header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


| Thursday, Mar 14, 2019
Buzzard Peak
Buzzard Peak in Walnut, CA.

 

CalWild praises Tuesday’s enactment of a bill that will safeguard desert lands in southeastern California for future generations to visit and enjoy.

The California Desert Protection and Recreation Act of 2019 was included in a bi-partisan package of land conservation bills signed by President Donald Trump on Tuesday, fulfilling a long-standing commitment to a variety of desert stakeholders. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Representative Paul Cook (R-CA8) worked together for years to vet and craft a balanced bill that garnered the support of a wide array of interests.

The bill was supported by not only conservationists, but also tribes, the U.S. military, local governments, utilities, small businesses, off-road enthusiasts, and many others. In addition to wilderness, National Park, and other conservation measures, the legislation also protects about 300,000 acres of off-road riding areas from mining, energy development, military base expansions, or other decisions that would close them to vehicle use on a permanent basis. The Act also ensures that the U.S. Army’s mission is protected from the impacts of encroachment of incompatible development by permanently protecting lands adjacent to Fort Irwin.

“CalWild worked with Senator Feinstein and Representative Cook for years to move this measure. Passage of this bill harkens back to the good old days when members of Congress would put aside partisanship, roll up their sleeves, and arrive at a compromise in order to get the job done,” said Ryan Henson, CalWild’s Senior Policy Director. Henson added, “We applaud and thank Senator Feinstein and Representative Cook, and all of their staff, for their hard work, determination, and leadership. This legislation being enacted today is given extra meaning, considering it is the 25th anniversary of the passage of Senator Feinstein’s California Desert Protection Act of 1994.” The Senate overwhelming approved the bill by a vote of 92 to 8 and the House passed it by a vote of 363 to 62.

Some of the bill’s conservation measures were years in the making. Local conservationists first asked the Forest Service to study Deep Creek and the Whitewater River – two streams that flow from the San Bernardino Mountains into the Mojave and Coachella Valley – more than thirty years ago. “Passage of this important legislation will protect, for present and future generations, some of the only free flowing streams in the California Desert,” said Steve Evans, Wild Rivers Director for CalWild.

The legislation:
• Protects approximately 375,500 acres of federal land as Wilderness in southeastern California, ranging from the Avawatz Mountains near Death Valley National Park to Milpitas Wash in Imperial County;
• Enlarges Death Valley National Park and Joshua Tree National Park by 43,000 acres;
• Protects as wild and scenic rivers rare oases of surface water in the California Desert, including segments of the Whitewater and Amargosa Rivers, Deep Creek, and Surprise Canyon Creek;
• Establishes the 81,000 acres Vinagre Wash Special Management Area in Imperial County where many ecologically sensitive areas and Native American heritage sites will be protected;
• Designates the Alabama Hills area in Inyo as a National Scenic Area so that its nationally significant vistas are permanently protected, while continuing to allow activities such as filming, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, hunting, fishing, and authorized motorized vehicle use;
• Establishes a Desert Tortoise Conservation Center along the California-Nevada border; and
• Designates or enlarges six open Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) areas (Johnson Valley, Spangler Hills, El Mirage, Rasor, Dumont Dunes, and Stoddard Valley), so that about 300,000 acres are permanently protected for OHV use in the California Desert.
Barbara Durham, Tribal Historic Preservation Office for the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe of Death Valley said, “We are thankful for Senator Dianne Feinstein’s and Representative Paul Cook’s persistence and leadership in getting this bill passed. The Timbisha Shoshone Tribe has supported this bill for many years. This bill is important to the Timbisha people because it gives us peace of mind to know that more of our ancestral lands and sacred sites are finally going to receive the permanent protection that they deserve.”

The measure not only protects sensitive desert water resources, fragile wildlife habitat, and spectacular scenic vistas, but also bolsters tourism which is essential to the economies of desert cities by ensuring public lands remain in their natural state. “The public lands of the California desert draw visitors from around the world, who come to enjoy the area’s wildlife, scenic vistas, and recreation opportunities.” said Kelly Crawford of Joshua Tree Excursions, which provides group tours in Joshua Tree National Park and nearby public lands. “This has created a thriving tourism economy that seems to grow every year as more people discover the desert as a destination. The California Desert Protection and Recreation Act secures this important legacy for residents, businesses, and visitors.”

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
College of the Canyons got back on track during its return to conference play carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
SCVNews.com