[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 20, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E920]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE ``CALIFORNIA COASTAL ROCKS AND ISLANDS WILDERNESS ACT OF 1998''

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 1998

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
California Coastal Rocks and Islands Wilderness Act of 1998. I am 
pleased to be able to offer this bill with the support of my colleague, 
Representative Elton Gallegly.
  The purpose of this bill is to recognize the ecological significance 
of the tens thousands of small rocks, islands and pinnacles off the 
California coast, by designating them as part of the National 
Wilderness Preservation System. These small islands and rocks provide 
important resting sites for California sea lions, Steller's sea lions, 
elephant seals and harbor seals, as well as providing a narrow flight 
lane in the Pacific Flyway. An estimated 200,000 breeding seabirds of 
13 different species use these rocks and islands for feeding, perching, 
nesting and shelter. Birds that use these areas include three 
threatened and endangered species: the brown pelican, the least tern 
and the peregrine falcon.
  The Wilderness designation afforded by this act would apply to all 
rocks, islands and pinnacles off the California coast from the Oregon 
border to the U.S. Mexico border, which are currently under the 
jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This includes 
nearly all of the federally-owned lands above the mean high tide and 
within three geographical miles off the coast.
  The designation would afford the highest protected status and 
highlight the ecological importance of all of the small rocks, islands 
and pinnacles off the California coast, which together comprise 
approximately 7,000 square acres. Adding these areas would also further 
the Wilderness Act's goal of including unique, ecologically 
representative areas to the System.
  Rocks and islands which are already patented or reserved for marine 
navigational aids, National Monuments, or state parks will not be 
affected by the legislation.
  I am pleased to be able to introduce this bill and look forward to 
its swift passage, so that these unique areas of California's ecosystem 
can be preserved and protected for generations to come.




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