California Desert
Regional Leaders Applaud Feinstein Effort to Protect California's Spectacular Desert Heritage for Future Generations
Bill would expand Death Valley, Joshua Tree N.P. and protect lands for recreation, wildlife and tourism.
In December of 2009, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the California Desert Protection Act, a bill that would increase protections for approximately 1.5 million acres of desert landscapes celebrated both for their contributions to America's natural and cultural heritage and to the regional economy.
The proposed legislation would create tow new national monuments - the Mojave Trails and the Sand to Snow National Monuments - and expand Joshua Tree and Death Valley National Parks and the Mojave National Preserve. It would also designate several new wilderness areas. Desert leaders are hopeful it will also protect important waterways like the Amargosa River and Deep Creek as Wild and Scenic Rivers.
While local leaders are widely supportive of Senator Feinstein's leadership and dedication to conserving California's desert, many are concerned that the bill will contain provisions that expand off-road vehicle use, allow new right-of-ways on National Monuments, and removing protection for Wilderness Study Areas. "I applaud the Senator's longstanding leadership and commitment to protecting the jewels of our desert," said Jim Dodson, retired deputy comptroller of Edwards Air Force Base. "But I do have concerns that her bill could open up new areas of the desert to off-road vehicle damage. I am hopeful that the interested citizens can work with Senator Feinstein to address these issues as the bill moves forward."
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Sample editable letter (feel free to copy, paste, and make this your own!):
Senator Dianne Feinstein
US Senate
The Honorable ____(Your representative’s name. If you don’t know, we’ll look it up for you!)
US House of Representatives
Dear Senator Feinstein & Representative______________,
There is a land grab happening in the desert right now. Between military expansion, OHV use, and reckless renewable development, the desert is about to be completely carved up. Now is the time to set aside our remaining wild places for protection, or they could be lost forever.
I support wilderness designation of certain unique, undeveloped, ecologically and geologically significant, culturally important, and scenic areas of public land within the California desert.
I urge you to protect:
The Golden Valley, Trilobite, Clipper, Kingston Range, Malpais Mesa, Indian Pass, Palo Verde proposed wilderness additions. The Great Falls Basin, Slate Range, Avawatz Mountains, Soda Mountains, Cady Mountains, Vinagre Wash, Milpitas Wash proposed wilderness areas. The Big Morongo Canyon addition to Joshua Tree National Park, the Castle Mountains addition to the Mojave National Preserve, and wilderness additions to Death Valley National Park. Deep Creek and Surprise Canyon proposed wild and scenic rivers.
I have visited/would like to visit (list areas and talk about your visits and/or what you like to do and see).
Protected public lands will provide local residents and visitors with opportunities for many recreational activities including hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, photography, camping, orienteering, wildlife viewing, scientific research, and nature study.
Protecting wild places would ensure that future generations can enjoy them tomorrow as we do today. Please protect our wild desert lands.
Sincerely,
Your full name
Your address (so they know you are a constituent)
Or call Senator Feinstein: (202) 224-3841
Click here to submit your letter.
For more information, check out these links:
Bill Meadows (The Wilderness Society) Written Testimony for California Desert Protection Act
Campaign for the California Desert
