[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1614-E1615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 233-NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL WILD HERITAGE 
                             WILDERNESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, this bill, HR 233, the 
Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act is the product 
of over five years of town hall meetings, field tours and open debates 
both in the House, the Senate and in city halls and county board 
chambers throughout the north coast of California. The bill that we 
have before us today is carefully crafted to address the concerns of 
the communities affected by this measure, every acre of which is 
entirely within my congressional district. I have personally invested 
many hours in the formation of this bill. I have hiked, fished, hunted 
and taken aerial tours of the areas in this legislation. I have also 
held public hearings with stakeholder groups representing timber, 
hunting and fishing, conservation, government, offroad vehicles, 
mountain bikes, business and farming. The process which has taken over 
five years, was exhaustive and inclusive.
  This legislation would expand wilderness protection on public lands 
by approximately 273,000 acres entirely within California's 1st 
Congressional District. The legislation includes adding wilderness 
protection to the King Range of Humboldt and Mendocino counties. The 
Bush administration testified in both the Senate and House that the 
addition of the King Range would be the ``crown jewel'' of our national 
wilderness system. The legislation is not only important for the 
protection of some of my district's most treasured lands, it also 
enhances protection of the federally threatened and endangered salmon 
and trout and helps ensure a source of clean, reliable water for 
California's future.
  With respect to this wilderness legislation, the two most contentious 
issues for the constituents of California's 1st Congressional District 
were our ability to fight and prevent forest fires and the continued 
access to the proposed wilderness areas. I took extra precautions to 
ensure the land managers would not lose any of the tools they have 
today to fight fire and their ability to apply pre-suppression measures 
to combat fires in HR 233.
  This bill will not close any legal roads to anyone who wants to visit 
these truly spectacular areas.
  I paid particular attention to people who enjoy off-road vehicle and 
mountain bike use, and no off-road vehicle trails will be closed in 
this bill. In addition, I worked with the Bureau of Land Management to 
create what many expect to be a world-class mountain biking trail 
system just outside of the King Range wilderness area. Chairman Pombo 
and I also worked to provide additional protections to Cow Mountain in 
Lake and Mendocino Counties to protect or maintain existing mountain 
bike and off-road vehicle trails.
  Impacts on the once strong logging industry in Northern California 
were also taken into consideration in this bill and there are no timber 
sales under consideration for any of the public lands in this 
legislation.
  This bill will protect Northern California's most spectacular public 
lands. Specifically, this wilderness bill will protect the following 
areas.


              Sec. 3 (1) Snow Mountain Wilderness Addition

       Location: Approximately three miles east of Pillsbury 
     Reservoir in Lake County.
       Size: 23,706 acres
       Highlights: Ten miles of the scenic Eel River canyon, 
     Bloody Rock, and The Bloody Rock and Cold Creek Trails.
       Description: The Snow Mountain Wilderness additions are 
     composed of the lower elevation ancient forests, grasslands, 
     chaparral and oak woodlands lying at the foot of the already 
     designated Snow Mountain Wilderness. The California 
     Department of Fish and Game considers these oak woodlands and 
     grasslands important for the survival of local deer herds 
     through the winter months when high-elevation areas are 
     covered in snow. The additions contain a 10-mile stretch of 
     the Eel River canyon which hosts bald eagle, osprey and 
     trout. Forests of black oak, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, 
     live oak and incense cedar provide important habitat for 
     marten, goshawk and northern spotted owl. Bloody Rock, an 
     enormous prominence that rises steeply above the Eel River, 
     was the site of a battle between the Yuki Tribe and settlers 
     in the Nineteenth Century. Trail 9W45 and the Bloody Rock, 
     Cold Creek and Summit Springs trails traverse the area.


                    Sec. 3 (2) Sanhedrin Wilderness

       Location: In Mendocino and Lake counties, approximately 15 
     miles east of Willits.
       Size: 10,571 acres in Lake and Mendocino Counties.
       Highlights: Views in all directions, including the Pacific 
     Ocean, the Bay Area and Mount Shasta.
       Description: The Sanhedrin Wilderness contains extensive 
     old-growth forest, meadows, oak woodlands, chaparral and 
     ``serpentine barrens,'' places where the nutrient poor 
     bluegreen soil is so inhospitable to many plants that only 
     specially adapted species can survive. As a result, Sanhedrin 
     Mountain provides habitat for at least five rare and unique 
     plant species, including the Anthony Peak lupine that grows 
     only in the Mendocino National Forest and nowhere else in the 
     world. On a clear day, visitors to the area can see the 
     Pacific Ocean, the Bay Area and even Mount Shasta hundreds of 
     miles away.


