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Heritage Junction Dispatch
Organization: California Wild Heritage Campaign
Date: July 16, 2008
Senate Hears Testimony on Bill to Protect Wilderness and Wild & Scenic
Rivers in the Eastern Sierra and San Gabriel Mountains
Local Residents Applaud Boxer and McKeon Efforts to Protect Premier Outdoor Recreation Area
Washington, DC — Spectacular mountains, rivers and open spaces in
California's Eastern Sierra and San Gabriel Mountains are closer to gaining
permanent protection today after a hearing in the
Senate Public Lands and Forests Subcommittee.
The Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act, introduced by
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representative Howard "Buck" McKeon
(R-Santa Clarita), aims to protect nearly 475,000 acres of wilderness and 52
miles of wild and scenic rivers.
Leading conservation groups joined community leaders and business owners in
their support of this bipartisan legislation.
"We appreciate Rep. McKeon's and Sen. Boxer's long and steadfast dedication
to protecting wild lands in the Eastern Sierra and San Gabriel Mountains,"
said Sally Miller, California Senior Field Representative with The
Wilderness Society and resident of Lee Vining. "By continuing to refine this
legislation, they are demonstrating their commitment to balancing the
interests of the many people who enjoy these lands."
This tough-compromise proposal includes some of the region's most treasured
natural wonders, from the 14,000-foot peaks in Mono County's White Mountains
to the Amargosa River in Death Valley, and the specially-designated Ancient
Bristlecone Pine Forest. It also includes a winter recreation area for
snowmobiling.
Residents of the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys expressed their delight
that the bill also includes wild lands in northern Los Angeles County: some
40,000 acres in the Magic Mountain and Pleasant View Ridge areas and seven
miles of Piru Creek. The Pleasant View Ridge area features 8,200-foot Mt.
Williamson, the headwaters of Little Rock Creek, and some of the most
magnificent and remote ridge and canyon country in southern California.
"I am so very pleased that two of our beautiful, local mountain hiking areas
and one of our gorgeous rivers are being considered for wilderness and wild
and scenic designation," said Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel, Director of the
Community Hiking Club in Santa Clarita. "By protecting these wonderful
places, we'll be leaving a legacy of nationally significant wild lands and
rivers for generations to come."
"The success of this effort is important to the whole community," said Chris
Spicher, a business owner in Lancaster. "Not only will it ensure permanent
protection for the outstanding beauty, quiet solitude and stunning vistas of
the Eastern Sierra and San Gabriel Mountains, but it will also greatly
enhance the region's recreation and tourism-based economy."
Wilderness and wild and scenic river designation for these lands will mean
that a wide range of recreational activities will be allowed, including
hunting, hiking, camping, backpacking and fishing; but that development,
such as road building and motorized access will not.
* * *
Since 2000, California Wild Heritage Campaign, a coalition of over 500
businesses and organizations has worked to ensure the permanent protection
of California's remaining wild public lands and rivers.
