Notch Peak and Dry Sevier Lakebed, West Desert, Utah (Mike Painter)
July 30, 2014
Dear CalUWild friends-
Summer is a great time for reading, and many more articles than usual, as well as other items, came to my attention this month, so I’ll keep the introduction short.
A lot happened 50 years ago in 1964 as you’ll see from various items in this month’s Update. Please note Items 3 & 5, containing registration information for two major Wilderness50 events. In addition to the Wilderness Act, the Civil Rights Act was passed that year, another landmark piece of forward-looking legislation.
On the administrative front, there are still a few of the California commemorative 50th Anniversary posters by Tom Killion available, so if you haven’t gotten yours yet, please order one (and we can always get more). They measure 18″x24″ and are printed on good quality paper. Prices are 1 for $15, 2 for $25, and 3 for $35.50, including First Class postage. All proceeds benefit CalUWild.
Send a check payable to CalUWild, P.O. Box 210474, San Francisco, CA 94121-0474. For information on larger orders or with other questions, send an email.
Finally, “social media” like Facebook is an increasingly important means of communication for many non-profit organizations, extending their reach, including to people not otherwise connected. Since CalUWild publishes usually only one Update a month, Facebook is also a way to inform you of items on short notice, or of interesting things that might be outside of the normal scope of the Update. So if you’re on Facebook, please like CalUWild. And tell your friends to do the same!
As always, thanks for your interest and support.
Best wishes,
Mike
IN UTAH
1. Canyonlands National Monument Campaign
a. Coalition Launches New Website
b. 14 Senators Send Letter in Support of Designation
(ACTION ITEM)
c. Health Professionals Issue Call for Protection
(ACTION ITEM)
d. Photo Campaign Continues
(ACTION ITEM)
IN CALIFORNIA
2. Yet Another Lawsuit Filed over Drakes Bay Oyster Farm
3. Registration Open for Visions of the Wild Festival
In Vallejo
September 3-6
Free Concert
August 13
4. Bodie Hills & Friends of the Inyo Service Trips & Hikes
First one: August 16-17
IN NEW MEXICO
5. Reminder: Register for National 50th Conference
In Albuquerque
October 15-19
IN OREGON
6. Wandering Wolf Has a Family
(ACTION ITEM)
IN THE PRESS & ELSEWHERE
7. Links to Articles and Other Items of Interest
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
IN UTAH
1. Canyonlands National Monument Campaign
a. Coalition Launches New Website
CalUWild is a member of the Greater Canyonlands Coalition, which has just launched a new website. It includes all sorts of information about the proposed national monument, including a fun and interesting “by the numbers” page.
For a detailed briefing paper (white paper) on the proposal, click here. Also be sure to like Protect Greater Canyonlands on Facebook
One of our friends from Maine, Bob Hamblen, recently wrote an op-ed piece supporting establishment of the Monument, published in the Moab Sun News. As you can see, support is building around the country!
b. 14 Senators Send Pres. Obama Letter
Supporting Designation
(ACTION ITEM)
Just as this issue of the Update was being finished, the following (slightly edited) came in from Jen Ujifusa, Legislative Director at the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance in Washington, DC:
Big news coming out of Washington today! This week, 14 senators, led by Senator Dick Durbin (the principal sponsor of America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act), sent a letter to President Obama encouraging him to use the Antiquities Act to designate Greater Canyonlands a National Monument. These senators recognize that Greater Canyonlands is a national treasure that remains unprotected.
“Although Canyonlands National Park is the heart of the area, we support the opportunity to protect Greater Canyonlands, a 1.8 million acre area of land that encompasses the Park,” the senators wrote. “Greater Canyonlands is one of our nation’s most stunning, wild, and unique landscapes. It should be protected permanently for the benefit and education of future generations.”
This hasn’t happened before in this administration. 14 senators, representing 13 states and more than 100 million Americans, asked President Obama to create a new national monument. Those senators are Dick Durbin (IL) and, in order by state, Barbara Boxer (CA), Richard Blumenthal (CT), Brian Schatz (HI), Tom Harkin (IA), Ed Markey (MA), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Debbie Stabenow (MI), Robert Menendez (NJ), Sherrod Brown (OH), Sheldon Whitehouse (RI), Bernie Sanders (VT), Patty Murray (WA), and Tammy Baldwin (WI).
If you live in one of these states, please thank your senator!
