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40 Years of Protecting America's Wilderness ALERT! September 3, is the official anniversary of the passage of the original Wilderness Act, however, activists across the country will be celebrating this landmark legislation throughout September. A National Call-in Day for Wilderness is scheduled for September 21st. On that day help us make the Halls of Congress ring with phone calls in support of protecting America's unique natural heritage as Wilderness for future generation to explore and enjoy. But you don't need to wait until the 21st... Make your voice heard by calling your Senators and Representative and urge them to: "Protect America's Wilderness!" Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask for your member of Congress. Urge them to honor 40th anniversary of the Wilderness Act by speaking up for protecting America's Wilderness, for our families, for our future. The Wilderness Act of 1964 was a bipartisan environmental initiative pioneered by Senators Hubert Humphrey (D-MN) and Frank Church (R-ID) and Representative John Saylor (R-PA). This monumental legislative initiative was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on September 3, 1964, establishing America's National Wilderness Preservation System and declaring Wilderness "as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain." In order to preserve these wild lands for future generations, the legislation prohibits destructive commercial activity, such as motorized transportation and road building within the pristine wilderness areas. The Act reserves these designated Wilderness areas for "recreational, scenic, scientific, educational, conservation, and historical use." With the passage of the original Wilderness Act, Congress placed 9.1 million acres of national forest in the National Wilderness Preservation System. The first installment included alpine peaks, desert landscapes and other pristine areas in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. In 1974, the Eastern Wilderness Act designated 207,000 acres of Wilderness on federal lands in 13 states and reaffirmed the Congressional intent of the 1964 Wilderness Act that lands recovering from prior use and abuse, such as logging, can indeed be designated as Wilderness. Today, there are more than 655 million acres of federal public lands and waters sprinkled throughout the United States. Of those 655 million acres, 106 million acres, or just 4.7 percent of the landmass of the United States are designated Wilderness in 44 states, including Hawaii and Alaska. The last four years Over the past 40 years, unfettered development as well as aggressive logging, mining, and oil and gas drilling has destroyed much of the land that was originally set aside by the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture to be studied for potential Wilderness designation. But, over the last four years, the Bush administration has accelerated the threat our nation's natural heritage. Perhaps the most significant threat was embodied in a 2002 Interior Department Action which declared that federal land managers will no longer study or recommend lands for future Wilderness protection. The Bush Administration legacy reaches beyond harmful policy changes. For example, under the Bush Administration critical habitat for endangered species is no longer preserved; logging roads are pushing into our last virgin forests; millions of acres in Alaska and the lower 48 have been opened to oil and gas, with millions more turned over to the timber companies under the guise of fire prevention. The damage caused by aggressive road building, oil and gas drilling, logging and mining is threatening America's unique natural heritage of forests, rivers, desert and mountains. As a result, the Bush Administration is on track to go down in history as one of the most hostile administrations to public lands and Wilderness of any in our nation's history. The next forty years . . . and beyond In the face of this threat, Americans must act to secure wilderness protection for our nation's remaining wildlands. Sierra Club activists around the country continue their work to ensure that the next 40 years of wilderness activism will secure millions more pristine acres of protected wild places, endless miles of hiking trails and countless hours of outdoor fun for all Americans. While there are exciting wilderness campaigns advocating the protection of lands from the sandy coastline of California to Florida's Everglades, from the sacred canyons of the Southwest through the diverse habitats of Lewis and Clark to the tundra of Alaska, this year we celebrate ALL Wilderness lands by highlighting a few of the many wild lands proposed for protection. Wilderness Timeline and Legislation 1964 Wilderness Act designates first 9.1 million Wilderness acres across the United States. The Land & Water Conservation Fund Act is established to purchase park and refuge lands with royalties from offshore oil drilling. 1968 San Rafael Wilderness is first statutory Wilderness Area on national forest land. Great Swamp, New Jersey is first National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness. 1972 Scapegoat Wilderness, Montana is first citizen-initiated wilderness area involving lands the Wilderness Act did not require to be studied. Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho & Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona are first wilderness designated in the National Park System units 1975 Eastern Wilderness Areas Act designates 207,000 acres of wilderness on national lands in 13 states, reaffirming the congressional intent of the 1964 Wilderness Act that lands recovering from prior abuse or prior inhabitation can be designated as wilderness. 1976 National Forest Management Act (NFMA) Requires the U.S. Forest Service to include economic, wildlife, wilderness and recreational uses in planning. 1977 Alpine Lakes Area Management Act protects 393,460 acres and is the first wilderness to be designated with a "management area," here 547,166 acres surrounding Alpine Lakes, according to Federal Lands Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) which governs the use of the national lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. 1978 Endangered American Wilderness Act designates 1.3 million acres of proposed new wilderness in western National Forests. 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) creates 13 new national parks, 16 new national wildlife refuges and 2 new national forests, adding 56.5 million acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System, including the largest wilderness area in the system, Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska, 9,676,994 acres. 1984 8.3 million acres protected as Wilderness in 22 states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, FLA, GA, ID, MO, MS, NC, NM, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WY and more than 1,857,000 acres of Wilderness in Oregon and Washington alone. 1994 California Desert Protection Act Protected 69 individual BLM areas totaling 3.6 million acres of land. Congress also created the 1.4 million acre Mojave National Preserve, placing about half that land in wilderness. 1996 Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah protects 1.7 million acres of the most remote wild lands in the lower 48 states 1997 National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act emphasizes wildlife conservation and science-based, long-term wildlife refuge management. 2001 National Forest Roadless Area Conservation Rule protects 58 million acres of roadless forest from road construction. 2002 Nevada's Clark County Conservation Act of 2002 designated 440,000 acres of new Wilderness on BLM-managed lands in southern Nevada's Mojave Desert region. Congress also protected wilderness areas in Colorado, and 56,880 acres in California. Ojito Wilderness, New Mexico There are more than 11,000 excellent reasons to save the approximately 11,000 unspoiled acres that make up the proposed Ojito Wilderness Area in Sandoval County, New Mexico. The area encompasses dramatic landforms and rock structures, multicolored badlands, expansive plateaus and mesa tops, and a high density of cultural and archaeological sites, paleontological resources, and diverse plant and animal species. Along with New Mexico's lowest elevation stands of Ponderosa Pine, three rare plant species: grama grass cactus, Knight's milkvetch, and Townsend's aster, are also found within Ojito. Similarly, Ojito has always been a nesting habitat for birds of prey, swifts, and swallows, and has been home to exotic wildlife, such as reptiles, mule deer, and mountain lions. Paleontologists even found one of the largest dinosaur skeletons- the Semisaurus, within the proposed Ojito Wilderness. Ojito is unique in its abundant scenic beauty and is valued for its endless recreational opportunities, including bird watching, photography, hiking, game hunting, and camping, all within sight of Cabezon Peak, the Jemez Mountains, and the Sandia Mountains. Finally, the proposed Ojito Wilderness Area carries cultural and religious importance as it is the sacred home to the Zia, Jemez, and Santa Ana Pueblos. In these pueblos, there are still many cultural and archeological resources, including petroglyphs, kivas, and other Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Pueblo, Navajo and Spanish sites. Throughout the years, Ojito has always been a much appreciated area for both locals and travelers alike; now time to take measures to protect it as such for the next generation of American's to explore and enjoy. Nevada Eastern Nevada contains a variety of magnificent landscapes, ranging from high desert forests, to rugged limestone canyons and deep volcanic drainages that are intertwined by trout filled streams, all of which are in need of wilderness protection. In fact, many of these gems, roughly 2,115,582 acres, or 2.98 percent of the state, have already been safeguarded. Today, the Sierra Club is focusing its campaign to protect the wildlands of Nevada's Lincoln and White Pine Counties. A primary goal is to protect the "Big Four," consisting of the Mormon, Meadow Valley, Delamar and Clover Mountain Ranges. Additional protection is sought for Currant Mountain, Quinn Canyon, and the Grant Range Wilderness Highland Ridge