Senator Cranston and Seymour held a hearing on the California Desert Protection Act on 4 April 1992, in the city of Palm Desert. Many people came, but most of them were off-roaders, and miners who where in opposition to the Act. The supporters were outnumbered ten to one. Seymour was clearly, against the Act and seemed also to be against the Sierra Club.
The testimony given by the supporters, in my opinion, was superior to the one given by the opposition. Supporters included many scientists, and government representatives from various communities.
The hearing was fairly orderly, except for few tasteless and obnoxious outbursts by few members from the opposition. Both sides had booths and displays of posters and information. Elden Hughes and Patty Carpenter brought their growing family of desert tortoises, and the Herpetological Society had a live display of reptiles.
After this hearing, the Bill goes to the Senate Committee on Public Lands and Parks, under the leadership of Senator Dale Bumpers. Letters should be written to him in support of the 921 bill, addressed 308 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510.
When the Committee passes the bill, it will go before the full Senate, and then to President Bush. Bush is expected to veto it. Should this happen, we will have to wait for an environmental administration to get it through.
Maris Valkass
ONE-MINUTE VERBAL TESTIMONY ON S-21:
A third generation California Native who grew up in Blythe, I'm a 20-year Sierra Club Member, past chair of both the Desert Peaks Sections and Hundred Peaks Sections of the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club & lead many Sierra Club hikes & climbs & have climbed all 97 peaks on the DPS list twice.
S-21 is a terrible bill that locks up 60% of the remaining California Desert and will cause us an extra 54 miles of flat desert hiking to reach 9 of our listed peaks. Desert hikers & climbers lose roadheads for the following peaks: Last Chance Mtn, Saline, Maturango in Argus Range, Pahrump in Nopah Range, Avawatz, Granite, Turtle, Spectre in the Coxcombs, Black Butte in Chuckwallas.
Must we lock up another 8.4 million acres like a Disneyland Diorama behind glass to preserve it? Must we go to Baja & Arizona to hike & camp in the desert? Most of us who use and enjoy the desert urge you to JUST SAY NO!!!