2004 - Archived articles, opinions, and editorials about the activities of CWHC, by local, state and national news organizations. Some of these articles are in PDF format. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader here.

2004 - In The News Archives

In The News | Archives - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

December 7, 2004
NorCal wilderness bill clears Senate, misses House passage
Associated Press
A bill to designate 300,000 acres in California's northern coastal counties as wilderness lands passed the Senate Tuesday in the final hours of the congressional session.
Read more . . .

November 2, 2004
Wilderness bill still alive - Congress has unfinished business to conduct
Ventura County Star
Regardless of its partisan makeup, and irrespective of the outcome of the presidential race, the 108th Congress will have a great deal of unfinished business to confront when it resumes work Nov. 15.
Read more . . .

August 29, 2004
There's more to be done for California's wild things
Santa Cruz Sentinel
Sept. 3 marks the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, which protects some of America's most treasured expanses of rivers and redwoods, coastlines and canyons in their natural state, unspoiled by the exploits of humanity.
Read more . . .

August 24, 2004
Judge Bans Logging in Tahoe Site
Los Angeles Times
Ruling says the U.S. Forest Service ignored studies and policies in approving a project that could 'increase the likelihood of severe fire.'
Read more . . .

August 21, 2004
Judge bans logging in Tahoe forest fire area
Sacramento Bee
Logging of fire-ravaged trees in a roadless area of Tahoe National Forest that has been proposed as Placer County wilderness was barred Friday by a Sacramento federal judge.
Read more . . .

August 1, 2004
Hope grows for bill to add wilderness
Sacramento Bee
WASHINGTON - Legislation that would turn more than 300,000 acres of federal forestlands into protected wilderness along California's North Coast received a warm reception before a Senate committee last month, suggesting that a key piece of a massive wilderness bill sponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., may finally be moving.
Read more . . .

July 22, 2004
NoCal wilderness bill faces management questions from Bush admin
Environment & Energy Daily
The Bush administration supports efforts to find solutions for hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness study areas in Northern California, but it appears much work remains to iron out concerns of the Interior and Agriculture departments, Congress and local communities.
Read more . . .

July 22, 2004
Federal bill to increase California wilderness moves forward
Scripps Howard News Service
ILegislation that would turn 300,000 acres of federal forestlands into protected wilderness along California's North Coast sailed through a Senate hearing this week.
Read more . . .

July 22, 2004
Lawmakers push for wilderness expansion
Rep. Pombo may allow hearing on federal designation
San Francisco Chronicle
Washington -- Advocates of a plan to expand federally protected wilderness along California's North Coast by 298,000 acres -- an area roughly 10 times the size of San Francisco -- expressed optimism Wednesday that Congress will approve their sweeping proposal in the closing days of this year's session.
Read more . . .

July 22, 2004
California officials push bill designating NorCal wilderness
Associated Press
A sweeping wilderness bill affecting 300,000 acres of Northern California forests, mountains and coastline is needed to shield some of the region's most spectacular areas from development, California lawmakers said.
Read more . . .

July 15, 2004
Putting the wild label on wilderness
The Times-Standard
There are many wild places in Northern California. There are big areas without roads, houses, or any human activity at all. It’s not a waste of space.
Read more . . .

July 13, 2004
Wilderness bill will go to key U.S. Senate committee
The Times-Standard
A bill that would mark 300,000 acres of public land in Northern California as wilderness will get a hearing before a Senate committee this month.
Read more . . .

May 29, 2004
Kern Valley's lifeblood
Kern River's value cannot be ignored by area residents
Bakersfield Californian
As we celebrate Memorial Day, it is important to remember just how important California's wild lands and rivers are to the Golden State.
Read more . . .

May 29, 2004
Save glorious Kings River for life's great adventures
Fresno Bee
Memorial Day is upon us. This holiday traditionally marks the start of the summer season -- children are wrapping up school and it is time to roll out the barbecues, picnic tables, lawn chairs and swim suits.
Read more . . .

May, 28 2004
City supports wilderness bill
Willits News
Designation permits hunting and fishing
Read more . . .

May, 17 2004
Environmentalists woo Latinos
The Press-Enterprise
Seeking to reach out to Inland Hispanics, local and national groups will hold a forum Tuesday night in San Bernardino to raise awareness about environmental issues.
Read more . . .

April 22, 2004
Latino group shows environment matters
The Press-Enterprise
Manny Hernandez uses each Earth Day to take stock.
Read more . . .

March 31, 2004
Rebuilding the bridge to our natural world
Ventura County Star
From an early age, we are taught to fear and respect our natural world. But somehow, as we grow older, that respect begins to fade.
Read more . . .

March 20, 2004
National Parks cutback
San Francisco Chronicle
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - Regarding Zachary Coile's article, "Park Service tried to conceal service cuts, files show" (March 18), on the National Park Service's attempts to cover up its plans to reduce operations due to lack of funding: George W. Bush was correct when he says he is a "war president," but Iraq is not the only war he is engaged in. There is a war on the environment, too, and our public lands are bearing the brunt of it.
Read more . . .