                       Sec. 3 (3) Yuki Wilderness

       Location: Mendocino and Lake counties, approximately five 
     air-miles southeast of Round Valley and the community of 
     Covelo.
       Size: 53,887 acres in Lake and Mendocino Counties.
       Highlights: The Middle Fork Eel supports between one-third 
     and one-half of California's entire remaining summer-run 
     steelhead trout population.
       Description: The Yuki Wilderness forests consist of 
     ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Shasta red fir, white fir and 
     incense cedar. The Yuki region also hosts seven species of 
     oak. Populations of eleven rare plants have been identified 
     in the area. Several rare animals also call the area home, 
     including the bald eagle, marten, goshawk, northern spotted 
     owl and prairie falcon. Elk and Thatcher creeks and the Wild 
     and Scenic Middle Fork Eel River host populations of salmon 
     and steelhead trout. The Middle Fork Eel supports between 
     one-third and one-half of California's entire remaining 
     summer-run steelhead trout population. Wildflower displays 
     are extensive. Whitewater boaters use the Middle Fork Eel 
     River and hunting is another common activity. Trails include 
     11W15, 10W27 and Horse Pasture Ridge.


         Sec. 3 (4) Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Addition

       Location: Approximately 10 miles northeast of Covelo and 
     Round Valley in Mendocino County.
       Overall size: 27,036 acres.
       Highlights: The Middle Fork Eel River hosts between 30-50 
     percent of the state's summer-run steelhead trout population, 
     the Travelers Home National Recreation, Hell Hole, Leech Lake 
     and Smokehouse trails.
       Description: The YolIa Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness 
     additions are dominated by old-growth forests, meadows, oak 
     woodlands and the deep canyon of the Middle Fork Eel River. 
     HowelIia, an aquatic plant once thought extinct in 
     California, was discovered here by botanists in the 1990s. 
     The Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Eel River hosts up to one-
     half of California's entire remaining summer-run steelhead 
     trout population. The Smokehouse, Travelers Home National 
     Recreation, Hell Hole and Leech Lake trails traverse the 
     area.


                Sec. 3 (5) Siskiyou Wilderness Addition

       Location: 22 miles west of Crescent City in Humboldt and 
     Del Norte counties.
       Size: 30,122 acres in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties.
       Highlights: An area noted for its botanical diversity and 
     salmon and steelhead watersheds.
       Description: The Siskiyou Wilderness Additions are among 
     California's most remote lands. Unusual soils, great rises 
     and drops in elevation, and ample annual rainfall all combine 
     to offer refuge for an immense diversity of plants and 
     animals in the proposed additions. Ancient forests consist of 
     14 species of conifers, the second greatest conifer diversity 
     in the world. Salmon and steelhead trout use the region's 
     many streams, especially Blue Creek. Eighteen rare plants 
     have been identified in the area by the Forest Service. Other 
     species include northern spotted owl, fisher, mink, bald 
     eagle, Roosevelt elk and goshawk. The proposed additions 
     contain the popular Forks of Blue and Gunbarrel trails.


                   Sec. 3 (6) Mount Lassie Wilderness

       Location: Approximately 20 miles northeast of Garberville 
     eight miles west of Ruth Reservoir in Humboldt and Trinity 
     counties.
       Size: 7,279 acres.
       Highlights: Scenic views of the Coast Range and a noted 
     haven for rare and unusual plant species.
       Description: The Mount Lassic Wilderness contains unique 
     rock formations such as Mount Lassic and Red Lassic that are 
     visible from as far away as the King Range to the west and 
     the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness to the south. Unusual 
     soils host six rare plant species that have been identified 
     in the region. Other species include northern spotted owl, 
     blue grouse, marten, fisher and goshawk. Old-growth forests 
     of Douglas fir, incense cedar, and Jeffrey pine cover much of 
     the area. Trail 5E33 climbs Mount Lassic and then drops to 
     the Van Duzen River to the west.


              Sec. 3 (7) Trinity Alps Wilderness Addition

       Location: In Humboldt County on the western edge of the 
     existing Trinity Alps Wilderness.

