Protect remaining caribou

So Bonner County commissioners have decided to use $10,000 of taxpayer money to fight against protection of the endangered caribou. Why? So that snowmobilers can go anywhere they want. The proposed area is about 10 percent of the Idaho Panhandle and Pend Oreille County in Washington. Note this proposed protection does not close this area to public entry; it would keep out snowmobiles during winter months.

Commissioner Mike Nielsen’s response that there are “millions of caribou north of us” is like saying there are millions of salmon in the oceans, so let’s dam all the rivers for other commercial uses.

How about spending my tax dollars in promoting the caribou? Millions of people spend a lot money going to Yellowstone Park to observe wildlife. Yellowstone doesn’t have caribou.

I urge the U.S. Wildlife Service to adapt its proposed protection plan, and for Bonner County to spend my money in a positive way of promoting an asset that no other place in the lower U.S. has.

The selfish snowmobilers don’t need it all.

Marty Stitsel

Sandpoint