Wilderness News

A bill introduced Thursday by Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., proposes to protect the federally owned land east of the Arkansas River, between Nathrop and Salida, as Browns Canyon Wilderness.

If that smacks of deju vu, it is because an almost identical bill was scuttled in 2006 by opponents in Washington - notably at the behest of high officials who speak for the National Rifle Association.

Under bipartisan legislation recently introduced in both bodies of the U.S. Congress, more than 400,000 acres of wilderness in Inyo and Mono Counties and 45 miles of the Owens River Headwaters and Death Valley's Amargosa River could have their wild heritage preserved.

In addition, there could also be another 40,000-plus acres of wilderness and several more miles of "wild and scenic river" protected in the northern San Gabriel Mountains in the Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valleys of Southern California.

When Congressman Buck McKeon visited the Eastern Sierra two weeks ago, the word on the street was that his wilderness legislation was dead in the water, and years of haggling and compromise between environmentalists and the motorized community seemed a monumental waste of time. 

There has been much discussion and debate over idea of Badlands wilderness area over the years - now, that debate will shift to Capitol Hill (photo courtesy ONDA)

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., traveled to the wide open spaces east of Bend Tuesday to announce that he will introduce legislation to declare the 30,000-acre Badlands area as wilderness.

Colorado conservation, hunting and angling groups are hailing a proposal to set aside about 20,000 acres of federal land in Chaffee County as wilderness.

A similar bill in 2006 by Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., and former Colorado Congressman Joel Hefley failed after the National Rifle Association opposed it because it would close a trail used by all-terrain vehicles.

Motorized vehicles aren't allowed in federal wilderness.

The bill's supporters include the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.

Wilderness is the earth untrammeled by man where he has not dominated the landscape with such things as shopping centers and track homes. It is where Joshua trees grow against a vast backdrop of sunset-drenched mountains. In the wilderness man is allowed to hike, fish, ride horses, hunt, camp and more, but he is just a visitor.

The California Desert and Mountains Wilderness Campaign, a nonprofit union, was formed by a group of people, organizations and businesses working together to protect some of Riverside County's wilderness.

Colorado citizen groups herald introduction of legislation in both the U.S. House and Senate to create Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area and a surrounding national conservation area.

Thanks to legislation introduced today by members of Colorado's congressional delegation, the spectacular redrock bends and alcoves of the Dominguez and Escalante canyons south of Grand Junction are a step closer to being permanently protected.

More than 210,000 acres of land high on the Uncompahgre Plateau would become the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area under legislation introduced Thursday.

The area would include the 66,000-acre Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area now designated for wilderness study.

"Colorado's Western Slope is home to some of the most beautiful land in the entire nation, and this bill will help ensure it stays that way," said U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Colo., whose 3rd Congressional District includes the proposed conservation area and most of the Western Slope.

Rep. Mike Simpson bent over backwards this week to get his long-pending Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act passed by the House of Representatives.

Rep. Mike Simpson's Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act always has involved a series of political trade-offs.

Most Idahoans, for instance, disliked trading away small amounts of land within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area but tolerated it to protect 319,000 acres of Boulder-White Cloud wilderness.