Wildlands 2000
April 17, 1999 was a day to remember for wilderness activists in attendance at this historic meeting. At least 30 dedicated activists (well represented by the Subcommittee) met and discussed the progress of Wildlands 2000 efforts so far and the activities that lay ahead. The progress made to date is exciting, however much lays ahead, with at least half of the field checking yet to be completed. Of much excitement is the emergence of several regional groups that are taking on the field checking and proposal writing work for many areas, including the Ventana, Trinity, and Stanislaus regions. Much of the meeting was spent looking ahead and strategizing so that the groundwork is laid for the eventual passage of a new wilderness bill for California.
Our friends at Central Sierra, errr, well, CSERC, for short (sorry, only caught the acronym) provided the day's highlight by unveiling wilderness proposals for approximately 10 different areas in the Stanislaus National Forest. Their proposals immediatley set the standard for the many that are to follow. The proposal for each area includes a summary of the PWA's wilderness values, detailed text describing the proposal and its boundaries, pictures exemplifying its wilderness qualities, and detailed maps illustrating its boundaries.
Seeing the fruits of our efforts proved very motivational for getting out there and field checking!
On March 25, 1999 Sierra Club's California/Nevada Regional Wilderness Committee was granted $5,600 to support Wildlands 2000 trips and $2400 for Nevada inventory trips for 1999. This provides funds to reimburse volunteers for mileage, subsistence, and supplies.
For general info on Wildlands 2000 trips, call or
email
S.F. Bay Chapter Wildlands 2000 coordinator
Jim O’Neill, (510) 428-1474
Wilderness Subcommittee Members and Friends,
Lets see if we can arrange a few Wildlands 2000 outings in April and May. There
are still many Proposed Wilderness Areas to field check, some fairly close to
the Bay Area, and from our past experience, still a lot of fun to be had by all
who participate. Let me know when you are available
during April and May and if you are able to spend a Friday and/or Saturday
night camping out. I would like to have a minimum of 4 participants and two
cars on each outing. It would be very helpful if you would RSVP, so please call
or write me as soon as possible so we can coordinate our efforts.
We can't plan any additional outings until we have a response from you.
Thanks,
Jim O'Neill
510-428-1474
72153.1233@compuserve.com
June 5-6: JOAQUIN ROCKS (April trip postponed due to
rain)--field work and maybe short backpack in a scenic, unique and rugged BLM
area no so far from the Bay Area: jointly with Loma Prieta Chapter--an
important new wilderness proposal, not inventoried by BLM. LaVerne
Ireland (408)778-1295 and Vicky Hoover.
May 15-16: Please contact Jim O'neil for details.
May 8-9: Please contact Jim O'neil for details.
April 16-18: LOON DAYS AT WALKER LAKE -- a very special outreach outing with
Marge Sill (702)322-2867 (signups limited).
April 30-May 2: WALL CANYON in NW Nevada, car camp trip with central commissary
to “the forgotten WSA”--Enjoy permanent streams, volcanic ridges and
canyons;
juniper and sagebrush. Wild Nevada at its remote best. Investigate through both
hiking and boundary route driving. Primitive camps; could be cold. Leaders Stan
Weidert, (530)474-3180 and Vicky Hoover.
May 14 - 17: DIAMOND RANGE . Nevada wilderness inventory trip: visit remote
Diamond Range north of Eureka to map boundaries and impacts and maybe attempt
backpack ascent of the highest spot, Diamond Peak. High clearance needed, 4wd
helpful; Central commissary with Vicky Hoover .
May 28-31: WHITE ROCK RANGE: A Memorial Day journey to the far eastern edge of
Nevada, south of Ely. Inventory work needed to check boundaries of proposed
wilderness. Car camping. The Great Basin at its best - broad expanses, wide
views, snow, mud, flowers, critters and more. High clearance needed, 4wd
helpful; Central commissary with Vicky Hoover.
July 3-5: BLUE LAKES/PINE FOREST RANGE: easy backpack and basecamp trip in a
stunning NW Nevada area -- you wouldn’t believe these alpine Blue Lakes -
go see
them, with Sharon Kiel (702)322-2465. (A really great Nevada mountain place.)
July 31, Aug. 1-2 :EAGLE PEAK ADDITION TO HOOVER WILDERNESS. Join S.F. bay
Chapter wilderness committee in a Wildlands 2000 exploration to their adopted
proposed wilderness; moderate backpack up Eagle Creek to Buckeye Ridge;
optional
climbs of Victoria and Eagle Peaks. Plus an extra day of boundary checking;
central commissary with Vicky Hoover.
Join us. You might like it! Creating Wilderness with map and pencil is fun....
[Current Wilderness
Issues] [Wildlands 2000 Trip Schedule]
[Wilderness Links]
[Wilderness Subcommittee Home]