California Wild Heritage Campaign Return to previous page
CONTACT
Derek Chernow
916-442-3155 ext. 207
310-710-0306 cell
Locals Cheer Long Anticipated Conservation Measure
WASHINGTON, DC – Constituents, businesses, organizations, and activists enthusiastically greeted the signing of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act (H.R. 233/S. 128) into law today. The critical conservation measure designates roughly 275,000 acres in California’s North Coast as wilderness and grants wild and scenic status to 21 miles of the Black Butte River. This momentous occasion caps years of leadership and dedication demonstrated by Rep. Thompson (D-Napa Valley), and California Senators Barbara Boxer (D) and Dianne Feinstein (D).
The Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act designates key landscapes in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and Napa counties as wilderness and protects segments of the Black Butte River as a wild and scenic river. Areas of special value include the King Range, which includes the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the contiguous United States and the Cedar Roughs proposed wilderness, which shelters the largest grove in the world of the rare Sargent cypress. Endangered and threatened species whose habitats are now protected by the bill include the bald eagle, California brown pelican, steelhead trout, coho salmon, northern spotted owl, and Roosevelt elk.
“Permanently protecting some of Del Norte County's remaining wild places is a boon to the local region and the entire North Coast,” said Del Norte County Assessor Gerald Cochran. “The Siskiyou Wilderness is a strong driver for our economic development, which is increasingly relying on tourism and outdoor recreation on our public lands. Adding to this protected area helps preserve our cultural, economic, and recreational values. I thank Congressman Thompson and Senators Boxer and Feinstein for their leadership.”
Countless community, business, and political leaders came forward to support the North Coast bill throughout the course of its progress.
“The signing of the North Coast wilderness bill demonstrates the power of combining broad-based local support with strong political leadership,” stated Traci Sheehan, Campaign Director for the California Wild Heritage Campaign. “It took nature millions of years to create these natural wonders along the North Coast. Now, thanks to local citizens, Congressman Thompson and Senators Boxer and Feinstein, generations of people will enjoy these beautiful places in their wild state for many years to come.”
For more information on the wild places included in this legislation, please visit www.californiawild.org. For photos of wild places included in the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act, please contact Derek Chernow, Communications Director, at (916) 442-3155 x207 or derek@californiawild.org.
# # #
The California Wild Heritage Campaign (www.californiawild.org) is a non-partisan, broad-based coalition of everyday citizens who share a common goal of ensuring the permanent protection of California's remaining wild lands and rivers. We are business-owners, anglers, hunters, vintners, scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, people of faith, conservation groups, and much more.
###
Copyright © 2006 by California Wild Heritage Campaign.