Alert: Letters needed re: State Wilderness Leg!!

There is a new bill to propose new California State Wilderness including Henry Coe State Park. Please write your CA Assembly members, CA Senators and the sponsors of the legislation to modify the bill to either permit bikes in California Wilderness, or not designate these areas as Wilderness.

Assemblywoman Noreen Evans
Assembly District 7
Sate Capitol
Sacramento, CA 94249-0007
Room 315
916-319-2007
Fax 916-319-2107
Also to the Bill's Co-Sponsor Senator Pat Wiggins
Second Senate District
Room 4081
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 94249-0007
916-651-4002

This web site can help you locate your assembly member
http://www.legislature.ca.gov/port-zipsearch.html
http://www.sen.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/districtmaps.HTP
Fax 916-323-6958

Read more for a sample letter and future actions by IMBA California

I am writing you on behalf of Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers, the oldest Mountain biking advocacy agency, our 350 members and the over 100,000 mountain bikers in San Mateo and Santa Clara County whose interests we protect. We oppose AB 2923 California Wilderness Act, 2008.
ROMP applauds the movement to preserve wild areas in California for high quality outdoor recreation. However, we are in favor of land management designations that allow for a flexible range of sustainable, human powered outdoor recreation while preserving the environment for future generations. Unfortunately the State Wilderness designation is an extremely restrictive land use designation that significantly limits recreation activity, specifically human powered bicycle travel. Additional concern is that some of the land parcels cited in AB 2923 are in counties that have a high percentage of private lands, which already limits outdoor recreation. Adding Wilderness use restrictions would further restrict recreation opportunity. At a time when the state's population is approaching 37 million people, and mountain bike recreation is on the increase, we think it is bad public policy to further limit areas for quality outdoor recreation.
We realize that AB 2923 calls for Wilderness study without actually declaring Wilderness. However in many cases the areas suggested for review are either prime mountain bike destinations or have the potential for mountain bike trail development in the near future. Specifically, ROMP is an active partner with California State Parks in providing safe, sustainable recreational opportunities in Henry Coe State Park in Santa Clara County.
Mountain biking is a very important form of recreation in California. It is a quiet, low-impact, muscle-powered activity. It is promotes healthy lifestyles for kids and adults. There are many high school mountain bike clubs that provide opportunity for physical fitness while at the same time providing the benefits of environmental education. Families find it a way they can all recreate together. There are millions of mountain bicyclists in the state who enjoy riding their bikes in remote backcountry areas on narrow trails. Hence, we work to protect these areas in order to meet the increasing demand for this form of recreation. Unfortunately, the State Wilderness designation excludes bicyclists. When new legislation is proposed that has a potentially negative impact on mountain biking trails and future biking opportunities, we seek modifications by altering language, providing bike corridors, or enabling other less restrictive land use designations that allow our form of recreation.
Mountain biking is a strong economic driver in California. Cyclists contribute millions of dollars annually to the purchase of equipment, food and lodging as well as fees for public land access. The majority of the bicycling industry's central headquarters resides in California. Companies such as Shimano American Corp., Specialized, Giant and Santa Cruz Bicycles are headquartered in California because of the significant consumer demands of the cycling community. California already has thousands of acres of declared State Wilderness. The state also has 13% (by acreage) of the Federal Wilderness System, second only to Alaska with 14%. Declaring more lands as Wilderness essentially restricts recreation opportunity and has the net affect of causing overcrowding in other areas, leading to negative environmental impacts and conflict between trail users.
We feel it is important to protect remote and wild areas. We also think it is vitally important to provide opportunities for healthy, human-powered outdoor activities with minimal environmental impact. Mountain biking is such an activity. We endeavor to support land use designations that meet the needs of both bicyclists and the environment.
We support efforts to protect California's unique public lands, but we
also support a prudent approach that recognizes the need for
sustainable recreation for millions of Californians.