Get the Facts Right on Sespe

I was disappointed to read the Oct. 27 letter to the editor from Chuck Bennett, in which he made some inaccurate statements about potential national wild and scenic designation for the Sespe Creek.

Mr. Bennett bases his opposition to designation of the entire Sespe on the premise that if the river were designated wild and scenic, “we would have to kick four miles of families off property they own and have worked for generations.” This statement is inaccurate.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act does not require nor encourage the acquisition of property along a designated wild and scenic river. Thousands of individual landowners live along designated wild and scenic segments, enjoying not only the important resource values protected by designation but often higher land values as well.

While acquisition of private lands within designated scenic corridors is allowed by the act, lands along rivers such as the Sespe, which are primarily federally owned, may be bought on a willing seller basis only. Actually, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act cuts back the condemnation authority of the Forest Service within the boundaries of a national forest.

Secondly, Mr. Bennett contends that 32% of California rivers are already designated wild and scenic and cites a national average of 4%. In fact, less than 7% of California’s rivers and streams are designated wild and scenic. Furthermore, according to National Park Service figures, the 125 rivers protected within the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system make up only 0.2% of all rivers in the Lower 48 states.

While we respect Mr. Bennett’s views on this matter, we believe that he does a disservice to the public in presenting incorrect information on an issue as contentious and important as the protection of the Sespe.

KEVIN J. COYLE

President, American Rivers

Washington, D.C.