Local wilderness supporters and a broad coalition of conservation groups announced the US House of Representative’s passage of the California Desert and Mountain Heritage Act (HR 3682) on June 9.

Representative Mary Bono Mack’s (R-CA) desert, forest and river conservation bill for Riverside County next goes before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Rep. Bono Mack’s legislation would permanently protect more than 190,000 acres across four new wilderness areas, including South Fork San Jacinto and the Pinto Mountains, and six additions to existing wilderness areas, among them Joshua Tree National Park, a press release stated.

It would also expand the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument by approximately 8,000 acres and add 31 miles Advertisement
of four rivers to the National Wild and Scenic River System, according to the press release.

Together, these protections will ensure that a broad range of family recreational opportunities, such as hiking, hunting, horseback riding, bird watching and camping, remain widely available in Riverside County for future generations.

Congresswoman Bono Mack and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who is sponsoring companion legislation in the Senate, spent nearly two years consulting with diverse stakeholders and making numerous accommodations to address local concerns.

As a result, the bill is supported by a wide range of local interests, including Riverside County supervisors, municipalities, chambers of commerce, realtors, equestrians and businesses.

Visit www.desertmountainwild.org/lands_rivers.html for a map and area descriptions.

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