Chat with Chic, January 23, 1987

Chat with Chic A Report from Washington FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: MIKE MILLER January 23, 1987 (202) 224-6244 CHAT WITH CHIC One of the most controversial issues facing the Nevada Congressional Delegation this year is wilderness. Most everyone believes that some of our land should be protected for future generations to enjoy, but the question is how much and where? Last year, during a series of hearings I conducted throughout the State, it became clear that most Nevadans support a limited amount of land designated as wilderness. Most people, especially those who reside close to proposed wilderness areas, support the continuation of the "multiple land-use" concept that has served us so well over the years. Those who supported large areas of wilderness spoke up at hearings in Reno and Las Vegas where the austere land designation is greatly misunderstood. To many city dwellers, wilderness means parks and recreation areas. They don't realize that young children, senior citizens, and the handicapped would be unable to backpack through rugged terrain without benefit of roads or vehicles. Also, there would be no hotels or places to eat at, or to buy a cool drink. The proponents of large areas of wilderness contend the land designation would not restrict outdoor activities. Don't count on it! My colleague from California, Senator Pete Wilson, has asked the U.S. Forest Service to loosen restrictive usage rules on the Granite Chief Wilderness Area near Lake Tahoe, which threaten to bring an end to the traditional Western States Endurance Run and Western States Trail Ride. Senator Wilson's request is in response to the blanket prohibition of endurance runs and endurance trail rides through the Granite Chief Wilderness Area, which was designated as a % Wilderness area under the 1984 California Wilderness Act, which Wilson co-authorized. It is interesting to note that in a letter to the Forest Service, the California Senator stated he had not only sought to protect wilderness areas, but also to allow for maximum use of these areas consistent with wilderness values. "It is important to protect the natural, unspoiled beauty of our State," Wilson said. "Events such as the Western States Endurance Run and Trail Ride, however, exemplify the types of appropriate human uses of wilderness areas." Wilson asked the Forest Service to reconsider its present policy, and opt to evaluate endurance events in wilderness areas on a case-by-case basis. The Western States Endurance Ride, founded by Wendell T. Robie, who was instrumental in preserving the Western States Trail in the Sierra Nevadas, has been held for the past thirty years. The endurance run was added as an event in 1974. The designated route runs from Squaw Valley to Auburn; a distance of 100 miles. Rural Nevadans expressed a great deal of good common sense during my wilderness hearings last year. Jack McCloskey's recent editorial in the Mineral County Independent, summed up their feelings best: "Frankly, we are opposed to all so-called wilderness bills because no matter how 'beneficial' they are made to sound, the fact remains that any wilderness buffs who love the Godforsaken areas of Nevada, can be directed to them without benefit of an Act of Congress. Once there, they may need more assistance than Congress can provide if they intend to return safely to civilization." Those who claim that last year's Senate election was a referendum on wilderness should stop by and talk to Jack.