tion during the past 25 to 30 years. There are even rare instances when there has been no measurable rainfall for over a year in the Los Angeles region due to the dominance of the subtropical systems; these occurred in the 1860's. In a sense, it is almost accidental that enough cyclonic storms can slip into our region to drop enough precipitation for any sizable snowpack to accumulate on the mountain

areas.

When we do have a storm of significance it is common for highpressure airmasses to be drawn in behind the eastward moving lowpressure system resulting in the familiar Santa Ana wind condition. Warming adiabatically due to the subsidence of the airmass, the winds will melt the snow which freezes the following night to a glare of ice. This phenomenon is well known to skiers who frequent Mount Baldy. Because of its location Mount Baldy receives an almost direct blast of wind from the Mojave Desert. San Gorgonio is similarly situated, and it is not unusual for its slopes to be turned to sheets of ice. Thick forest, steep slopes, glare ice, and skiing are tantamount to disaster. I found this out from firsthand experience in 1952 when I broke my back on San Gorgonio; after falling on the icy snow I had no control and I slid into a tree. Thus, even with a very modest plan at developing San Gorgonio lift skiing, it will be necessary from the safety standpoint to modify the area by clear cutting timber on the northern flanks of the mountain where the runs are planned.

In addition to cutting great swaths through the trees it will be necessary to move fantastic quantities of the glacially deposited rocks and boulders which have accumulated to immense thicknesses in the draws where the best skiing is usually found. These glacial moraines will have to be extensively bulldozed and smoothed in order for it to be possible to ski on the hill after a few inches of snow have fallen. These actions would obviously alter the major unique features of the area. The length of the ski season on San Gorgonio is such that it would normally provide 2, perhaps 3 more weeks of skiing at the end of the season. The last week is pretty marginal. It tends to be very icy in the morning and sticky in the afternoon with the runs being limited to the highest reaches of the draws with lots of rocks to dodge.

A major point in the presentation of the ski lift proponents is the need for an area that rises above 9,000 feet. Such an area exists outside the wild area. Rising to over 9,900 feet it offers the needed elevation and also north facing slopes which promote a longer ski season. It is more accessible from a main highway and my perusal of the area suggests that it offers slopes comparable to those now developed at Mount Baldy. This area is on the northeast flanks of Sugarloaf Mountain, 7 miles due north of San Gorgonio.

I personally feel the San Gorgonio wild area is too valuable as an undeveloped wilderness. Areas of uniqueness like San Gorgonio are at a real premium near major population centers where present and future generations can enjoy a wilderness experience or its scientific significance in its natural setting. Tens of thousands of annual visitors find the wild area enjoyable the way it is now. Perhaps Sugarloaf offers the solution to the skiers who want a few runs of lift skiing at the end of the year.

Thank you very much.

STATEMENT OF JOHN STANIFER, INDIVIDUAL, REDLANDS, CALIF. Mr. STANIFER. My name is John Stanifer. I live at 129 Anita Court in Redlands, Calif. For a living, I sell real estate in the Perris and Moreno Valleys, some 15 to 20 miles south of Redlands. I cannot conceive of my business being either helped or hindered by whatever decision is rendered on H.R. 6891 so, economically at least, I am a disinterested person in this controversy.

Approximately 3 years ago I moved into this area with my family after having spent the preceding 20 years as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Since arriving here we have had several occasions to visit and enjoy the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area and its counterpart area on the slope of Mount San Jacinto. I remember quite vividly the first time I climbed to the summit of San Gorgonio with my two sons who were then 6 and 12 years of age. We were resting in a cool, shaded valley near Dollar Lake enjoying the quiet, primitive beauty of the surroundings when I first explained to them how, through the efforts and vision of some farsighted individuals, the flora and fauna of that area was little changed from the time that Columbus had landed on our shores. And, what was even more important, that it would remain as a wilderness area for their children and their children's children to enjoy in the years to come. This, because some men had had the foresight to protect this small piece of real estate by writing laws that would keep out those things we like to term "progress.

I don't believe two boys have ever been more impressed with anything I have told them and we have discussed this fascinating situation many times on subsequent trips into the wilderness area.

