Have you signed the petition to oppose this yet?
http://www.petitiononline.com/boxer/petition.html

And take a moment to write your representatives:
http://www.crowley-offroad.com/new_propose...reas_for_CA.htm

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Reaction Strong against California Wilderness Bill
Report By Sierra Times
Published 05. 1. 02 at 23:06 Sierra Time

POCATELLO, ID -- Recreationists express concern about the negative access impacts of Senator Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) newly announced "California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act of 2002." The legislation treatens to close almost 2.5 million acres of lands currently used by mountain bikers, 4-wheel drive enthusiasts, the ski industry, and other outdoor interests who value access to our public lands.

Off-highway recreation users are already denied access to over 21 percent of California's National Forest lands and 25 percent of areas under Bureau of Land Management jurisdiction.

Nancy Ingalsbee, a former spokesperson for the ski industry, said, "I remember when we had the famous 'wilderness' battles back in the 1980s. I don't think any of us would have supported the California Wilderness Act of 1984 if we knew that we would have to fight this issue again just a decade or two later."

Don Amador, the western representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC), said, "I think a lot of recreational users who depend on legal trails and roads for access to the backcountry are going to strongly oppose Boxer's effort to shut us out of our favorite areas."

"Federally designated wilderness is highly restrictive and bans the use of motorized and mechanized vehicles including trail and mountain bikes. Anti-access groups have even filed legal action to close Wilderness to horse packers. Also, I think local governments and cabin owners are going to be concerned about the Act's negative impact on their ability to manage the forest to prevent wildfires," Amador stated.

"I believe that a vast majority of areas she proposes to close should remain in multiple-use using existing best management practices. Instead of supporting Boxer's plan, I will urge counties to look at the BRC's Backcountry designation as an alternative that allows access and requires that special lands be actively managed to preserve their rustic nature." Amador concludes.

© 2002 SierraTimes.com
http://www.sierratimes.com/02/05/02/arid050202.htm