Wilderness Act Excludes South County Treasures
Re “Wilderness Bill Proposed,” May 11:
As a California resident who is concerned about the destruction of our remaining wild places, I am pleased about Sen. Barbara Boxer’s announcement of the California Wild Heritage Act of 2002. This act will protect 2.5 million roadless acres on National Forest, Bureau of Land Management and National Park lands in California as wilderness and ensure that future generations will be able to experience the wonder of unspoiled nature.
As an Orange County resident, however, I was sorely disappointed that this act includes none of the beautiful wild areas in our own Cleveland National Forest. This is all the more disturbing because the California Wilderness Coalition has identified southern Orange County as one of the 10 most-threatened wild areas in the state.
The Cleveland National Forest already belongs to the people. But that doesn’t mean it is safe from development. All of the areas recommended for inclusion in the California Wild Heritage Act by the Santa Ana Mountains Task Force, a group of Sierra Club volunteers dedicated to protecting the Cleveland, are at risk. Morrell Canyon is threatened by a hydroelectric project; Ladd Canyon is being eyed by Riverside County officials as a possible route for a new freeway; and a utility corridor already separates the Coldwater Canyon area from Ladd Canyon.
These areas are among the few remaining wild places in our urbanized county. They, and we, deserve better.
Ulrike Luderer
Irvine
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