[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 117 (Friday, August 1, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S10909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER:
  S. 1555. A bill to designate certain public lands as wilderness and 
certain rivers as wild and scenic rivers in the State of California, to 
designate Salmon Restoration Areas, to establish the Sacramento River 
National Conservation Area and Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, history books written about California 
always comment on the natural beauty of the State because our natural 
treasures have always been one of the things that makes California 
unique. But that beauty must not be taken for granted. That is why I am 
introducing the California Wild Heritage Act of 2003 in an effort to 
pass the first statewide wilderness bill for California since 1984.
  I introduced a similar bill last year and was thrilled that the 107th 
Congress passed legislation to designate 56,000 acres of my bill as 
wilderness within the Los Padres National Forest. It was a wonderful 
first step. The California Wild Heritage Act of 2003 represents the 
next step.
  This legislation will protect more than 2.5 million acres of public 
lands in 81 different areas, as well as the free-flowing portions of 22 
rivers. Every acre of wild land is a treasure. But the areas protected 
in this bill are some of California's most precious, including: the old 
growth redwood forests near the Trinity Alps in Trinity and Humboldt 
Counties; the pristine coastline in the King Range in Humboldt and 
Mendocino Counties; the Nation's sixth highest waterfall, Feather 
Falls, in Butte County; the ancient Bristlecone Pines in the White 
Mountains in Inyo and Mono Counties; and the oak woodlands in the San 
Diego River area.
  The bill protects these treasures by designating these public lands 
as ``wilderness'' and by naming 22 rivers--including the Clavey in 
Tuolumne County and the Owens in Mono County--as ``wild and scenic'' 
rivers. These designations mean no new logging, no new dams, no new 
construction, no new mining, no new drilling, and no motorized 
vehicles. Mining, logging and grazing activities that are currently 
permitted would be allowed to continue.
  Protection of the areas in this bill is necessary to ensure that 
these precious places will be there for future generations. Because 
much of our state's drinking water supply is made up of watersheds in 
our national forests, this bill also helps ensure California has a 
safe, reliable supply of clean drinking water.
  This bill would also mean that the hundreds of plant and animal 
species that make their homes in these areas will continue to have a 
safe haven. Endangered and threatened species whose habitats will be 
protected by this bill include the bald eagle, Sierra Nevada Red Fox, 
and spring run chinook salmon, among others.
  In short, this bill preserves, prevents, and protects. It preserves 
our most important lands, it prevents pollution, and it protects our 
most endangered wildlife.
  That is why this bill is so widely supported. Thousands of diverse 
organizations, businesses, and others see the importance of this 
legislation and have given it their support. Additionally, over 400 
local elected officials have voiced support for the protection of their 
local areas.
  Despite the tremendous support for this bill, it is not without 
opponents. They will say this bill is too large and goes too far. Yet 
this bill is similar in size to other statewide wilderness bills that 
have already passed Congress. The 1984 California Wilderness Act 
protected approximately 2 million acres and 83 miles of the Tuolumne 
River. A more recent wilderness bill, the California Desert Protection 
Act, protected approximately 6 million acres of desert areas.
  It is important to note that only 13 percent of California is 
currently protected as wilderness. This bill would raise that amount to 
15 percent. During the last 20 years, 675,000 acres of unprotected 
wilderness--approximately the size of Yosemite National Park--lost 
their wilderness character due to activities such as logging and 
mining. As our population increases, and California becomes home to 
almost 50 million people, these development pressures are only getting 
worse. If we fail to act now, there simply will not be any wild lands 
or wild rivers left to protect.
  The other big question that has been raised is whether this bill will 
limit public access to these areas. I do not believe this will be the 
case. While wilderness designation means the wilderness areas are 
closed to mountain bikers, they remain open to a myriad of recreational 
activities, including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, backpacking, 
rock climbing, cross country skiing, and canoeing. Mountain bikers and 
motorized vehicles have 100,000 miles of roads and trails in California 
that are not touched in my bill. Furthermore, numerous economic studies 
suggest wilderness areas are a big draw that attract outdoor recreation 
visitors, and tourism dollars, to areas that have received this special 
designation.
  One important change has been made to the legislation after concerns 
were raised about wildfire prevention and control near at-risk 
communities. The bill I am introducing today protects communities by 
allowing Federal, local and State agencies to perform fire and 
emergency response activities in wilderness areas. I worked extensively 
with the California Department of Forestry on this legislation, and 
they have expressed their support for the language in the bill.
  Those of us who live in California have a very special responsibility 
to protect our natural heritage. Past generations have done it. They 
have left us with the wonderful and amazing gifts of Yosemite, Big Sur 
and Joshua Tree. These are places that Californians cannot imagine 
living without. Now it is our turn to protect this legacy for future 
generations--for our children's children, and their children. This bill 
is the place to start and the time to start is now.
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