Garden of the Gods Scenic Area, Shawnee National Forest. 
—Photo by Warren R. Dewalt 
This is misleading because the demand for services and law enforce- 
ment in the recreation areas has greatly increased. Costs have risen 
sharply in recent time. Our budget is stretched to the limit and we 
find ourselves having to reduce maintenance standards and consider 
some areas for seasonal closure. 
Question: The National Forest Service has contributed much to the ‘“wilder- 
ness idea” through the work of Aldo Leopold, Bob Marshall, and 
others; yet in my opinion, the official stand has been, and continues to 
be, essentially anti-Wilderness. Is this a correct evaluation? 
Answer: WE ARE NOT AGAINST WILDERNESS. The Forest Service played 
the leading role in the administrative establishment of the National 
Wilderness system and we are very proud of that role. We find our- 
selves in the difficult position of helping the Congress and the people 
of the United States to find an acceptable balance between “No 
Wilderness” and ‘All Wilderness.” Unfortunately some people inter- 
pret incorrectly that we are anti-Wilderness. 
Question: Conservationists in Illinois are pushing for a large wilderness in 
the Pine Hills area; however, the Forest Service is recommending only 
5,000 acres or so. Why this conservative approach? 
Answer: The original idea for a 4,000-+ acre area we feel is the best 
proposal because it would provide the most desireable balance be- 
tween preservation of unique values and utilization and management 
of common resource values. 
