Preserve roadless areas

The best of Idaho's fishing and hunting is found in our vast roadless areas because trophy elk, deer and bighorn sheep and the hunters seek out the solitude and outstanding habitat in those wildlands.

Clean waters coming from roadless wildlands support fantastic wild trout, steelhead and salmon populations both in the roadless areas and downstream where anglers can drive to their favorite waters.

Gov. Kempthorne has until Nov. 13, 2006, to scrutinize 9.3 million acres of existing roadless areas to determine if and where roads should be allowed for logging,mining and other economic development. As hunters and anglers, let's tell the governor that we want the 9.3 million acres of prime fish and wildlife habitat left alone.

As a huner and angler in Idaho's back country, I want our remaining wildlands left unroaded. If you want the same, go to the Web site of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership at www.trep.org to learn how to make your voice heard.

When considering important conservation issues, the TRCP challenges sportsmen to ask themselves, "What would Teddy do?" When it comes to managing our state's roadless areas, Teddy would make darn sure our governor knew exactly what he thought about those special places.

Toom Kovalicky

Retired forest supervisor

Grangeville, ID

The Spokesman-REeview