Senate Passes Legislation to Protect Northern California Wilderness

The Senate today passed U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act, which would protect approximately 300,000 acres of public lands in California.

“This bill ensures that some of Northern California's most treasured wild places will remain wild,” Boxer said. “By protecting the natural beauty that is part of California's identity, future generations will be able to cherish and enjoy this land.”

Boxer's bill will protect select areas in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake Mendocino and Napa counties by designating portions of the public land as “wilderness.” The bill also designates a free flowing portion of the Black Butte river as “wild and scenic.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)is the lead cosponsor of the legislation in the Senate. Congressman Mike Thompson (also D-CA) introduced the House version of the bill.

Boxer said,“I would like to send my gratitude to the many wonderful Californians who contributed to this community effort. I would also like to thank Senator Feinstein and Congressman Mike Thompson for their leadership.”

Feinstein said,“The King Range is a vast and beautiful tract of land. It is one of California's great environmental treasures. That's why I'm so pleased that the Senate has approved legislation to protect 300,000 acres along California's northern coast including the King Range. Senator Boxer and Representative Thompson have shown great leadership in moving this bill forward. It is my hope that this bill will be passed by the House and signed into law by the President soon.”

Thompson said, “Today the North Coast Wilderness Bill cleared a major hurdle on the track to putting this important legislation on the president's desk. Without Sen. Boxer's and Sen. Feinstein's hard work this bill would not have passed the Senate.”