Willits News
Published May, 28 2004

City supports wilderness bill

By Claudia Reed

Designation permits hunting and fishing

"Europe, Asia, much of Latin America don't have it. That we could have some right hereIt's really astounding!"

City Councilman Ron Orenstein was talking about wilderness, a designation that will be applied to 303,000 acres of federal land in northwestern California if U.S. House Resolution 1501 is approved by Congress.

"It will be here for our children and our grandchildren forever!" Orenstein said.

On May 26, council members voted unanimous approval of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act and directed Mayor Karen Oslund to send a letter of support. Councilman Bruce Burton was absent.

Oslund pointed out the "wilderness" designation could have economic and recreational benefits for Willits. Most of the 16 areas under consideration are best reached from the population centers to the south by traveling Highway 101. Four are entirely in Mendocino County and two overlap Mendocino and another county. That means a stop in Willits for gas, food, and lodging is likely.

Educator Marcella de Santana, who has been taking students on field trips to wilderness areas, told the council public lands to the south are increasingly too crowded to enjoy. By contrast, she said, those north of Willits are sufficiently awe inspiring to impress even the most reluctant teenagers.

A "wilderness" designation means no commercial logging, no new roads, and no mechanized vehicles and equipment, unless required for fire safety. On the other hand, existing roads, trails and hunting camps would be maintained and such non-mechanized activities as hunting, fishing, and hiking would continue.

Proposed wilderness areas in Mendocino County include:

14,000 acres along the south folk of the Eel River with rare plant species and the state's last nonhatchery "long-run" Coho salmon population;

26,760 acres in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel River area with up to half of the state's summer steelhead run and the Travelers Home National Recreation Trail;

21 miles of the Black Butte River, which provides habitat for endangered fish species; and

8,000 acres in the Elkhorn Ridge area containing the South Fork Eel River canyon and forests sheltering endangered species.

Partially in Mendocino County are:

The King Range, 41,614 acres extending into Humboldt County with "the longest stretch of undeveloped beach and coastal bluffs in the United States outside of Alaska," according to the California Wilderness Coalition;

The recently named "Yuki" region with 51,790 forested acres extending into Lake County and surrounding much of the Middle Fork Eel River: and

10,160 acres extending into Lake County and containing Sanhedrin Mountain, rare plant species, and old-growth forests.

In Lake County are:

38,960 acres, including Cache Creek, bald eagle habitat, hiking, horseback riding, and whitewater boating; and

20,960 acres in the Snow Mountain area with 10 miles of the Eel River canyon, large meadows, and ancient forests.

In Humboldt County are:

5.740 acres containing Mad River Buttes' "amazing views and incredible wildflower displays," according to the coalition:

7,100 acres containing Mount Lassic with views of the Coast Range;

26,510 acres in the Trinity Alps with the third largest old-growth forest in the state; and

the 3,500-acre Underwood area with the Wild and Scenic South Fork Trinity River.

Overlapping Humboldt and Del Norte counties are 42,190 acres in the Siskiyou area containing an "immense diversity of plants and animals," the coalition says.

In Napa County are:

760 acres containing the Blue Ridge Trail with views as far south as Yosemite and as far north as Mount Shasta; and

the 5,880-acre Cedar Roughs area with the state's last wild black bear population in the state and the world's largest grove of rare Sargent cypress.

The wilderness bill was authored by Congressman Mike Thompson, whose district includes Willits. According to the city council's agenda packet, it's currently "stalled in the committee process" and local support could move it forward.

So far, supporters include Peter Steele, CEO of Harwood Lumber; Charles L. McFadin, former district ranger with the Covelo Ranger District; and the City of Ukiah.

An earlier, state-wide version of the bill was approved by Mendocino County's board of supervisors. The latest version has not yet been submitted for approval, but Supervisor Hal Wagenet has written a letter urging passage.

© Copyright 2004 by Willits News