FSPW needs to listen to what community wants

For Earth Day, Phil Hough of Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness wrote we must “save” the Scotchman area. But he and FSPW still can’t tell us what we must save it from.

The only real change to the area in decades, has been the summer invasion of hikers to Scotchman Peak, that curiously started right after FSPW began their imaginary fear campaign and spreading the word that we must save the area. The increase of hikers caused a goat problem, so besides many other hikers, there are now FSPW volunteers on the trail, that will tell you what you should or should not do while enjoying your “wilderness” experience.

Adding to this curious timing, during the fear and save campaign, the Forest Service, whose leaders led FSPW hikes and even appeared on the front page of the FSPW website, decided to restrict activities that have been enjoyed in the area for decades (“collusion”, anyone?).

Clearly, the only threat to Scotchman and sharing our public lands, is FSPW itself. Bonner County recognized this last May, when the wilderness was voted down. Outside of five Sandpoint city voting districts, FSPW barely won three out of 27 rural districts. They lost the districts closest to Scotchman by the widest margins (greater than 70 percent).

Phil Hough’s essay asks questions, but perhaps he and FSPW need to listen better.

STAN MYERS

Hope