Mr. Speaker, this bill, HR 233, the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act is the product of over five years of town hall meetings, field tours and open debates both in the House, the Senate and in city halls and county…
Mr. Speaker, this bill, HR 233, the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act is the product of over five years of town hall meetings, field tours and open debates both in the House, the Senate and in city halls and county board chambers throughout the north coast of California. The bill that we have before us today is carefully crafted to address the concerns of the communities affected by this measure, every acre of which is entirely within my congressional district. I have personally invested many hours in the formation of this bill. I have hiked, fished, hunted and taken aerial tours of the areas in this legislation. I have also held public hearings with stakeholder groups representing timber, hunting and fishing, conservation, government, offroad vehicles, mountain bikes, business and farming. The process which has taken over five years, was exhaustive and inclusive.
This legislation would expand wilderness protection on public lands by approximately 273,000 acres entirely within California's 1st Congressional District. The legislation includes adding wilderness protection to the King Range of Humboldt and Mendocino counties. The Bush administration testified in both the Senate and House that the addition of the King Range would be the ``crown jewel'' of our national wilderness system. The legislation is not only important for the protection of some of my district's most treasured lands, it also enhances protection of the federally threatened and endangered salmon and trout and helps ensure a source of clean, reliable water for California's future.
With respect to this wilderness legislation, the two most contentious issues for the constituents of California's 1st Congressional District were our ability to fight and prevent forest fires and the continued access to the proposed wilderness areas. I took extra precautions to ensure the land managers would not lose any of the tools they have today to fight fire and their ability to apply pre-suppression measures to combat fires in HR 233.
This bill will not close any legal roads to anyone who wants to visit these truly spectacular areas.
I paid particular attention to people who enjoy off-road vehicle and mountain bike use, and no off-road vehicle trails will be closed in this bill. In addition, I worked with the Bureau of Land Management to create what many expect to be a world-class mountain biking trail system just outside of the King Range wilderness area. Chairman Pombo and I also worked to provide additional protections to Cow Mountain in Lake and Mendocino Counties to protect or maintain existing mountain bike and off-road vehicle trails.
Impacts on the once strong logging industry in Northern California were also taken into consideration in this bill and there are no timber sales under consideration for any of the public lands in this legislation.
This bill will protect Northern California's most spectacular public lands. Specifically, this wilderness bill will protect the following areas.
Sec. 3 (1) Snow Mountain Wilderness Addition
Location: Approximately three miles east of Pillsbury
Reservoir in Lake County.
Size: 23,706 acres
Highlights: Ten miles of the scenic Eel River canyon,
Bloody Rock, and The Bloody Rock and Cold Creek Trails.
Description: The Snow Mountain Wilderness additions are
composed of the lower elevation ancient forests, grasslands,
chaparral and oak woodlands lying at the foot of the already
designated Snow Mountain Wilderness. The California
Department of Fish and Game considers these oak woodlands and
grasslands important for the survival of local deer herds
through the winter months when high-elevation areas are
covered in snow. The additions contain a 10-mile stretch of
the Eel River canyon which hosts bald eagle, osprey and
trout. Forests of black oak, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine,
live oak and incense cedar provide important habitat for
marten, goshawk and northern spotted owl. Bloody Rock, an
enormous prominence that rises steeply above the Eel River,
was the site of a battle between the Yuki Tribe and settlers
in the Nineteenth Century. Trail 9W45 and the Bloody Rock,
Cold Creek and Summit Springs trails traverse the area.
Sec. 3 (2) Sanhedrin Wilderness
Location: In Mendocino and Lake counties, approximately 15
miles east of Willits.
Size: 10,571 acres in Lake and Mendocino Counties.
Highlights: Views in all directions, including the Pacific
Ocean, the Bay Area and Mount Shasta.
Description: The Sanhedrin Wilderness contains extensive
old-growth forest, meadows, oak woodlands, chaparral and
``serpentine barrens,'' places where the nutrient poor
bluegreen soil is so inhospitable to many plants that only
specially adapted species can survive. As a result, Sanhedrin
Mountain provides habitat for at least five rare and unique
plant species, including the Anthony Peak lupine that grows
only in the Mendocino National Forest and nowhere else in the
world. On a clear day, visitors to the area can see the
Pacific Ocean, the Bay Area and even Mount Shasta hundreds of
miles away.
