Lettee: Effort to preserve 'last best place'

Dear Editor:

Recently, a letter to the editor appeared in this paper (“Questions about Scotchman Peaks,” Nov. 25, page 4a) questioning local hunter and angler support for wilderness designation for the Scotchman Peaks. The strength of this support is evidenced by the endorsements of both the Libby and Bull Lake rod and gun clubs, the Montana Wildlife Federation and a variety of other sportsmen’s groups.

Local hunters and anglers recognize the importance of the magnificent wildlife habitat found in the Scotchman Peaks – where elk, sheep, goats and monster muley bucks thrive. The hidden valleys and high, rugged ridges of the West Cabinets offer a pristine, backcountry hunting experience in which to pursue such challenging game.

Anglers understand the importance of the clear protected headwaters that find their source in the Scotchman Peaks and ultimately flow into the Bull and Clark Fork rivers.

The aforementioned letter to the editor also addressed the hunter-angler postcard that many of you received. While not all the photos on the mailer were taken in the Scotchman Peaks, they are representative of the wildlife that can be found there and in the national forest adjacent to the proposed area. The quality of hunting and fishing in the Bull River Valley will benefit from the protected wildlife and waters of the Scotchman Peaks/West Cabinets.

One of the important considerations of wilderness protection for the Scotchman Peaks is that there are no timber harvests planned within the proposed area.

No wilderness areas in Montana or the northern Rockies require an access fee, and the Scotchman Peaks area will not be an exception. Wilderness will protect free and wide open access for all seeking a wild experience – for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, berry-picking, photography and spiritual renewal. It will be a last piece of that “last best place” – the place we call home … Montana.

Charlie Clough

Libby