[[Page E1615]]

       Size: 22,863 acres.
       Highlights: Salmon and steelhead streams, and Native 
     American cultural use and Extensive trail system.
       Description: The Trinity Alps Wilderness additions are 
     composed of rugged, heavily forested mid- to low-elevation 
     country adjacent to the highlands of the existing Trinity 
     Alps Wilderness. Horse Linto and Red Cap creeks provide cold, 
     clear water for steelhead trout and coho and Chinook salmon 
     populations. These wilderness additions are a refuge for 
     unique and endangered species, including nine rare plants. 
     The Horse Linto unit is used by local Native Americans for 
     cultural purposes. Trails include 6E20, 6E31, 6E 18, 6E15, 
     6E35, 6E74, 6E08 and Salmon Summit.


                   Sec. 3 (8) Cache Creek Wilderness.

       Location: In Lake County, east of Clear Lake and south of 
     Highway 20 and Highway 16.
       Size: 27,245 acres.
       Highlights: The second largest wintering bald eagle 
     population in California, A herd of rare tule elk (the 
     world's smallest elk) and Cache Creek is popular with 
     whitewater boaters for its rapids and scenery.
       Description: The Cache Creek Wilderness has canyons and 
     ridges lined with oak woodlands, grasslands, chaparral, 
     streamside forest and groves of gray pine. The region hosts 
     the second largest wintering bald eagle population in 
     California, a herd of tule elk (the world's smallest species 
     of elk), black bear, beaver, river otter, bobcat, mountain 
     lion, prairie falcon, golden eagle and other species. The 
     area contains noted Native American cultural sites and it is 
     well known for its spring wildflower displays. Whitewater 
     boaters enjoy floating the ``Wilderness Run'' from the North 
     Fork Cache Creek to Highway 16 because of its scenery, rapids 
     and solitude. The Judge Davis, Redbud and Perkins Creek Ridge 
     trails access the area.


                   Sec. 3 (9) Cedar Roughs Wilderness

       Location: West of Berryessa Reservoir in Napa County.
       Size: 6,350 acres
       Highlights: Shelters the largest grove in the world of the 
     rare Sargent cypress and Shelters an important black bear 
     breeding area.
       Description: The Cedar Roughs Wilderness is a large mound 
     of ``serpentine'' soil five miles in length. The area 
     contains the world's largest grove of the rare Sargent 
     cypress, which convinced pioneers to erroneously call the 
     area ``Cedar'' Roughs. The wilderness is known to be an 
     important black bear breeding area. The Cedar Roughs 
     wilderness is accessed by a single rugged, nameless trail, 
     but most of it is trackless.


                 Sec. 3 (10) South Fork Eel Wilderness

       Location: In northern Mendocino County northwest of 
     Laytonville and east of Leggett.
       Overall size: 12,915 acres.
       Highlights: Rare plant populations and Gives rise to 
     scientifically-important Elder Creek
       Description: Rare animals in the South Fork Eel Wilderness 
     include goshawk and northern spotted owl. The Red Mountain 
     portion of the South Fork Eel Wilderness contains the 
     planet's entire known populations of Kellogg's buckwheat, Red 
     Mountain stonecrop and Red Mountain catchfly along with other 
     rare species. Unusual soils have created ``dwarf forests'' on 
     top of Red Mountain. Streams in the area host coho salmon, 
     Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Elder Creek originates in 
     the proposed wilderness and then flows west into a University 
     of California natural reserve. There, Elder Creek is the 
     subject of numerous ecological and geologic studies. The 
     Cahto Peak Trail accesses a portion of the area.


                   Sec. 3 (11) King Range Wilderness

       Location: In southwestern Humboldt and northwestern 
     Mendocino counties, approximately 18 miles west of 
     Garberville.
       Size: 42,585 acres in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
       Size of individual units: Chemise Mountain--4,142 acres 
     King Range--38,443 acres
       Highlights: The longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in 
     the continental United States and Numerous hiking and 
     equestrian trails. The Bush administration testified that 
     this area would become the ``crown jewel,'' of the national 
     wilderness system.
       Description: The King Range is the longest stretch of 
     undeveloped coastline in the continental United States. It 
     has beaches, peaks, vistas, dunes, coastal ancient forests 
     of Douglas fir, madrone, incense cedar, and tan oak. 
     Species of note include California brown pelican, 
     steelhead trout, coho salmon, bald eagle, peregrine 
     falcon, northern spotted owl, and Roosevelt elk. The Lost 
     Coast Trail traverses the entire length of the area's 
     beaches and coastal bluffs. Other paths include the 
     Cooskie Creek, Cooskie Spur, Spanish Ridge, Kinsey Ridge, 
     Miller Loop, King Crest, Rattlesnake Ridge, Lightning, 
     Horse Mountain Creek, Chinquapin and Buck Creek trails.