Sec. 3 (3) Yuki Wilderness
Location: Mendocino and Lake counties, approximately five
air-miles southeast of Round Valley and the community of
Covelo.
Size: 53,887 acres in Lake and Mendocino Counties.
Highlights: The Middle Fork Eel supports between one-third
and one-half of California's entire remaining summer-run
steelhead trout population.
Description: The Yuki Wilderness forests consist of
ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Shasta red fir, white fir and
incense cedar. The Yuki region also hosts seven species of
oak. Populations of eleven rare plants have been identified
in the area. Several rare animals also call the area home,
including the bald eagle, marten, goshawk, northern spotted
owl and prairie falcon. Elk and Thatcher creeks and the Wild
and Scenic Middle Fork Eel River host populations of salmon
and steelhead trout. The Middle Fork Eel supports between
one-third and one-half of California's entire remaining
summer-run steelhead trout population. Wildflower displays
are extensive. Whitewater boaters use the Middle Fork Eel
River and hunting is another common activity. Trails include
11W15, 10W27 and Horse Pasture Ridge.
Sec. 3 (4) Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness Addition
Location: Approximately 10 miles northeast of Covelo and
Round Valley in Mendocino County.
Overall size: 27,036 acres.
Highlights: The Middle Fork Eel River hosts between 30-50
percent of the state's summer-run steelhead trout population,
the Travelers Home National Recreation, Hell Hole, Leech Lake
and Smokehouse trails.
Description: The YolIa Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness
additions are dominated by old-growth forests, meadows, oak
woodlands and the deep canyon of the Middle Fork Eel River.
HowelIia, an aquatic plant once thought extinct in
California, was discovered here by botanists in the 1990s.
The Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Eel River hosts up to one-
half of California's entire remaining summer-run steelhead
trout population. The Smokehouse, Travelers Home National
Recreation, Hell Hole and Leech Lake trails traverse the
area.
Sec. 3 (5) Siskiyou Wilderness Addition
Location: 22 miles west of Crescent City in Humboldt and
Del Norte counties.
Size: 30,122 acres in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties.
Highlights: An area noted for its botanical diversity and
salmon and steelhead watersheds.
Description: The Siskiyou Wilderness Additions are among
California's most remote lands. Unusual soils, great rises
and drops in elevation, and ample annual rainfall all combine
to offer refuge for an immense diversity of plants and
animals in the proposed additions. Ancient forests consist of
14 species of conifers, the second greatest conifer diversity
in the world. Salmon and steelhead trout use the region's
many streams, especially Blue Creek. Eighteen rare plants
have been identified in the area by the Forest Service. Other
species include northern spotted owl, fisher, mink, bald
eagle, Roosevelt elk and goshawk. The proposed additions
contain the popular Forks of Blue and Gunbarrel trails.
Sec. 3 (6) Mount Lassie Wilderness
Location: Approximately 20 miles northeast of Garberville
eight miles west of Ruth Reservoir in Humboldt and Trinity
counties.
Size: 7,279 acres.
Highlights: Scenic views of the Coast Range and a noted
haven for rare and unusual plant species.
Description: The Mount Lassic Wilderness contains unique
rock formations such as Mount Lassic and Red Lassic that are
visible from as far away as the King Range to the west and
the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness to the south. Unusual
soils host six rare plant species that have been identified
in the region. Other species include northern spotted owl,
blue grouse, marten, fisher and goshawk. Old-growth forests
of Douglas fir, incense cedar, and Jeffrey pine cover much of
the area. Trail 5E33 climbs Mount Lassic and then drops to
the Van Duzen River to the west.
Sec. 3 (7) Trinity Alps Wilderness Addition
Location: In Humboldt County on the western edge of the
existing Trinity Alps Wilderness.
Size: 22,863 acres.
Highlights: Salmon and steelhead streams, and Native
American cultural use and Extensive trail system.
