January 15, 2010
Dear CalUWild Friends —
We’re already at the end of the second week of 2010, but I hope that the holidays were a time for some relaxation and a chance to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
On the public lands front, the year got off to a good start last week when Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a series of leasing reforms. He acted in response to the cancellation of leases in Utah last year and a subsequent Interior Department study that resulted in a set of recommendations. Among the most important points that the Secretary made were:
• Energy companies will no longer be “king of the world” as they were under the previous administration.
• Take the time to do leasing properly, including setting up an interdisciplinary review process. This will cut down on the number of protests and lawsuits.
• Engage the public more effectively in the process.
• Emphasize already producing areas rather than opening up new ones.
• Take a closer look before leasing in special places such as proposed wilderness, near national parks, in municipal watersheds, endangered species habitat, and archaeological areas.
• Most importantly, take a balanced view of leasing, rather than allowing industry to set the pace. These are public lands and resources.
The New York Times published an editorial this week supporting the Secretary’s action. We look forward to seeing his proposals implemented.
This good news was tempered a bit by former Republican Congressman Richard Pombo’s announcement that he will be running for Congress again in 2010. He’s not planning on running for his old 11th District seat though, but rather to replace retiring Rep. George Radanovich (R-19), whose district includes Yosemite National Park. Mr. Pombo is not a resident of the district (which is adjacent to his old one), and he will face at least 2 others in the primary election. We’ll see how things turn out.
One of CalUWild’s major projects for the first few months of the year is helping to plan the Western Wilderness 2010 Conference at UC Berkeley, April 8-11. See ITEM 4 for more information.
We’re also hoping to have a completely new website up and running soon. We’ll keep you posted.
Once again, many thanks to everyone who has sent in contributions the last few weeks. We appreciate your support and interest and will continue to bring you the latest news on issues from around the West in the new year!
Best wishes,
Mike
IN UTAH
1. Nine Mile Canyon Listed on National Register of Historic Places —
Pact Signed to Protect Rock Art
IN CALIFORNIA
2. Sen. Dianne Feinstein Introduces Legislation
For Wilderness and Monuments in the Mojave Desert
(ACTION ITEM)
3. Rep. Darrell Issa Introduces Wilderness Bill
For Northern San Diego County
(ACTION ITEM)
IN THE WEST
4. Western Wilderness Conference 2010: New Aims, New Allies
UC Berkeley
April 8-11, 2010
Early Bird Registration until January 31
(ACTION ITEM)
IN GENERAL
5. US Forest Service Proposes Reducing Discounts
On Senior & Disabled Lifetime Passes
Comments Needed
DEADLINE: February 1
(ACTION ITEM)
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
IN UTAH
1. Nine Mile Canyon Listed on National Register of Historic Places —
Pact Signed to Protect Rock Art
We’ve reported over the years on the threats to Nine Mile Canyon, near Price, Utah. Our April 2008 Update contained an ACTION ITEM regarding an EIS the BLM was preparing for a proposal by the Bill Barrett Corporation for 800 gas wells in the vicinity. The plans drew quite a bit of opposition from many quarters, including archaeologists, Native American tribes, historic preservationists, and conservationists. Among other things, they were concerned that the resulting truck traffic would kick up dust, containing chemicals that would eat away at the rock art.
Last month, 63 sites in Nine Mile Canyon were added to the National Register of Historic Places. BLM expects these to be the first listings of many, as there are many sites in the canyon that are eligible for inclusion. In late December, the BLM, Bill Barrett Corp., and many of the groups opposed to development plans signed an agreement that should lead to better protection of the 40-mile long canyon, sometimes called “the world’s longest rock art gallery.”
The agreement commits Bill Barrett to fund fieldwork, monitoring, studies, and other activities on the sites not placed on the Register. Dust must be kept controlled, and if it is not, BLM could withhold Bill Barrett’s drilling permits. BLM and other entities will also develop a site stewardship plan for the canyon.
The agreement is supposed to last for 10 years and can be modified and/or extended.
IN CALIFORNIA
2. Sen. Dianne Feinstein Introduces Legislation
For Wilderness and Monuments in the Mojave Desert
(ACTION ITEM)
After months of anticipation, a few days before Christmas Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) introduced the California Desert Protection Act of 2010, S.2921. The bill would increase protections on some 1.6 million acres of the Mojave Desert in California. It also puts the brakes on some solar energy proposals.
The New York Times had an article at the time of the bill’s introduction that discussed the issues in some detail, including Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s objection. He was quoted as saying: “This is arguably the best solar land in the world, and Senator Feinstein shouldn’t be allowed to take this land off the table without a proper and scientific environmental review.”
