May 2004
Volume 5

Interesting Tidbits & Wilderness Quotes:

Quote: The wilderness and the idea of wilderness is one of the permanent homes of the human spirit. — Joseph Wood Krutch (1958)

Contents:
Wilderness News Briefs provide short issue summaries and contact information. Action Alerts are full-length, time-sensitive postings.

Wilderness News Briefs:

(1) Hydrogen Powered Motor Boat Mows Down River Plan (AZ)
(2) Canyon Creek gold mining dredges up nuggets of concern (CA)
(3) Sheep ranchers will no longer receive compensation for grizzly kills (MT)
(4) Poisoning project slated for Carson-Iceberg Wilderness (CA)
(5) No new trails for the Buffalo Nat’l River Wilderness (AR)
(6) Join us October 10-13, 2004 for the 40th Anniversary National Wilderness Conference (NY)

*Wilderness News Briefs*

(1) Hydrogen Powered Motor Boat Mows Down River Plan (AZ)

From RRFW Riverwire –

Taxpayers are to pay $1.2 million dollars to promote an experiment fitting hydrogen fuel cells on a motorized tour boat in the heart of Grand Canyon National Park, an area some say is the last greatest American wilderness.

Representative Rick Renzi (R-AZ) has introduced HR 4162, the "Grand Canyon Hydrogen-Powered Motorboat Demonstration Act of 2004." The proposed legislation calls for a three-year test period at $400,000 a year to assist in the development of a hydrogen fuel powered motorboat on the Colorado River. The bill would force the continuation of motorized tour boats on the river for another 10-15 years, and would constrict the ongoing Colorado River Management Plan alternatives. Meanwhile, Grand Canyon National Park officials anticipate the much awaited release of their draft river plan in July.

A congressional hearing on the proposed legislation was held Saturday, May 15, at Grand Canyon National Park. The hearing was chaired by Representative George P. Radanovich, (R, CA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation, and Public Lands with Representative Rick Renzi (R, AZ) present.

The bill "at best, anticipates a decision by the National Park Service to continue motorized use on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, and at worst, legislates that decision" according to Kim Crumbo of the Arizona Wilderness Coalition, who observed the hearing. Crumbo points out that some of the objectives of the proposed legislation, including near-silent watercraft operation, zero emission of pollutants, reliability and safe conveyance of passengers and crew, are already available with present technology. Crumbo notes such goals "are currently achievable by the use of oar-powered craft with no extra cost to the American taxpayer" and thinks a savings of 1.2 million dollars is easily achievable as "a pair of oars costs about $300." …

For More Information:
ENN: http://www.enn.com/direct/display-release.asp?objid=D1D1366D000000FC99311BAD39B42230
Arizona Wilderness Coalition: http://www.azwild.org
River Runners for Wilderness: http://www.RRFW.org

(2) Canyon Creek gold mining dredges up nuggets of concern (CA)

From the Times-Standard:

Eureka, CA - An open pit mining operation on a creek that flows out of the Trinity Alps Wilderness may yield significant gold -- but it has drawn the ire of residents and environmentalists in Trinity County. Weaverville company Master Petroleum Inc., with origins in Texas, is looking to mine on about 22 acres just outside the wilderness, and within 100 feet of Canyon Creek. The operation proposes to take 1.4 million tons of gravel from pits over the next five to 25 years.

The operation would likely be visible from the road that leads to the Canyon Creek trailhead – the most visited trial in the alps. Canyon Creek feeds the Trinity River, an important salmon river slowly being restored…

More Information:

Times Standard:
http://www.times-standard.com/Stories/0,1413,127~2896~2165744,00.html

(3) Defenders of Wildlife stop paying ranchers - Sheep ranchers will no longer receive compensation for grizzly kills (MT)

From ESPN Outdoors:
LIVINGSTON – The animal rights group that pays ranchers for livestock losses to grizzly bears and wolves says it will no longer pay for sheep kills in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.

"It’s a slap in the face," said Elaine Allestad who, along with her husband Lawrence, uses the last grazing allotment in the wilderness. "They’re putting on pressure just to make us give up."

Defenders of Wildlife, which announced its decision in a letter this week, has been praised for "putting its money where its mouth is," but some ranchers said the problem was burdensome and didn’t pay all the costs associated with grizzly bear predation.
The northern Rockies representative of Defenders, Minette Johnson, said the group doesn’t want to encourage people top bring sheep into prime grizzly bear habitat.