Description: The Trinity Alps Wilderness additions are
composed of rugged, heavily forested mid- to low-elevation
country adjacent to the highlands of the existing Trinity
Alps Wilderness. Horse Linto and Red Cap creeks provide cold,
clear water for steelhead trout and coho and Chinook salmon
populations. These wilderness additions are a refuge for
unique and endangered species, including nine rare plants.
The Horse Linto unit is used by local Native Americans for
cultural purposes. Trails include 6E20, 6E31, 6E 18, 6E15,
6E35, 6E74, 6E08 and Salmon Summit.
Sec. 3 (8) Cache Creek Wilderness.
Location: In Lake County, east of Clear Lake and south of
Highway 20 and Highway 16.
Size: 27,245 acres.
Highlights: The second largest wintering bald eagle
population in California, A herd of rare tule elk (the
world's smallest elk) and Cache Creek is popular with
whitewater boaters for its rapids and scenery.
Description: The Cache Creek Wilderness has canyons and
ridges lined with oak woodlands, grasslands, chaparral,
streamside forest and groves of gray pine. The region hosts
the second largest wintering bald eagle population in
California, a herd of tule elk (the world's smallest species
of elk), black bear, beaver, river otter, bobcat, mountain
lion, prairie falcon, golden eagle and other species. The
area contains noted Native American cultural sites and it is
well known for its spring wildflower displays. Whitewater
boaters enjoy floating the ``Wilderness Run'' from the North
Fork Cache Creek to Highway 16 because of its scenery, rapids
and solitude. The Judge Davis, Redbud and Perkins Creek Ridge
trails access the area.
Sec. 3 (9) Cedar Roughs Wilderness
Location: West of Berryessa Reservoir in Napa County.
Size: 6,350 acres
Highlights: Shelters the largest grove in the world of the
rare Sargent cypress and Shelters an important black bear
breeding area.
Description: The Cedar Roughs Wilderness is a large mound
of ``serpentine'' soil five miles in length. The area
contains the world's largest grove of the rare Sargent
cypress, which convinced pioneers to erroneously call the
area ``Cedar'' Roughs. The wilderness is known to be an
important black bear breeding area. The Cedar Roughs
wilderness is accessed by a single rugged, nameless trail,
but most of it is trackless.
Sec. 3 (10) South Fork Eel Wilderness
Location: In northern Mendocino County northwest of
Laytonville and east of Leggett.
Overall size: 12,915 acres.
Highlights: Rare plant populations and Gives rise to
scientifically-important Elder Creek
Description: Rare animals in the South Fork Eel Wilderness
include goshawk and northern spotted owl. The Red Mountain
portion of the South Fork Eel Wilderness contains the
planet's entire known populations of Kellogg's buckwheat, Red
Mountain stonecrop and Red Mountain catchfly along with other
rare species. Unusual soils have created ``dwarf forests'' on
top of Red Mountain. Streams in the area host coho salmon,
Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Elder Creek originates in
the proposed wilderness and then flows west into a University
of California natural reserve. There, Elder Creek is the
subject of numerous ecological and geologic studies. The
Cahto Peak Trail accesses a portion of the area.
Sec. 3 (11) King Range Wilderness
Location: In southwestern Humboldt and northwestern
Mendocino counties, approximately 18 miles west of
Garberville.
Size: 42,585 acres in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
Size of individual units: Chemise Mountain--4,142 acres
King Range--38,443 acres
Highlights: The longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in
the continental United States and Numerous hiking and
equestrian trails. The Bush administration testified that
this area would become the ``crown jewel,'' of the national
wilderness system.
Description: The King Range is the longest stretch of
undeveloped coastline in the continental United States. It
has beaches, peaks, vistas, dunes, coastal ancient forests
of Douglas fir, madrone, incense cedar, and tan oak.
Species of note include California brown pelican,
steelhead trout, coho salmon, bald eagle, peregrine
falcon, northern spotted owl, and Roosevelt elk. The Lost
Coast Trail traverses the entire length of the area's
beaches and coastal bluffs. Other paths include the
Cooskie Creek, Cooskie Spur, Spanish Ridge, Kinsey Ridge,
Miller Loop, King Crest, Rattlesnake Ridge, Lightning,
Horse Mountain Creek, Chinquapin and Buck Creek trails.