I like to think of myself as a skier of sorts, having skied the slopes of my native Colorado, eastern France, and southern Bavaria. This winter I hope to teach my oldest boy the rudiments of the sport. I guess it must be both my familiarity with the sport and with the wilderness area that causes me to be amazed at the campaign which has been waged to open it to commercial winter sports. Obviously, a great deal of money has already been spent in attempts to remove it from its protective status and apparently this expensive effort will continue until it succeeds. In my humble opinion, the area just isn't that good for winter sports. The inescapable conclusion arises that there has to be something more-that this is the mere "door-opening" for larger things to follow.

I am sure the proponents of this bill have marshaled many statistics to prove that the opening of the area for family winter recreational use (and the attendant development of recreational facilities) will be economically beneficial to many people in many walks of life. I have heard the argument advanced that many industries may be more disposed to locating in this area if winter recreational facilities were developed on the north slope of Gorgonio. Although I may have some very strong doubts as to this being a decisive factor in relocating industry, I have no facts which I can offer to refute this claim. Let us assume for a moment that opening this area to commercial usage would be of considerable economic benefit to this region-industries would relocate and revenues would pour into lodgeowners,

motels, ski-lift operators, service stations, and so forth. Are there not some things we value above economic gains? I am certain that it is economically more feasible to dump our sewage and industrial wastes into our rivers and streams than it is to build expensive treatment and processing plants; to exhaust hydrocarbons and other pollutants into the atmosphere rather than to develop expensive devices and processes for their control. At least it appears to be more economical in the short-range view. But these short-range gains-like the opening of the wilderness area-can be deceiving and undesirable.

Today, let us have the courage to say, "Even though it isn't making us any money, let's keep this one small remaining wilderness as near primitive as possible, to be enjoyed in perpetuity."

Ours is the last generation that can make this decision.
Thank you very much.

STATEMENT OF THELMA HEDLUND, INDIVIDUAL, PASADENA,

CALIF.

Miss HEDLUND. Sirs, my name is Thelma Hedlund. Many a day the reading of the newspaper has me crying when I read of another plan to take what is left of our wild areas and commercialize them. I think what must I do? Take a year or more from my job to see all that is left of our natural beauty, our natural heritage, before it is all gone. I am of the working class, have minor income and vacation to spend on a trip. So I ask, How do I satisfy this panic feeling, which one will I see first, which one will fall victim to commercialism?

What will I tell the children that come after me? What will you tell them, when the wilderness is gone? What is happening to the coastal redwoods, the sequoias, the Grand Canyon, the San Rafael, the Everglades, and our own San Gorgonios?

At the feet of these beautiful mountains are the trails of the early pioneers, the wilderness they saw we will never see again.

Our country and our forefathers were created out of the wilderness, like a diamond to become a thing of beauty and strength this world has yet to replace. Strange as it may seem, many of us return to the wilderness when we find ourselves lost in the troubles of the world. Even the Son of God sought the wilderness when he needed help.

I ask that this statement be put on record, for the hearing of San Gorgonio Wilderness Area, for November 16 and 17, 1965.

I ask that the San Gorgonio wilderness remain as it is, and has been since 1931, as a wilderness state, and ask that it be put into the national wilderness system, to be protected by law from any member commercial or private use.

In 1931, the Forest Service put the San Gorgonio, known to the older citizens around here as Old Grayback, in law to preserve it from any manner of commercials, roads, buildings, or ski lifts. In 1938, 1942, in 1947, and 1964, they tried and failed to open this area for commercial use.

Yet there were 54,000 visitors to this area last year, used by the Scouts, youth groups, churches, and all manner of individuals.

Why would 54,000 people visit this area, without modern conveniences, roads, or buildings?

Could it be they found the little wilderness of their own, free from city traffic, concrete, noises, congestion. No beer parlors, motels, restrictions, where children are free, and can enjoy life in its natural simple beauty.

Let's not take away the last natural beauty, the last wilderness in southern California. Let's not take away the last sanctuary where many find peace of mind and soul from the worries of this unpredictable world, and the problems of everyday living.

There are about 10 major ski resorts in this area, and those a good day's ride from here in the Sierras. As for this area, there is about 4 months out of 8 that has enough snow for skiing, if we are lucky. It seems to me that most of the places rely more on this manmade snow as it is, even the places up north.

