Saving a Jewel in our Backyard
Commentary by Maria Gutzeit
My husband and I just got back from a fabulous vacation biking and hiking through numerous national parks in Utah and Arizona. One of the first interesting pieces of mail I got upon my return was a postcard mailer on Rep. Buck McKeon's pending legislation, H.R. 5149. What a convenient coincidence.
We've always loved the outdoors. The reason I specified "west of the Mississippi" when interviewing for my first job after college was that I love the West. Compared to the Midwest and the East, where I was born, the West, even today, is wilder and less polished - less tamed.
The reason I have stayed close to Santa Clarita all these years is the ease of "getting out of town." We can go to the beach or the mountains without sitting in gridlock for hours. My absolute favorite place to go is the Eastern Sierra - the very place McKeon's bill seeks to protect.
For those of you who haven't yet been there, the Eastern Sierras are an uncrowded jewel on the backside of Yosemite. The sense of space and peacefulness is like none other. We try to go every year, since it's only a 4- to 5-hour drive, traffic-free. It's dog-friendly too. Unlike in national parks, your pups can head out on the trail with you. Some years, we don't make it up for a visit, but just the idea that it is there, waiting for us to escape to it, is wonderful. It is an outdoor lover's haven.
What McKeon's bill would do is add a layer of protection to some of the federal lands in Inyo and Mono counties, near the area of Bishop and Mammoth Lakes. This measure, endorsed by Inyo and Mono county supervisors, would protect the fabulous recreation in the area by designating it as wilderness. Support has also come from businessmen, environmentalists, Republicans, Democrats and landowners from Santa Clarita northward.
Why is the mailer asking us to express support for McKeon's bill? Because lawmakers in Washington, D.C., may not know how much we value the great outdoors here in California. A "wilderness" designation will protect pristine areas from further development while still allowing the activities we enjoy, such as camping, hunting, skiing and fishing.
Many folks are unfamiliar with the "wilderness" designation.
Way back in 1968, Edward Abbey wrote about his summers in some of the West's remarkable public lands in his book, "Desert Solitaire." Nearly 40 years ago he told of the push to pave and allegedly "civilize" the national parks. His suggestions? Ban automobiles from parks. Build no new roads in parks, and keep the existing roads for bicycles and shuttles. Get the rangers out of the ticket booths and back onto the trails to assist people. His radical idea was to divert money from road repairs to ranger guide services, free to the public.
In his crusty way, he said people should be allowed to "take risks, for God's sake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American."
Even for those needing a bit of help or not willing to be buried under avalanches, he said wild areas would allow "a man on foot, on horseback" to "see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than motorized tourists can in a hundred miles."
I concur wholeheartedly.
One reason businesses support H.R. 5149 is that it will fuel the tourism industry. People need to buy gear such as tents, skis and hiking boots, and they use other services such as hotels and grocery stores. Trip outfitters can take people deep into the wilderness by horseback, and tour guides and related services will exist for those not willing to completely rough it.
Wilderness areas, such as the one proposed by McKeon in the Eastern Sierra, are protected and accessible so that people of all skill levels can enjoy and have their wild experience.
Protecting places like this isn't just good for those of us in the suburbs who want to get away; wilderness also creates jobs for the Eastern Sierra community.
Coming off of two weeks spent solely on bike and on foot - sheepishly I admit the tour van carried our luggage - one of the first things I realized was how great our wild lands are, and how lucky we are to have them. I also noticed how living out of a duffle bag leaves you free to focus on what's around you - the simple change of weather and seasons. Most importantly, with no TV, newspaper or cell phone, you really get to know the people you're with.
McKeon's legislation will protect recreation areas right in our backyard. Approximately 40,000 acres of land would be designated as wilderness and left for hikers, fishermen, equestrians and trip outfitters.
Generations to come, those seeking a temporary break from "progress" in our great metropolis, will be able to take their families to this pristine area to be refreshed and revitalized.
The beauty and history of the Eastern Sierras mean so much to so many in Santa Clarita. With Congress back in session, please act now to urge Buck McKeon and his fellow representatives to prioritize and pass H.R. 5149 this year.
For more on H.R. 5149, visit www.californiawild.org/EasternSierra.html. Maria Gutzeit is a Santa Clarita resident. Her column reflects her own views, and not necessarily those of The Signal.
Copyright:The Signal==================================================================
BSRanch Perspective
This H.R. 5149 is a little bit much, what she has written is an area that is and has been covered for a great deal of time. Yosemite, has been a national park for years and this is a large part of this park. but they should relax some of the area in the White Mountains, becuase that area has been used and by generations of Bishop Living Natives for Trail Drives 4X4 Drives, and althought the Whites are a Beutiful String of Desert Moutains, that is just what they are. The area that needs to be preserved is just that of the Bristlcone Tree area, and that is all. The Mountain Trails East of Bishop, should be allowed to be used for that of Trail drives Deer Hunting and the like. They have been used for Generations upon Generations. When I grew up I learned how to drive in the White Mountains, We drove up, over and down into Fish Lake Valley, which is the next valley East of the Owens Valley.
So, I know that there are Bristlecone Pines growing and have been growing in the White Mountain range since before Big Pine was a Town Ship Located 15 miles S/of Bishop, and 15 miles South of where the area that I learned how to drive and stay on the road.
So, when they say that the area should be allowed to have trailes re-opended I say that it should be in the White Moutains in the esatern sierra Moutains. !!
BSRanch
No comments:
Post a Comment