Sec. 6 Elkhorn Ridge Potential Wilderness Area
Location: In northern Mendocino County northwest of
Laytonville.
Size: 11,271 acres.
Highlights: Small groves of old-growth redwoods, the South
Fork Eel hosts the last remaining non-hatchery ``long-run''
coho salmon population in California, and whitewater rafting
and kayaking.
Description: The Elkhorn Ridge Potential Wilderness Area is
bisected by the Wild and Scenic South Fork Eel River. The
South Fork Eel hosts populations of Chinook salmon and
steelhead trout, as well as the last remaining non-hatchery:
``long-run'' coho salmon population in California. The river
flows through a rugged canyon surrounded by slops forested
with hardwoods, fir and an occasional old-growth redwood. The
South Fork Eel's waters are a rich food source for osprey,
bald eagle, otter and other creatures and provide challenging
whitewater recreation for experienced boaters. The Elkhorn
Ridge Potential Wilderness contains no established trails.
The majority of the area is made up of undisturbed ancient
forest and chaparral habitat, but a portion was logged when
it was under private ownership. HR 233 directs the Bureau of
Land Management to restore the parts of Elkhorn Ridge that
were cut prior to its designation as wilderness.
Sec. 7 Wild and Scenic River Designation--Black Butte River, California
Location: Mendocino County east of Round Valley and the
community of Covelo.
Size: 21 miles.
Highlights: Provides some of the best habitat for
endangered Chinook salmon and winter-run steelhead trout in
the entire Middle Fork Eel River drainage.
Description: The Black Butte River and its tributary Cold
Creek drain into the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Eel River
just east of the town of Covelo. The watershed is extremely
rugged, and most of the slopes above the river are steep and
landslide-prone, though they are still mostly forested with
groves of oaks and conifers. The upper reaches of the river
and Cold Creek provide some of the best habitat for
endangered Chinook salmon and winter-run steelhead trout
in the entire Middle Fork Eel River drainage. The
watershed has a long history of human habitation first by
the Yuki Tribe, then by Euro-American explorers and
settlers. The Forest Service describes the watershed as
containing ``outstandingly remarkable fisheries and
heritage resources values.''
Sec. 10 Continuation of Traditional Commercial Surf Fishing, Redwood
National and State Parks
In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to
clarify my intent with Section 10. Section 10, which deals
with commercial fishing permits in Redwood National and State
Parks in California, directs the Secretary of the Interior to
issue permits for authorized vehicle access for commercial
surf fishing at designated beaches within both the National
and State Parks. The section provides that the number of
permits shall be limited to the number of valid permits that
are held on the date of enactment of this Act, and that the
permits ``so issued shall be perpetual and subject to the
same conditions as the permits held on the date of enactment
of this Act.''
I want to clarify that this language should not be
construed as creating a right vesting in the permit holder,
which would be contrary to the way permits are issued
throughout the National Park System. The intent of this
language is simply to ensure that the National Park Service
does not reduce the number of permits issued below the
current level of valid permits, assuming there is sufficient
demand for the remaining permits. Furthermore, there is no
intent for the requirements of Section 10 to be construed as
an implied waiver of applicable laws, including the National
Park Service Organic Act and the Endangered Species Act, but
rather a directive to the Park Service to discontinue its
plan to completely phase out these permits. The language in
Section 10 does not create a property right and the sole
purpose of the language is to limit the number of permits to
the number of valid permits in existence as of the date of
enactment of H.R. 233.
In addition, the language in Section 10 requires the
Secretary of the Interior to issue permits allowing for
authorized vehicle access to designated beaches, including
Gold Bluff Beach, within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park,
which is located within the broader national park boundary.
However, nothing in this section is intended to override the
responsibilities of the State of California and the
management of the state park.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak on this legislation. HR 233 is a carefully crafted bill which takes all industries and constituencies into account. I urge my colleagues vote ``aye'' on this very important bill that will protect some of our country's most spectacular areas.