Though the Sawtooth Society strives to make Earth Day everyday in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, we also like to take a moment on this official Earth Day to appreciate our incredible surroundings. And to consider the progressive actions of a few Idaho politicians.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s the area that is now the SNRA was being threatened. There were plans to turn the iconic Castle Peak in the White Clouds into an open pit molybdenum mine. There were thoughts of turning the Sawtooth Valley into a large subdivision. These threats led to statewide action to protect the beloved area. Led by Idaho Senator Frank Church, Governor Cecil Andrus, and Congressman Orval Hansen efforts to preserve the area came to fruition in 1972.
On August 22nd, 1972 Public Law 92-400 was signed. It stated “In order to assure the preservation and protection of the natural, scenic, historic, pastoral, and fish and wildlife values and to provide for the enhancement of the recreational values associated therewith, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is hereby established”. With the signing of Public Law 92-400, the beautiful and rugged Sawtooth Mountains, White Cloud Mountains, Boulder Mountains and Smoky Mountains were allowed to remain untouched by time.
To see what this looks like, take a couple minutes to watch the video below and reflect on the efforts those impassioned Idahoans.
