SB 2535 would continue to hamstring vital resource-based industries
by more unbalanced over-regulation
Forest products
Beef production
Rebuttal
Most of the wilderness that SB 2535 would create is a poor candidate for commercial development. It's not easy for most forms of commercial activity to be profitable when they rely on activities in remote areas with transportation access that is awkward at best, nonexistent at worst.
As the Chambers suggest, only resource-based activities are candidates for wildland enterprises. Mining would be a candidate for an industry that might be impacted -- SB 2535's boundary adjustment on the south side of Death Valley might possibly impact current or future mining in that area. In case it does, we should ask whether our public interests are best served by the recreational value of the Death Valley area or by the value of ore from a few mines. My vote goes to recreation amid this remarkable landscape.
Grazing is possible in some of the Sierra mountain meadows during summer, but cattle must be moved to lower elevations for winter. Most of the areas that SB 2535 proposes as wilderness are unfit for grazing: Many are too rocky, too arid, too hot. Often topography combines with these factors to limit herd size -- Foothill and valley areas tend to be better candidates for grazing land. SB 2535 is a proposal for lands that tend to be extreme in one way or another, ranging from the high and relatively barren alpine areas of the White Mountains to the shimmering heat of Death Valley.
A few of the proposed wilderness areas could have another tradeoff between forestry and recreational uses. The Caples Creek and Meiss areas could be logged, but at what cost? Here's what the US Forest Service's Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit says to introduce Meiss Country:
Meiss Country is a spectacular area for exploring. Though not designated a wilderness by Congress, this 20 square mile area between Luther Pass (Hwy. 89) and Carson Pass (Hwy. 88) contains 6 major lakes in a glacial sub-alpine zone.The Forest service lists Meiss Country among wilderness areas near Lake Tahoe. These areas, already designated in law as wilderness, are the Desolation Wilderness, Mokelumne Wilderness, Granite Chief Wilderness, and the Mt. Rose Wilderness. SB 2535 proposes one other area in El Dorado County proposed to become wilderness: Caples Creek. Here is part of the description of this area given by the California Wilderness Coalition:
The Caples Creek proposed wilderness is a jumble of granite domes and large boulders interspersed with lush meadows, healthy mountain streams, and scattered old-growth forest. ... As the headwaters of the Silver Fork of the American River, the Caples Creek area is an especially important source of cold, clear water for wildlife and people downstream. The majority of the Caples Creek region is proposed as wilderness by the U.S. Forest Service, a reflection of the area's popularity and scenic nature.Wilderness designation is intended in part to preserve these recreational opportunities, this watershed, and this ecosystem. Would we, the public, be better served by logging such an area? Not in my opinion.The ancient forest, meadows, lakes, and streamside habitat supports a vast array of wildlife, perhaps including the elusive willow flycatcher, wolverine, great gray owl, and Sierra Nevada red fox. Swimmers, hikers, picnickers, climbers, and equestrians frequently visit the area due to its beauty and easy access off of Highway 88. Spectacular summer wildflower displays especially attract recreationists. The Lake Margaret Trail is popular both for its awesome wildflower displays and easy grade...",