Mono Supervisors Back Wilderness Bill

Written by Tony Dublino

Thursday, 07 August 2008

The Mono County Supervisors have directed staff to write a letter stating their support for the Boxer/McKeon Wilderness Bills, and to place it on the regular agenda for August 19th. Congressman McKeon’s staffer Bob Hauter was present to explain some last minute changes, and explained to the Supes that their support amounts to a lot in Washington. The support of the local governing bodies is crucial information for other congressmen and women who may not be familiar with the areas in question, Hauter said. According to comments made at the meeting, the letter of support should earn a unanimous 5-0 endorsement from the Board. Chairwoman Bauer, who respectfully asked the roomful of citizens to forego comments unless they had not already been heard, went on to say that she supported the bill, and that she appreciated the level of detail that went into the newest version. For Supervisors Farnetti and Hunt in Mammoth, the decision was “easy.” Both acknowledge that their constituencies overwhelmingly support the legislation, and they have supported it from the beginning. For other Supervisors, an endorsement has been more difficult. Supervisor Hazard explained that his constituents are “evenly divided” between the two sides. Hazard explained that he was not ready to move forward at the June meeting because of lingering concerns. He was told at that time they would be addressed, and they have been. “I cannot ask for any more,” Hazard said, and is now ready to sign on. Reid believes the majority of his constituents are against this bill, but explained that those same constituents have been largely absent from the public debate on the issue when the supporters of the bills have been a visible presence throughout. “I’m personally not a big fan of Wilderness,” Reid told the room, but has said in the past that the legislation did not include any deal breakers for him, and he is ready to sign on. The Supervisors' 5-0 vote directing staff to prepare the letter was greeted with hearty applause. Comments (2) Subscribe to this comment's feed Jay Wheaton said:   What are the county supervisors thinking? The county is looking for ways to increase revenue people don't come to the eastern sierra to see the wilderness, they come to enjoy the recreation it provides. People spend money here buying gas,food,clothing,fishing equipment,and other outdoor supplies. Eliminating precious open land only reduces the consumption of local retail sales. Tell tourist their favorite ohv area is no longer open and you will lose them and others as paying tourist. Families don't spend money in the wilderness. August 08, 2008 Tracy Walters said:   The Boxer/McKeon wildnerness bill does not meet the criteria set forth describing 'wilderness' when the act was passed in 1964. The many roads and trails that have been 'cherry stemmed' in can easily be eliminated in future years, depriving the public of access to these lands. This bill should not be passed in its current state. In order for it to qualify as actual 'wilderness' the boundaries should be moved back so as not to encompass lands that have much visible evidence of mans presence. August 14, 2008 Write comment Show/Hide comment form Name Email Comment Write the displayed characters Add Comment