Wilderness Commentary

Think of wilderness, and common images that come to mind are towering, ice-shrouded mountains, skyscraper forests, or spectacular waterfalls.

Not many think of grasslands. More should. Our species came of age when our ancestors in the deep past came down from the trees, stood up on the grasslands, and looked afar to take the measure of their world. Grasslands have supported us in many ways ever since.

On Oct. 30, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed into law a landmark bill that protected many of the outstandingly scenic portions of the southern Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee from timber harvesting, mining and road building.

I would like to thank the Coalition to Protect the Rocky Mountain Front for the time and effort that went into a series of public meetings which were recently held in Great Falls, Helena, Choteau and Augusta. Hundreds of Montanans attended these meetings and had opportunities to ask questions and comment on the proposed Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act. It was an undertaking that should be commended.

The other day, as I watched the leaves whip through the forest near my home, I thought of an old friend. He and I used to visit the Bob Marshall Wilderness every hunting season. We would leave camp in the morning before first light. Once we got him close to an elk he would place it squarely in the rifle sights four or five times. Then he would lower the gun, clap his hands, and head back to camp happy as could be.

For him, the payoff wasn't a trophy or filling up the freezer. It was the journey of getting far from civilization and experiencing something my outfitting mentor, Tom

Sometimes we chide City Council for taking time to hereby resolve something. A resolution? Big deal! The city's intent to be against the border fence is one. It did nothing to stop the fence.

Here's one that will also wind up in the "resolutions" folder in a file cabinet, but it's an example of how a resolution can get people to think.

This week, City Council gave a ditto to a bill in Congress that would protect thousands of acres of wilderness and scenic areas near Las Cruces.

In celebrating the 45th anniversary of the 1964 Wilderness Act this month, we must keep an eye to the future of Central Oregon's wild deserts. As President Obama said when he declared September 2009 "National Wilderness Month," if we can work together to protect more of our nation's wilderness, "... we will ensure that future generations inherit the unique gift of knowing nature's peace."

I am a Gypsum resident who sup­ports the Hidden Gems Wilderness Campaign. Wilderness is a vital com­ponent of Eagle County's economic stability and high quality of living. The Hidden Gems proposal is an investment in our future, protecting the lands that are the foundation of our tourism economy. Wilderness designation enhances backcountry experiences, including hunting, fish­ing, hiking and kayaking, by preserv­ing the ecosystems and landscapes that support these activities.

During the first week of October, the nation was captivated by Ken Burns' most recent examination of American history and culture. His series, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea: is a powerful chronicle of our unique national legacy of protecting our most precious landscapes, and a call to future generations to carry on this work.

Here in Oregon, we have only one national park -- and it is known the world over. Crater Lake is an Oregon icon. It is the deepest lake in North America and one of the purest bodies of water on Earth.

There have been many negative comments about the Hidden Gems agenda, which makes me sad. As I understand, it is their goal is to preserve lands in the National Forest at the 10,000-foot level from new roads and other developements. I have lived in upper Lake Creek for the last 10 years and have seen many changes in our wildlife's population and behavior. Because of the huge pressure animals face due to development in their former winter ranges in lower elevations, it is important to preserve the mid-level lands that are still undeveloped.

Thirty-five years ago, I was a young physician with the opportunity to practice in one of many different areas of the country. As a young boy growing up on a farm in Kansas, I was awestruck by the wild mountain country of Colorado, first encountered during a family vacation.

Through many years of education and professional training I retained the dream of someday living close to wild country. Great Falls was the size community that my wife and I desired and it was close to the most magnificent landscape I had ever seen.