"It’s pretty apparent that sheep and grizzly bears don’t mix, " she said, pointing to positions taken by federal bear managers that call for phasing out sheep allotments in key grizzly bear habitat when allotment holders are willing.
"We want to promote that approach," she said. …

For more Information:
http://espn.go.com/outdoors/conservation/news/2004/0517/1803394.html

(4) Poisoning project slated for Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, CA

In May, the Forest Service approved a proposal to use rotenone and other piscicides in six miles of Silver King Creek, five miles of associated tributary streams, and Tamarack Lake to remove non-native and hybridized trout and restock with threatened Paiute Cutthroat trout. Contacted by concerned advocates in California, Wilderness Watch reviewed the plan and expressed its concerns to the agency. While Wilderness Watch supports efforts to return threatened species to their historic range, we prefer to apply the precautionary principle when dealing with poisons in Wilderness. The affects of rotenone on non-target species is still a matter of debate, though a certain degree of die-off is expected. Poisoning projects are highly manipulative, making them largely unsuitable for areas set aside to remain "untrammeled by man."

That the Forest Service approved the poisoning project without conducting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is disturbing. The proposed action is highly controversial, and poses significant environmental impacts both to the aquatic ecosystem and to the area's wilderness character. The presence of these factors demonstrates that the in-depth analysis of an EIS is needed in order for the public and all the various agencies involved to adequately assess the situation.

For More Information:
TinaMarie Ekker, Wilderness Watch, tmekker@wildernesswatch.org, (406) 542-2048 x2

(5) No new trails for the Buffalo Nat’l River Wilderness, AR

This winter, the National Park Service (NPS) released an environmental assessment (EA) for the potential extension of the Ozark Highlands and Buffalo River Trails. The project seeks to connect the 165-mile Ozark Highlands trail with the Leatherwood Wilderness, creating a through-hike experience for visitors. Hiking groups proposed that this goal be accomplished by constructing nine miles of new trail through the Buffalo National River Wilderness.

At the behest of local Wilderness advocates, Wilderness Watch commented on the EA and expressed its support for Alternative B, a plan that would connect the two areas without new trail construction through the Wilderness. As trails constitute permanent installations in Wilderness, constructing a new trail into this currently undeveloped wilderness would significantly alter and diminish the area's existing wilderness character.

Happily, the NPS agreed. This spring the agency announced its support of Alternative B, stating that this alternative provided the best balance between the protection of the area’s wilderness values and achieving a through-hike experience. As it stands, the new trail will be constructed in non-wilderness lands adjacent to the Wilderness.

For More Information:
TinaMarie Ekker, Wilderness Watch, tmekker@wildernesswatch.org, (406) 542-2048 x2

(6) Join us October 10-13, 2004 for the 40th Anniversary National Wilderness Conference

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, perhaps America’s most important piece of conservation legislation! The historic conference focuses on the history, present-day realities, and future of our National Wilderness Preservation System.

The event will be held in New York at the Fort William Henry Resort & Conference Center located on scenic Lake George, one hour’s drive from the Albany International Airport and just a short distance from historic, scenic and highly accessible Wilderness locations within the "Forever Wild" Adirondack Forest Preserve. The conference starts on October 10 with field trips and runs through October 13 with speakers and panelists representing the great diversity of national and international Wilderness thought and perspective.

The event is organized by national and regional organizations, including the Association for the Protection of the Adirondacks, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Friends of the Clearwater, International Journal of Wilderness, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Sierra Club, and Wilderness Watch. Mark your calendar and join us!
For more information, visit our website at http://www.wilderness40th.org

_____________________________________________________________________________
Since its founding in 1989, Wilderness Watch has pursued its mission as the citizen voice for Wilderness stewardship, giving a voice to the Wilderness and Wild Rivers of our national preservation systems. We seek to preserve our unique natural heritage - the public will articulated by the Wilderness Act and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.

To join Wilderness Watch please visit our website at www.wildernesswatch.org.

If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe from this list, have any questions, or would like to post a news release, please contact Hilary Wood at hwood@wildernesswatch.org. If you prefer the post, please send your letters to:

Wilderness Watch
P.O. Box 9175
Missoula, MT 59807
Phone: (406) 542-2048
Fax: (406) 542-7714
http://www.wildernesswatch.org