Celebrating 10 years of historic land preservation
10 years of preservation
The 2006 passage of H.R. 233, marks the culmination of many years of hard work by countless people.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act. Signed into law in 2006, this legislation protected 273,000 acres of wilderness and 21 miles of a Wild and Scenic River, and set aside approximately 51,000 acres as a Recreational Management Area for off-highway vehicles and mountain bikes. These public lands are located in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino and Napa Counties, the Black Butte River in Mendocino County, and the Recreation Management Area in Mendocino and Lake Counties.
To mark this significant anniversary, communities throughout Northern California are holding a series of events, including hikes and restoration projects with school children, veterans, members of local Native American Tribes and more. These activities are aimed at encouraging local families and residents to explore these special places and highlighting the local commitment to protecting these public lands for future generations.
“America's wilderness represents the things we love about being American - our free spirit, our sense of adventure and our passion for exploring the unknown. This designation marks a tremendous victory for conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts and all Americans who care for the outdoors.”
Representative Mike Thompson, Oct. 17th, 2006
THE VALUE OF THESE PROTECTED LANDS & RIVERS
A decade later, we continue to benefit from the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act. These benefits include clean water, the preservation of iconic wildlife, access for recreation activities like hiking, fishing, boating, hunting and more.
Water
Black Butte Wild and Scenic River and sections of the Eel River are among those protected by this legislation. These rivers help provide water for the region’s agriculture as well as clean drinking water for adjacent communities.
Wildlife
These forests and rivers are home to bears, bald eagles, elk, steelhead trout and salmon. Cache Creek Wilderness, for example, hosts the second largest wintering bald eagle population in California and a herd of rare tule elk (the world’s smallest elk).
Recreation
From fishing, swimming and boating in Cache Creek to hiking the iconic Lost Coast Trail, these lands present a unique opportunity to experience the unspoiled grandeur of nature. King Range Wilderness, for example, includes the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the United States outside of Alaska.
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