THE CALIFORNIA WILD HERITAGE ACT OF 2003

Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced the California Wild Heritage Act of 2003. The bill will significantly expand the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System and the National Wilderness Preservation System on federally managed public lands in California. The California Wild Heritage Act is the largest river protection and the third largest wilderness bill in California history.

THE CALIFORNIA WILD HERITAGE ACT WILL DESIGNATE:

• 22 new Wild & Scenic Rivers totaling nearly 440 miles
• Two new Wild & Scenic Study Rivers totaling 80.5 miles
• 78 new Wilderness Areas and Wilderness Additions totaling 2,505,011 acres
• Two new Potential Wilderness Areas totaling 16,566 acres
• Two new Wilderness Study Areas totaling 83,000 acres
• Three new Salmon Habitat Restoration Areas totaling 74,667 acres
• One new 17,000-acre Sacramento River National Conservation Area
• One new 28,991-acre Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

WHAT DOES FEDERAL PROTECTION MEAN?

Wild & Scenic River designation protects the free-flowing character of river segments
by prohibiting the construction of new dams or diversions and requiring that river-side public lands be managed to protect outstanding natural and cultural values. Public wilderness lands are managed to protect their undeveloped qualities and primitive recreation opportunities by prohibiting new road construction, development, logging, and motorized vehicle use. A wide variety of recreational activities are allowed, including hiking, rafting, fishing, backpacking, and horseback riding. Even grazing and mining, subject to valid existing rights, are permitted in designated wilderness areas.

WHY PROTECT THESE WILD LANDS AND RIVERS?

Federal designation will protect the public lands and watersheds that are the source of more than 60 percent of our state’s clean water. It contributes to our quality of life by providing outdoor recreation opportunities for millions of Californians and its visitors, and economic benefits for many rural economies. California’s wild rivers and wilderness areas are an important part of our American heritage that we need to protect for future generations. Preserving wilderness and wild rivers also protects the homes of plants and animals, including hundreds of threatened and endangered species.

REDUCED CONFLICTS

A coalition of more than 360 conservation and recreation groups worked closely with Senator Boxer to develop the wild river and wilderness proposals in the California Wild Heritage Act of 2003. No constructed or maintained roads will be closed by the designations provided in the bill. Any potential water storage sites under study by CALFED were not included in this legislation. Popular mountain biking trails were removed from the wilderness proposals to reduce conflicts. No private lands are designated as wilderness by the California Wild Heritage Act. Wilderness and wild river boundaries were also set back to avoid utility corridors, existing dams and reservoirs, and fire-prone areas around communities and structures. Most areas in the bill with timber have already been placed off limits to commercial logging through administrative measures (such as the Northwest Forest Plan, Sierra Nevada Framework, Roadless Area Conservation Plan), which could potentially be rolled back by the current or future administrations.

PUBLIC SUPPORT

Californians overwhelmingly support the protection of wild rivers and wilderness. A nonpartisan poll of 900 likely voters conducted in the fall of 2001 found that 72 percent supported protection of additional wilderness and wild rivers. Support among likely Hispanic voters in the poll was 85 percent. Specific support for the California Wild Heritage Act is even more compelling. Hundreds of city council members, county supervisors, state legislators, and members of Congress support the California Wild Heritage Act or specific areas and rivers proposed for protection in the bill. More than 200 local, statewide, and national conservation and outdoor recreation organizations have so far urged passage of the bill. More than 75 religious groups and faith community leaders support the statewide protection provided by the California Wild Heritage Act.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

For more information about the California Wild Heritage Act, call the California Wild Heritage Campaign at (916) 442-3155.