Sen. Feinstein’s office released the following list of provisions (somewhat shortened for the Update), saying that the bill will, among other things:
* Establish the 941,413-acre Mojave Trails National Monument in eastern San Bernardino County along the southern boundary of the Mojave National Monument;
* Designate the 133,524-acre Sand to Snow National Monument that stretches between Joshua Tree National Park on the east and the highcountry of the San Gorgonio Wilderness in the San Bernardino National Forest to the west;
* Add three areas encompassing 173,861 acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System, including the Avawatz Mountains Wilderness (86,614 acres), Great Falls Basin Wilderness (7,871 acres) and Soda Mountains Wilderness (79,376 acres);
* Enlarge four existing wilderness areas by 172,247 acres, including the Death Valley National Park Wilderness (90,152 acres), Golden Valley Wilderness (21,633 acres), Kingston Range Wilderness (53,321 acres) and San Gorgonio Wilderness (7,141 acres);
* Enlarge Death Valley National Park by 40,740 acres, Mojave National Preserve by 29,246 acres and Joshua Tree National Park by 2,904 acres;
* Add over 70 miles (22,400 acres) of stream to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System along the Amargosa River, Deep Creek, Surprise Canyon and the Whitewater River;
* Protect land from development that has been donated to or acquired by the federal government for conservation purposes; and
In addition to these protective measures, as a political compromise Title I will also:
* Withdraw protection from 33,571 acres of the Soda Mountains Wilderness Study Area;
* Withdraw protection from the 84,400-acre Cady Mountains Wilderness Study Area (however, all but 5,500 acres of the area will be included in the Mojave Trails National Monument);
* Turn five existing administratively-designated off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation areas into legislatively-designated OHV areas; and
* Require the Secretary of the Interior to study the possibility of expanding these OHV areas.
We, of course, whole-heartedly support the creation of and additions to the wilderness areas, the creation of the new national monuments, and the enlargement of the parks.
We have concerns about the designation and potential expansion of the OHV areas. Sen. Feinstein said on a radio program that she thinks that OHV riders will limit their use to officially designated OHV areas, rather than riding anywhere they please in other sensitive areas. We have a our sincere doubts about that analysis, as it seems OHV riders (even if it is only a minority as often claimed) go just about anywhere they please, but it is encouraging that she does see the need for putting limits on OHV recreation.
We encourage you to let Sen. Feinstein know your thoughts on the legislation. You can reach her at:
Phone:
Washington, DC: 202-224-3841
San Francisco: 415-393-0707
Los Angeles: 310-914-7300
San Diego: 619-231-9712
Email:
http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe
Other contact information may be found here.
3. Rep. Darrell Issa Introduces Wilderness Bill
For Northern San Diego County
(ACTION ITEM)
Last month, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-49) introduced H.R.4304, the Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia Wilderness Act of 2009. Our friends at the California Wilderness Coalition sent out the following summary of the bill:
The Beauty Mountain and Agua Tibia Wilderness Act of 2009 would add over 7,796 acres to the existing Agua Tibia Wilderness and would expand the Beauty Mountain Wilderness by an additional 13,635 acres. Representative Issa’s bill would build on successful legislation sponsored earlier this year by Senator Barbara Boxer (Democrat, California) and Representative Mary Bono Mack (Republican, Palm Springs) whose “California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act” established the Beauty Mountain Wilderness and enlarged the Agua Tibia Wilderness that was established in 1975.
Characterized by deep canyons and rugged coastal sage scrub, Agua Tibia is enjoyed by hikers and equestrians who travel trough the region via the rugged Cutca Trail. It is home to such sensitive species as the California gnatcatcher and the rosy boa constrictor. As its name implies, Beauty Mountain is a scenic jewel draped in chaparral, fascinating rock formations and oak woodlands. Both of these areas provide endless recreational opportunities as well as priceless habitat for endangered wildlife. Both areas serve as critical plant and wildlife migration corridors between Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on the east and the coastal mountains of Riverside and San Diego counties to the west. All too often such biological pathways are severed by development, especially in southern California.
Representative Issa toured the areas several months ago and agreed to help protect them both for their scenic and habitat values and also because they provide excellent recreation opportunities for his constituents and others.
Please thank Rep. Issa for introducing the bill. If you’ve hiked in the areas covered by the legislation, let him know!