             Sec. 6 Elkhorn Ridge Potential Wilderness Area

       Location: In northern Mendocino County northwest of 
     Laytonville.
       Size: 11,271 acres.
       Highlights: Small groves of old-growth redwoods, the South 
     Fork Eel hosts the last remaining non-hatchery ``long-run'' 
     coho salmon population in California, and whitewater rafting 
     and kayaking.
       Description: The Elkhorn Ridge Potential Wilderness Area is 
     bisected by the Wild and Scenic South Fork Eel River. The 
     South Fork Eel hosts populations of Chinook salmon and 
     steelhead trout, as well as the last remaining non-hatchery: 
     ``long-run'' coho salmon population in California. The river 
     flows through a rugged canyon surrounded by slops forested 
     with hardwoods, fir and an occasional old-growth redwood. The 
     South Fork Eel's waters are a rich food source for osprey, 
     bald eagle, otter and other creatures and provide challenging 
     whitewater recreation for experienced boaters. The Elkhorn 
     Ridge Potential Wilderness contains no established trails. 
     The majority of the area is made up of undisturbed ancient 
     forest and chaparral habitat, but a portion was logged when 
     it was under private ownership. HR 233 directs the Bureau of 
     Land Management to restore the parts of Elkhorn Ridge that 
     were cut prior to its designation as wilderness.


Sec. 7 Wild and Scenic River Designation--Black Butte River, California

       Location: Mendocino County east of Round Valley and the 
     community of Covelo.
       Size: 21 miles.
       Highlights: Provides some of the best habitat for 
     endangered Chinook salmon and winter-run steelhead trout in 
     the entire Middle Fork Eel River drainage.
       Description: The Black Butte River and its tributary Cold 
     Creek drain into the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Eel River 
     just east of the town of Covelo. The watershed is extremely 
     rugged, and most of the slopes above the river are steep and 
     landslide-prone, though they are still mostly forested with 
     groves of oaks and conifers. The upper reaches of the river 
     and Cold Creek provide some of the best habitat for 
     endangered Chinook salmon and winter-run steelhead trout 
     in the entire Middle Fork Eel River drainage. The 
     watershed has a long history of human habitation first by 
     the Yuki Tribe, then by Euro-American explorers and 
     settlers. The Forest Service describes the watershed as 
     containing ``outstandingly remarkable fisheries and 
     heritage resources values.''


 Sec. 10 Continuation of Traditional Commercial Surf Fishing, Redwood 
                        National and State Parks

       In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to 
     clarify my intent with Section 10. Section 10, which deals 
     with commercial fishing permits in Redwood National and State 
     Parks in California, directs the Secretary of the Interior to 
     issue permits for authorized vehicle access for commercial 
     surf fishing at designated beaches within both the National 
     and State Parks. The section provides that the number of 
     permits shall be limited to the number of valid permits that 
     are held on the date of enactment of this Act, and that the 
     permits ``so issued shall be perpetual and subject to the 
     same conditions as the permits held on the date of enactment 
     of this Act.''
       I want to clarify that this language should not be 
     construed as creating a right vesting in the permit holder, 
     which would be contrary to the way permits are issued 
     throughout the National Park System. The intent of this 
     language is simply to ensure that the National Park Service 
     does not reduce the number of permits issued below the 
     current level of valid permits, assuming there is sufficient 
     demand for the remaining permits. Furthermore, there is no 
     intent for the requirements of Section 10 to be construed as 
     an implied waiver of applicable laws, including the National 
     Park Service Organic Act and the Endangered Species Act, but 
     rather a directive to the Park Service to discontinue its 
     plan to completely phase out these permits. The language in 
     Section 10 does not create a property right and the sole 
     purpose of the language is to limit the number of permits to 
     the number of valid permits in existence as of the date of 
     enactment of H.R. 233.
       In addition, the language in Section 10 requires the 
     Secretary of the Interior to issue permits allowing for 
     authorized vehicle access to designated beaches, including 
     Gold Bluff Beach, within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, 
     which is located within the broader national park boundary. 
     However, nothing in this section is intended to override the 
     responsibilities of the State of California and the 
     management of the state park.

  Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak on this legislation. 
HR 233 is a carefully crafted bill which takes all industries and 
constituencies into account. I urge my colleagues vote ``aye'' on this 
very important bill that will protect some of our country's most 
spectacular areas.

                          ____________________