U.S. Sen. Jim Risch introduced legislation Thursday to protect the Idaho portion of the craggy, scenic Scotchman Peaks as a federal wilderness area. The action follows a decade of grassroots efforts to gain wilderness status for the peaks northeast of Lake Pend Oreille, writes S-R reporter Becky Kramer; the area has little commercial timber, but enjoys high recreational use. You can read our full story here at spokesman.com.

The Idaho side of the proposed wilderness encompasses about 14,000 acres of national forest land, including Bonner County’s tallest mountain. Scotchman Peak, elevation 7,009 feet, has a popular hiking trail that takes visitors to a summit overlooking the Clark Fork River delta. Mountain goats frequent the trail. The entire Scotchman Peaks area is about 88,000 acres, including federal land in Montana that would require separate wilderness legislation.

Risch, a Republican, said he plans to hold hearings on the legislation next year. Congressional approval is needed to create new wilderness areas, which limits development and motorized use to preserve the natural character of the land and ecological functions.

“If passed, this legislation would allow future generations of Idahoans to enjoy Scotchman Peaks, while at the same time protecting the needs and rights of local communities and tribes,” Risch said in a statement. “This bill was introduced today to start the public process, and will not move forward until I hear from Idahoans directly about this topic.”