WILDERNESS – Advocates for the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness, including a county commissioner and a timber industry representative, have been in Washington, D.C., this week lobbying Congress.

The 88,000-acre area northeast of Lake Pend Oreille has received widespread support, including an endorsement by the Bonner County Commission.

Phil Hough of the Friends of the Scotchman Peak Wilderness is in the nation’s capital with commissioner Cary Kelly of Sandpoint and Bob Boeh, Idaho Forest Group’s vice president of government affairs.

The U.S. Forest Service has recommended the area for wilderness protection.

Hough said he hopes to meet with Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Rep. Raul Labrador, all R-Idaho, and convince them that the time is right to introduce legislation.