IN SUPPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT PROTECTION ACT
All of us who love the desert and enjoy being there, should support this legislation. This includes the Desert Peaks Section, Sierra Club, 4W Drive Clubs, Campers, Motor bike riders, small ranchers, prospectors, and all desert people living there. There is one common bond among us all; that is, the love of the desert. While there are businesses and individuals who are there only for economic gain, most of us who live, work, or visit the desert, do so for the beauty, freedom, space and challenge that it provides.
If this Act should fail, it may be the beginning of the end of the desert as we now know it. There are many disagreements among us regarding its use, the extent of protection and regulation. I personally would like to have the desert as it was some 20 years ago when I fell in love with it. Barstow was only a few square blocks, Mojave had only two cafes and the desert area actually started from the L.A. city limits with few restrictions of where you could travel. We all know that my wish can't come true. As we are sitting and arguing the future, progress is swallowing up more and more desert land as ever increasing number of people move into the area. Waiting for another, "better" proposal, will be too late!. It took many years to put this together.
The Act will protect some areas from development and abuse, and assure that we will have part of the desert, as it is now, for the future. The National Park designation provides a area the greatest degree of protection, while the BLM's managed lands offer the least. The removal of BLM's protection can be accomplished without Congressional action. The Act would establish two new National Parks and a number of Wilderness Areas. This would provide those areas with a high degree of protection, while still allowing the desert lover access. As with any law or regulation, some freedom is lost. However, it is better to protect the desert when it is there than to wait when there is no desert to protect.
Now, let's put the high ideals and motherhood aside and address our concerns. Some of the more knowledgeable desert people (and the writer) have reviewed the proposed areas covered by the Act. Aside from two minor exceptions, all DPS Peaks will be accessible. The two exceptions are still achievable but require a longer hike. Necessary modifications have been requested.
The Act as it now stands, represents the best that the environmentalists can hope for. It now will be challenged by various special interest groups and when it is settled, it will be less than what it is now.
I hope that all of you will put your selfish desires aside, as I will also, and wholeheartedly support this California Desert Protection Act.
