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 Boxer¹s 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 California¹s 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 California¹s 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 state¹s 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 Feinstein¹s 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
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Erin Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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