in the Snake Mountain Range. Other important areas for wilderness designation include more than 100,000 acres of sparkling peaks in the Schell Creek Range east of Ely. Here a varied terrain of deep canyons, thick aspen forests and sheer mountainsides that plummet to the desert playas below. Despite the beauty of these amazing places, 4000 - 6000 trail miles have already been worn down by the rough riding of unauthorized off road vehicles. The Pahranagat Range with its celebrated cultural resources as well as proposed wilderness areas in the Desert National Wildlife Range are important wildlife habitat containing a diverse array of plant life; they are also fabulous places for wilderness recreation. Protecting wetland riparian and aquatic habitat in the White River flow system would enhance the spinedace and other endemic fish, plant, invertebrate and mammal species such as the local Pahranagat vole, southwest toad, northern leopard frog and visitors such as bald eagles, which winter in the region. Because of the outstanding value of Nevada's Wilderness quality lands for plants, animals and humans alike, as well as the threat of growing metropolitan growth from Las Vegas, now is the time to protect Eastern Nevada so that Americans can continue hiking through the brilliantly colored canyons, deciphering ancient petroglyphs, and exploring the vast desert wildlife and flora. California For many, the name California provokes visions of extraordinary rocky coast, majestic mountains and roaring whitewater. Such images provide strong support for protecting almost 300,000 stunning acres of the most treasured lands on the state's wild North Coast. In addition to these wilderness protections, proposed legislation would create 21 miles of new wild and scenic river for Mendocino Forest's Black Butte River and also preserve top quality habitat for endangered Chinook salmon and winter-run steelhead trout in the Middle Fork Eel River, South Fork Eel, and Six Rivers National Forest. Seemingly endless old-growth canyons of redwood, Douglas fir and even the rare Sargent cypress offer unique opportunities for hiking within the Elkhorn Ridge, Cedar Roughs, Snow Mountain and Sanhedrin Mountain Proposed Wildernesses. Another proposed area, Cache Creek, is known not only for its quick rapids, but also the second largest wintering bald eagle population in California. These areas contain important habitat for many of the state's endangered species. The crown jewel of the bill is California's 'Lost Coast,' officially known as the King Range, which consists of 41,614 acres of beach, rocky bluff, and rolling hillsides in Humboldt and Mendocino counties that make up the longest stretch of undeveloped, unroaded coast in the United States outside of Alaska. Protecting this coastline and its wilderness quality wild lands in California would leave them open to visitors for unique whale and bird watching, horseback riding and hiking while enjoying breathtaking coastal views spanning from Mt. Shasta to Yosemite. If protected, these visions will not only span endless miles of dazzling coastal habitat but also memories for generations to come. Wild Sky, Washington Flying over the 106,000 acres of proposed Wild Sky Wilderness in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State's Mt. Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest, at first glance it might appear - looking down on the dramatic, imposing landscape - that the Wild Sky Country below is remote and inaccessible. Fortunately for its many avid admirers, this diverse, publicly-owned landscape of wild rivers, ancient trees, quiet alpine lakes and scenic peaks is only a 90 minute drive from Seattle. One might even describe the Skykomish Valley and surrounding high country near the towns of Index and Skykomish as the greater Puget Sound's backyard. From the craggy, dramatic summits of Gunn and Merchant Peaks to the biologically diverse low elevation river valley forests outside the town of Index, the Wild Sky wilderness is home to over 25 miles of salmon and steelhead spawning streams, such as the blue-green North Fork of the Skykomish River - one of the largest strongholds of wild anadromous and freshwater fish in the Puget Sound basin. Safeguarding these pristine rivers and streams for future generations will provide public benefits such as clean drinking water, critical fish and wildlife habitat, and lots of opportunities for healthy outdoor family recreation. But the Wild Sky is not just known for its forests or fish. Hiking into the Wild Sky one might spot endangered and sensitive species -- such as the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, bald eagle, mountain goat, pine marten, and pileated woodpecker above - while cougar, wolverine, lynx, and black bears roam below them on the ground. From water to land to sky, the Wild Sky provides a unique natural heritage legacy that adds immeasurably to the special Pacific Northwest quality of life. Virginia Wilderness As visitors to Virginia will tell you, this state is certainly for plant and tree lovers. In fact, the Southern Appalachian Mountains sustain the most diverse plant life of any temperate region in the world: 130 