Phone:
Washington, DC: 202-225-3906
Vista: 760-599-5000
Email:
https://forms.house.gov/issa/webforms/contact.html
Other contact information may be found at the bottom of Rep. Issa’s website.
IN THE WEST
4. Western Wilderness Conference 2010: New Aims, New Allies
UC Berkeley
April 8-11, 2010
Early Bird Registration until January 31
(ACTION ITEM)
The Western Wilderness Conference 2010 will take place April 8 – 11, 2010, on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley, California. Visit the conference website: www.westernwilderness.org.
Although the event takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area, wilderness organizations and advocates from around the West are invited to participate in this grand event. Some 600 to 800 participants from all western states will gather to focus on the role of wild lands in an era of global climate change. Plenary sessions, dynamic speakers and intensive workshops will help connect wild places with climate change and give lessons on how to advocate more effectively. Music, films and fun.
Save the date now! For anyone who cares about the wild places of the West—this is one event not to miss! This is your opportunity to give back, to make a difference and to help secure the grand wild places of the American West for future generations.
Why attend? Western Wilderness Conference 2010 will:
** reach out to inspire interested new advocates, including students;
** re-inspire longtime dedicated wilderness advocates;
** focus on the role of wild lands in an era of global warming;
** explore how wildlands advocacy can accommodate Native American traditional land-ethic and cultural values;
** promote getting children outside into Nature’s wild places!
** train activists to advocate more effectively for wild places;
** and have fun! Dynamic speakers, workshops, music, meals, outings! It’s all part of the celebration of the West’s wild places.
CalUWild is working with the Sierra Club, California Wilderness Coalition, The Wildereness Society, and Northwest Parks and Wilderness Conference on the planning. Twenty-two Sierra Club western chapters are already conference sponsors.
Online registration at www.westernwilderness.org is now available. “Early bird” registration fee is $100—but act quickly! Some scholarships are available; contact Vicky Hoover, planning committee co-chair, for info: vicky.hoover@sierraclub.org or (415) 977-5527.
IN GENERAL
5. US Forest Service Proposes Reducing Discounts
On Senior & Disabled Lifetime Passes
Comments Needed
DEADLINE: February 1
(ACTION ITEM)
The Forest Service is proposing to reduce some discounts for seniors and permanently disabled citizens through the Senior and Access passes it sold in years past. Traditionally, they entitled holders to a 50% reduction on camping fees at Forest Service campgrounds. The new proposal would allow private concessionaires, who now manage about half of all Forest Service campgrounds (and slightly more than 80% of spots that accept reservations), to substitute a 10% discount. Additionally, passholders would be required to pay for day-use access at sites where their passes had previously allowed free access.
The proposed changes were instigated by complaints, listed in the Federal Register, from the private concessionaires that:
(1) [Federal law] does not require a camping fee discount for Senior and Access Passes;
(2) A 50 percent discount is very steep and is not comparable to other discounts in the private sector;
(3) The 50 percent discount is non-negotiable and thus cannot be used as a marketing tool to encourage off-peak use;
(4) Application of the 50 percent discount to holders of Senior and Access Passes is unreasonable in view of the growing number of senior citizens in the United States; and
(5) The 50 percent discount requires concessioners to raise camping fees to compensate for the loss in revenue, thus increasing prices for non-seniors and discouraging a future generation of campers.
Of course, these complaints beg the question: For whose benefit should our public lands, which belong to all Americans as their birthright, be managed — the public’s or the concessionaires’? And while in the past, concessionaires tended to be “mom & pop” operations, increasingly, large corporations are getting into the business, especially where reservations are now required.
Please write a comment letter before February 1. Here are a few talking points. Include other thoughts of your own, including the value that these passes may have had for you or your parents or other people you know.
— The public lands should be managed for the benefit of the public, not private businesses. These proposed regulations provide no benefit to the public, only to private businesses.
— These proposals are another step in the privatization of public resources.
— Seniors and permanently disabled people bought these passes with the understanding that they were lifetime passes. It is unfair to change the rules now.
For a fuller discussion of the many issues involved, read a commentary in High Country News by Kitty Benzar, president of the Western Slope No-Fee Coalition here. She and I were both quoted in an article that appeared in the Sacramento Bee last Sunday. The full Federal Register notice may be read online here.
You may comment online here.
By mail to:
U.S. Forest Service
Attn: Ms. Carolyn Holbrook
Recreation and Heritage Resources Staff
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Stop 1125
Washington, DC 20250-1125
For further information, contact Ms. Holbrook at 202-205-1426.
You should also let your congressional representative and senators know your thoughts on this issue. Full contact information is available at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.