Introduction of H.R. 233-Northern California Coastal wild Heritage Wilderness Act
INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 233-NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL WILD HERITAGE WILDERNESS ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 28, 2006)
SPEECH OF
HON. MIKE THOMPSON
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2006
* Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, this bill, HR 233, the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act is the product of over five years of town hall meetings, field tours and open debates both in the House, the Senate and in city halls and county board chambers throughout the north coast of California. The bill that we have before us today is carefully crafted to address the concerns of the communities affected by this measure, every acre of which is entirely within my congressional district. I have personally invested many hours in the formation of this bill. I have hiked, fished, hunted and taken aerial tours of the areas in this legislation. I have also held public hearings with stakeholder groups representing timber, hunting and fishing, conservation, government, offroad vehicles, mountain bikes, business and farming. The process which has taken over five years, was exhaustive and inclusive.
* This legislation would expand wilderness protection on public lands by approximately 273,000 acres entirely within California's 1st Congressional District. The legislation includes adding wilderness protection to the King Range of Humboldt and Mendocino counties. The Bush administration testified in both the Senate and House that the addition of the King Range would be the ``crown jewel'' of our national wilderness system. The legislation is not only important for the protection of some of my district's most treasured lands, it also enhances protection of the federally threatened and endangered salmon and trout and helps ensure a source of clean, reliable water for California's future.
* With respect to this wilderness legislation, the two most contentious issues for the constituents of California's 1st Congressional District were our ability to fight and prevent forest fires and the continued access to the proposed wilderness areas. I took extra precautions to ensure the land managers would not lose any of the tools they have today to fight fire and their ability to apply pre-suppression measures to combat fires in HR 233.
* This bill will not close any legal roads to anyone who wants to visit these truly spectacular areas.
* I paid particular attention to people who enjoy off-road vehicle and mountain bike use, and no off-road vehicle trails will be closed in this bill. In addition, I worked with the Bureau of Land Management to create what many expect to be a world-class mountain biking trail system just outside of the King Range wilderness area. Chairman Pombo and I also worked to provide additional protections to Cow Mountain in Lake and Mendocino Counties to protect or maintain existing mountain bike and off-road vehicle trails.
* Impacts on the once strong logging industry in Northern California were also taken into consideration in this bill and there are no timber sales under consideration for any of the public lands in this legislation.
* This bill will protect Northern California's most spectacular public lands. Specifically, this wilderness bill will protect the following areas. Sec. 3 (1) Snow Mountain Wilderness Addition
Location: Approximately three miles east of Pillsbury Reservoir in Lake County.
Size: 23,706 acres
Highlights: Ten miles of the scenic Eel River canyon, Bloody Rock, and The Bloody Rock and Cold Creek Trails.
Description: The Snow Mountain Wilderness additions are composed of the lower elevation ancient forests, grasslands, chaparral and oak woodlands lying at the foot of the already designated Snow Mountain Wilderness. The California Department of Fish and Game considers these oak woodlands and grasslands important for the survival of local deer herds through the winter months when high-elevation areas are covered in snow. The additions contain a 10-mile stretch of the Eel River canyon which hosts bald eagle, osprey and trout. Forests of black oak, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, live oak and incense cedar provide important habitat for marten, goshawk and northern spotted owl. Bloody Rock, an enormous prominence that rises steeply above the Eel River, was the site of a battle between the Yuki Tribe and settlers in the Nineteenth Century. Trail 9W45 and the Bloody Rock, Cold Creek and Summit Springs trails traverse the area.
SEC. 3 (2) SANHEDRIN WILDERNESS
Location: In Mendocino and Lake counties, approximately 15 miles east of Willits.
Size: 10,571 acres in Lake and Mendocino Counties.
Highlights: Views in all directions, including the Pacific Ocean, the Bay Area and Mount Shasta.