species of trees, 2,250 species of vascular plants. Consequently, these mountains are rich in animal life too; Virginia is home to 175 species of birds, 65 of mammals and an estimated 25,000 invertebrates. Unfortunately, of the 715,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest, only 57,000 acres are protected in 11 Wilderness Areas. In the more northern George Washington National Forest, the situation is even bleaker, with only 44,000 of over one million acres protected as Wilderness. Virginia's National Forests are home to various plant and animal species which are native to New England and Canada, but extend their ranges into Virginia, including northern wood sorrel, bigtooth aspen, mountain ash, red squirrels, red-breasted nuthatch, saw-whet owl and golden-crowned kinglet. The southern areas of the Jefferson National Forest, in particular, are rich in aquatic diversity and both the Clinch areas of the Jefferson and the Shenandoah Mountain area of the George Washington are recognized as significant 'biological hotspots,' home to numerous species found nowhere else on earth. Wilderness groups have proposed protection for various Wilderness areas throughout Virginia, including the George Washington National Forest areas of Kelly Mountain, Little River, Laurel Fork, Mount Pleasant, Ramsey's Draft and Skidmore Fork, and all of the 'Mountain Treasure' areas in the Jefferson, which have been identified as some of the best, remote areas of the forest. The Seng Mountain and Crawfish Valley Scenic Areas are part of the latest legislative proposal for the Jefferson National Forest which would extend Wilderness or Scenic Area protection to almost 41,000 acres in Southwest Virginia. The greatest challenge to these and other proposed lands is getting the Forest Service to support such a nomination. This is difficult because the existing forest plan, with its emphasis on road building and timber production, has already compromised the ecological integrity of the George Washington National Forest and the new plan for the Jefferson, in the details of management prescriptions, leaves 86% of the roadless areas, candidates for future Wilderness protection, open to some form of logging, roadbuilding, or energy development. Because of such threats, immediate protection is critical for all areas that are home to the multitude of species and unique ecological systems that make up this key Appalachian forest. Lewis and Clark: Mt. Hood, Oregon Lewis and Clark were not just explorers. They were famous adventurers who left one of the richest legacies in American History: a record of our nation's wild lands west of the Mississippi River. Because of their ecological and recreational importance, the Sierra Club is powering a campaign to protect Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge in Lewis and Clark country as wilderness to celebrate the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's famous adventures. Mt. Hood National Forest provides clean drinking water for over one million people, or 40% of Oregonians. It is a the eighth most-visited National Park in the United States and a place where hikers, bikers, hunters, anglers, skiers, birdwatchers, climbers and others can enjoy the outdoors. The proposed "Lewis and Clark Mt. Hood Wilderness" surrounding Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge consists of both higher altitude forests and lower elevation watershed areas that are critically important habitat for threatened and endangered species like the northern spotted owl, and wild Chinook salmon and Steelhead. Even rare bird species like the peregrine falcon and bald eagle still soar through the heights of the ancient forests while the Larch Mountain salamander and western pond turtle lurk along the mossy forest floor and through acres of pristine watersheds and nearly 1,000 native species of wildflowers, sixteen of which are unique to the Columbia Gorge. As members of the public seek solitude and backcountry recreation in the proposed Lewis and Clark Mt. Hood Wilderness, this area is threatened by the big business of development, ski resorts, logging and off-road vehicles. Without permanent protection for the remaining wild lands around Mt. Hood, the Forest Service estimates that by 2040, the Mt. Hood National Forest will only meet 16 percent of the demand for wilderness recreation, while continuing to meet over 100 percent of the demand for mechanized recreation. The Sierra Club's Lewis and Clark Campaign takes a hands-on conservation approach to protect Mt. Hood and the Columbia Gorge for future generations. What better way to honor the legacy of Lewis and Clark than to protect those wild lands still untouched 200 years after their historic journey? Wilderness Quotes "If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." - President Lyndon B. Johnson, upon signing the Wilderness Act in 1964. We deeply need the humility to know ourselves as dependent members of a great community of life, and this can indeed be one of the spiritual benefits of a wilderness experience. - Howard Zahnhiser Wilderness Act author America's Wilderness Hertitage Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club