[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[January 7, 1993]
[Pages 2235-2236]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 2235]]


Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting Forest Service Reports
January 7, 1993

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    I am pleased to transmit to the Congress three study reports 
prepared by the Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. I support 
the recommendations provided by the Secretary of Agriculture in each of 
these reports. The three reports are:
    (1) Wild and Scenic River study and draft legislation to designate 
19.4 miles of the Red River in Kentucky as part of the National Wild and 
Scenic Rivers System.
    (2) Wild and Scenic River study and recommendation for designation 
of 133 miles of the Greenbrier River in West Virginia as a component of 
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System under State administration 
and jurisdiction.
    (3) Wilderness study report for the Pyramid Peak Wilderness Study 
Area in California with a recommendation that this area be released from 
further consideration for wilderness designation. Current management 
will emphasize nonmotorized, dispersed recreation, essentially 
maintaining the area in an undeveloped state.

Red River:

    I am particularly pleased to transmit legislation to designate 19.4 
miles of the Red River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic 
Rivers System. Designation of the Red River received strong public 
support during the study, and this would be the first Wild and Scenic 
River designated in the State of Kentucky.
    The natural, scenic, and recreational qualities of the Red River are 
unique and irreplaceable resources. The majority of the river corridor 
is within the Red River National Geologic Area, a ``geological 
wonderland'' of sedimentary rock formations unique to that area and the 
United States. The Red River also flows through the scenic Clifty 
Wilderness for a distance of 4.5 miles.
    Recreational use of the Red River and adjacent lands totaled over 
200,000 visitor days in 1990. This figure is expected to increase in the 
future, as approximately 94 million people presently live within a day's 
drive of the Red River.

Greenbrier River:

    The Greenbrier River in West Virginia was studied by the Forest 
Service, in cooperation with the State of West Virginia and local 
communities. The Secretary recommends that 133 miles of the river be 
added to the System through local and State initiatives.
    Outstanding outdoor recreation values are associated with the 
Greenbrier River and its corridor lands. Recreation activities include 
boating, whitewater canoeing, primitive and developed site camping, 
hiking, fishing, hunting, spelunking, and cross-country skiing. In 
recognition of these values, the State of West Virginia has already 
included the main stem of the Greenbrier River below Knapps Creek under 
the West Virginia Natural Streams Preservation Act. This Act maintains 
the free-flowing character of that portion of the river. This indicates 
the considerable support by local residents and interest groups for 
protection of the values of the river corridor, provided such protection 
is under local management control.
    Under the approach recommended by 
the Secretary, the decision to seek designation as a Wild and Scenic 
River would be the prerogative of the State. First, the 
West Virginia State legislature would include the remainder of the upper 
Greenbrier River under the West Virginia Natural Streams Preservation 
Act. Second, a group would be formed locally to 
develop a proposed management plan for 
the river, which would be reviewed and 
approved by the Governor. The Governor would then recommend to the 
Secretary of the Interior that the Greenbrier River be federally 
designated under section 2(a)(ii) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. If 
the Secretary approves, the river would be so designated, and the State 
would 
have the primary responsibility for administration of the river 
according to the

[[Page 2236]]

management plan. I am hopeful that the State of West Virginia will 
assume this responsibility.
    This emphasis on local control is recommend over Federal 
administration of the river because the State of West Virginia already 
manages a significant portion of the river corridor lands and the 
recreational activities associated with the river. In addition, the 
corridor includes a significant acreage of private lands that can be 
most effectively managed through local land-use controls and landowner 
participation. Landowners are particularly concerned that Federal 
administration would impact management and use of their private lands. I 
believe that the Secretary's recommendation provides for protection of 
the river's natural values, while maintaining control at the local 
level.

Pyramid Peak:

    The third report addresses the Pyramid Peak Planning Area in the San 
Bernardino National Forest in California. The Congress directed that 
this area be studied as a potential Wilderness Area in the California 
Wilderness Act of 1984. The suitability of this area for inclusion in 
the National Wilderness Preservation System was analyzed in the San 
Bernardino National Forest Plan, which was implemented in 1989. The 
Forest Plan decision was to allocate this area to a management 
prescription that emphasizes nonmotorized, dispersed recreation 
management, essentially maintaining the area in an undeveloped state. 
This management direction has advantages over wilderness designation 
because it provides for development of habitat improvement projects, 
both for the bighorn sheep and other wildlife species in the area. 
Nonwilderness management will also allow treatment of vegetation to 
enhance resources such as water yield and to reduce fuel accumulations. 
I support the Secretary's recommendation and request that the Pyramid 
Peak Planning Area be released from further consideration for wilderness 
designation.
    Transmittal of these recommendations to the Congress fulfills the 
requirements of section 5(b) of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and 
section 102 of the California Wilderness Act of 1984. I urge the 
Congress to pass legislation designating the Red River as a component of 
the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. I also request that the 
Congress take no action at this time to designate the Greenbrier River 
as a Wild and Scenic River or include the Pyramid Peak Planning Area in 
the National Wilderness Preservation System.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
                        and Dan Quayle, President of the Senate.