No headline

•Claim: Creating browse is the only management that is important for wildlife.

- Fact: There are at least 140 wildlife species in the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. A large percentage of those species are dependent on the intact unroaded habitat in wilderness areas as an anchor and a corridor for their surrounding seasonal habitats.

- Fact: The most effective management tool for game species is through the control of seasons and tag numbers, not habitat manipulation.

- Fact: Controlled burns and spraying are not banned in wilderness areas if the action has been carefully evaluated and it preserves the wilderness character.

- Fact: Research shows that the benefits of creating more browse for ungulates are very short-term, local, and do not affect the population as a whole.

Claim: Wilderness designation will “lock up” the lower areas that are needed for valuable winter habitat.

- Fact: Elk do move to lower elevations in winter, especially river valleys where the snow is not as deep, and water is available.

- Fact: The lower elevations of the proposed wilderness are generally too high and steep for elk winter habitat. For example, the trailhead for Scotchman Peak starts at 3,286 feet. and climbs 3,700 feet in a little more than 4 miles.

- Fact: Elk reproduction and survival rates are negatively affected by off-highway vehicles.

Claim: Access for trapping and other activities is next to impossible.

- Fact: All you need is a little sweat, a decent pair of hiking boots, a horse, or a mule.

Sources available upon request.

BONNIE JAKUBOS

Sagle