Senator Boxer Reintroduces California Wilderness Bill

I am pleased to let you know that I recently reintroduced the California Wild Heritage Act, legislation that would protect more than 2.5 million acres of public lands in California as well as the free-flowing portions of 21 rivers. The bill would also establish the Sacramento River National Recreation Area.

California's wilderness and raw, natural beauty are an integral part of our state's identity. This legislation will help preserve and protect more than 2.5 million acres of public lands for future generations, including some of the most magnificent areas in our state.

The California Wild Heritage Act, which has been introduced in the House by Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-El Monte), protects these areas by designating public lands as "wilderness" and segments of California rivers as "wild and scenic." These areas would remain open for recreational activities such as horseback riding, fishing, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, hunting and canoeing. Mining and drilling would be allowed to continue in areas where they are already occurring, but any expansion of those activities would be prohibited.

The legislation would also protect vital watersheds in our national forests, which are a source of California's drinking water supply. In addition, the bill will help protect and preserve vulnerable ecosystems and threatened species of plants and animals, such as the Spring Run Chinook Salmon. The bill will also help create recreation and tourism related jobs by providing funds for the development of visitor centers, trails and informational brochures. The legislation was developed after years of consultation with local communities, elected officials, recreation organizations, businesses, federal and state agencies and local property owners.

Last year, the Senate passed the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act. That legislation, which Senator Dianne Feinstein and I sponsored in the Senate and Representative Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) sponsored in the House, would designate over 300,000 acres of public land in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa Counties as wilderness. The House has not yet considered the bill.

We can ill afford to allow California's natural heritage to slip through our fingers. Now is the time to protect that legacy and celebrate California's wild lands along with the critical role they play in our tourism industry.

Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator