April-May 1957: Continuing the Wilderness Bill Debate with Frank Hubachek

In the spring of 1957, conservationists for and against the creation of a national wilderness preservation system began gearing up for a new round of debate in Congress. The summer and fall of 1957 would become very difficult for Sigurd in his hometown, where most residents strongly opposed the idea, fearing it would destroy the local economy and take away their freedom to use the wilderness they loved in the ways they had used it for decades. For more complete background, and to see these memos in the context of other events during the first crucial period in the wilderness bill campaign, read Sigurd Olson and the Wilderness Act: 1956 and 1957.

April 22, 1957

Memo to : C.S.K. [Charles Kelly] and S.F.O. [Sigurd]

Gentlemen:

To each I attach photostats of three pages from the last issue of American Forests, relating to the so-called wilderness bill.

From the beginning I have had doubts as to the advisability of introducing this bill at this time. I am afraid that it will backfire. It has some inherently vulnerable aspects and I am afraid that it will be made to appear the work of impractical zealots.

For example the troublesome scientific problems of fighting disease and fire and other influences within a truly wilderness area have stumped thoughtful leaders in forestry for a long time. Such men as Dean Kaufert have only been won over to the Quetico program because they feel that those who are pressing it will be willing to face dangers and invasions of this kind with an open and flexible mind. The wilderness bill speaks so definitely of an idealistic preservation that it has aroused and will arouse some very strong opposition. Personally I wish that the introduction of the bill had been deferred until our own program is over the hump.

I am afraid it can become something like the Grand Portage Road issue which earned us many unnecessary enemies and alienated many strong friends. Like the outboard motor issue, it seems to me that this one could well have been postponed.

I realize that I am speaking from the very limited standpoint of one who is dedicated to a single proposal. Doubtless the situation looked differently to those whose conservation objectives are broader.

At any rate I urgently request that the President's Committee stay clear of this particular row. We have one rat to kill and I am afraid that if we start an eradication program, our rat may escape. Likewise I urge that all of us who are personally identified with the Q-S program as such, stay out of the lists. I hope that we can let other knights in shining armor carry on this particular joust. I know this will hurt and possibly aggravate Sig but that's the way I feel just the same.

SIGURD'S RESPONSE:

April 27, 1957

Dear Hub:

I have your memo to Charley and me regarding the "Wilderness Bill"and will comment briefly now and more fully later on. In the first place the bill was introduced in the last Congress after a great deal of work had been done on it by many responsible individuals and organizations. It is not the work of Howard Zahniser of the Wilderness Society or any other individual but rather a pooling of ideas of many that have been generating for the last ten years. It is sponsored by influential congressmen in both houses some fifteen all told scattered from coast to coast. Most of the nation conservation organizations are behind it including the Izaak Walton League of America. The only one actually opposing it is The American Forestry Association. They also opposed all of the conservation groups during the Dinosaur Issue.

I do not feel that there is any cause for alarm. The bill will not be passed this year but will be slated for hearings both in Washington and in the field. No doubt there will be many changes worked out including the actual establishment of the National Wilderness Preservation Council which is purely an advisory body including the heads of the bureaus concerned. I see no great harm in such a body, no more so than the suggested Advisory Committee for the Quetico-Superior.

Please note in the copy of HR 500 enclosed pages 17-21 and see how existing uses of national forests are protected. Note particularly Section 3 on top of page 21 referring specifically to the Superior National Forest. This was put in to protect Hubert Humphrey and the existing program of the USFS.

I agree that the Quetico-Superior Committee need not take a stand on the bill, but I would say that if the QS Committee came out in opposition, the whole movement would be jeopardised as far as broad public support is concerned. As far as my personal role is concerned, being wilderness ecologist of the [Izaak Walton] League, a member of the Wilderness Society Council and having identified myself with the cause of wilderness preservation generally I cannot refuse to lend my support as I have done in the past.

Fundamentally, this bill has one purpose to get Congressional recognition and approval of wilderness wherever it may be. Until now it is protected merely by regulations and administrative decrees. Unless it assumes the dignity of a congressional purpose mounting pressures in the future will surely destroy it including the Superior Roadless Areas [known today as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness]. The various bureaus concerned should be gratified if Congress takes action which says in substance "We the Congress of the People of these United States approve your plan in preserving the wilderness and will give you support when such areas are threatened.

As for destroying the multiple use concept as outlined in the American Forestry article, I think a careful reading will prove this wrong. Provisions are made for protecting existing uses. No jurisdiction will be taken out of the hands of the various bureaus. It will simply be more difficult to change boundaries and will require advance notices for hearings and congressional action. This the bureaus should welcome and I can say this that most bureau heads and staffs are beginning to see that the bill will strengthen their hands in the tough times ahead. I believe that when complete understanding of this bill is achieved it will do much toward eliminating opposition.

This is all for now. Florence and Lee Jaques are due to arrive any minute now to spend the week end. Took Dorothy out to The Point on Burntside Thursday night and know she enjoyed it. She made the walk in with no trouble at all which is a great improvement. We also saw a wolf crossing the lake. Thank God there is one of the dastardly critters left.

Regards.