Read about the issues that The Wilderness Society's regional offices are working on, including offshore drilling in Alaska, protecting New Jersey's Highlands, and helping develop a conservation plan for Montana's Blackfoot River.

Click on a region to read more:
Northeast
California/Nevada
Central Rockies
Alaska
Pacific Northwest
Southeast
Northern Rockies
Southwest
Mid-Atlantic
Idaho

NORTHEAST
November 6 will be an important day for Maine's 10-million-acre North Woods. This forest system, stretching from the Downeast coast to the Mahoosuc Range in the western mountains, is the largest undeveloped forest east of the Mississippi. It supports a diverse economy and a deeply rooted culture, along with a wide variety of native plants and wildlife, including a number of endangered species.

Traditionally, a small group of companies owned most of the North Woods. They cut timber on the land, but allowed broad access for hunters, hikers, and anglers. Over the last two decades, however, ownership has changed dramatically. Real estate investment trusts now control the vast majority of the area, and they are rapidly developing and gating these lands. Meantime, in southern Maine, an explosion of real estate prices has led developers to gobble up suburban and rural land at an alarming rate.

The Land for Maine's Future (LMF) program, created in 1987, has enabled Maine to make strategic land investments in order to ensure that the heart of the North Woods will be there for future generations. Thanks to the state's voters, who approved bond issues in 1987, 1999 and 2005, LMF has had $97 million to combine with $126 million in private and federal funds. The result was protection of 440,000 acres in all 16 Maine counties: mountain summits, salt marshes, rivers, lakes, forests, and 919 miles of shorefront. LMF has now allocated the last of its funds, so we are playing a leading role in a coalition urging voters to approve a fresh infusion of $17 million this fall.

Jeremy Sheaffer
207-626-5553
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CALIFORNIA/NEVADA
Yellowstone is our oldest national park. Second-oldest is Sequoia, established in 1890, six days before Yosemite. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, immediately to the north, are now treated as one park and comprise the heart of the southern Sierra Nevada. Both were protected to save the giant sequoia. Running 65 miles north and south, the park also features deep canyons, lush meadows, clear lakes, rushing rivers, and tall peaks, including the highest mountain in the Lower 48: Mount Whitney (14,495 feet).

Much of Sequoia-Kings Canyon was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1984 and therefore will remain free of roads and other development. To provide the same level of protection for another 115,000 acres, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Congressmen Jim Costa (D-CA) and Devin Nunes (R-CA) have introduced legislation to add those lands to the Wilderness System. Included are the Redwood Mountain Grove, the largest giant sequoia grove in the park, with trees nearly 300 feet tall; California's longest cave; and the Old Hockett Trail, one of the first routes across the southern Sierra Nevada. The land is home to bobcats, gray fox, California spotted owls, golden eagles, and other species

Sara Barth
415-561-6641
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CENTRAL ROCKIES
The oil and gas industry has its sights set on popular Roan Plateau, the only one of western Colorado's four biological "hot spots" that has not been protected. Gas wells and related infrastructure virtually surround the Roan Plateau, but so far the cliffs and top of the area remain mostly natural. On top are expansive wildflower meadows, large aspen stands, a valley known to many as "Little Yosemite," and a 200-foot waterfall. The plateau is important to elk and native cutthroat trout, among other species.

The Bush administration wants to hold a lease sale for the undisturbed area and approved a development plan in June that envisions 1,570 gas wells. But there has been strong criticism from citizens, dozens of businesses, and Governor Bill Ritter (D), who has become a vocal ally in challenging inappropriate drilling proposals. In August Congressmen John Salazar (D-CO) and Mark Udall (D-CO) authored an amendment to the House-passed energy bill that would keep rigs off the plateau. This provision will be further debated in the fall, when the House and Senate reconcile the differences between their energy bills. At the insistent urging of Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO), Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne agreed in August to allow Ritter 120 days to study the plans for Roan.

Suzanne Jones
303-650-5818
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ALASKA
Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) continues to press Congress to pass legislation that would put a road through wilderness in Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Located along the Alaska Peninsula, Izembek is critically important to a variety of migratory birds, including emperor geese, Taverner's cackling geese, rock sandpipers, dunlins, Pacific black brant, and Steller's eiders. Marine mammals, brown bears, and caribou also depend on this sanctuary, famous for its eelgrass beds.

