Senator Jim Risch today, December 8, introduced the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Act (S.3531). This legislation would designate the portion of the Scotchman Peaks in Bonner County, Idaho, as a Wilderness and would establish the first protected wilderness area within the Panhandle region of Idaho!
Please join us in thanking Senator Risch for his leadership and vision on this bill and to ask his colleagues in congress to work toward its swift passage. Click Here to take a moment to write a respectful thank you to our senators for introducing this bill, and encourage them to do everything in their power to get it passed!
The Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Act would protect approximately 13,900 acres of national forest lands in Bonner County as wilderness. Management of the area would not change as a result of the legislation as it is already off limits to timber harvest, off-road vehicles, snowmobiles and mountain bikes.
The area’s namesake peak looms high above Lake Pend Oreille and the Clark Fork River at 7,009 feet. The Scotchman Peaks are best known locally for their iconic mountain goat herd, but the area is also home to numerous other species of fish and wildlife. Ancient cedar forests grow in many of the area’s scenic canyons, and recreational trails lead to stunning alpine vistas high above the valley bottoms.
Support for the proposed wilderness is almost as stunning as the area’s beauty. The proposal enjoys the support of the Bonner County Board of Commissioners, Idaho Forest Group, and the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce. And most importantly, there are more than 6,700 people who have become “Friends” including YOU – every one of our voices counts!
The bill’s introduction is a huge step forwards and has been built upon the chorus of support from the community of friends from diverse backgrounds and interests who have joined together to ask congress to designate the Scotchman Peaks as Wilderness. It is important that your voice be heard again.
Click here to learn more about the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Act.
