More on wilderness

In the Nov. 14 Hungry Horse News, Larry Wilson wrote, “Defined wilderness areas today are not really wilderness. All of them have maintained trails with expensive creek crossings and even established camp sites.” Agreed.

Then, why did he claim on Sept. 26, “Much of the North Fork is already ‘wilderness,’” complete with chainsaws, dynamite, power brushers, helicopters, airplanes, roads, parking lots, permanent campgrounds, buildings, bridges, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, pick-up trucks, Jeeps and motorboats? This is above and beyond maintained trails, expensive creek crossings and established camp sites.

I am sincerely bewildered. How could he say that Glacier National Park and the National Forest in the North Fork is wilderness and then say that today’s defined wilderness is not really true wilderness?

What prompted such a change of heart? How could one talk so effortlessly out both sides of one’s mouth? Did Mr. Wilson actually read the 1964 Wilderness Act and discard his previous notions of some fabled De Facto Wilderness Act he previously mentioned on Sept. 26?

I concur that wilderness today is not really wilderness, but according to the Wilderness Act it clearly prohibits bridges, landing strips, roads, parking lots, motors and engines, wheels, buildings like ranger stations and patrol cabins, and other permanent man-made fixtures and management practices. What is managed and controlled is not wild — check the dictionary on that one.

I guess when it concerns Mr. Wilson and wilderness, it’s whichever direction the wind is blowing the willows and the flags of justice in his personal headlights when he wakes in the morning.

Matthew Chappell

West Glacier