WITH its plate full on issues of health care, climate change and war funding, Congress can be excused for putting wilderness protection on the back burner.
But there's a growing movement among local clergy, city councils and environmental groups to seek added congressional protection to portions of the Angeles National Forest, its rivers, habitat and wild animal species.
Judging by the recent forest fires, including the Morris Fire, which burned 2,168 acres, and the Station Fire, which burned 161,000 acres, now may be the best time to work to preserve select wilderness areas that are often in great peril.
Some of our local city councils agree and we credit them for their forward thinking. Pasadena, Claremont, Glendora, La Ca ada Flintridge, La Verne and San Dimas have endorsed additional wild land and wild rivers protection for select areas of the San Gabriel Mountains.The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments also supports the concept.
Why does the forest need special wilderness protection?
In the Angeles, current uses can include mining, hunting, adding roadways and recreation uses. A federal forest is designated for managing natural resources and recreation. Granting wilderness protection would preclude resources from being taken out of the wilderness area, as well as some recreational uses such as motorcycles and mountain bikes.
San Gabriel Mountains Forever, which includes Glendora businessman Art Ludwick and the Rev. Art Cribbs of San Marino, wants to add to existing designated wilderness areas, such as the Sheep Wilderness. By adding lands west of Highway 39 and south of Highway 2, it will protect the Nelson's Bighorn sheep and the mountain yellow-legged frogs, both endangered species. Expanding this wilderness will expand protections for the sheep to roam to obtain food and to mate. Other areas suggested for additional protection include canyons of the San Gabriel River, a portion of the mountains between Mt. Baden Powell and Mt. Hawkins, the upper slopes of Mt. San Antonio and the upper Lytle Creek watershed as well as natural areas along the West Fork of San Gabriel River.
Rep. David Dreier, R-San Dimas, whose district includes much of the San Gabriels, is supportive of the concept. His staff says he was crafting legislation about it but was sidetracked when the Station Fire broke out.
Starting in 2010, Dreier, as well as other members of the San Gabriel Valley congressional caucus, should fashion a bill that will protect these key areas of our mountains, while keeping the bulk of the 655,000-acre Angeles National Forest open to the full range of recreational uses.
With more acreage lost to an arsonist's mayhem, we need to protect our local wild lands, wild rivers and endangered species now more than ever.