List of Proposed California Wilderness Areas; Boxer Bill Coming

Action Alert

Click here for more California Wilderness Campaign Information

For Immediate Release
05-09-02
Contact: Gary Sprung, IMBA senior national policy advisor

303-545-9011

IMBA has gathered extensive information regarding U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer's plan to introduce a California Wilderness bill. While the bill has yet to be finalized or released to the public, IMBA has posted a complete list of all the areas included in an April 26th draft on IMBA's website at http://www.imba.com. The list provides information on the location of each proposed Wilderness area along with IMBA's comments and position on each place.

Please review this list. If you have information that can improve our understanding of bicycling opportunities in the areas under consideration, contact .

Wilderness Bill Status: Areas We Can Support

IMBA has received a "discussion draft" of Senator Boxer's bill, dated April 26, 2002. IMBA supports the protection of undeveloped public lands and endorses Wilderness proposals where they do not conflict with bicycling opportunities. In the discussion draft, we can support 65 areas -- roughly half of the number proposed -- for Wilderness designation.

Also, Senator Boxer has worked with bicyclists and other constituencies and has already removed some areas from the bill, including Strawberry in the Angeles National Forest, Downieville in the Tahoe National Forest, and Trabuco in the Cleveland National Forest. IMBA hopes these places will ultimately receive another form of legislative protection.

Areas We Must Oppose

IMBA has identified 23 areas that our organization cannot support for Wilderness designation. We believe these areas should be protected from development using other legal tools, such as National Conservation Area or Protection Area designations.

Areas Where Compromise Is Possible

Also in the draft are many areas where IMBA would support Wilderness designations if proposed boundaries are modified. We have discussed these issues with Senator Boxer's staff during the past six months. Because maps do not accompany the discussion draft, it is impossible to determine yet if the Senator has accommodated our concerns.

How You Can Help: More Information and Maps

IMBA is seeking more detailed information about all these places, especially the areas in our list labeled "Insufficient Information." We encourage people who know these areas to contact us, and also we ask riders to visit these places and report back.

When the bill is introduced to the U.S. Congress, IMBA will get back to you with a call to action. In the meantime, IMBA leaders in California will continue to gather information, organize their communities, and communicate with Senator Boxer and her staff.

Thank you for your continued interest in this important issue.

Click here for more California Wilderness Campaign Information