37 



under the proposed wilderness areas in the plan, and he is propos- 

 ing a salvage sale in that area. 



There is plenty of salvage on the Boise National Forest, and 1 

 don't get it. I don't understand what the policy is and why we are 

 making a big deal about this right now. I don't understand the tim- 

 ing of it, quite frankly, Chief; I don't understand the poUcy; and I 

 think I should be given the opportunity to say where I think those 

 wilderness boundaries go because we have had enough delay, un- 

 certainty, instability in my region as it is. 



So I don't know what your policy is. That doesn t sound like eco- 

 system management, that sounds like it is playing to certain inter- 

 ests that say, "Hey, let's get it out of there. I know what forest 

 health is, and that is taking that stand out." So what is the policy? 

 Mr. Robertson. Our poHcy, Congressman, is to be very sensitive 

 to where the Congress is in terms of proposed wilderness areas. 



Mr. LaRocco. Yet this is under your plan. This is imder the For- 

 est Service plan. I haven't released mine. 

 Mr. Robertson. Now, first of all, I don't know the background. 

 Mr. LaRocco. I know, and I had that disclaimer. I just want to 

 know what the policy is. 



Mr. Robertson. But this would be a case where we are propos- 

 ing a salvage sale in an area that the forest plan proposes wilder- 

 ness? 

 Mr. LaRocco. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Robertson. Well, that just shouldn't happen unless we go 

 through a long drawn out process. 



Mr. LaRocco. Here is the headline. Chief, right here: "Boise For- 

 est Urges Logging Of Trees Before They Die,** and^, "Officials say 

 the trees in the Needless roadless are are too dense." 



Mr. Robertson. We do harvest in roadless areas, especially if 

 the forest plan permits that. But if the forest plan proposes wilder- 

 ness for that roadless area, that is a different story. We should not 

 be doing that. 



Mr. VENTO. In fact, if the gentleman would yield to me 



Mr. LaRocco. I would be happy to. 



Mr. Vento. The practice had been, when there was legislation 

 pending and it was actively being considered — of course, Idaho, I 

 guess, would probably get a little frustrated here with the plan 

 having been on hold for a while— but when legislation is proposed, 

 there is generally a willingness to follow out the provisions of that 

 until such time as there is a decision on it, especially in areas like 

 Montana where you really test the patience of the Forest Service 

 to follow that. We are very appreciative of that. We would hope 

 that the BLM would follow a similar practice so that it at least 

 gives us an opportunity to continue working on these particular 

 matters. I think you can see the problem right here that we face. 

 Mr. Robertson. If I could just follow up. Congressman LaRocco, 

 it sounds like we have got a problem, and you and I or Forest Su- 

 pervisor Steve Mealy needs to talk about that. 



Mr. LaRocco. Well, I am going to introduce my proposal in 

 about an hour, and we won't have a problem afl^r that, I'll tell you; 

 it will be very clear what we are going to do. 



We are going to move this process along, I hope, with the co- 

 operation of my chairman. Idahoans have worked together. I have 



