Boxer Introduces Bill to Protect California's Wild Rivers

Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced S.2535, the California Wild Heritage Act of 2002.

The bill will significantly expand the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System and the National Wilderness Preservation System on federally managed public lands in California. S. 2535 is the largest river protection and the third largest wilderness bill in California history.

The California Wild Heritage Act designates:

• 22 new Wild & Scenic Rivers totaling nearly 440 miles
• Two new Wild & Scenic study rivers totaling 78.5 miles
• 76 new wilderness areas and wilderness additions totaling 2.5 million acres
• Two wilderness study areas totaling 83,000 acres
• Three salmon habitat restoration areas totaling 74,667 acres
• One 17,000 acre Sacramento River National Conservation Area
• One 29,000 acre Ancient Bristle Cone Pine Forest

YOU CAN HELP!

Please write a letter expressing your support for this bill and your favorite rivers, to Senator Feinstein. We still do not have her support and it is critical!

Honorable Dianne Feinstein
One Post Street, Suite 2450
San Francisco CA 94104

Please send a copy of your letter to Friends of the River, attn: Jessie Rios, 915 20th Street, Sacramento CA 95814.

WHAT DOES FEDERAL PROTECTION MEAN?

Wild & Scenic River designation protects the free flowing character of river segments by prohibiting the construction of new dams and requiring that river-side public lands be managed to protect outstanding natural and cultural values. Public wilderness lands are managed to protect their undeveloped qualities and primitive recreation opportunities by prohibiting new road construction, development, logging, and motorized vehicle use. A wide variety of recreational activities are allowed, including hiking, backpacking, rafting, and horseback riding. Even grazing and mining, subject to valid existing rights, are allowed in wilderness.

WHY PROTECT THESE WILD LANDS AND RIVERS?

Federal designation will protect the public lands and watersheds that are the source of more than 60 percent of our state's clean water. It contributes to our quality of life, by providing outdoor recreation opportunities for millions of Californians and economic benefits for many rural economies. California's wild rivers and wilderness are an important part of our American heritage that we need to protect for future generations. Preserving wilderness and wild rivers also protects the homes of plants and animals, including hundreds of threatened and endangered species.

REDUCED CONFLICTS

A coalition of more than 200 conservation and recreation groups worked closely with Senator Boxer to develop the wild river and wilderness proposals in S. 2535. No constructed or maintained roads will be closed by the designations provided in the bill. All potential water storage sites under study by CALFED were avoided. Popular mountain bike trails were removed from the wilderness proposals to reduce conflicts. No private lands are designated as wilderness in S. 2535. Wilderness and wild river boundaries were also set back to avoid utility corridors, existing dams and reservoirs, and fire-prone areas around communities and structures. Most areas in the bill with timber have already been placed off limits to commercial logging through impermanent administrative measures (Northwest Forest Plan, Sierra Framework, Roadless Area Conservation Plan).

PUBLIC SUPPORT

Californians overwhelmingly support the protection of wild rivers and wilderness. A professional poll of 900 likely voters conducted in the Fall of 2001 found that 72% supported protection of additional wilderness and wild rivers. Support among likely Hispanic voters in the poll was 85%. Specific support for S. 2535 is even more compelling. Hundreds of city council members, county supervisors, state legislators, and members of Congress support S. 2535 or specific areas and rivers proposed for protection in the bill. More than 200 local, statewide, and national conservation and outdoor recreation organizations have so far urged passage of the bill. More than 75 religious groups and faith community leaders support the statewide protection provided by S. 2535.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

For more information about S. 2535, visit www.californiawild.org or call the California Wild Heritage Campaign at (916) 442-3155.