proposed wilderness; © John Dittli
As Americans gather this Memorial Day weekend to remember those who have served, Republicans and Democrats in Congress have again come together to serve our country in a different way-by working to protect as wilderness more of our country's last, best wild places.
We salute Representative Buck McKeon (R-CA) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) for introducing a bill to permanently protect over 470,000 acres of spectacularly beautiful public land in California's Eastern Sierra, including the White Mountains--home to the world's oldest living trees, and Magic Mountain in the Santa Clarita area. Thanks to their commitment to building consensus, Rep. McKeon and Sen. Boxer have found broad support for this legislation by effectively reaching out and listening to local stakeholders. The Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wild Heritage Act will ensure that hikers, anglers, equestrians and campers will have their favorite wild places protected, while access to snowmobile and off-road vehicle areas will also be preserved.
The leadership of Rep. McKeon and Sen. Boxer, and strong support of local business owners, conservationists and area residents who use and appreciate these special natural areas, made this bipartisan legislation possible. We look forward to quick action by Congress on this important bill, so that America's children, too, may find common ground in America's wild places
