Think again. This area is too close to Clark Fork. The Clark Fork City Council wisely recognized this and unanimously moved to oppose the bill.

More wilderness is not the answer. The last thing we need is more government regulation to lock this area up in perpetuity. This would prevent our future generations from having any say in the management as conditions change. This is extremely shortsighted.

DAVE REYNOLDS

Hope