March 12, 2004
Oil and forest a bad mix for environmentalists
Goleta Valley Voice
Politicians, and a growing group of environmentalists, are rallying around the local forest in an attempt to permanently put the plug in new federal oil drilling options.
Read more . . .

March 10, 2004
Guides lobby bill on river regions
Fesno Bee
WASHINGTON -- California wild-river enthusiasts are braving Capitol Hill to champion controversial wilderness legislation authored by Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer.
Read more . . .

March 10, 2004
Davis-based environmental group proposes state designation for Cache Creek
The California Aggie
Blue skies shine down on a smoothly flowing river, hugged tightly by curvy hillsides rich in grasslands, wildflowers, oaks and chaparral. This landscape known as Cache Creek - home to tule elk, bald eagles, mountain lions, river otters and a fully intact natural fishery - is a haven for rafters, kayakers and hikers alike.
Read more . . .

March 10, 2004
Wilderness Vs. Exploration
San Luis Obispo Tribune
The statistics are as awesome as the animal: 22-pound bodyweight, 9-foot wing span, ability to ride a thermal 15,000 feet high and a daily cruising range of 140 miles.
Read more . . .

March 6, 2004
River enthusiasts lobby for wilderness plan
Sacramento Bee
WASHINGTON - It's a long way from California whitewater to Capitol Hill's Class V political rapids.
Read more . . .

March 5, 2004
Paying for plunder
Fresno Bee
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - I praise Ron Mackie for his comments on the coming 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act and its value as a tangible link to America's past (letter Feb. 21). But it is an anniversary tinged with sorrow, because President Bush continues his all-out assault on America's protected natural areas.
Read more . . .

March 5, 2004
Congress holds key to state's rivers
Modesto Bee
WASHINGTON -- It's a long way from California white water to Capitol Hill's Class IV political rapids. But for wild river enthusiasts like Angels Camp resident John Yost, it's a trip worth making.
Read more . . .

March 4, 2004
Supes Scoop: Of Wild Places and Open Spaces
Mammoth Times
Far back when I was a child growing up in the Pacific Northwest, I was always pulled toward the dense forests and wild mountains of the Cascade and Olympic Ranges. I learned to ski early on, and spent many days fishing, hiking and camping in the natural wonders of that region.
Read more . . .

March 4, 2004
Dream a Trail Somewhere Else
Mammoth Times
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - Mr. Davis opposes the addition of the Owens River Headwaters to the Ansel Adams Wilderness so that a mountain bike trail might be constructed linking Mammoth Mountain and June Mountain ski areas. Mr. Davis states "It is the wrong place to declare wilderness." I disagree, the Owens River Headwaters is precisely the right place to "declare" wilderness.
Read more . . .

March 2, 2004
Editorial: Oil drilling plan far too costly
Ventura County Star
Whether it's happening within sight of the Ventura County coastline or deep within the Los Padres National Forest, oil drilling can be equally destructive to either environmental setting.
Read more . . .

February 26, 2004
Hispanics lend a strong hand to green issues
San Francisco Chronicle
Outdoor recreation for California's early Hispanic settlers once included a startling pastime -- vaqueros trying to lasso grizzly bears from horseback. Nowadays, Hispanic visitors to public lands prefer to mount huge family picnics, then relax by booting a soccer ball around a nearby field.
Read more . . .

February 21, 2004
Celebrate wilderness on anniversary of protection act
Fresno Bee
LETTER TO THE EDITOR - On Sept. 3, lovers of remote, undeveloped and untamed lands will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The Wilderness Act now protects nearly 5% of all the public land in the United States, preserving wild places for everyone's benefit, as a living legacy to pass on to future generations.
Read more . . .

February 19, 2004
Capps Leads Protest Against Drilling
UCSB Daily Nexus
Congresswoman Lois Capps argues against oil drilling in Los Padres National Forest at a Santa Barbara press conference on Wednesday. Also present were John Buttny, Supervisor Steve Bennet and Mayor Marty Blum.
Read more . . .

February 19, 2004
Lawmakers introduce bill to ban drilling Los Padres Forest would be preserved
Santa Barbara News-Press
Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, has introduced a bill to prohibit new oil and gas development in Los Padres National Forest, blocking one part of a larger Bush administration bid to open more federal areas to energy exploration.
Read more . . .

February 19, 2004
Bill Aims to Ban Oil Drilling in Los Padres
Los Angeles Times
SANTA BARBARA - The distant battles between wilderness advocates and the oil and gas industry have, until now, played out across a handful of Rocky Mountain states. But a Bush administration plan to allow oil drilling in proposed wilderness areas in the Los Padres National Forest near here has brought that fight to Southern California.
Read more . . .

