The move comes after more than a decade of support by Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, the Idaho Statesman reported.
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But for some who want the area protected, the wilderness bill also represents a loss. A bill that would designate the Boulder-White Clouds mountains a wilderness area is in front of the U.S. Senate this week, and if it passes, will be on President Obama’s desk next.
“Probably the highest because I’ve worked on it longer than I have anything else”, he said by phone on Tuesday.
“Very proud to be able to sign this piece of legislation enacted by the House of Representatives, entitled the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act”.
KPVI News 6 spoke with Simpson about his recent success in getting the Boulder-White Clouds Bill through to the President’s desk and what it will do for Idaho. Simpson and others have said that threat likely played a role in the wilderness bill getting through the U.S. House and Senate.
Simpson had been working on wilderness designation for 15 years, trying to balance the interests of ranchers, recreationists and environmental groups. And he said, ‘Go for it.’ So the administration gave us the 6-months to work on it before they were going to do a national monument.
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers also lauded the decision for the protections it gave big-game habitat.
A wilderness designation prohibits mechanical transport and that means some legendary mountain bike trails are now closed to cyclists. He specifically referred to Idaho as “one of the prettiest states that we have, with some of the greatest national treasures”.
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“It’s discouraging when you just slam the door shut”, said Bob Rosso, owner of an outdoors retail shop in Ketchum called The Elephant’s Perch.
