Scotchman Peaks: A community gem
Bonner County voters will be asked if they favor the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness proposal on the May 15 primary ballot. Although a non-binding, advisory vote, our County Commissioners and Senator Jim Risch have said they will honor the outcome. This vote matters; your vote matters!
The proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness will designate 13,960 acres of land already managed by the Idaho Panhandle National Forest in Bonner County as wilderness. The proposed wilderness is currently closed to off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, mountain bikes, road building and mining. This will not change with Wilderness designation.
The area would remain open to the public for all of the activities enjoyed there today, such as hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping and berry picking. Idaho Fish and Game will continue to manage fish and wildlife populations within the area. There are no active mining claims in the area proposed for Wilderness and no economically viable timber resources. The use of helicopters, fixed-winged aircraft, and motorized vehicles is authorized for fighting fires in the Wilderness and conducting search and rescue operations. In short, Wilderness designation will keep it the way it is today.
The Forest Service has held many public meetings and considered extensive comments from Bonner County citizens on management options for the Scotchmans roadless area over the years. Three major comment periods and reviews include a Roadless Area Review and Evaluation in 1979, and major public revisions for the Panhandle National Forest Plan in 1987 and 2015. Over this time, hundreds of public meetings were held and thousands of public comments were considered. Each of these three reviews recommended Wilderness designation for the Scotchmans area and were supported by a large majority of the public.
The 2016 Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Act introduced by Senator Jim Risch is built upon Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ recommendations for Wilderness. He has noted that the response from open house meetings last summer in Clark Fork and Hope was overwhelmingly supportive. His office also noted the vast majority of comments coming in directly are positive.
The Scotchman Peaks rugged landscape features old growth cedar and hemlock trees, and clear, clean water flowing through deep and steep canyons into Lake Pend d’Oreille. It is home to a variety of plants and iconic animals including grizzly bear, bull trout, Canada lynx, wolverine and mountain goats. Big game like moose, elk and deer abound.
Groups including the Idaho Back Country Hunters and Anglers, Idaho Wildlife Federation and Panhandle Chapter of Trout Unlimited support designation, to protect fish and wildlife habitat. Idaho Fish and Game will continue to manage hunting and fishing, setting seasons and limits and monitoring wildlife populations.
We need a balanced and common sense approach to managing our National Forests. We need good timber projects and places to play on our ATVs and snow machines. We also need to preserve special places like the Scotchman Peaks, in their quiet and natural state. Many businesses, civic groups and community leaders agree. This is why the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce, Idaho Forest Group, Panhandle Nordic Club, Pend Oreille Pedalers mountain bike club as well as both current and former county commissioners support Wilderness designation.
As Bonner County continues to grow and change, we need some places to stay the same, to pass on a piece of our outdoor heritage to the next generation. Wilderness designation ensures that these public lands will be managed and enjoyed in the future just as they are today.
Please join us by voting in “favor” of the Peaks Wilderness.
Phil Hough is the executive director of the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.