Ten years ago Stevens began a campaign to persuade Congress to build a road that King Cove's 800 residents could use to reach an airport and then fly to an advanced hospital. Congress concluded that the plan would do too much damage and cost too much money. Instead, $37.5 million was provided to upgrade local medical facilities, create a marine hovercraft-ferry system to get to the airport, and build an unpaved 17-mile road—avoiding the wilderness—to the marine terminal. Now Stevens is back, along with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). They are sponsoring S. 1680, which would add 61,000 acres of lesser-quality land to the refuge, in exchange for the removal of 206 acres from the wilderness area so that a nine-mile gravel road could be constructed along the route he proposed ten years ago. This road would run through the refuge's ecological heart, reducing the value of critical habitat for the very species the refuge was established to protect. This scheme would cost taxpayers another $15 million—without improving the speed or safety of transportation. Please urge your members of Congress to oppose S. 1680 and the House version: H.R. 2801, introduced by Congressman Don Young (R-AK).

Eleanor Huffines
907-272-9453
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PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Alpine Lakes is just 45 minutes east of downtown Seattle and has been one of the most popular wilderness areas in the nation since its permanent protection in 1976. Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) recently announced that he will lead an effort in Congress to add more than 20,000 acres of national forest land in the Pratt, Middle Fork, and South Fork Snoqualmie Valleys to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. These lands will no longer face the threat of logging and will remain prime spots for those who enjoy camping, rafting, fishing, hiking, and other activities. Low-elevation lands like these are snow-free for much of the year and support many more species than higher-elevation habitats. In addition, these watersheds are important sources of clean water for downstream fisheries and municipal systems.

Reichert's proposal also would make the 11-mile Pratt River part of the Wild and Scenic River System, thereby preventing dam construction and other development on the Pratt or within a quarter-mile buffer on both sides. This is vital habitat for cutthroat trout, elk, mountain goats, marten, and other species. We will continue working with a broad-based coalition of local, regional, and national partners to help move this legislation through Congress.

Michelle Ackermann
206-624-6430
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SOUTHEAST
Located 20 miles southeast of Columbia, South Carolina, Congaree National Park has some of the East's tallest trees, including pines exceeding 160 feet. This International Biosphere Reserve features old-growth loblolly pines and bald cypress, part of the nation's largest tract of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest. Congaree also has been designated a Globally Important Bird Area, with 167 species, including all eight of the Southeast's woodpecker subspecies. The park's 15,000-acre wilderness area and 25 miles of hiking trails help make Congaree a recreation magnet.

Studies in the 1990s found that the best way to protect the national park and to create a conservation corridor to natural areas downstream was to add 4,200 acres along the eastern boundary. Working with the Trust for Public Land and other partners, we helped secure an appropriation from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to make the 2,395-acre Bates Fork tract part of Congaree. To complete this project, our coalition is urging Congress to tap LWCF to enable acquisition of the adjacent 1,840-acre Riverstone tract. This area is home to dwarf cypress and planer tree communities not found in the park, as well as large swamp cottonwoods and water hickories that are rare in the region. Please urge Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to help obtain the necessary funds.

Frank Peterman
404-272-9453
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NORTHERN ROCKIES
We are playing a leading role in efforts to protect the Wyoming Range from oil and gas drilling. Running 150 miles through Bridger-Teton National Forest in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Wyoming Range contains over 700,000 acres of magnificent wildlife habitat. There are lynx, moose, and large free-roaming herds of elk and mule deer. Visitors enjoy spectacular mountain meadows, blue-ribbon trout streams, and lush valleys, ideal for hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping.

However, this special landscape lacks meaningful protection. Record-setting energy development underway in the adjacent Upper Green River Valley illustrates the threat facing the Wyoming Range. New energy development in these mountains simply does not make sense. Even from a strictly economic standpoint, drilling would be ill-advised. Because of its scenery and wildlife, the Wyoming Range helps support an emerging diversified economy centered on tourism and recreation. Hundreds of jobs depend directly on the Bridger-Teton's wildlife, and travel revenue in three counties surrounding the Wyoming Range now exceeds $20 million. With ranchers still making a living on the open range, this is a place where Old West and New West coexist in harmony.

