Waiting in the Wilderness - Boulder-White Clouds Bill Update
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
It's a waiting game that many think is going on too long. The U.S. House approved a bill to protect Idaho's Boulder-White Clouds a year ago -- the Central Idaho Economic, Development and Recreation Act -- and supporters don't want the momentum to be lost. Brad Chilton in Pocatello is a mountain biker and dirt bike rider who helped work on the bill.
"A tremendous amount of work was done by businesses, environmental groups and motor vehicle groups to craft a wilderness bill."
The bill protects 300,000 acres of wilderness, and contains components for rural economic development, recreation and business. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson (R) guided all interested parties into the agreement. Since the Senate didn't take it up last year, he has re-introduced the bill, and it's waiting for repeat House action.
Chilton believes the proposal reflects the new era of wilderness cooperation and it deserves a spot on the congressional calendar.
"We haven't had a major wilderness bill go through the House in 25 years, but this one did. It's because of all the work of a lot of other people."
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