Senate Energy Committee Approves Three Boxer Bills to Protect More than 700,000 Acres of California Wilderness
Thursday, September 11, 2008
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) today commended the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for including three bills she sponsored that would designate more than 700,000 acres of federal public land in California as wilderness in a larger package of legislation that will now proceed to the Senate floor for consideration.
Senator Boxer said, "Working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, we have put together legislation that protects some of California and the nation’s most magnificent places and ensures that they will be preserved for generations to come. I commend the Committee’s decision to include these measures, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to see them become law."
The three bills approved by the committee were the California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act, the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Wilderness Act and the Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act, all three of which are cosponsored by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
"Preserving California’s rich natural heritage is one of my top priorities in the Senate," Senator Feinstein said. "I'm pleased to work with Senator Boxer to help ensure the lasting federal protection of these pristine wilderness areas in the Eastern Sierras and San Gabriel Mountains, in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, and in Riverside County. And I thank Chairman Bingaman and the members of the Committee for their help in moving these bills one step closer to reality."
The California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act, introduced in the House by Representative Mary Bono (R-CA-45), designates new wilderness areas and expands existing wilderness areas. It designates segments of four rivers as wild and scenic and adds four parcels to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. The total scope of the proposal encompasses approximately 200,000 acres of federal lands and 31 miles of rivers.
The Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park Wilderness Act, introduced in the House by Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA-20) and Devin Nunes (R-CA-21), designates approximately 90,000 acres of land within the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park as wilderness. The proposed wilderness area includes the Redwood Mountain Grove, the largest Giant Sequoia grove within the Park and California’s longest cave. This bill also establishes the John Krebs Wilderness Area, honoring former Congressman John Krebs, who authored the law transferring Mineral King Valley to the National Park Service in 1978, which protected the valley from development.
"This is a fitting honor for a man of great political courage and vision," Boxer said.
The Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act, introduced in the House by Representative Buck McKeon (R-CA-25) will give wilderness designations to more than 450,000 acres of federal public land in Mono, Inyo and Los Angeles Counties, including magnificent High Sierra lands, California’s second highest mountain range—the spectacular White Mountains, and classic southern California mountain landscape accessible to millions of people.
Senator Feinstein Cosponsors Boxer Wilderness Legislation
- Measure would protect more than 470,000 acres in Mono, Inyo and Los Angeles Counties -
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today announced her cosponsorship of a measure recently introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) to protect more than 470,000 acres in Mono, Inyo and Los Angeles Counties as wilderness. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-Calif.).
The legislation, called the "Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act," will give wilderness designations to more than 470,000 acres of federal public land in California. "Wilderness" designations offer the highest level of protection and conservation for federal lands. The designation will prevent future development, but allow the areas to remain open to the public for non-motorized recreational activities.
"The White Mountains, the Eastern Sierras and northern San Gabriel Mountains number among California's most stunning and beautiful landscapes. The nearly 500,000 acres of remote lands that would be designated in this legislation include craggy granite peaks, ancient bristlecone pine forests, unspoiled alpine lakes, winding river valleys and a host of diverse wildlife," Senator Feinstein said.
"So I'm delighted to join Senator Boxer in the effort to ensure that these magnificent lands are protected for future generations to enjoy. And I look forward to working with my colleagues and local leaders to refine this proposal as the legislation moves forward."
Specifically, the bill designates:
- 224,000 acres (approx.) of wilderness in the White Mountains, America's largest and highest desert mountain range;
- 207,000 acres (approx.) of wilderness in the Eastern Sierras, including additions to the Hoover and Emigrant Wilderness;
- 29,000 acres (approx.) of special protection designation for the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, the 5,000-year-old bristlecone pines, found in the White Mountains, are the world's oldest living trees;
- 42,000 acres (approx.) of wilderness in Los Angeles County, in the northern San Gabriel Mountains near Santa Clarita;
- 10,800 acres (approx.) of snowmobiling recreation area, in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (3,200 acres) and the Bridgeport Winter Recreation Area (7,600 acres); and
- 53 miles (approx.) of wild and scenic river designations, including:
- 26 miles on the Amargosa River, which is the only river flowing into Death Valley,
- 19 miles of the Owens River Headwaters, and
- 7 miles on Piru Creek.
Boxer and McKeon Introduce Legislation to Protect Wilderness
Friday, May 23, 2008
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced legislation Thursday to protect almost half a million acres of wilderness lands in California. Congressman Buck McKeon (R-CA-25), whose congressional districts contain these lands, introduced the companion bill in the House.
Boxer said: "I am thrilled that Congressman Buck McKeon and I, together with countless local officials and residents, were able to forge a bipartisan compromise to protect these truly spectacular lands. From the majestic High Sierra, to the stunning White Mountains and their ancient Bristlecone Pine forests, to the beautiful northern San Gabriel Mountains, Californians will be able to enjoy this striking beauty forever. We will continue to work together to make sure that this natural legacy can be left to our grandchildren and their grandchildren."
McKeon said: "I am pleased that after years of working with local leaders, wilderness activists, and recreational enthusiasts; we finally have a practical solution to preserving the wild heritage of the 25th congressional district. I also want to thank Senator Boxer for playing such a critical role in crafting legislation that meets the needs of all the key stakeholders. With this legislation, we are increasing economic development by preserving land treasured by many and enhancing recreational opportunities in the area."
The Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act will give wilderness designations – the highest level of protection and conservation for federal lands – to 472,804 acres of federal public land in California.
Specifically, the bill designates an additional 430,671 acres of wilderness in Mono and Inyo Counties and establishes more than 45 miles of the Owens River Headwaters and Amargosa River as Wild and Scenic Rivers. The bill also designates an additional 42,000 acres of wilderness in Los Angeles County, and it establishes more than seven miles of Piru Creek as a Wild and Scenic River.
The land protected under the bill includes the White Mountains, America's largest and highest desert mountain range. The second largest unprotected "roadless" area in the lower 48 states, the Whites are home to the world's oldest living trees – the ancient Bristlecone Pines – which live almost 5,000 years. It also makes additions to the Hoover Wilderness, a classic High Sierra landscape of deeply carved glacial valleys dotted with tranquil alpine lakes and forests of lodgepole pine. The Amargosa River, which the bill also protects, is the only river flowing into Death Valley, and it sustains biologically rich wetlands and riparian forests as it makes its way through ancient, rugged canyons.