[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[June 19, 1992]
[Pages 985-986]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Signing the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection 
Act

June 19, 1992
    I am pleased to sign into law H.R. 2556, the ``Los Padres Condor 
Range and River Protection Act.'' This Act designates seven new 
wilderness areas, encompassing 400,450 acres, within the Los Padres 
National Forest in California as components of the National Wilderness 
Preservation System, more than doubling the wilderness acreage set aside 
within the Los Padres National Forest. The Act also designates segments 
of three rivers within the National Forest, totaling 84 miles, as 
components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
    By signing this bill into law, we further the protection of unique 
and sensitive lands within the National Forest System. Our action here 
today is important for several reasons:
    --Much of this area includes habitat for the nearly extinct 
        California condor and preservation of this habitat is critical 
        to condor recovery efforts.
    --Nearly half of the Los Padres National Forest is now designated 
        for permanent protection under the Wilderness Act, one of the 
        highest percentages of any national forest in the country.
    --It increases by 10 percent the amount of national forest lands in 
        California that are protected under the Wilderness Act.
    --It protects segments of Sespe Creek and the Sisquoc and Big Sur 
        Rivers as wild, free-flowing rivers under the Wild and Scenic 
        Rivers System.

[[Page 986]]

    --It provides for wild and scenic river studies on an additional 110 
        miles of rivers within the National Forest boundary, a few of 
        the only free-flowing streams left in southern California.
    Wilderness designation of these areas means that they will be 
managed to preserve their unique and natural character. By signing this 
bill into law, we enhance the diversity and beauty of the Nation's lands 
set aside for the enjoyment of both present and future generations of 
Americans as part of the National Wilderness Preservation and the 
National Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems.
    As President I remain deeply committed to preserving our valuable 
natural resources. Since 1989, my budgets have doubled funding for 
parks, wildlife, and outdoor recreation and have tripled funds to States 
under the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Moreover, the length of 
rivers designated as wild and scenic has increased from 868 to 9,463 
miles over the past 20 years. Finally, since 1982, the amount of lands 
protected as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System has 
averaged in excess of 1.5 million acres per year.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
June 19, 1992.

                    Note: H.R. 2556, approved June 19, was assigned 
                        Public Law No. 102-301.