“Get Loud for the Clouds” Will Greet Pres. Obama
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Deborah Courson Smith
BOISE, Idaho – Several rallies and demonstrations are planned today in Boise as President Obama speaks on the Boise State University campus. One of those events is “Get Loud for the Clouds,” organized by those who want the president to create a national monument in the Boulder-White Clouds.
“It would take the stroke of his pen to make a national monument happen,” said John Reuter, executive director of Conservation Voters for Idaho. “This is a unique opportunity for us in Idaho to express that we want to protect this important of our state.”
Bills to designate some of the area as wilderness have been introduced several times in Congress by members of Idaho’s delegation. Opponents of the idea of a monument are concerned about restrictions on mining and logging.
Reuter said the Boulder-White Clouds are unique because of their high-elevation salmon spawning grounds, and as a migratory route and home for diverse species.
“For over 40 years, conservationists have been working to protect this area,” he said. “It also is the largest area in the Lower 48 that still doesn’t have monument-level protection.”
The rally will be held 11:30 a.m. in front of the Caven-Williams Sport Complex, 1201 Cesar Chavez Lane, where Obama will speak.