Fortunately, more than a half dozen bills that would expand the BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System with new National Conservation Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, Wilderness Areas and other special designations have been introduced in the 109th Congress. It is important to note that two areas have already been added to the BLM’s Conservation System this Congress: the Ojito Wilderness in northwestern New Mexico and the Cedar Mountains Wilderness in Utah.

Update

During the week of June 5th, 2006, more than 60 conservationists traveled to Washington, DC, to participate in the National Landscape Conservation System Outreach Week. Highlighted in their coalition discussions and meetings on Capitol Hill were the current opportunities to expand the Conservation System -- specifically a number of pending bills that would designate Wilderness Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Conservation Areas and other special places managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Following is a list of those measures pending in Congress that would expand the National Landscape Conservation System:

Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers

CALIFORNIA: Eastern Sierra Rural Heritage and Economic Enhancement Act (H.R. 5149/ S.2567)
Introduced in April 2006, this measure would add 24 miles of the Amargosa River, managed by the BLM, to the National Wild and Scenic River System, a designation supported by the Inyo County Board of Supervisors. Other parts of the bill will expand by 39,680 acres the California’s Hoover Wilderness area and add 640 acres to the Emigrant Wilderness area, both managed by the Forest Service. Rep. Buck McKeon (R-CA), who represents the areas, introduced the measure in the House. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced a companion bill in the Senate. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the bill on May 24.

CALIFORNIA: Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act (H.R. 233/S.128)
This measure would designate more than 300,000 acres of Wilderness and 21 miles of Wild and Scenic River in California’s Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake, and Napa counties. Over 121,000 acres of BLM Wilderness are included in H.R. 233; 94,000 acres are currently designated Wilderness Study Areas. The measure would also expand the existing King Range National Conservation Area, part of the NLCS. The proposed wilderness areas and Wild and Scenic Rivers in the bill are in the district of Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), the bill’s House sponsor; Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the companion bill in the Senate in January 2005. The House subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a hearing on the bill on July 2005; the Senate passed its version of the bill in July 2005.

COLORADO: Browns Canyon Wilderness Act (H.R. 4235, S.1971)
The measure would designate approximately 20,000 acres of National Forest and adjacent land managed by the Bureau of Land Management near Salida, Colorado as the Browns Canyon Wilderness. The measure was introduced in the House by Rep. Joel Hefley (R-CO) and in the Senate by Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO) and was referred to the House Resources Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee respectively. As introduced, the bills contain a highly controversial provision relating to water rights in the wilderness area. Efforts are underway to address this issue and thereby allow the otherwise popular measure to move forward.

IDAHO: Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (H.R. 3603)
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) introduced the Central Idaho Economic Development and Recreation Act (H.R. 3603) in July 2005. The measure includes the designation of more than 300,000 acres in Idaho’s Boulder-White Clouds Mountains as Wilderness, along with a number of provisions dealing with small land conveyances, authorization of grants for rural economic development, continued motorized recreation opportunities and more. The bill would designate wilderness areas on lands managed by the Forest Service, but also on adjacent lands managed by the BLM (which would be part of the NLCS). The House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a hearing on the bill in October 2005.

OREGON: Mount Hood Stewardship Legacy Act (HR 5025)
This bill, introduced by Rep. Walden (R-OR) and Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR), would add approximately 77,500 acres of Wilderness (a 41% increase of designated Wilderness) on Mt. Hood. Most of the land is Forest Service, but some sections are managed by the BLM. The bill also adds an estimated 23 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers, a 19% increase, to Mt. Hood’s Wild and Scenic Rivers network, which would be managed by the BLM. Conservationists would like to see worthy sections of Collawash and Fifteenmile Creek added to the Wild and Scenic designations in the measure. The House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a hearing on the bill in April 2006.

National Conservation Area

NEW MEXICO: Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (S. 1170)
This bill would establish the Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA) in Lincoln County, New Mexico. The purpose of the NCA is to protect, conserve, and enhance the unique and nationally important historic, cultural, scientific, archaeological, natural, and educational subterranean resources of the Fort Stanton-Snowy River cave system. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) introduced the bill and Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) is co-sponsor. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the measure in October 2005 and the full Senate passed it by unanimous consent in November 2005. The bill has been referred to the House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health where it is awaiting action.

Outstanding Natural Area

CALIFORNIA: The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (HR 3534)
This bill, introduced by Representative Lois Capps (D-CA) in July 2005 would designate as an Outstanding Natural Area the historic Piedras Blancas Lighthouse and the coastal acres around it in San Luis Obispo County. The Lighthouse dates from the 1870s, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area supports a colony of elephant seals, nesting seabirds, otters and migrating whales, and is a research site for the U.S. Geological Survey, National Marine Fisheries Service, Universities, and local schools. The BLM has managed the site since 2001. The House Resources Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health held a hearing on the bill in April 2006.

For More Information

• Wendy Vanasselt, The Wilderness Society’s Project Director, NLCS, 202-833-2300