Description: The Sanhedrin Wilderness contains extensive old-growth forest, meadows, oak woodlands, chaparral and ``serpentine barrens,'' places where the nutrient poor bluegreen soil is so inhospitable to many plants that only specially adapted species can survive. As a result, Sanhedrin Mountain provides habitat for at least five rare and unique plant species, including the Anthony Peak lupine that grows only in the Mendocino National Forest and nowhere else in the world. On a clear day, visitors to the area can see the Pacific Ocean, the Bay Area and even Mount Shasta hundreds of miles away.
SEC. 3 (3) YUKI WILDERNESS
Location: Mendocino and Lake counties, approximately five air-miles southeast of Round Valley and the community of Covelo.
Size: 53,887 acres in Lake and Mendocino Counties.
Highlights: The Middle Fork Eel supports between one-third and one-half of California's entire remaining summer-run steelhead trout population.
Description: The Yuki Wilderness forests consist of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, Shasta red fir, white fir and incense cedar. The Yuki region also hosts seven species of oak. Populations of eleven rare plants have been identified in the area. Several rare animals also call the area home, including the bald eagle, marten, goshawk, northern spotted owl and prairie falcon. Elk and Thatcher creeks and the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Eel River host populations of salmon and steelhead trout. The Middle Fork Eel supports between one-third and one-half of California's entire remaining summer-run steelhead trout population. Wildflower displays are extensive. Whitewater boaters use the Middle Fork Eel River and hunting is another common activity. Trails include 11W15, 10W27 and Horse Pasture Ridge.
SEC. 3 (4) YOLLA BOLLY-MIDDLE EEL WILDERNESS ADDITION
Location: Approximately 10 miles northeast of Covelo and Round Valley in Mendocino County.
Overall size: 27,036 acres.
Highlights: The Middle Fork Eel River hosts between 30-50 percent of the state's summer-run steelhead trout population, the Travelers Home National Recreation, Hell Hole, Leech Lake and Smokehouse trails.
Description: The YolIa Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness additions are dominated by old-growth forests, meadows, oak woodlands and the deep canyon of the Middle Fork Eel River. HowelIia, an aquatic plant once thought extinct in California, was discovered here by botanists in the 1990s. The Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Eel River hosts up to one-half of California's entire remaining summer-run steelhead trout population. The Smokehouse, Travelers Home National Recreation, Hell Hole and Leech Lake trails traverse the area.
SEC. 3 (5) SISKIYOU WILDERNESS ADDITION
Location: 22 miles west of Crescent City in Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
Size: 30,122 acres in Del Norte and Humboldt Counties.
Highlights: An area noted for its botanical diversity and salmon and steelhead watersheds.
Description: The Siskiyou Wilderness Additions are among California's most remote lands. Unusual soils, great rises and drops in elevation, and ample annual rainfall all combine to offer refuge for an immense diversity of plants and animals in the proposed additions. Ancient forests consist of 14 species of conifers, the second greatest conifer diversity in the world. Salmon and steelhead trout use the region's many streams, especially Blue Creek. Eighteen rare plants have been identified in the area by the Forest Service. Other species include northern spotted owl, fisher, mink, bald eagle, Roosevelt elk and goshawk. The proposed additions contain the popular Forks of Blue and Gunbarrel trails.
SEC. 3 (6) MOUNT LASSIE WILDERNESS
Location: Approximately 20 miles northeast of Garberville eight miles west of Ruth Reservoir in Humboldt and Trinity counties.
Size: 7,279 acres.
Highlights: Scenic views of the Coast Range and a noted haven for rare and unusual plant species.
Description: The Mount Lassic Wilderness contains unique rock formations such as Mount Lassic and Red Lassic that are visible from as far away as the King Range to the west and the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness to the south. Unusual soils host six rare plant species that have been identified in the region. Other species include northern spotted owl, blue grouse, marten, fisher and goshawk. Old-growth forests of Douglas fir, incense cedar, and Jeffrey pine cover much of the area. Trail 5E33 climbs Mount Lassic and then drops to the Van Duzen River to the west.
SEC. 3 (7) TRINITY ALPS WILDERNESS ADDITION
Location: In Humboldt County on the western edge of the existing Trinity Alps Wilderness.
Size: 22,863 acres.
