Alan Simpson: “in regard to the opening statement, I notice that this bill really is not being rushed to the floor. It has been in…”

“in regard to the opening statement, I notice that this bill really is not being rushed to the floor. It has been in development for 6 years. I wouldn't call that rushing anything to the floor. In fact, it has been in the form of a bill for over 3 years, so people have had a chance to look at it and know what we have been talking about here. Idahoans know that the Boulder-White Clouds are some of the most beautiful mountains in Idaho. They also know they have been the subject of some of the most contentious wilderness debates in our time. H.R. 3603, the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act, marks a new area in wilderness creation, one in which the needs of the people who live and recreate in the area are as important as the lines drawn on a map. The old approach to wilderness of sacrificing the needs of individuals and specific user groups to the benefit of others will not work anymore. Those who are affected by wilderness must be a part of the solution. During the past 6 years, my staff and I had countless meetings with the groups and individuals that will be impacted by my proposed wilderness designation. These meetings included Custer County's commissioners, elected city officials, ranchers, snowmobilers, off-road vehicle users, outfitters, conservationists and others, as well as public meetings in Stanley, Challis, and Ketchum.…”