[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[September 4, 1992]
[Page 1478]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1478]]


Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting Proposed Legislation on 
Idaho Public Lands Wilderness Designation
September 4, 1992

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    I am pleased to submit for congressional consideration and passage 
the ``Idaho Public Lands Wilderness Act''.
    The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), (43 
U.S.C. 1701, et seq.), directs the Secretary of the Interior to review 
the wilderness potential of the public lands.
    The review of the areas identified in Idaho began immediately after 
the enactment of FLPMA and has now been completed. Approximately 1.8 
million acres of public lands in 67 areas in Idaho met the minimum 
wilderness criteria and were designated as wilderness study areas 
(WSAs). These WSAs were studied and analyzed during the review process 
and the results documented in 14 environmental impact statements and 
three instant study area reports.
    Based on the studies and reviews of the WSAs, the Secretary of the 
Interior is recommending that all or part of 27 of the WSAs, totaling 
972,239 acres of public lands, be designated as part of the National 
Wilderness Preservation System.
    I concur with the Secretary of the Interior's recommendations and am 
pleased to recommend designation of the 27 areas (totaling 972,239 
acres) identified in the enclosed draft legislation as additions to the 
National Wilderness Preservation System.
    The proposed additions represent the diversity of wilderness values 
in the State of Idaho. These range from the high desert canyon lands of 
southwestern Idaho to the lava flows of the Great Rift and Hells Half 
Acre. These areas span a wide variety of Idaho landforms, ecosystems, 
and other natural systems and features. Their inclusion in the 
wilderness system will improve the geographic distribution of wilderness 
areas in Idaho, and will complement existing areas of congressionally 
designated wilderness. They will provide new and outstanding 
opportunities for solitude and unconfined recreation.
    The enclosed draft legislation provides that designation as 
wilderness shall not constitute a reservation of water or water rights 
for wilderness purposes. This is consistent with the fact that the 
Congress did not establish a Federal reserved water right for wilderness 
purposes. The Administration has established the policy that, where it 
is necessary to obtain water rights for wilderness purposes in a 
specific wilderness area, water rights would be sought from the State by 
filing under State water laws. Furthermore, it is the policy of the 
Administration that the designation of wilderness areas should not 
interfere with the use of water rights, State water administration, or 
the use of a State's interstate water allocation.
    The draft legislation also provides for access to wilderness areas 
by Indian people for traditional cultural and religious purposes. Access 
by the general public may be limited in order to protect the privacy of 
religious cultural activities taking place in specific wilderness areas. 
In addition, to the fullest extent practicable, the Department of the 
Interior will coordinate with the Department of Defense to minimize the 
impact of any overflights during these religious cultural activities.
    I further concur with the Secretary of the Interior that all or part 
of 57 of the WSAs encompassing 825,217 acres are not suitable for 
preservation as wilderness.
    Also enclosed are a letter and report from the Secretary of the 
Interior concerning the WSAs discussed above and a section-by-section 
analysis of the draft legislation. I urge the Congress to act 
expeditiously and favorably on the proposed legislation so that the 
natural resources of these WSAs in Idaho may be protected and preserved.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
                        and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate.