Tell Congress to Change California Wilderness Bill

Action Alert

King Range in CA

For Immediate Release
07-07-05
Contact: Mark Eller, IMBA Communications Specialist

303-545-9011 ext. 115

Mountain bikers nationwide are urged to ask Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR), the chairman of the House Resources Subcommittee on Forest and Forest Health, to delay action on the Northern California Wilderness bill until compromises are reached to accommodate mountain biking.

The Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act (S.128/H.R. 233) would designate more than 300,000 acres as Wilderness and ban mountain biking from 170 miles of singletrack trails. The bill has already passed a Senate committee and will be considered by the House mid-summer. IMBA will testify in front of the committee in Washington, D.C. on this important legislation.

IMBA remains dedicated to land conservation and believes that the Wilderness designation is just one of many tools that should be employed to protect wild places. When proposed Wilderness areas include significant mountain biking opportunities, IMBA suggests alternative land designations that protect natural areas while preserving access for bicycles.