Protect California Wilderness and Rivers!

Rep. Mike Thompson introduces bill to protect wildlands and rivers on California's North Coast

Areas proposed for protection

In late March, Congressman Mike Thompson, who represents California's north coast from Sonoma to the Oregon border, introduced the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act of 2003, also known as H.R. 1501. The bill, also introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer in the Senate as S. 738, covers 303,924 acres and 21 river miles of some of the state's most spectacular scenery and important fish and wildlife habitat.

The bill has attracted support from anglers, outfitters, and many others whose livelihood depends upon protecting wildlands. "This legislation byCongressman Thompson and Senator Boxer is invaluable and deserves full support. It protects food and jobs," said Zeke Grader, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, the largest and most politically active trade association of commercial fishermen on the west coast. "If passed, this bill will safeguard critical habitat for threatened salmon species, which is key to protecting the livelihood of the working family fishermen and women."

The Thompson/Boxer bill will preserve unique landscapes and diverse ecosystems of California's coastal region by designating certain public lands as wilderness in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake, and Napa counties and designating segments of the Black Butte River in Mendocino County as a Wild and Scenic River. The bill will also promote opportunities for compatible recreation, such as horseback riding, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and whitewater rafting.

"Many of us choose to live in California because of our quality of life, and our state's unique wild places have so much to do with that," stated Ed Robey, a Lake County Supervisor. "Now's the time to protect these lands and rivers, so that future generations can enjoy what we do today."

Nearly 7.5 million acres of wilderness-quality lands in California remain unprotected. But support for preserving more wild lands for future generations is high. A recent poll by Zogby International found that Americans want more public land protected as wilderness in their state, including 62 percent of Westerners.

What you can do:

Please help protect the north coast¹s spectacular and unique wildlands! Write your Representative in Congress, and ask him or her to cosponsor Rep. Thompson¹s "Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act," H.R. 1501. Also, write Senator Dianne Feinstein, and ask her to cosponsor the Senate version, S. 738. The addresses are:

Rep. _______________
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Hon. Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Senate
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Areas proposed for protection in the Thompson/Boxer Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act of 2003

Black Butte River Proposed Wild and Scenic River (21 miles of stream in Mendocino County, Mendocino National Forest [NF]): Provides some of the best habitat for endangered Chinook salmon and winter-run steelhead trout in the entire Middle Fork Eel River drainage.

Blue Ridge Proposed Wilderness (760 acres in Napa County, Ukiah Field Office [FO] of the Bureau of Land Management [BLM]): The Blue Ridge Trail offers an astounding profusion of wildflowers and views as far south as Yosemite and as far north as Mount Shasta. Outstanding winter, spring and fall hiking close to the Bay Area and Sacramento.

Cache Creek Proposed Wilderness (38,960 acres in Lake County, Ukiah FO of the BLM): Hosts the second largest wintering bald eagle population in California. Offers outstanding hiking, horseback riding and whitewater boating opportunities.

Cedar Roughs Proposed Wilderness (5,880 acres in Napa County, Ukiah FO of the BLM): Shelters the largest grove in the world of the rare Sargent cypress. Hosts the last wild black bear population in Napa County.

Elkhorn Ridge Proposed Potential Wilderness (8,000 acres in Mendocino County, Arcata FO of the BLM): Dominated by the South Fork Eel River canyon lined with forests of redwood, madrone, oak, and Douglas fir. A haven for endangered species.

King Range Proposed Wilderness (41,614 acres in Humboldt and Mendocino counties, Arcata FO of the BLM): The longest stretch of undeveloped beach and coastal bluffs in the United States outside of Alaska. The area offers whalewatching, birdwatching, and outstanding hiking and equestrian trails.

Mad River Buttes Proposed Wilderness (5,740 acres in Humboldt County, Six Rivers NF): The closest wild land to the growing communities of northern Humboldt County, this region offers amazing views and incredible wildflower displays.

Mount Lassic Proposed Wilderness (7,100 acres in Humboldt County, Six Rivers NF): A picturesque cluster of peaks offering impressive views of the Coast Range. This area is noted for its rare and unusual plant species.

Sanhedrin Mountain Proposed Wilderness (10,160 acres in Lake and Mendocino counties, Mendocino NF): One of the most important havens for rare plant species in California. Old-growth forests provide critical habitat for wildlife.

Siskiyou Wilderness Proposed Additions (42,190 acres in Del Norte and Humboldt counties, Six Rivers NF): Among California's wildest, most remote lands. If Bigfoot really exists, then it surely spends time in the Siskiyou. The immense diversity of plants and animals in the proposed additions and adjacent wilderness set it apart from most other California wild areas.

Snow Mountain Proposed Wilderness Additions (20,960 acres in Lake County, Mendocino NF): Ten miles of the scenic Eel River canyon, large meadows, and beautiful oak groves and ancient forests of pine and fir highlight this area.

South Fork Eel Proposed Wilderness (14,000 acres in Mendocino County, Arcata FO of the BLM): Renowned among botanists for its diverse array of rare plant species. The South Fork Eel River contains the last remaining non-hatchery "long-run" coho salmon population in California.

Trinity Alps Proposed Wilderness Additions (26,510 acres in Humboldt County, Six Rivers NF): Shelters the third largest swath of unprotected old-growth in Northern California.

Underwood Proposed Wilderness (3,500 acres in Humboldt County, Six Rivers NF): Bisected by the Wild and Scenic South Fork Trinity River, this area is known for the South Fork Trail and its outstanding spring wildflower displays.

Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Proposed Wilderness Additions (26,760 acres in Mendocino County, Mendocino NF and Arcata FO of the BLM): The Middle Fork Eel River hosts between 30-50% of the state's summer-run steelhead trout population. The Travelers Home National Recreation Trail accesses beautiful forests and meadows.

Yuki Proposed Wilderness (51,790 acres in Lake and Mendocino counties, Mendocino NF and Arcata FO of the BLM): The largest forested new wilderness candidate in California. The Middle Fork Eel River passes through the area.

Photo courtesy Bureau of Land Management.