PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
Tell Senator Risch to Support New Wilderness in the Northwest
  1. Signatures
    1,265 out of 1,500
    Petitioning
    1. Sen. James Risch (ID)
  2. Created By
    Austin Billings
    Boise, ID
About this Petition Petition Letter

Home to elk, wolves, and salmon, Idaho's Boulder-White Clouds are one of the most pristine mountain ranges in the northwest. They are also the largest unprotected backcountry in the continental United States. After ten years of painful negotiations, local conservationists and Republican lawmakers have reached an agreement that will grant permanent protection to the mineral-rich land and bring economic assistance to some of Idaho's poorest counties.

Tell Idaho's Senator Jim Risch, who sits on the Senate Natural Resources Committee, that Idaho and the environment need him to stop wavering and stand behind this bill.

Recent Signatures

Protect the Boulder-White Clouds

Dear Senator Risch,

Thank you for co-sponsoring S. 3294, the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act. Please do the right thing and continue to stand with the rest of Idaho's Congressional delegation in support of this bill.

This bill will bring much-needed economic relief to some of Idaho's poorest citizens during a severe economic downturn. It will also grant permanent protection, rather than status as a temporary wilderness study area, to the gorgeous and biologically diverse Boulder-White Cloud Mountains. I am concerned by your statement that you cannot vote for the bill in its current form.

Governor Otter has made it clear that even if his stated concerns about CIEDRA are addressed, he will still oppose any new wilderness areas. You, however, are a proven leader with a track record of paying attention to facts rather than allowing yourself to be handcuffed by ideology. Your time as governor, from working with conservationists on the Idaho Roadless Rule to visiting oft-ignored regions of the state, proved that you are a competent and open-minded public servant.

Please show that leadership again and do not back down from your support for CIEDRA. As Rep. Simpson has noted, this bill is a win for everyone, including the Idaho Recreation League. Their opposition to CIEDRA belies the facts: motorists will have access to 130,000 more acres than they do now and over 330,000 acres of beautiful Idaho land will be preserved for future generations of Idahoans.

Furthermore, if CIEDRA fails, Custer and Blaine Counties will continue to suffer. Custer County is particularly hard-hit by the fact that nearly 97% of it is untaxable federal land. Your constituents desperately need the fire halls, water facilities, and community center that CIEDRA will bring.

Unlike past versions of CIEDRA, there is little downside to the bill's current form. It has taken ten years to get this far, but we finally have a compromise that works for nearly everyone. Do not abandon the needs of central Idaho's economy or environment now, Senator - show the trademark leadership you're known for and help bring CIEDRA to the Senate floor.

[Your name]

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