[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 43 (Thursday, April 6, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3229-S3230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 2567. A bill to maintain the rural heritage of the Eastern Sierra 
and enhance the region's tourism economy by designating certain public 
lands as wilderness and certain rivers as wild and scenic rivers in the 
State of California, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I am introducing ``the Eastern 
Sierra Rural Heritage and Economic Enhancement Act,'' a bill that will 
provide protection for thousands of some of the most pristine, wild, 
and beautiful acres in California. I am glad to be joined in this 
effort by my colleague, Senator Feinstein. Representative McKeon, whose 
congressional districts contains these special lands, introduced 
companion legislation today in the House of Representatives.

[[Page S3230]]

  My bill will protect three very special California treasures in the 
Eastern Sierra. It makes considerable additions to existing Hoover 
Wilderness areas, which border on Yosemite National Park. These 
additions will protect the stunning High Sierra landscape of 11,000 
foot snow-capped peaks and valleys, lush meadows and deep forests that 
people around the world associate with the Eastern Sierra.
  These areas are also home to an abundance of wildlife, including 
black bear, mountain lion, mule deer, waterfowl, and bald eagles.
  This land provides more than just visual beauty, however--it is also 
a recreational paradise. Year after year, hikers enjoy the 
approximately nine miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail 
that runs through this wilderness, and anglers enjoy the clear lakes 
and streams that support a number of species of wild trout. The bill 
will also protect areas adjacent to the Emigrant Wilderness area, 
including another two miles of the Pacific Crest Trail.
  My legislation will also designate about 24 miles of the Amargosa 
River as a Wild and Scenic River. As the only river flowing into Death 
Valley, the Amargosa is an ecologically-important river in a dry desert 
area. Birds--and birdwatchers--abound in this area, both coming from 
far and wide to enjoy the river area.
  In short, these areas are not just California's natural treasures--
they are America's natural treasures. And that is why they deserve the 
highest level of protection possible. That is what this bill does.
  I was proud to include most of these lands in my California Wild 
Heritage Act that I reintroduced last month. And I look forward to 
working with Senator Feinstein and Representative McKeon, and all my 
colleagues, to protect these special places forever.
                                 ______