Protect California Wilderness and Rivers!

S. 2535: The California Wild Heritage Act of 2002

Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced S. 2535, the California Wild Heritage Act of 2002. The bill will significantly expand the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System and the National Wilderness Preservation System on federally managed public lands in California. S. 2535 is the largest river protection and the third largest wilderness bill in California history.

The California Wild Heritage Act designates:

• 22 new Wild & Scenic Rivers totaling nearly 440 miles
• Two new Wild & Scenic study rivers totaling 78.5 miles
• 76 new wilderness areas and wilderness additions totaling 2.5 million acres
• Two wilderness study areas totaling 83,000 acres
• Three salmon habitat restoration areas totaling 74,667 acres
• One 17,000 acre Sacramento River National Conservation Area
• One 29,000 acre Ancient Bristle Cone Pine Forest

WHAT DOES FEDERAL PROTECTION MEAN?

Wild & Scenic River designation protects the free flowing character of river segments by prohibiting the construction of new dams and requiring that river-side public lands be managed to protect outstanding natural and cultural values. Public wilderness lands are managed to protect their undeveloped qualities and primitive recreation opportunities by prohibiting new road construction, development, logging, and motorized vehicle use. A wide variety of recreational activities are allowed, including hiking, backpacking, rafting, and horseback riding. Even grazing and mining, subject to valid existing rights, are allowed in wilderness.

WHY PROTECT THESE WILD LANDS AND RIVERS?

Federal designation will protect the public lands and watersheds that are the source of more than 60 percent of our state’s clean water. It contributes to our quality of life, by providing outdoor recreation opportunities for millions of Californians and economic benefits for many rural economies. California’s wild rivers and wilderness are an important part of our American heritage that we need to protect for future generations. Preserving wilderness and wild rivers also protects the homes of plants and animals, including hundreds of threatened and endangered species.

REDUCED CONFLICTS

A coalition of more than 200 conservation and recreation groups worked closely with Senator Boxer to develop the wild river and wilderness proposals in S. 2535. No constructed or maintained roads will be closed by the designations provided in the bill. All potential water storage sites under study by CALFED were avoided. Popular mountain bike trails were removed from the wilderness proposals to reduce conflicts.

No private lands are designated as wilderness in S. 2535. Wilderness and wild river boundaries were also set back to avoid utility corridors, existing dams and reservoirs, and fire-prone areas around communities and structures. Most areas in the bill with timber have already been placed off limits to commercial logging through impermanent administrative measures (Northwest Forest Plan, Sierra Framework, Roadless Area Conservation Plan).

PUBLIC SUPPORT

Californians overwhelmingly support the protection of wild rivers and wilderness. A professional poll of 900 likely voters conducted in the Fall of 2001 found that 72% supported protection of additional wilderness and wild rivers. Support among likely Hispanic voters in the poll was 85%. Specific support for S. 2535 is even more compelling. Hundreds of city council members, county supervisors, state legislators, and members of Congress support S. 2535 or specific areas and rivers proposed for protection in the bill. More than 200 local, statewide, and national conservation and outdoor recreation organizations have so far urged passage of the bill. More than 75 religious groups and faith community leaders support the statewide protection provided by S. 2535.

A few of the areas to be protected in the statewide bill include:

• Northern California: the King Range, or “Lost Coast,” offers the longest undisturbed wild coastline in the lower 48 states.

• Central Coast: the Ventana Potential Wilderness Additions are home to the endangered California Condor and abut the Big Sur coastline.

• Eastern Sierra: the White Mountains are the second largest roadless area in the U.S. and home to the oldest living trees in the world, the ancient bristlecone pines.

• Western Sierra: Duncan Canyon is a rare and spectacular ancient forest haven in the Sierra.

• Central Sierra: the Clavey River, tributary of the Tuolumne, is considered by scientists to be one of the healthiest watersheds in the Sierra Nevada. And the steep slopes above the South Fork Merced River area on the western border of Yosemite are as rugged and wild as can be imagined.

• California Desert: the Avawatz Mountains are a spring-watered stronghold for desert bighorn sheep, enjoyed by rock-climbers, hikers, and equestrians seeking solitude.

• Northern Sierra: the Feather Falls area in the Plumas National Forest contains the sixth largest waterfall in the United States.

• Southern California: the Upper San Diego River is one of the most remote areas in Southern California, and is key to protecting water quality for San Diego.

Areas and rivers that would be protected in the California Wild Heritage Act. Rivers protected in the bill. Map of areas and rivers that would be protected in the California Wild Heritage Act. Photo gallery of places that would be protected.

Photo: Duncan Cayon, proposed wilderness area. Photo courtesy Jim Rose.