Local landowners, outfitters, sportsmen, conservationists, and others have come together to urge elected officials to introduce legislation in Congress prohibiting new federal oil and gas leasing in the Wyoming Range while promoting efforts to voluntarily retire existing, non-producing leases. Such coalitions are proving increasingly effective in the Rockies, and we will continue to nurture these partnerships.
 
Bob Ekey
406-586-1600
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SOUTHWEST
"Wild Eden" was the title of the Arizona Highways story last May on the Tumacacori Highlands of southeastern Arizona. This lush landscape sits at a biological crossroads, where the subtropical ecosystems to the south meet the temperate ecosystems to the north—and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts converge. The resulting biological diversity is enhanced by the topographical range of the mountains, called "sky islands." A birder's paradise, the Highlands harbor the five-striped sparrow, the gray hawk, and the brilliant red and green Elegant Trogon, among others. The endangered American jaguar also has been seen in the area. There are rolling hills with wildflower-rich meadows, Mexican oaks, lichen-drenched cliffs, deep canyons, and soaring peaks that offer stunning views.

A rapid increase in off-road vehicle activity already has carved 1,000 miles of illegal roads through the Coronado National Forest, which is home to the Highlands. We are working with Congressman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ) to pass his bill creating a wilderness area in the highlands and expanding the Pajarita Wilderness. This legislation would add 83,300 acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System. Others in the broad-based effort include the Arizona Wilderness Coalition, the Sky Island Alliance, Friends of Tumacacori Highlands, 80 University of Arizona scientists, hunting groups, religious groups, and dozens of businesses. Please thank Grijalva for his leadership and urge your representative to support this measure (H.R. 3287).

Deanna Archuleta
505-917-4226
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MID-ATLANTIC
New Jersey is the nation's most densely populated state and continues to lose 50 acres a day to development. Fortunately, the state has been in the forefront of the land conservation movement. To counter the threat to New Jersey's natural heritage, the state's voters have approved ten bond issues since 1961, leading to the protection of nearly 300,000 acres. But now the money has nearly run out. In November, the state's voters will have an opportunity to replenish the Garden State Preservation Trust for another year with $200 million. The ballot measure proposes investing $109 million in open space and parkland, $73 million in farmland, $12 million in anti-flooding efforts, and $6 million in historic preservation.

The Wilderness Society is part of the Keep It Green Campaign, which helped push the ballot question through the state legislature this year and will continue working toward creation of a long-term dedicated funding source to meet these needs. We are eager to see forests, wetlands, and other natural areas protected in the Highlands, Pinelands, and elsewhere in the Garden State. For example, state funds are needed to preserve tracts in Passaic County's Wyanokie Highlands, home to watersheds serving two million people. Those dollars would be used to match federal funds we are working to secure through the Highlands Conservation Act.

Tom Gilbert
215-343-1110
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IDAHO
Southwest of Twin Falls, near the Nevada border, are two adjacent pieces of public land that are critically important to wildlife and that offer first-rate recreation opportunities. The primary concern is growing use of off-road vehicles and the threat they pose to wildlife. Fortunately, working with Trout Unlimited and other allies, we are making notable progress in convincing the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to adopt protective measures in its long-term management plan for the region.

One area is called the Jarbidge Foothills. It hosts mule deer, elk, and pronghorn, as well as declining bird species such as sage and sharp-tailed grouse. The foothills also contain a number of important archaeological sites. An analysis by our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team identified the effects that the current road system is having on wildlife, and then we developed a proposal that would minimize motorized activity. 

We have taken a similar approach to the second area, the Owyhee Canyonlands, home to some of the most spectacular desert in Idaho. With steep canyons and shrub-filled plateaus, these 250,000 acres provide outstanding habitat for California bighorn sheep, coyotes, birds of prey, and other wildlife. The clear-running Bruneau and Jarbidge Rivers are vital to the endangered bull trout.

Because these areas offer such exceptional hunting opportunities, we have worked closely with groups such as Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and their support has been instrumental in persuading the BLM that this a common-sense approach to future management challenges. The agency's plan is expected to be finalized by mid-2008. To see a ten-minute video of the region, go to: http://blip.tv/file/325173/. 

Craig Gehrke
208-343-8153
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