ROCKY MOUNTAINS

The Pacific Northwest region, that "green damp mystical place," is rarely referred to in the context of the Rocky Mountains, yet a large subregion dominated by the Rocky Mountain orogeny, vegetation, and settlement exists within the regional boarders. The Rocky Mountain subregion includes the northern two thirds of Idaho, the northern third of Washington, and northeastern Oregon. This subregion is relatively arid, rugged and sparsely settled. Most of the subregion is publicly owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service including large tracts of designated wilderness. The Idaho Rockies are divided into major mountain ranges by significant rivers such as the Salmon and Clearwater. The Blue Mountains in Oregon and the mountain ranges north of Spokane are also part of the Rocky Mountains in origin and biota. Human settlement of the subregion remains divided between Euro-Americans and Indians. Indian tribes such as the Nez Pierce have occupied northern Idaho for centuries. They currently manage their reservation in central Idaho in accordance with traditional land use goals. The Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, and Kootenai tribes are equally committed to ecosystem management that reflects traditional values.

Euro-American settlement began as missionary and fur trader groups crossed the region on their way to the Puget Sound area. Sparse settlement in predominately timber oriented towns was typical for this region. Mining interests also attracted attention to specific areas such as Kellogg and Colville, and across the entire region miners searched for gold and other ore bodies. Spokane has become a major service center for the northern Rocky subregion and Boise for the southern half of the subregion including the Blue Mountain area of Oregon. Declines in timber production and a focusing of the U.S. forest service on ecosystem management have altered the economics of the subregion. Outdoor recreation and habitat protection are becoming increasingly important.