Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today agreed to cosponsor a measure introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) that would designate approximately 115,000 acres in Sequoia-Kings Canyon as wilderness.

A “wilderness” designation would ensure that these lands are given the highest level of federal protection for public land. This designation will prevent future development, but allow the areas to remain open to the public for recreational activities such as camping, hiking, and horseback riding.  

“This land represents some of California’s most rugged and remote natural beauty.   This legislation would provide the highest level of federal protection for 115,000 acres of remote wilderness lands within the majestic Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park – without sacrificing existing recreational use. These wilderness lands include diverse groves of ancient redwood sequoias, as well as pine, cypress and fir trees. It will also protect soaring craggy peaks, glacial caverns, sweeping valleys lined with wildflowers and chaparral, and several species of rare and endangered woodland and river creatures,” Senator Feinstein said. “So, I thank my colleague Senator Boxer for her leadership in preserving these spectacular lands for future generations of visitors to enjoy.”
 
The proposed wilderness area in the legislation sponsored by Senator Boxer (S. 1774) would include the Redwood Mountain Grove, the largest Giant Sequoia grove within the Park.  It also includes California’s longest cave and the Old Hockett Trail, one of the first cross-Sierra routes in the southern Sierra Nevada range.  The land is home to many wild animals, including the California Spotted Owl and the Golden Eagle.

Nearly 70,000 acres of this proposed wilderness area in Mineral King Valley, would be named after John Krebs, a former Fresno County Supervisor and U.S. Congressman. Krebs was a tireless champion of projecting Mineral King from development – and was central to transferring these lands into the Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park in 1978.

A companion measure (H.R. 3022) has been introduced in the House by Representative Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Devin Nunes (R-Calif.).  It was approved by the House on June 9.

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