Sawtooth Wilderness - Management

Management

The Sawtooth Wilderness is managed by Sawtooth National Recreation Area, which is a division of Sawtooth National Forest. However, the wilderness encompasses land that was originally part of three National Forests: 150,071 acres (607.32 km2) in Boise National Forest, 12,020 acres (48.6 km2) in Challis National Forest, and 54,997 acres (222.56 km2) in Sawtooth National Forest. Additional areas of adjacent to the wilderness are part of proposed additions to the Sawtooth Wilderness, such as through the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act. These proposals have gained no support among Idaho's congressional delegation because the bill is viewed as placing too many public use and development restrictions on Idaho's public lands.

The Wilderness Act of 1964 enhanced the protection status of remote or undeveloped land already contained within federally administered protected areas. Passage of the act ensured that no human improvements would take place aside from those already existing. The protected status in wilderness-designated zones prohibits road and building construction, oil and mineral exploration or extraction, and logging, and also prohibits the use of motorized equipment, including bicycles. The only manner in which people can enter wilderness areas is either on foot or horseback. Hunting and fishing are permitted in the wilderness, just as they are throughout the SNRA, provided those engaging in such activities have the proper licenses and permits. Fires and stock are prohibited in certain high-use areas of the wilderness.