At the midpoint of the 110th Congress we pause to look back on what has been an exciting and eventful twelve months for wilderness legislation.
The House passed its first wilderness bill of 2007 in April, the Wild Sky Wilderness Act (H.R.886). Introduced by Representatives Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Jay Inslee (D-WA), the bill would protect 106,577 acres of national forest land. Washington Senators Patty Murray (D) and Maria Cantwell (D) initiated the legislation in the Senate where, in May, it was approved by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. We look forward to seeing S. 2483 passed by the full Senate early in the new year.
The House of Representatives also passed the Virginia Ridge and Valley Wilderness and National Scenic Area Act (S.570/H.R.1011) to protect 55,000 acres in the Jefferson National Forest. Introduced by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), the legislation would preserve spectacular views of the Blue Ridge as well as provide local economic opportunities. The bill was approved by the full House in October and awaits Senate committee action. A companion bill (S. 570) was introduced in the Senate by Virginia Senators John Warner (R) and Jim Webb (D).
Among bills originating in the Senate, the Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Act (S.647) is nearing approval. The bipartisan initiative to permanently protect 128,600 acres of national forest land and eighty miles of Wild and Scenic river, was introduced in February by Oregon Senators Ron Wyden (D) and Gordon Smith (R). After passing the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the bill was incorporated into a large package of public lands bills. We hope that this omnibus lands package will move forward early in the 110th Congress.
Other bills introduced that we hope will see quick action in 2008 include:
Senator Mike Crapo's (R-ID) Owyhee Initiative Implementation Act. This proposal includes a provision to designate 517,000 acres in Idaho's Owyhee-Bruneau Canyonlands as wilderness and over 300 miles of river as Wild and Scenic. A diverse coalition of tribes, county commissioners, hunters, conservationists, outfitters, ranchers, and other stakeholders support the bill.
The Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (H.R.222), introduced by Rep Mike Simpson (R-ID), seeks to designate 320,000 acres of wild roadless area (currently the largest unprotected area of its kind) in the Boulder-White Cloud Mountains of Idaho.
In Colorado, a bipartisan team comprised of Representatives Mark Udall (D) and Marilyn Musgrave (R) and Senators Ken Salazar (D) and Wayne Allard (R) introduced the Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness and Indian Peaks Wilderness Expansion Act (S.1380/H.R.2334). The bill received hearings in both the House and Senate, and awaits committee markup.
A trio of bills was introduced to protect a wide array of California wild lands. The visionary California Wild Heritage Act (S.493/H.R.860) - which has grown in strength and support since 2002 - was reintroduced in February. Shepherded by state Democrats Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Hilda Solis, the bill aims to protect 2.4 million acres of California wild lands.
In July, Sen. Boxer teamed up with Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA) and Devin Nunes (R-CA) to introduce the Sequoia-Kings Canyon Wilderness Act of 2007 (H.R.3022/S.1774). The bill would protect 115,000 acres of wilderness, including 69,500 acres named for former Congressman John Krebs, who led protection efforts in the area.
In late September, Sen. Boxer and Rep. Mary Bono (R-CA) introduced the California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act of 2007 (H.R.3682/S.2109). The product of extensive collaboration with a broad range of local groups and businesses, the bill would permanently protect 191,000 acres in Riverside County, add thirty-one miles to the Wild and Scenic river system, and expand the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument by 5,000 acres. Both H.R.3022 and H.R.3682 received subcommittee hearings and await further action.
Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) and New Mexico Rep. Tom Udall (D), working with broad local support, introduced legislation to keep the Southwest wild and beautiful. The Tumacacori Highlands Wilderness Act of 2007 (H.R.3287) would protect 84,000 acres in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. The Sabinoso Wilderness Act (H.R.2632) would protect 20,000 acres in San Miguel County in New Mexico.
November was a busy month for wilderness legislation. Rep. David Reichert (R-WA) introduced Washington State's Alpine Lakes Wilderness Additions and Wild Pratt River Act (H.R.4113), which was the final new wilderness legislation of 2007. On November 13, the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands held a hearing on five wilderness bills, underscoring the steady progress on wilderness legislation.
With so many proposals moving through Congress already, the coming year should be an exciting time for wilderness. Happy New Year!