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• It states that the national forest lands in Idaho which were 

 not designated as wilderness or as special management areas 

 are released for multiple use under the direction of the 

 forest plans or other statutory requirements. 



• It states that for 10 years, or until the forest plans are 

 revised, whichever period is longer, the released lands do 

 not have to be protected to maintain their suitability for 

 future designation as wilderness. But, because wilderness 

 is considered a multiple use under the Multiple Use 

 Sustained Yield Act, the Forest Service still has the option 

 to manage them as wilderness. 



• It clarifies that during the plan revision process, which 

 could last for several years, the released lands will remain 

 released. 



• It states that, once the revised plans are implemented, 

 areas which are not recommended for wilderness designation 

 during the revision do not have to be managed to maintain 

 their wilderness suitability, but area which are recommended 

 for wilderness during the revision process shall be managed 

 to protect their suitability for wilderness designation. 



• It insulates from judicial review the wilderness 

 determination decisions made during the forest plan 

 revision, but allows judicial review on other plan 

 decisions. 



• It relieves the Forest Service from the obligation to 

 conduct a statewide review of roadless lands to determine if 

 they are suitable for wilderness. 



This is what my release language does NOT do: 



• It does not limit judicial review on any action but 

 wilderness determinations made during forest plan revisions, 

 and so allows actions under the National Forest Management 

 Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species 

 Act, and other environmental laws to be reviewed in court. 



• It does not limit or prohibit appeals. Much to the credit 

 of Idaho's Senior Senator Larry Craig, a new appeals process 

 was enacted last Congress which limits frivolous appeals and 

 sets a deadline for individuals to file an appeal and a 

 limit on the Forest Service's response time. 



Mr. Chairman, I want to say I deeply appreciate the 

 participation of many concerned Idahoans . Without their help I 

 would never have been able to draft a wilderness bill responsive 

 to the needs of Idaho. And, I appreciate their continued 

 interest. Again, thank you Mr. Chairman for this opportunity. 



