Since friends in Desert Survivors completed a multi-day backpack trip along the Toiyabe Crest trail in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest I have become aware of the beauty of the riparian habitat along the South Twin River. I have also been amazed at images from their days hiking the entire Toiyabe Crest Trail. As one of hundreds of members of the conservation group Desert Survivors www.desert-survivors.org I have spent considerable time enjoying Nevada public lands on trips to __________, and _________, and __________. Despite my familiarity with Nevada's backcountry, I am aware of no other extended trip with views that match those from the crest of the Toiyable Range.

I understand that the management plan for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is currently being revised. I urge you to recommend the entire Toiyabe Range for wilderness designation, in particular the northern portion of the trail from Ophir Summit to Kingston trailhead. I can see from my friend's images that the northern part has suffered more impacts from vehicle incursions, and cattle trampling of springs and watercourses than the southern portion, which already benefits from wilderness protection (the Arc Dome Wilderness). While I understand that wilderness designation will not remove the vehicle tracks, mining ventures (and erosion from these), nor remove the existing grazing allotments, wilderness designation will limit or prevent further impacts of the sort.

Backpacking ventures stimulate a surprising amount of economic activity to Nevada towns and cities. Backpackers utilize motels and restaurants. They purchase gasoline, groceries, and other supplies. They buy antiques, art, and curios. Many linger in the area for additional days to visit museums such as are in Tonopah, hot springs such as are outside Austin, and to ride mountain bicycles near Austin. Backpackers tell and show their friends the special places they have enjoyed. Some of these friends (such as myself) will be encouraged to travel the Toiyabe Crest.

Backcountry wilderness travelers bring economic benefit to areas with little infrastructure. Backpackers are adaptable tourists, and since we travel to enjoy the land, we return year after year to places where wilderness values persist. Thus backpackers are additional to gambling tourists. Backpacker's choice of destination is influenced by persistent wilderness values, not fickle attractions such as the newest casino in the next county, or the lowest cost meal-lodging-gambling vacation package in some profit-sapping price war. Backpackers from Desert Survivors can aid your agency's efforts to manage land - we have performed volunteer service work on many Nevada public lands in cooperation with agencies.

I urge you to add protection to the entire Toiyabe Range, in particular the northern portion of the Toiyabe Crest Trail from Ophir Summit to Kingston trailhead, so that these opportunities will remain for others in the future. Please keep me apprised of your efforts in this regard.

Sincerely,

Your name