PUBLIC LAND: Seniors denied

It is commendable that the Forestry Department and Department of Fish and Game have in the last several months acquired thousands of acres of land that they are calling Public Land. However, their definition of public land is the same as Wilderness Land where only foot travel and travel by horse are allowed.

The first thing they do to newly acquired “public” land is to install fences or gates at every point of access. Unlike many other states, there is no provision for senior citizens who either have physical ailments or are just too old to hike for miles to enjoy the public land. Many other states dedicate portions of their public, state and federal land for motorized vehicles such as ATV, motorcycle or electric bikes.

All of our national parks have even changed their bicycle rules to allow electric bikes on all of their bicycle trails. ATVs or electric bikes for example are in many cases the only optional means of travel on trails or into these public lands for seniors. It would be commendable if some of this public land were to be dedicated to ATV and electric bike usage. Otherwise, many thousands of beautiful acres in North Idaho will just go unseen and unused by the older folks so prevalent in our neighborhoods. Approximately 80% of the people migrating to North Idaho are 55 or older.

JAY MARTIN

Athol