Scotchman Peaks Wilderness Campaign: Factsheet

The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is an all-volunteer group of citizens with over 800 supporters. We are concerned residents of North Idaho and Western Montana who believe that the 88,000-acre Scotchman Peaks roadless area deserves permanent protection as wilderness. Wilderness designation for the Scotchmans makes both ecological and economical sense for our region.

Wilderness Designation for the Scotchmans will protect water quality as well as rare plants and wildlife including endangered grizzly bears, mountain goat, wolves, lynx and bull trout. The Scotchman Peaks would add habitats not well represented in the National Wilderness Preservation System (low elevation boreal forests and cedar/hemlock communities.)

Local communities will benefit from the unparalleled recreational and economic opportunities which wilderness provides. Many studies have indicated a strong link between protected public lands and diverse, vibrant western economies. As our regions shifts from extraction based industries to business dependent upon natural beauty and “quality of life” features, wilderness makes dollars as well as sense.

We have received resolutions of support or endorsements from:

• Governor Schweitzer of Montana
• Bonner County Commissioners
• City of Thompson Falls
• City of Sandpoint
• City of Ponderay
• Sanders County Ledger
• River Journal
• Bonner County Daily Bee
• Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce
• Idaho Native Plant Society
• Spokane Mountaineers
• And many prominent local businesses and individuals

Learn more at The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.