Highlights: Salmon and steelhead streams, and Native American cultural use and Extensive trail system.
Description: The Trinity Alps Wilderness additions are composed of rugged, heavily forested mid- to low-elevation country adjacent to the highlands of the existing Trinity Alps Wilderness. Horse Linto and Red Cap creeks provide cold, clear water for steelhead trout and coho and Chinook salmon populations. These wilderness additions are a refuge for unique and endangered species, including nine rare plants. The Horse Linto unit is used by local Native Americans for cultural purposes. Trails include 6E20, 6E31, 6E 18, 6E15, 6E35, 6E74, 6E08 and Salmon Summit.
SEC. 3 (8) CACHE CREEK WILDERNESS.
Location: In Lake County, east of Clear Lake and south of Highway 20 and Highway 16.
Size: 27,245 acres.
Highlights: The second largest wintering bald eagle population in California, A herd of rare tule elk (the world's smallest elk) and Cache Creek is popular with whitewater boaters for its rapids and scenery.
Description: The Cache Creek Wilderness has canyons and ridges lined with oak woodlands, grasslands, chaparral, streamside forest and groves of gray pine. The region hosts the second largest wintering bald eagle population in California, a herd of tule elk (the world's smallest species of elk), black bear, beaver, river otter, bobcat, mountain lion, prairie falcon, golden eagle and other species. The area contains noted Native American cultural sites and it is well known for its spring wildflower displays. Whitewater boaters enjoy floating the ``Wilderness Run'' from the North Fork Cache Creek to Highway 16 because of its scenery, rapids and solitude. The Judge Davis, Redbud and Perkins Creek Ridge trails access the area.
SEC. 3 (9) CEDAR ROUGHS WILDERNESS
Location: West of Berryessa Reservoir in Napa County.
Size: 6,350 acres
Highlights: Shelters the largest grove in the world of the rare Sargent cypress and Shelters an important black bear breeding area.
Description: The Cedar Roughs Wilderness is a large mound of ``serpentine'' soil five miles in length. The area contains the world's largest grove of the rare Sargent cypress, which convinced pioneers to erroneously call the area ``Cedar'' Roughs. The wilderness is known to be an important black bear breeding area. The Cedar Roughs wilderness is accessed by a single rugged, nameless trail, but most of it is trackless.
SEC. 3 (10) SOUTH FORK EEL WILDERNESS
Location: In northern Mendocino County northwest of Laytonville and east of Leggett.
Overall size: 12,915 acres.
Highlights: Rare plant populations and Gives rise to scientifically-important Elder Creek
Description: Rare animals in the South Fork Eel Wilderness include goshawk and northern spotted owl. The Red Mountain portion of the South Fork Eel Wilderness contains the planet's entire known populations of Kellogg's buckwheat, Red Mountain stonecrop and Red Mountain catchfly along with other rare species. Unusual soils have created ``dwarf forests'' on top of Red Mountain. Streams in the area host coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Elder Creek originates in the proposed wilderness and then flows west into a University of California natural reserve. There, Elder Creek is the subject of numerous ecological and geologic studies. The Cahto Peak Trail accesses a portion of the area.
SEC. 3 (11) KING RANGE WILDERNESS
Location: In southwestern Humboldt and northwestern Mendocino counties, approximately 18 miles west of Garberville.
Size: 42,585 acres in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
Size of individual units: Chemise Mountain--4,142 acres King Range--38,443 acres
Highlights: The longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the continental United States and Numerous hiking and equestrian trails. The Bush administration testified that this area would become the ``crown jewel,'' of the national wilderness system.
Description: The King Range is the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the continental United States. It has beaches, peaks, vistas, dunes, coastal ancient forests of Douglas fir, madrone, incense cedar, and tan oak. Species of note include California brown pelican, steelhead trout, coho salmon, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, northern spotted owl, and Roosevelt elk. The Lost Coast Trail traverses the entire length of the area's beaches and coastal bluffs. Other paths include the Cooskie Creek, Cooskie Spur, Spanish Ridge, Kinsey Ridge, Miller Loop, King Crest, Rattlesnake Ridge, Lightning, Horse Mountain Creek, Chinquapin and Buck Creek trails.
