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1996 RESOLUTIONS


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FEDERATION OF WESTERN OUTDOOR CLUBS







1996 FWOC Resolution No. 10:
STOP WILDERNESS STUDY AREA VIOLATIONS

In western and central portions of Montana, the Forest Service is illegally developing or promoting several developments in several outstanding Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) that total some 400,000 acres of wildlands.  These forest wildlands are to be protected as potential components of the nation's wilderness system under the Montana Wilderness Study Act (PL-95-150) until the U.S. Congress determines their suitability, and designates whether these WSAs are to be included in the National Wilderness Preservation System.  These wildlands are habitat for such animals as elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and other wilderness-associated species.
In Western Montana, the WSAs being illegally assaulted by development include the Sapphire WSA (near Hamilton) where the Bitterroot National Forest is constructing all-terrain vehicle routes.  Also in the Bitterroot, in the Blue Joint WSA (which adjoins Idaho's Frank Church River of No  Return Wilderness Area, the largest wilderness in the lower forty-eight states), the Forest Service has permitted a mining firm to construct exploratory drilling pads which compromises the wilderness character of that WSA.  In the Gallatin National Forest, which borders Yellowstone National Park to the north, a salvage timber sale is planned by that Forest in the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn WSA.  This area is noted for being grizzly bear habitat, and may eventually be home to some wolves.

In central Montana (where there is NO designated wilderness), the Lewis and Clark National Forest has proposed road construction and exploratory drilling for a hard rock mine in the Big Snowies WSA, which is important mountain goat habitat, and a source of high quality water for fisheries and wildlife and nearby communities.  Mineral development could adversely affect the quality of the pristine waters as well as the mountain goat population.
The Montana Wilderness Study Act clearly provides (in part) that..."the wilderness study areas designated by this Act shall, until Congress determines otherwise, be administered by the Secretary of Agriculture so as to maintain their presently existing wilderness character, and potential for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System."

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs calls these violations of any wilderness study areas to cease immediately, and furthermore, in line with the FWOC's long standing Purposes "...for protection of scenic, wilderness, and outdoor recreation nature places in western America..." will support Montana conservationists in their efforts to halt such illegal activities of the designated National Forests in Montana.

...................................................................................................................

The Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs requests that individual members and Member Clubs of the FWOC band together to halt these illegal activities by sending a copy of the above Resolution, together with issue-specific comments of their own, to:

The Governor of Montana, the respective Forest Supervisors of the Bitterroot National Forest, the Gallatin National Forest, and the Lewis and Clark National Forest, and the Regional Forester, The Chief, U.S. Forest Service, and the Montana Congressional delegation.  (See the Lists of Officials at the end of these Resolutions).



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