Winning wilderness letter

We ran a wilderness letter contest in 2008, as the Colville National Forest solicited public comment on roadless area recommendations for wilderness in northeastern Washington. Here is that winning letter for wilderness.

October 14, 2008
Colville National Forest

Dear Forest Supervisor Brazell,

I am writing to urge you to recommend the remaining roadless areas in our Colville National Forest for wilderness status. I say this as a local resident of Colville, as a parent, a hiker and camper, and artist. In each of these roles, I have derived much pleasure, renewal and inspiration from these natural areas. Without such wild places we would be so much poorer in so many ways.

My husband and I moved here 29 years ago, in great part to be near such quiet, beautiful places. We loved exploring these forested habitats with our then-growing two boys as well as their 4-H Discovery Group. The trails through Hoodoo Canyon on the way to Emerald Lake with its views of plunging canyons and lichen-covered rock walls were breathtaking to us. We also were amazed when we glimpsed our first Bighorn Sheep near Sullivan Lake. The joy was partly in not knowing what to expect next. One year the trail up Abercrombie produced what seemed like thousands of tiny frogs and festooned itself with creamy puffs of bear grass up to the rocky summit. The children are grown now but learned to appreciate the oft-hidden and unique parts of this landscape, their local heritage, and the importance of wilderness in their lives. Knowing that the surprises of nature will still be there waiting for us when we look for them helps keep us healthy, sane, and rooted to this area.

As we work for a reasoned city plan, so we need to also ensure a balanced plan for our national forests. Less than 23 percent that is now set aside as roadless area is definitely not too much to ask in this balance. We need at least that much to offset development of all kinds that will naturally happen as populations and human uses increase and encroach. This would be true even if these areas could be readily logged, but, as it is, they are mostly rugged, remote and inaccessible for timber use.

These areas are our clean water, our clean air, a refuge and regeneration spot for native plants and animal communities that are increasingly being trampled and cut off. They are also our places to go when the world around is "too much," when we ourselves need that refuge and regeneration.

So again, I ask that you please help protect these precious natural places -- as an important resource and as a legacy for our children and grandchildren.

Thank you.

Elinor Distler
Colville, WA