The senators wrote, “The promise of Greater Canyonlands remains unfulfilled. As Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell has noted, ‘there are some places that are too special to develop.’ Greater Canyonlands is certainly one of those. We urge you to consider using your authority under the Antiquities Act to write the final chapter for this national treasure and declare Greater Canyonlands a national monument.”
You may read a copy of the letter here.
Utah Public Radio called me this afternoon with questions for a brief story on the letter, which is now online here.
Please let Sen. Boxer know you appreciate her efforts. It’s important!!
Contact information for her offices:
Webform here
Click here for information on her local offices around the state.
c. Health Professionals Issue Call for Protection
(ACTION ITEM)
This month the Coalition released a letter signed by 200-plus Utah health professionals supporting a monument designation. Terri Martin, SUWA‘s Western Regional Organizer issued the following (slightly edited) statement on July 22:
Today, more than 200 health and well-being professionals from Utah sent a letter to President Obama asking him to protect Greater Canyonlands as a national monument, citing the health benefits to all Americans.
Anyone associated with a health-related field is welcome to sign on, no matter where you live – doctors, nurses, mental health workers, health aides and technicians, “alternative” health and well-being practitioners, yoga and fitness instructors, and body workers and healers of all kinds.
Click here to read the letter. And if you work in the field of health and well-being, please add your name to the letter today.
The letter presents the compelling argument that protecting large pristine landscapes like Greater Canyonlands fosters a healthy America by inspiring people to get outside and be active, by renewing and restoring psychological well-being and by preserving clean air and water.
Please help us bring this important letter to the attention of the White House by adding your name, or by forwarding this email to friends or family members who work in the health and well-being fields.
Thank you for taking action.
d. Photo Campaign Continues
(ACTION ITEM)
If you haven’t submitted a photo to the Canyonlands campaign, now’s the time to do it, so we can have the maximum number in place in time for the 50th Anniversary of Canyonlands National Park in September.
It’s simple: Download a sign and print it on yellow paper or on white paper. Sign it with your name (if you like), city, and state. Take a picture of yourself holding the sign and email it to rachel [at] suwa [dot] org.
To see some of the photos that have already been submitted, click here.
Thanks !!
IN CALIFORNIA
2. Yet Another Lawsuit Filed over Drakes Bay Oyster Farm
The saga over the fate of Drakes Bay Oyster Company in Pt. Reyes National Seashore took another twist this month.
As we reported in our last Update, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene in the dispute between the oyster farm in the Phillip Burton Wilderness and the National Park Service and Interior Department. Following that ruling, owner Kevin Lunny said the company would cease operations on July 31.
Two weeks ago the Tomales Bay Oyster Company, four restaurants—the Hayes Street Grill in San Francisco, the Saltwater Oyster Depot in Inverness (along Tomales Bay) and the Cafe Reyes and Osteria Stellina, both in Point Reyes Station—and several individuals sued the Interior Department, Park Service, and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. They claimed that the federal government violated the Aquaculture Act and failed to consult with the California Coastal Commission before deciding not to renew the lease. The restaurants claim that the closure will hurt their businesses by depriving them of a source of oysters. They asked to court to issue an injunction against the closure of the Oyster farm and to rule that Secty. Ken Salazar’s 2012 decision is void.
Drakes Bay Oyster Company and owner Kevin Lunny are not plaintiffs in this suit, and Mr. Lunny has said that he will stop retail sales on the 31st, regardless.
In response to the suit, Pt. Reyes officials said that the oyster farm could continue its commercial sales for another month or for 30 days after the court rules on the injunction request, though there will be no more sales to the general public.
Since none of the plaintiffs was party to the original lease and there is no legal right to buy products from a particular supplier, it will be interesting to see how the court rules in this new challenge. We’ll keep you posted.
3. Registration Open for Visions of the Wild Festival
In Vallejo
September 3-6
Free Concert
August 13
CalUWild has been very heavily involved in planning Visions of the Wild: Connecting Nature, Culture & Community, a 4-day festival celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act. We’re happy to announce that registration is now open!
It is shaping up to be the biggest and most diverse 50th Anniversary celebration in California, bringing together a large array of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, politicians, writers, artists, filmmakers, students, and others to explore a wide variety of topics related to wilderness and nature. It’s taking place in downtown Vallejo, which, in addition to being the headquarters for Region 5 of the US Forest Service, is reportedly the most diverse city in the US.
