December 20, 2002
Washington, D.C. - President Bush has signed into law crucial portions of Senator Barbara Boxer's "California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act of 2002." The wilderness areas are included in a bill authored by Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) that protects Big Sur and the Los Padres Forest in San Benito and Monterey. The bill passed both the House and Senate on November 20.
"I am gratified that more than 54,000 acres of pristine land in Monterey, California, all of which are part of my California Wild Heritage Protection Act, will now be permanently protected as wilderness for this generation and generations to come," said Senator Boxer. "This development is an important first step in our effort to protect the most important and endangered wild areas in California, and I will continue those efforts in the next Congress."
"I am thrilled that we've been able to protect the reach of nature in Monterey and San Benito Counties. I am doubly proud that passage of this bill -- as part of Senator Boxer's California wild heritage bill -- is a first step toward greater wilderness protection in California," said Rep. Farr. "This new wilderness designation for the Los Padres Forest in Monterey and San Benito guarantees unspoiled beauty for the enjoyment of generations to come. I hope this gives the Senator's bill momentum to protect pristine lands throughout the state."
The overall Boxer bill will protect a total of about 2.5 million acres of public lands in 81 different areas across the state, as well as the free-flowing portions of 22 rivers. The legislation protects these areas by designating public lands as "wilderness" and segments of California rivers as "wild and scenic." These areas would remain open for recreational activities, including horseback riding, fishing, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, cross country skiing, and canoeing.
Senator Boxer's California wilderness bill was developed after thousands of hours of consultation and research with local communities, ranchers, local leaders, elected officials, mountain bikers, businesses, youth camps, federal and state agencies, local property owners, and others.
Could this be the same Ms. Boxer who allegedly purchased a large piece of pristine timberland in northern California? As the story goes, upon taking possession of her property she immediately fenced it and posted no-trespassing signs, thereby excluding the hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians who had for years been accustomed to passing through the area. Catering to the eco-extremists and green lobby, she was also a vociferous opponent of off-road vehicle use on public lands, and campaigned hard to get the Forest Service to ban all motorized recreation in the National Forest adjacent to her property.
According to our sources, there was a very large redwood tree located at the highest point on her property. Since she was a dedicated tree-hugger, she decided to get an overview of her land from a perch in the tree. She started to climb the tree, but before she got very far she was attacked by a spotted owl defending its nest. In a panic, she lost her grip and slid down the tree trunk, acquiring numerous splinters in her crotch before reaching the ground.
In considerable pain, she rushed to the nearest doctor, who just happened to be an avid dual-sport motorcycle rider. He listened to her story, examined her injuries, then asked her to wait while he determined how to help her. After keeping her waiting for three hours, the doctor reappeared. The woman was really angry and shouted at the doctor, "What took you so long?"
The doctor smiled politely and replied, "Well, I needed to request permission from the Forest Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Bureau of Land Management, before removing any old-growth timber from a recreational area. I'm sorry to inform you that all the government agencies have turned me down!"
Would this be considered poetic justice for Barbara Boxer?