On April 6, 2006, Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) introduced the Eastern Sierra Rural Heritage and Economic Enhancement Act (H.R. 5149) to designate approximately 40,000 acres of the Eastern Sierra region as a wilderness area. The bill adds 39,680 acres to the existing Hoover Wilderness area, and adds 640 acres to the existing Emigrant Wilderness Area. The bill also adds approximately 24 miles of the Amargosa River to the National Wild and Scenic River System.
“This bill is an effort to preserve some of the most beautiful wilderness in California. Enactment of this legislation will protect southern California’s wildlife heritage, and at the same time assure that its scenic beauty will be accessible to the thousands of Americans who visit the region each year,” said McKeon.
The legislation was developed as a result of extensive consultations between McKeon and communities in southern California. Communities will now be able to develop their summer and winter recreational tourist businesses, including 11,000 acres of prime snowmobiling terrain. The measure also authorizes the appropriation of $2 million to support management and enforcement in the new agreed upon area of snowmobile use.
Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate, S. 2567, on the same day.
Background
The Eastern Sierra Bills propose to add acreage to the Hoover and Emigrant Wilderness Areas as well as designate a portion of the Amargosa River as a Wild and Scenic River. The exquisite alpine scenery of the Hoover Wilderness Additions makes it one of the most popular backcountry recreation destinations in the Eastern Sierra, with nearly 12 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and many fish-containing alpine lakes.
Vital not only to hikers, anglers, equestrians, and local outfitters, the area also contains important habitat for animals such as the mountain yellow-legged frog and Yosemite toad– candidate Endangered species, bald eagles, wolverine, black bear, mountain lion and many bird species. The Amargosa River is a stunning oasis in the surrounding desert landscape of southeast Inyo County. The only river flowing into Death Valley, it sustains biologically rich wetlands and riparian forests as it makes its way through ancient, rugged canyons. The Amargosa supports more than 280 bird species, including several that are threatened or endangered.
For More Information
- Sally Miller, The Wilderness Society, CA-NV Office, (760) 934-4479
- Derek Chernow, CA Wild Heritage Campaign, (916) 442-3155 x 207
- Jon Owen, Campaign for America's Wilderness, (202) 266-0438