The Festival starts off on the evening of Wednesday, September 3 (the actual anniversary) with a Walk for Wilderness, and each of the following three days has a theme: Politics (Thursday); Culture (Friday); and Spirituality & Journey (Saturday), and panels and films will reflect the day’s theme. Concurrently, there will be art shows, student activities, informal presentations, field trips on Saturday, music, and more.
Full registration for the Festival is $40 General Public and $20 for students until September 1. Online ticket service charges apply.
The Festival’s website is www.visionsofthewild.org, with a Festival schedule (updated as events are added), as well as the registration page.
CalUWild will have an information table set up at The Hub, so please stop by. We hope to see you there!
On Wednesday, August 13, the Empress Theater in Vallejo, one of the main venues for the Festival, will be hosting a free installment of the Ramble, their weekly concert. Doors open at 5:30 p.m, and music starts at 7. Details here.
4. Bodie Hills & Friends of the Inyo Service Trips & Hikes
First one: August 16-17
CalUWild is also a member of the Bodie Hills Conservation Partnership, seeking permanent protection for the Bodie Hills, a spectacular wild area north of Mono Lake. Jeff Hunter, who’s heading up the Partnership, sent out this announcement recently:
We’re looking for volunteers to assist with projects that will enhance wildlife habitat and the visitor experience in the Bodie Hills. Volunteering is a great way to discover the Bodie Hills and leave a positive, lasting impact on this treasured landscape. The August 16 project is being held in partnership with Friends of the Inyo and the BLM and will involve converting a barbed wire fence to a wildlife friendly “let-down” fence. Some additional fence work is also planned during the day. An optional overnight campout will be held after the August 16 project, followed by a hike the following morning.
Another service trip, location to be determined, will be held September 27, in conjunction with National Public Lands Day.
The Bodie Hills Conservation Partnership is also planning to lead a series of public outings this summer and fall on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Bodie Hills. The outings vary in length and difficulty and are free and open to the public. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Sunday Aug 10: Bodie Mountain & Potato Peak Hike with optional summit of Potato Peak. Rated: Very Strenuous
Saturday Aug 30: 8~ mile Dry Lakes Plateau hike (cross country – no trail) with optional Beauty Peak summit. Rated: Very Strenuous
Saturday Sept 13: Obsidian Quarry tour with BLM Archaeologist Greg Haverstock. Rated Easy.
Saturday October 25: 4-mile hike to summit of Mt. Biederman. Rated: Moderately Strenuous.
The Bodie Hills Conservation Partnership has begun publishing a monthly newsletter with news and information about trips and more. To receive it, or for more information about joining these outings and volunteer projects, please contact Jeff Hunter at info [at] bodiehills [dot] org or 423-322-7866, or visit BodieHills.org.
IN NEW MEXICO
5. Reminder: Register for National 50th Conference
In Albuquerque
October 15-19
Early registration continues for the National 50th Wilderness Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to be held October 15-19, with training sessions and field trips before and after the main conference. The original deadline for early registration of July 31 has been extended at least to September 1, but there is no firm cut-off date yet, so the earlier you register, the better.
Early registration is $350, with a 50% reduction for seniors (55 and over), students, and seasonal agency employees.
Complete information, including a downloadable program, may be found by following the links at www.wilderness50th.org.
CalUWild is a sponsor of the Conference.
IN OREGON
6. Wandering Wolf Has a Family
(ACTION ITEM)
We’ve reported in the past about OR-7, the lone wolf that came to California from a pack in Oregon, probably in search of a mate. It seems he found one and now has a family. Here’s an excerpt from southern Oregon’s Mail Tribune. (Click here for the full article.)
New photos of wolf OR-7’s pups show that he and his mate have at least three offspring roaming the woods of eastern Jackson County – and maybe more.
Photos snapped by a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service trail camera reveal at least two gray pups seen along the same logging road where the camera this spring captured images of OR-7 and his dark-colored mate.
Earlier photos from just outside their den showed at least one dark-colored pup, says John Stephenson, a Fish And Wildlife Service biologist in Bend who is tracking Western Oregon’s only known wolf pack. …
The photos were taken July 12 and were retrieved from the camera July 17, Stephenson says.
See them here.
