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IDAHO'S OWYHEE CANYONLANDS
1995 FWOC
Resolution
No. 5:
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The Owyhee Canyonlands in
southwestern Idaho, southeastern Oregon and northwestern Nevada
comprise the largest unprotected roadless areas in the lower
forty-eight states. The Owyhees are also essential habitat for
one of the largest herds of pronghorn habitat and California big-horn
sheep. The area is rich in Native American history and
archeological sites dating back 5000 years, and its un-dammed
rivers provide some of the most unique whitewater floating and kayaking
in North America.
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This beautiful high-desert
landscape is being threatened by a proposal to enlarge the existing
Saylor Creek bombing practice areas by establishing a new military
bombing practice range in the middle of the Canyonlands.
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In March of 1995,
Congress's Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended that
Idaho's only military facility, Mountain Home Air Force Base, be kept
open, and rated it as the top three bases in the nation as it is
presently constituted and used. There is also another bombing
range in adjacent Utah. This Commission's recommendation makes it
clear that the base does not need an enlarged bombing practice area for
its operational needs. In spite of this obvious truth, Idaho's
current governor and its congressional delegation are still advocating
establishing the new bombing range.
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| The Federation of Western
Outdoor Clubs opposes establishing an additional bombing range in the
Owyhee Canyonlands, and supports the complete protection of the area. |
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FWOC members and member clubs are urged to
send a copy of the above resolution to the individuals designated below
along with any comments of their own that they may have on this matter:
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Idaho Governor Phil Batt
Idaho Senators Dirk
Kempthorne and Larry Craig
Congressman Mike Crapo
and Congresswoman Helen Chenoweth
Sheila E. Widner,
Secretary of the Air Force
1000 Pentagon Building,
Washington, DC 20301
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