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The California Wild Heritage Act
 More than 50% of our state's clean drinking water comes from
California's wild lands and free-flowing rivers. But over the last 20
years, nearly 700,000 acres of our state's unprotected wilderness - an area
nearly the size of Yosemite National Park - has been lost.
"This landmark legislation protects the future and prosperity of
our state's rural economies," said Tim Alpers, owner of Owens River Ranch
in Mammoth Lakes and former Mono County Supervisor. "The tourism industry
in communities near our remaining wild places is supported by horse-back
riders, anglers, hunters and countless others who are seeking recreational
opportunities in the splendor of the great outdoors."
Studies have shown significant economic benefits for communities
near a protected wilderness or wild and scenic river. In Mono and Inyo
Counties, located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada region of California, wild
lands support more than 2,800 jobs and contribute between $125 million and
$171 million in local revenues, according to a recent study.
"California Latinos are committed to protecting our environment and
natural heritage. Like all Americans, we recognize our obligation to serve
as good stewards of the environment," said Ed Navarro, a Board Member with
the National Hispanic Environmental Council. "This legislation will ensure
that these special places remain unspoiled for all Californians, including
the 34% who are Latino."
"Protecting our remaining wild lands and free-flowing rivers is
not just an environmental concern - it's an American concern," said Traci
Van Thull, Director of the California Wild Heritage Campaign. "Our hope,
and the intent of this legislation, is to act now to preserve our
magnificent remaining wild places so that the social, economic and
recreational benefits we enjoy today will be there tomorrow for our
children and grandchildren."
 Following are some of the gem areas that will be protected in this
landmark legislation:
- Northern California: The King Range offers one of the only unroaded
areas left on California's coastline.
- Eastern Sierra: The White Mountains are home to the oldest living trees
in the world.
- Western Sierra: Duncan Canyon is a rare and spectacular ancient forest
haven in the Sierra.
- Central Sierra: The Clavey River is considered by scientists to be one
of the healthiest watersheds in the Sierra Nevada.
- California Desert: the Avawatz Mountains are a spring-watered stronghold
for desert bighorn sheep, enjoyed by rock-climbers, hikers, and equestrians
seeking solitude
- Northern Sierra: The Feather Falls area in the Plumas National Forest
contains the sixth largest waterfall in the United States.
- Southern California: The Upper San Diego River is one of the most remote
areas in Southern California, and is key to protecting water quality for
San Diego.
For more information on these, and other wild places being protected
within this legislation please visit www.calwild.org/campaigns/cwhc_act/cwhc_list.php.
The California Wild Heritage Campaign is a statewide coalition of nearly
200 members that includes the Wilderness Society, Sierra Club, California
Wilderness Coalition, Friends of the River, League to Save Lake Tahoe,
Republicans for Environmental Protection, National Hispanic Environmental
Council, American Whitewater and the Northern California Fly-fishers
Association.
FOR ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION IN YOUR AREA:
San Diego: Geoffrey Smith, Sierra Club, 619-507-6920
California Desert: California Wilderness Coalition, info@calwild.org
Central Coast/Bay Area: Dave Westman, Sierra Club, 510-622-0290 X220
Eastern Sierra: Sally Miller, the Wilderness Society, 760-647-1614
Northern and Central Sierra: California Wilderness Coalition, info@calwild.org
Southern Sierra: Emily Templin, Friends of the River, 559-226-2570
Tuolumne/Stanislaus: Monica Weakley, Tuolumne River Preservation Trust, 209-743-5980
Northern California: California Wilderness Coalition, info@calwild.org
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Just three miles off of Interstate 80, 
