March 22, 2007
Mr. Andrew Stephens
2429 Mohawk Street, Unit 1
Pasadena, California 91107
Dear Mr. Stephens:
Thank you for writing me to express your support for new wilderness designations. I
appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.
I am a strong proponent of wilderness designations and I am always willing to carefully
consider legislation that designates new lands for protection. Last Congress I was an
original cosponsor the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act, which
was signed into law by President Bush on October 17, 2006. This comprehensive bill
preserved unique landscapes and diverse ecosystems of California's coastal region by
designating certain public lands as wilderness in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake,
and Napa Counties and designating segments of the Black Butte River in Mendocino
County as a Wild and Scenic River. Along with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), I
cosponsored the "Eastern Sierra Rural Heritage and Economic Enhancement Act," which
did not become law, but is likely to be reintroduced during the 110th Congress.
In the 109th Congress, I voted to support the "Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2005," which
would designate lands in the Skykomish River Valley, Washington as Wild Sky
Wilderness. As the author of the California Desert Protection Act, which created the
Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park, and Death Valley National Park
and protected over seven million acres of land I will keep your comments in mind should
the Senate consider future legislation about wilderness designations.
Once again, thank you for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your views with
me in the future. If you have any additional comments or inquiries, please do not hesitate
to contact my Washington,
D.C. office at (202) 224-3841.
Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator