Areas Designated by Northern California Wild Heritage Wildneress Act. Click map to open larger version.

October 17, 2006, The Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act was signed into law.  The bill was championed by Congressman Mike Thompson and Senators Boxer and Feinstein.

This bill designated some 273,000 acres of public land as wilderness and 21 miles of Wild and Scenic River. The bill has protected some of the North Coast's most incredible areas including the King Range, the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the lower 48 states. The Cache Creek area is just a short drive from the Sacramento area and is home to an incredible wildflower display in the spring and California's second largest wintering bald eagle population. This bill also takes important steps toward preserving intact watersheds vital to the health of the North Coast's imperiled salmon and steelhead runs.

This victory was many years in the making, and through a lengthy process of reaching out to a number of stakeholders, the bill had unprecedented local, bi-partisan support from over 40 local elected officials and a diverse coalition including mill owners, horsepackers, hunters and even wineries. The California Wild Heritage Campaign, which includes over 500 businesses, conservation groups, religious organizations, recreation groups and civic clubs, has a goal of passing legislation to protect an additional 2.5 million acres of wilderness and over 400 miles of wild rivers and streams in the state of California.

"The work put into this wilderness designation is an example of how good policy is made," said Rep. Thompson. "Senators Feinstein and Boxer and I worked with dozens of groups with diverse interests who came together with the single goal of ensuring Northern California's wild places are preserved for generations. I share today's achievement with all who helped to make this victory for wilderness possible."

Contact

For more information about the Act, contact Dan Smuts at The Wilderness Society.