Mammoth Times
Published February 10, 2006

Letter to the editor: Praise for congressman mckeon

By Tim Alpers

Dear Editor:

I am writing to commend our congressman, Buck McKeon, for his commitment to introducing legislation that would expand the Hoover Wilderness in Mono County. After many months of effort, the Mono County Board of Supervisors adopted last August a compromise agreement recommending that the pristine lands be added to the Hoover Wilderness while adjacent lands are freed up for snowmobile use to help boost the winter economy of Bridgeport and northern Mono County. Congressman McKeon is now pledging to sponsor legislation honoring the board's action.

As a new County Supervisor in 1985, I visited the lands under consideration. We rode via horseback and had a wonderful time seeing Paiute Meadow and the West Walker River headwaters. The area is without question an Eastern Sierra "crown jewel" that deserves to be protected as wilderness for the benefit of future generations.

I am grateful that our congressman is following through on the important work of Mono County by choosing to sponsor wilderness legislation. It is refreshing to see such great leadership on this important issue.

© Copyright 2006 Mammoth Times