Three new central Idaho wilderness areas could have management plans in place this year.
Federal officials released the Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness Management Plan covering 183 square miles earlier this month -- and are taking comments from those who previously participated in the process through June 4th.
Officials say they chose a middle-ground approach for restrictions on human visitors while still preserving the natural setting.
Officials say they'll also release plans for the 138-square-mile Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness and the 142-square-mile Cecil D. Andrus White Clouds Wilderness in the next several months.
President Barack Obama signed the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and Jerry Peak Wilderness Additions Act in 2015 -- after Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho got ranchers, recreationists, and environmental groups to back the plan.
(by Keith Ridler, Associated Press)