SEC. 6 ELKHORN RIDGE POTENTIAL WILDERNESS AREA
Location: In northern Mendocino County northwest of Laytonville.
Size: 11,271 acres.
Highlights: Small groves of old-growth redwoods, the South Fork Eel hosts the last remaining non-hatchery ``long-run'' coho salmon population in California, and whitewater rafting and kayaking.
Description: The Elkhorn Ridge Potential Wilderness Area is bisected by the Wild and Scenic South Fork Eel River. The South Fork Eel hosts populations of Chinook salmon and steelhead trout, as well as the last remaining non-hatchery: ``long-run'' coho salmon population in California. The river flows through a rugged canyon surrounded by slops forested with hardwoods, fir and an occasional old-growth redwood. The South Fork Eel's waters are a rich food source for osprey, bald eagle, otter and other creatures and provide challenging whitewater recreation for experienced boaters. The Elkhorn Ridge Potential Wilderness contains no established trails. The majority of the area is made up of undisturbed ancient forest and chaparral habitat, but a portion was logged when it was under private ownership. HR 233 directs the Bureau of Land Management to restore the parts of Elkhorn Ridge that were cut prior to its designation as wilderness.
SEC. 7 WILD AND SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATION--BLACK BUTTE RIVER, CALIFORNIA
Location: Mendocino County east of Round Valley and the community of Covelo.
Size: 21 miles.
Highlights: Provides some of the best habitat for endangered Chinook salmon and winter-run steelhead trout in the entire Middle Fork Eel River drainage.
Description: The Black Butte River and its tributary Cold Creek drain into the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork Eel River just east of the town of Covelo. The watershed is extremely rugged, and most of the slopes above the river are steep and landslide-prone, though they are still mostly forested with groves of oaks and conifers. The upper reaches of the river and Cold Creek provide some of the best habitat for endangered Chinook salmon and winter-run steelhead trout in the entire Middle Fork Eel River drainage. The watershed has a long history of human habitation first by the Yuki Tribe, then by Euro-American explorers and settlers. The Forest Service describes the watershed as containing ``outstandingly remarkable fisheries and heritage resources values.''
SEC. 10 CONTINUATION OF TRADITIONAL COMMERCIAL SURF FISHING, REDWOOD NATIONAL AND STATE PARKS
In addition, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify my intent with Section 10. Section 10, which deals with commercial fishing permits in Redwood National and State Parks in California, directs the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits for authorized vehicle access for commercial surf fishing at designated beaches within both the National and State Parks. The section provides that the number of permits shall be limited to the number of valid permits that are held on the date of enactment of this Act, and that the permits ``so issued shall be perpetual and subject to the same conditions as the permits held on the date of enactment of this Act.''
I want to clarify that this language should not be construed as creating a right vesting in the permit holder, which would be contrary to the way permits are issued throughout the National Park System. The intent of this language is simply to ensure that the National Park Service does not reduce the number of permits issued below the current level of valid permits, assuming there is sufficient demand for the remaining permits. Furthermore, there is no intent for the requirements of Section 10 to be construed as an implied waiver of applicable laws, including the National Park Service Organic Act and the Endangered Species Act, but rather a directive to the Park Service to discontinue its plan to completely phase out these permits. The language in Section 10 does not create a property right and the sole purpose of the language is to limit the number of permits to the number of valid permits in existence as of the date of enactment of H.R. 233.
In addition, the language in Section 10 requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue permits allowing for authorized vehicle access to designated beaches, including Gold Bluff Beach, within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, which is located within the broader national park boundary. However, nothing in this section is intended to override the responsibilities of the State of California and the management of the state park.
* Thank you very much for the opportunity to speak on this legislation. HR 233 is a carefully crafted bill which takes all industries and constituencies into account. I urge my colleagues vote ``aye'' on this very important bill that will protect some of our country's most spectacular areas.
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