The Nation - News from July 27, 1988

U.S. Forest Service officials said they are falling behind on upkeep of wilderness areas because of factors ranging from sloppy campers to acid rain. At a House hearing in Washington, they cited problems of dangerous trails, dirty and crowded campsites, unsanitary water, man-made pollution and intrusion by vehicles. George Leonard, Forest Service associate chief, and rangers from six Western areas said more attention and money are needed to care for the 32 million acres of wilderness. Rep. Bruce F. Vento (D-Minn.), chairman of the Interior public lands subcommittee, agreed, saying only 32 cents a year is spent on each wilderness acre, contrasted with $6.39 per acre for general Forest Service lands.