Legislature Approves Bill to Expand CA Wilderness

Published on Aug 22, 2008 - 9:45:46 AM

By: Assemblymember Noreen Evans

SACRAMENTO, CA Aug.21, 2008 - The State Legislature passed legislation authored by Assemblymember Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) that could prompt the designation of state wilderness in Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Santa Clara and Sonoma Counties.

"The Legislature hasn't designated new wilderness in nearly 30 years," said Evans. "We have fallen down on the job and are long overdue. My bill will lead to specific proposals for the Legislature to consider in order to protect wild lands for future generations to enjoy."

Sponsored by the California Wilderness Coalition, Assembly Bill (AB) 2923 directs the Resources Agency and the State Lands Commission to report to the Legislature by December 1, 2009 whether specific state lands in Northern California merit wilderness designation.

Wilderness is the highest level of protection for publicly owned lands. State law defines a wilderness area as land which has retained its primeval character and is managed to preserve its natural conditions. The development of roads and installations is prohibited as is the use of mechanized vehicles and equipment. Hunting, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and camping are permitted.

"Our organization has identified more than 500,000 acres of state lands that should be wilderness," said Barbara Hill executive director of the California Wilderness Coalition. "These lands help keep our drinking water and air clean, are home to wildlife and provide high quality recreation for the public. Without protection these lands are vulnerable to exploitation, and the public will suffer the consequences."

Current law requires the Resources Secretary and State Lands Commission to report to the Governor and the Legislature about the wilderness system and prospective additions each year. Each time new federal wilderness is designated in California, current law requires these agencies to review the appropriateness of a wilderness designation for adjacent state lands. Congress has designated millions of acres of federal wilderness in California, most recently in 2006 through legislation authored by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena). Many of the state lands listed in AB 2923 are adjacent to federal wilderness designated by the Thompson legislation.

AB 2923 passed the Senate 25-14 on August 18th. The Assembly concurred Senate amendments today 46-20. This bill is supported by the CA State Parks Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Sierra Club. Sonoma County and Napa County also support the legislation. Further information is available online at http://www.leginfo.ca.gov .

State Lands in AB 2923 for Consideration as Wilderness

Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve: Majestic redwood forests and golden oak woodlands characterize this diverse landscape. The age of the Colonel Armstrong redwood, the oldest in the reserve, is estimated at over 1400 years. The area is also known for its excellent wildflower displays. The State Resources Agency recommended wilderness designation for the park in 1978 but no action was taken. (Sonoma County)

Austin Creek State Recreation Area: Adjacent to the Armstrong Redwoods Reserve, the Austin Creek Recreation Area features open woodlands, meadows, tree-lined ravines and rocky mountaintops. The area features uncommonly rugged topography, with elevations ranging from 150-1500 feet. The State Resources Agency recommended wilderness designation for a portion of the area in 1978 but no action was taken. (Sonoma County)

Cache Creek Wilderness: The state-owned parcels are interspersed with areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management as the Cache Creek Wilderness. The BLM holdings were designed wilderness by Congress in 2006. Cache Creek hosts the second largest wintering bald eagle population in California, a herd of tule elk, black bear, beaver, river otter, bobcat, mountain lion, prairie falcon, golden eagle and other species. The area contains noted Native American cultural sites and is well-known for its spring wildflowers. (Lake County)

Cedar Roughs Wildlife Area: The state-owned lands are adjacent to the Bureau of Land Management's Cedar Roughs Wilderness, designated as such by Congress in 2006. The area is bursting with plant life that has evolved to not only survive, but to thrive in the area's harsh soils. Cedar Roughs is dominated by Sargent and McNabb cypress, the first of which is unique to California. It contains the largest stand of Sargent cypress, at 3,000 acres. In addition, Cedar Roughs supports Napa County's wild black bear population. (Napa County)

Henry W. Coe State Park: Coe Park is the largest state park in Northern California, with over 80,000 acres of ridges, canyons and scenic vistas. The park was also once the home of the Ohlone Native Americans. The 1985 General Plan for the park created a special management area and states that the State Parks Commission would decide the ultimate wilderness designation for this study area within ten years of the general plan's completion. No final action has been taken and new acquisitions to the park have not been reviewed for wilderness suitability. (Santa Clara County)

Knoxville Wildlife Area: The area contains habitat for many uncommon, rare, and unique wildlife species including tule elk, prairie and peregrine falcon, badger, ring-tailed cat, great-horned owl and Saint Helena mountain king snake, among others. The area also contains large groves of stately oaks and stands of native bunchgrass, two-fast disappearing landscapes in California. The area borders the Bureau of Land Management's Blue Ridge Potential Wilderness and has recently been expanded by the 12,000 acre Napa Ranch acquisition. (Napa County)

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park: The potential wilderness is named for the famous author of Treasure Island, who spent his honeymoon on Mount Saint Helena, the heart of the park, in 1880. On a clear day, visitors to the top of Mount Saint Helena, a massive volcanic structure, can see much of the Bay Area and Mount Shasta 192 miles away. The State Resources Agency recommended wilderness designation for the park in 1978 but no action was taken. Adjacent State Lands Commission lands also have high wilderness potential. (Napa County)

Sanhedrin Wilderness: The state-owned parcel is adjacent to an area in the Mendocino National Forest's Sanhedrin Wilderness that was designated as such by Congress in 2006. Sanhedrin Mountain's ancient forests are so pristine that federal officials consider them "critical habitat" for the continued survival of the northern spotted owl. Sanhedrin Mountain provides habitat for at least five rare and unique plant species, including the beautiful Anthony Peak lupine that grows only in the Mendocino National Forest. (Mendocino County)

South Fork Eel Wilderness: These state-owned lands are on Red Mountain, adjacent to BLM lands currently managed as the South Fork Eel Wilderness. Red Mountain's rust-colored and nutrient-poor soil creates not only a sharp visual contrast to its emerald, forested surroundings but a "botanical ark" as well (four plant species grow only on Red Mountain). The adjacent BLM lands were designated wilderness by Congress in 2006. (Mendocino County)

Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel: The potential wilderness is composed of oak woodlands, chaparral and several groves of old-growth forest, with exceptional strands of ancient sugar pine. The Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Eel River- just to the west of the area- hosts between one-third and one-half of California's entire remaining summer-run steelhead trout population, depending on the year. (Mendocino County)

Yuki Wilderness Inholding: The Yuki Inholding is surrounded by the Bureau of Land Management's Yuki Wilderness that was designated as wilderness by Congress in 2006. Several rare animals call the area home, including bald eagle, marten, goshawk, northern spotted owl and prairie falcon. The Inholding is in the Thatcher Creek watershed, a tributary of the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Eel River. (Mendocino County)

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