Because wildlife is a critical component of Wilderness, please write Gov. Jerry Brown asking him to oppose proposals to remove wolves from the Endangered Species List. The following talking points come from a sample letter sent out by the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center:
• The Governor should request that wolves retain their protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service accepts that wolves in the West Coast are just now beginning to recover, and that we may have distinct populations deserving federal protection, they continue to propose removal of the species from the ESA list. The vast majority of Americans and residents of California, Oregon, and Washington support wolf conservation.
• The restoration of wolves has been one of the biggest successes of the Endangered Species Act since it was passed in 1973, but wolf recovery is unfinished. Delisting the gray wolf will halt four decades of progress and expose America’s wolves before they have recovered. Delisting could also derail efforts to restore wolves to more of their historic range, especially in California, Oregon, and Washington.
• Wolves are a native species and play a vital role in restoring healthy ecosystems by keeping prey species in balance. Someday, when wolves have recovered throughout most of their historic range out west, delisting will be an option worth debating. However, we are not there yet.
• Thank Gov. Brown for his leadership on the issue.
Contact information:
Hon. Jerry Brown
Governor
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814
Webform here
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160
IN THE PRESS & ELSEWHERE
7. Links to Articles and Other Items of Interest
If a link is broken or otherwise inaccessible, please send me an email, so I can correct the link or send you a PDF of the article.
New York Times articles
An op-ed piece: The Wilderness Act Is Facing a Midlife Crisis
An op-ed piece: Streaming Eagles by Jon Mooallem on wildlife cams. Jon will be a featured speaker at Visions of the Wild Festival in Vallejo on Thursday, Sept. 4. He is the author of Wild Ones: A Sometimes Dismaying, Weirdly Reassuring Story About Looking at People Looking at Animals in America
An op-ed piece: Let Them Eat Dirt by Timothy Egan, and a related essay, though not specifically nature-related, by regular editorial columnist Ross Douthat: The Parent Trap.
An article on efforts to eradicate non-native tamarisk: Arizona Enlists a Beetle in Its Campaign for Water
An article on fracking and sage grouse, including a quote from CalUWild friend Erik Molvar of Wild Earth Guardians. Erik also appears in the video accompanying the article.
Not exactly about wilderness or public lands, but related: Real Adventurers Read Maps: Using Maps vs. GPS
High Country News articles
Feature:Reflections on the Wilderness Act at 50, by CalUWild friend John Hart (currently for subscribers only).
An essay titled The Death of Backpacking
Other articles
Two articles by Ken Brower, writing on wilderness in the July-August issue of Sierra Magazine: Reclaiming Wilderness: It tells us who we are, and we lose it at our peril, and an essay on National Geographic‘s website on salvage logging in the aftermath of last year’s Rim Fire near and in Yosemite
An essay by Doug Peacock: American Wilderness Faces the Firing Squad. It also makes reference to the article from Outside that we linked to last month.
An Adventure Journal poll: Is the Idea of Wilderness Dead?. Read and VOTE! The piece also makes reference to the NY Times Midlife Crisis op-ed linked to above.
An op-ed in Roll Call: Retired Military Leaders Urge Congress to Reject Efforts to Undo Antiquities Act
An article in Nature on how sandstone arches are formed
An article in the Washington Post on groundwater depletion in the Colorado River Basin
Other print links
The first issue of BLM’s new quarterly newsletter, My Public Lands
The Land & Water Conservation Fund Coalition, of which CalUWild is a member, issued a report on the 50th Anniversary of the LWCF, which uses revenues from offshore oil & gas for conservation purposes.
Lewis & Clark Law School devoted its latest issue of Environmental Law to articles about Wilderness.
Video files
Another in the Park Service’s video series on wilderness, A Day in the Desert: Saguaro Wilderness in Arizona
Episode 4 in the Forest Service’s Restore series: Restoring Economy, Community and Environment
Audio files
Last month Orion Magazine hosted a free web event Is Wilderness Still Relevant?, exploring how we keep wilderness relevant in a changing world. Panelists were author/historian Doug Scott; Outdoor Afro founder Rue Mapp; author/educator David Sobel; and Forest Service Southern Region wilderness program leader Jimmy Gaudry. The audio file is online here.
A listing of audio files from previous Orion programs can be found here. You can add your name to Orion‘s mailing list for announcements of future web events there. They’re always interesting!
As always, if you ever have questions, suggestions, critiques, or wish to change your e-mail address or unsubscribe, all you have to do is send an email. For information on making a contribution to CalUWild, click here. “Like” CalUWild on Facebook.