A stack of 400 letters from local residents who are asking Rep. David Dreier (R-San Dimas) to introduce legislation to protect the San Gabriel Mountains was delivered to the Congressman’s office last Wednesday.
To date, more than 1,500 letters and postcards have been sent to Rep. Dreier asking him to introduce a bill to help preserve the San Gabriel Mountains with proposed Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River protections. But the clock is ticking for legislation to be passed this Congressional session. After legislation is introduced, it requires a Congressional hearing and reviews.
San Gabriel Mountains Forever, a diverse partnership of business owners, residents, faith and community leaders, conservation groups and others have been working to build grassroots support to protect this majestic and heavily visited “backyard” of urban Los Angeles. So far, nine cities have passed resolutions or signed letters of support, and many organizations and individuals are backing the plan.
Their goal is to complete the system of existing wilderness in the San Gabriel Mountains and to add new protections for its most critical waterways. San Gabriel Mountains Forever is working to add about 30,000 acres to three existing federal Wilderness areas: Sheep Mountain, Cucamonga and San Gabriel. It is also seeking Wild and Scenic River protections for portions of the San Gabriel River (east, west and north forks), San Antonio Creek and Middle Fork Lytle Creek.
The San Gabriel range is the landmark feature of the Angeles National Forest. The forest is an irreplaceable natural resource that gives Los Angeles County 70% of its open space and more than one-third of its drinking water. It is also one of the most visited national forests in the country, with millions of annual visitors who hike, fish, hunt, camp, picnic and sight-see among the ruggedly scenic peaks that soar skyward more than 10,000 feet.
Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River protections will protect crucial watersheds, preserve the mountains’ unspoiled beauty, protect species habitat for many rare and endangered species, and conserve outstanding features like the 75-foot San Antonio Falls and some of the best native trout fishing in Southern California.
According to a poll last August, this proposal is strongly supported by 75% of voters in local communities. Congressman Dreier indicated last fall that he would introduce legislation.