The mountains, including the Gorgonio, are used nearly all year around by people who enjoy camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, and snow sports without the modern conveniences, which seems to disturb the very few.

Would it be worth the price of this unreplaceable wilderness to allow it to be destroyed for the pleasures of the few, to see only the commercial value and the skiers that do not ski. For a ski resort you must build buildings, hotels, cocktail lounges, gas stations, motels, parking lots, and, for the rest of the snowless months, who would care for what is left? More often you will see our mountains used with or without snow. It is used by people who only need a barrel slat or garbage can lid to enjoy the snow. If at any time you don't see them in the mountains it is because the weather is too bad, and any time you see a skier, he must be very foolish.

The requirements of the 3,500 acres, does that include that which is damaged, beyond the border of these acres?

In building the road to Lake Tenaya in the Yosemite a masterful bit of damage and destruction was left. Yet I have not heard one good remark on this costly road, not from those who knew this place before it was done, nor from those who see it now and say it was a great waste. A grand highway was built and Squaw Valley was created, with all the modern conveniences, yet I understand that it is never filled to the maximum, and look at the destruction of the trees and country for this place.

Roads, buildings, modern equipment will be needed, ski lifts and all the trimmings that go with these resorts.

Who pays for all this? Who will benefit most from this project, the people?

Will the committee tell the 50,000 visitors they must pay or be taxed for the payment of the wilderness area, they already enjoy the way it is. Half of these are children.

A ski resort was being considered for the Mineral King Area. What happened to that project that was so badly needed, was it turned down. because it could not meet its cost, and not enough support?

Now I understand that it is to be a grand amusement park. Once an area like this is opened up to one project, it becomes vulnerable to others. Look at Arrowhead and Big Bear-once small ski and lake resort towns, now mass housing projects.

Easy access seems to make these places vulnerable to fires and careless vandals and tin can litterbugs.

I don't know if the Los Angeles forestry service and the San Bernardino forest service get their allowances from the same benefactors, but I do know that our forestry service cannot complete the jobs they have now because of a poor budget.

If this project goes under the care of the national forestry who pays for it and the upkeep and the care for it?

Taxes? Bonds? Private parties? In a national park? People are being taxed to death now, in order to keep their homes, schools, and public projects.

This wilderness area is used now and enjoyed, with little or no cost to anyone, except for the usual fire patrol.

Let's remember that the San Gorgonio is the last wilderness in southern California, a wilderness that gives us renewed strength and peace of mind and reminds us of our heritage, and the will of our forefathers had, and the simple way of life.

Thank you very much.

STATEMENT OF THOMAS L. DANIELSEN, INDIVIDUAL, RIVERSIDE, CALIF.

Mr. DANIELSEN. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I am Thomas L. Danielsen, from Riverside, Calif.

My feelings concerning the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area are strong. The area is heavily used by people of all ages from infants to people in their twilight years. Most people whom I have talked to regard the area as being both very beautiful and inspirational and should be left as it is. They do not want the development of the area for skiing.

When the promoters of mechanized skiing on San Gorgonio speak of the skiers of southern California they do not speak for all of the skiers. Some of the strongest opponents to the proposed mechanized ski area are themselves skiers. Some of the people who are testifying here at these hearings against the proposed ski area are skiers. Even as skiers these people feel that in the congested areas of southern California there is more need for preserving the unique character of the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area than for commercial development. Skiers have said in past testimony that they would rather drive the distance now necessary to an operating mechanized ski area than ruin this wilderness. Therefore, I cannot help but feel that the proponents of mechanized skiing in the San Gorgonio wilderness are primarily interested in the monetary gains and not the skiers. Recently I was talking to one of the main proponents of the development of the area and he told me that 3 weekends of peak operation would pay for the entire expenses of the season and that from then on it would be, in his words, "gravy, pure gravy." Wilderness is so scarce that it should not be turned into gravy.

Gentlemen, since my return to Riverside this past September, I have been up in the San Gorgonio wilderness several times. I have met scores of people on the trails. The most impressive thing about the usage of this area is the number of boys and girls who are using this area for a wilderness experience. They need unique areas such as