February 18, 2004
Capps, 2 U.S. senators hope to block forest drilling
Ventura County Star
WASHINGTON -- The fight over oil and gas exploration in the Los Padres National Forest is heating up again, with conservationists and others now pushing legislation in Congress to keep the forest off-limits to such activity in the future.
Read more . . .

February 18, 2004
Bush seeks Los Padres oil — Coalition forms to halt drilling in national foreste
Ojai Valley News
Even as Casitas Municipal Water District constructs a fish ladder that would allow access for endangered steelhead to Matilija Creek and more of the Ventura River and even as the nearly extinct California condor attempts to make a comeback, President George W. Bush has decided that he, too, wants use of their home territory, the Los Padres National Forest.
Read more . . .

February 18, 2004
Oil drilling issues in Los Padres National Forest
KSBY-TV
Within months, the Bush administration will release a proposal to drill for oil and gas in the Los Padres National Forest, a proposal that many local lawmakers and environmentalists are trying to stop.
Read more . . .

February 17, 2004
L.A.'s wild fringe — Getaways close to the urban core are gaining support among Latino activists
Los Angeles Times
As a girl growing up in La Puente, Hilda L. Solis would cram into her father's Ford pickup with her six brothers and sisters and drive to the San Gabriel Mountains to escape summer heat.
Read more . . .

January 12, 2004
Latino support
Fresno Bee
"Vamonos a bañarnos a Dinkey Creek!" Those are the words from Latino families during hot summer days when the heat is unbearable, the kids are cranky and the trees are motionless outside with the sun beating down hard on the sidewalks -- Let's go to Dinkey Creek!
Read more . . .

January 10, 2004
California Briefs
Woodland Daily Democrat
DUARTE: FEDERAL PROTECTION Rep. Hilda Solis, D-Calif., and environmental activists called on Republican congressional leaders Thursday to support bills permanently granting the strongest possible level of federal protection to more than 2 million acres of California land and more than 300 miles of the state's rivers.
Read More . . .

January 9, 2004
Environmental panel seeks Latino support
Latinos encouraged to support bill
Pasadena Star-News
DUARTE -- The National Hispanic Environmental Council kicked off a campaign Thursday to drum up support in the Latino community for a proposed bill granting stronger protection of rivers and wild land, including several spots in the Angeles National Forest.
Read more . . .

January 9, 2004
Latino Leaders Back Wilderness Bill
Riverside Press-Enterprise
A statewide poll conducted in 2002 by Bendixen and Association, a Florida-based polling firm, showed that 81 percent of Latinos support wilderness protections, compared to 72 percent of Californians overall.
Read more . . .

January 9, 2004
Campaña para proteger áreas verdes
La Opinion
Con el objeto de preservar 1.7 millones de acres de terrenos silvestres de California, miembros del Consejo Hispano Nacional por el Medio Ambiente (NHEC) lanzaron ayer una campaña para pedir a la comunidad que apoye un proyecto de ley que protegería las zonas verdes y ríos de la región.
Lea Más . . .

January 9, 2004
Bill calls for protection of California land as wilderness
San Francisco Chronicle
Designating the land as wilderness would give it a level of protection banning development, logging, off-road vehicles, mountain biking, and new mining and cattle grazing. But the Democratic-sponsored bill could have trouble in the Republican-controlled Congress.
Read more . . .

January 9, 2004
Bill calls for strongest possible protection for California lands
Santa Rosa Press Democrat
DUARTE, Calif. - Rep. Hilda Solis and environmental activists called on Republican congressional leaders Thursday to support bills permanently granting the strongest possible level of federal protection to more than 2 million acres of California land and more than 300 miles of the state's rivers.
Read more . . .

January 8, 2004
Bill calls for strongest possible protection for California lands
San Jose Mercury News
DUARTE, Calif. - Rep. Hilda Solis and environmental activists called on Republican congressional leaders Thursday to support bills permanently granting the strongest possible level of federal protection to more than 2 million acres of California land and more than 300 miles of the state's rivers.
Read more . . .

January 8, 2004
Bill calls for strongest possible protection for California lands
North County Times
DUARTE, Calif. - Rep. Hilda Solis and environmental activists called on Republican congressional leaders Thursday to support bills permanently granting the strongest possible level of federal protection to more than 2 million acres of California land and more than 300 miles of the state's rivers.
Read more . . .

January 8, 2004
Bill calls for strongest possible protection for California lands
Modesto Bee
DUARTE, Calif. - Rep. Hilda Solis and environmental activists called on Republican congressional leaders Thursday to support bills permanently granting the strongest possible level of federal protection to more than 2 million acres of California land and more than 300 miles of the state's rivers.
Read more . . .

January 3, 2004
Saving Dinkey Creek creates loving legacy
Fresno Bee
We need to thank past generations for the gift of Dinkey Creek, which remains an important part of our Valley's heritage today.
Read more . . .