September 26, 2013

RE: Boulder-White Clouds National Monument

Dear Regional Forester Rasure and Forest Supervisor Nourse,

Outdoor Alliance—a coalition of five national, member-based organizations including Access Fund, American Canoe Association, American Whitewater, International Mountain Bicycling Association, and Winter Wildlands Alliance—writes to express our support for a Boulder-White Clouds National Monument in Idaho. We represent the interests of the millions of Americans who hike, paddle, climb, mountain bike, ski and snowshoe on our nation’s public lands, waters and snowscapes. Inclusive of local Idaho clubs and chapters, collectively, we have members in all fifty states and a network of approximately 1,100 local clubs and advocacy groups across the nation, many of whom recreate and have a distinct interest in the permanent protection of this iconic landscape.

As one of the largest unprotected tracts of Forest Service land in the Continental US, there is significant opportunity to preserve the landscape and the unique recreational experiences currently available in the Boulder-White Clouds region. While recreation is prized here and highlighted by the current Sawtooth National Recreation Area (SNRA), the area’s fate has been debated consistently in the four decades since Cecil Andrus rode a campaign against mining near Castle Peak into a governorship. In that time, the surrounding communities of Salmon, Stanley, Ketchum and Hailey have become reliant on outdoor recreation, a sector that supports 77,000 jobs, and brings $6.3 billion in consumer spending, and $461 million in state and local tax revenue to Idaho.1 A national monument designation will strengthen local economies through business growth, increased visitation, and longer stays. For instance, the counties bordering nearby Craters of the Moon saw a 20% gain in both jobs and per capita income since it became a national monument in 2000.2

Our collective membership places high value on adventurous backcountry recreation, and seeks to protect and enhance these opportunities through a variety of measures. One such measure is advocating for land designations that balance diverse recreational opportunities with high-level protections. Designating Boulder-White Clouds as a national monument could achieve this goal. Given the longtime political stalemate preventing congressional action for protection, a national monument designation is an appropriate path forward for the much-needed land and recreation resource protection for the Boulder-White Clouds region.

1 Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Recreation Economy, http://www.outdoorindustry.org/advocacy/recreation/economy.html 2 Headwaters Economics, http://headwaterseconomics.org/apps-public/national-monuments/2011- 03/pdf/craters.pdf

To be successful, a national monument designation must continue to protect the diverse human-powered recreation opportunities that exist now, such as front and backcountry mountain biking and winter backcountry ski access, in order to ensure that these experiences and associated economic drivers are available into the future. Wilderness-like management prescriptions with limitations on some activities are certainly appropriate for parts of the Boulder-White Clouds, but where current low impact recreation opportunities are established, future management should retain them. We believe a new monument should thoughtfully balance all recreational uses through a proactive management approach that enables these uses to coexist while conserving and protecting the landscape.

While the area hosts a diverse spectrum of recreational amenities, some opportunities stand out. In particular, Castle Peak—the single most iconic location in the Boulder-White Clouds landscape—is considered one of the 50 classic ski descents of North America.3 Galena Summit along Highway 75 offers rare high elevation winter access into the Boulder Mountains, and come spring, Trail Creek Summit offers excellent ski mountaineering access well into May along the Southern edge of the range. The combination of tall mountains, huge views, dependable snowfall and a long season make this area special for all who visit.

In addition, the Castle Divide trail is amongst the most iconic and scenic trail rides in the country, providing a unique backcountry experience that mountain bikers place the highest value on. The Castle Divide trail offers adventure-riding opportunities in a high alpine environment that skirts Castle Peak. This is not an everyday type ride—for most, it is revered and reserved for that once-in-a-lifetime experience. For locals, riding the trail is an annual pilgrimage. The trail, however, is also self-limiting. Due to the challenge, logistics and remoteness, use will always remain minimal, which only adds to its allure. Backcountry trails are aspirational and inspire mountain cyclists of all types to get out and explore an extremely rewarding and challenging environment. Backcountry rides like Castle Divide are examples that IMBA highlights in their “Long Live Long Rides” campaign and designates as EPICS—a special honor for trails that are increasingly difficult to replicate.4

The backcountry experiences found in the Boulder-White Clouds evoke a deep appreciation of the American landscape; skiers, climbers, hikers and mountain bikers alike who visit come away wanting to protect this special place. The relationship between people and place is critically important to foster and is why protecting the Boulder-White Clouds is so important to so many people. Outdoor Alliance therefore supports efforts to designate the Boulder-White Clouds a national monument, and we ask the Obama Administration, US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management to continue prioritizing recreation in the authorizing language and management plan that follows.

Sustainable recreation is already well established in the SNRA and any future management should enhance these opportunities for future generations through thoughtful protections balanced with diverse recreation opportunities. Outdoor Alliance is encouraged by the prospect

3 A. Burrows, C. Davenport and P. Newhard. 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America. (Capitol Peak Publishing, 2010). 4 In addition to the national monument designation, Outdoor Alliance strongly supports maintaining current bike access to trails in the Boulder-White Clouds area and believes a wide range of opportunities, such as the riding currently enjoyed around Castle Peak and Antz Basin, should remain available to adventurous cyclists, as the setting and experience these trails offer are not found anywhere else in Idaho or the greater Northwest.

of this outstanding landscape receiving fitting protection as a national monument, and we are committed to working on behalf of our members to see that the exceptional backcountry recreation opportunities continue to be prioritized there. We look forward to working with all the agencies to designate and determine the management of a Boulder-White Clouds National Monument.

Best regards,

Brady Robinson Michael Van Abel Executive Director Executive Director Access Fund International Mountain Bicycling Association

Wade Blackwood Mark Menlove Executive Director Executive Director American Canoe Association Winter Wildlands Alliance

Mark Singleton Adam Cramer Executive Director Policy Architect American Whitewater Outdoor Alliance

cc: Joe Meade – Director Recreation Heritage & Wilderness Resources, USFS Liz Close – R4 Director Recreation Heritage & Wilderness Resources, USFS Joby Timm – Area Ranger, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, USFS Kurt Nelson – District Ranger, Ketchum District Ranger, USFS Todd Kuck – Field Manager, Challis Field Office, BLM