RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA (May 14, 2008) – Local wilderness supporters and a broad coalition of conservation groups today applauded House Natural Resources Committee passage of the California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act (H.R. 3682). Representative Mary Bono Mack’s (R-CA) broadly supported desert, forest and river conservation bill for Riverside County next goes before the House of Representatives for a vote.
Rep. Bono Mack’s legislation would permanently protect four new wilderness areas, six additions to existing wilderness areas, four wild and scenic rivers and additions to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, ensuring that a broad range of family recreational opportunities, such as hiking, hunting, horseback riding, bird watching, camping and other outdoor activities will remain widely available in Riverside County for future generations.
The legislation, sponsored in the Senate by Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), would protect 190,000 acres of wilderness in areas including Joshua Tree National Park, Beauty Mountain, South Fork San Jacinto and the Pinto Mountains among others. It would also expand the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument by approximately 8,000 acres and add 31 miles of four rivers to the National Wild and Scenic River System.
Congresswoman Bono Mack and Senator Boxer spent nearly two years consulting with diverse stakeholders and making numerous accommodations to address local concerns. As a result, the bill is supported by a wide range of local interests, including Riverside County supervisors, municipalities, chambers of commerce, realtors, equestrians, and businesses.
Last week the cities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, and Murrieta joined the coalition supporting this legislation. Doug McAllister, Councilman and former Mayor of the City of Murrieta, explained, “By protecting our public lands, benefiting our local economy, and preserving our region’s quality of life, this bill will have a positive impact on the community of Murrieta.”
City of Palm Desert Councilmember Jim Ferguson said, “It is terrific to see a bill that truly balances the diverse needs of our community, protecting our region’s open space, preserving our high quality of life, while maintaining and enhancing our economy—the California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act succeeds on all counts. The Palm Desert City Council is proud to support the bill and pleased to see it move one step closer to becoming law today.”
City of Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem Ginny Foat praised the legislation for its “positive impact on our community’s recreation opportunities, quality of life, and local economy. This is a broadly supported bill, and it is wonderful to see it move forward.
The Coachella Valley Association of Governments and eleven municipalities have formally endorsed the legislation. In addition, the Desert Chapter of the Building Industry Association, seven local chambers of commerce and more than 50 businesses support the measure because of the economic benefits of preserving the scenic beauty of Riverside County.
The bill will protect habitat for threatened Peninsular bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, and mountain yellow-legged frog, as well as many other species, including mule deer, mountain quail, and bald eagles. It will also preserve the biologically important watersheds of Fuller Mill Creek, Bautista Creek, Palm Canyon Creek and North Fork San Jacinto River.
The Natural Resources Committee also approved the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness Act (H.R. 3022), which will permanently protect 115,000 acres of wilderness in the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, including 69,500 acres to be named the John Krebs Wilderness after the former Fresno congressman and conservationist who fought to protect these lands in the Mineral King Valley. The bill was introduced by Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA) and Devin Nunes (R-CA). A companion bill was sponsored by Senator Boxer (D-CA).
The California Desert and Mountain Wilderness Campaign is composed of California Wilderness Coalition, Friends of the River, Sierra Club, The Wilderness Society, and Campaign for America's Wilderness.
Maps and Photos of the Area
