SENATOR BOXER ANNOUNCES CALIFORNIA WILDERNESS AND RIVERS BILL
Before a crowd of over 200 people overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and San
Francisco Bay, Senator Barbara Boxer on Saturday, May 11 announced her plans
to introduce the California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act of 2002.
Accompanying Senator Boxer were Rep. Hilda Solis of Los Angeles, who will
introduce a southern California companion bill to Boxeršs while Rep. Mike
Thompson will introduce the northern California companion. A surprise
participant was Rep. Lois Capps, wilderness supporter who happened to be in
the area for a family gathering.
Senator Boxer emphasized the enormous support this bill has received around
the state, unrolling a scroll that was at least twenty feet long listing the
organizations and elected officials who have expressed their support. And
she noted how reasonable the bill is, honed to about a third of the original
potential 7 million acres and thousands of wild river miles. The bill
includes 2.5 million acres of new wilderness, over 400 new wild and scenic
river miles, a Sacramento River National Conservation Area, and more.
Around the state about 20 other media events and celebrations were held on
the 11th, gaining great media coverage in major TV, radio and newspaper
outlets and giving a boost to activists who have worked hard for a long time
to achieve local support. These events were the culmination of two years of
organizing efforts in every region of the state and represent a key milestone
in the campaign to permanently protect Californiašs remaining wild legacy.
Leading the way for wilderness were such speakers as an eastern Sierra
rancher, a Lake County Supervisor, the San Diego mayor, a California board
member of the National Hispanic Environmental Council, anglers, business
owners, and other speakers emphasizing the broad support these protections
enjoy among Californiašs diverse populace.
Countless grassroots Sierra Club and Campaign members contributed to our
arrival at this key moment in the campaign. Too numerous to name, they have
formed an amazingly strong team with the staff from the Club, the Campaign,
and the many other environmental groups working with it. This statewide
movement has grown and deepened, developing strong ties in local communities
while reaching out broadly to the statešs many political and business
leaders. The volunteers are the essence of this campaign. Many are new
recruits to the wilderness and rivers movement and together they are forming
a whole new generation of hard-working, successful activists in California!
In addition to our grassroots leaders, many Sierra Club departments including
Advancement and Conservation have contributed work to this effort in recent
months and their help will no doubt increase. Our Canvass offices in
California this summer will be focusing on this campaign, providing an
immense outreach opportunity to build support. Thanks to all the dedicated
folks everywhere in the Club who have helped us get this far.
The next steps of this campaign will move into the Congressional arena, with
a cosponsorship drive for the legislation in both houses of Congress focusing
first on attaining Senator Feinsteinšs support. At home we will increase our
media work and our defense of every area within the legislation, while
continuing public outreach and education on the values of protecting these
areas for future generations. For more information on the campaign, contact
Barbara Boyle [log in to unmask] or Ilysia Shattuck,
[log in to unmask]
Just a few of the areas to be protected in the statewide bill include:
- Northern California: the King Range offers the longest undisturbed
coastline in the country.
- Central Coast: the Ventana Potential Wilderness Additions are home to the
endangered California Condor.
- 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 pine.
- Western Sierra: Duncan Canyon is a rare and spectacular ancient forest
haven in the Sierra.
- Central Sierra: the Clavey River is considered by scientists to be one of
the healthiest watersheds in the Sierra Nevada.
- California Desert: the Avawatz Mountains are a spring-watered stronghold
for desert bighorn sheep and 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.
Barbara Boyle
Senior Regional Representative
Sierra Club, CA/NV/HI Regional Office
1414 K St., Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 557-1100 x.105
(916) 557-9669 fax
[log in to unmask]
Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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