The San Diego Chapter, with almost 1,000 members, heartily endorses the principal of the Wilderness Act and most respectfully urges the Public Lands Subcommittee to uphold the Wilderness Act of 1964 in its entirety and specifically in regard to the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. Respectfully submitted. MIRIAM ANDERSON, Secretary. LA QUINTA, CALIF. RESOLUTION OPPOSING COMMERCIALIZING OF THE SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS AREA Whereas the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area is being threatened by the possible deletion of one of its choicest areas for the benefit of commercial interests which was not the intent of the recently passed Wilderness Act, and Whereas this wilderness has been used for many years by youth groups and others, many of whom live in cities and have little other contact with nature, and Whereas the increased use by those not versed in the use of the wilderness may be careless with fire, and Whereas the building of roads, parking lots and ski-lifts would necessitate the cutting of many trees, which would cause erosion of the mountainsides, therefore, be it resolved, That the Coachella Valley Garden Club at a special meeting in La Quinta, California on November 3, 1965 opposes the deletion of any part of the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area as set forth in H.R. 6891 (Dyal), H.R. 7490 (Corman), H.R 7654 (Leggett), H.R. 8033 (Hawkins), H.R. 8176 (H. T. Johnson), and H.R 8859 (Roosevelt). Adopted November 3, 1965. PUBLIC LANDS SUBCOMMITTEE: Mrs. KERN H. COPELAND, President. FONTANA GARDEN CLUB, Fontana, Calif., October 30, 1965. The Fontana Garden Club is still opposed to opening up San Gorgonio to commercial interests in any form. We had hoped after this was rejected before that we would not have to keep reminding our representatives that we are very much opposed to ski lifts or commercial interests taking over the area as planned. We are mainly interested in preserving the wildlife and wilderness for the future. Reasons are many, but we do want to go on record again as opposed to all the bills to open up this area to commercial interests. Yours truly, LETA WILLIS. PUBLIC LANDS SUBCOMMITTEE, IDYLLWILD PROTECTIVE LEAGUE, INC., GENTLEMEN: Our organization, of over 500 members, wishes to go on record in opposition to the legislation which would allow commercialization of the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. We are in the San Jacinto mountains, where we have had ample opportunity to see how such control of public lands by private interests works. The Winter Park Authority, was given, without charge, the use of four sections of State land, and now are operating a tramway. It was to be a gateway to the wilderness but has been, instead, a way of exploiting the wilderness for private gain. It has been unsuccessful, financially, and has caused desecration of the area. We see how impossible it is to turn back, once the step has been taken. The public has been kept in ignorance of the real intent to develop a ski area in the San Gorgonio area, nor did they reveal that they were offered other land for their desired use. This is the choice spot and they will have no other. If this legislation is passed, it will set a precedent to be followed in other mountain areas. The matter was debated and voted down in Congress one year ago. The promoters have waited until the public has thought the danger was past, and then has had new legislation introduced. We are grateful for this opportunity to be heard. Sincerely, (Mrs. Chas. E.) GERTRUDE P. MILLIKAN, Secretary. HOUSE INTERIOR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, GROSSMONT GARDEN CLUB, GENTLEMEN: The Grossmont Garden Club of La Mesa, California composed of 45 very active members assembled in regular monthly meeting today, are greatly concerned about the preservation of the San Gorgonio Wilderness area, in California. Having just learned of the up-coming Field Hearings on San Gorgonio Bills unanimously and enthusiastically adopted a motion disapproving of H.R. 6891 by Mr. Dyal introduced March 29th, 1965 including five similar or identical bills. We are greatly alarmed also by the manner in which H.R. 6891 et al. completely bypass all the procedures of the Wilderness Act of 1964 setting a very dangerous precedent. Very respectfully, TOM J. CLARK, Conservation Chairman. IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE OF AMERICA INC., PUBLIC LANDS SUBCOMMITTEE. ANAHEIM CHAPTER, Anaheim, Calif., November 6, 1965. DEAR SIRS: In reference to hearings of the San Gorgonio wilderness area, we the Anaheim Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America are opposed to any trading or removal of any boundaries of the San Gorgonio Wilderness area. This wilderness area is used by many Youth Groups throughout the year, in addition to many other outdoor enthusiasts. By taking the heart out of our wilderness area, we feel the entire effect of wilderness would be ruined. Thank you for your consideration on this matter. GEORGE R. BRADLEY, Jr., President. QUEEN ANNE DEMOCRATIC CLUB, Los Angeles, Calif., November 8, 1965. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, INSULAR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, San Bernardino, Calif. DEAR SIRS: Our Queen Anne Democratic Club wishes to advise you that we urge retaining the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area as was agreed and passed by Congress last year. Very truly, MARGARET JENKIN, Corresponding Secretary. To the Public Lands Subcommittee: THERMAL, CALIF., November 2, 1965. The Woman's Club of Indio, California, is on record through the California Federation of Woman's Clubs to support legislation protecting the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. We protest the opening of any part of the Area for commercial development or any "family recreation" development other than those purposes for which the Wilderness Areas were originally established. We are opposed to H.R. 6891, as we believe it is nothing more than an effort on the part of commercial interests to breach our Wilderness Areas. These, as we understand it, were set aside to preserve certain small parts of our remaining wilderness in as unspoiled a condition as possible. They comprise less than three percent of our National Forests, as it is. We are sure there are vast portions of our National Forests which are well suited to the development of ski runs and "family recreation areas," without infringing upon these valuable remaining fragments of pristine American wilder DEAR SIRS: As members of the Antelope Valley Y.M.C.A. Y's Hikers Club, we express our sincere disapproval of the bills to declassify the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area to form a winter recreation site. The San Gorgonio Wilderness Area is one of two excellent back-packing areas that our club is able to use in Southern California. We have taken several trips here in the past and expect to take many more in the future. Back-packing is becoming an increasingly popular family activity in Southern California, especially in the Antelope Valley. We feel that the declassification of this area would be an unnecessary misfortune for the future generations of wilderness enthusiasts. Sincerely, JANET BELL, Y's Hikers Secretary. LOS MONTADOS DE FONTANA, INC., Fontana, Calif., November 3, 1965. PUBLIC LANDS SUBCOMMITTEE, Washington, D.C. DEAR SIR: The Los Montados de Fontana, a nonprofit riding group, with an active membership of 43,' wish to enter our statements for record regarding the Field Hearings on San Gorgonio Bills. Our membership decided upon this action at the last regular meeting. We, along with many other groups use this wilderness often. Last month our group encountered over a hundred hikers and riders using it also. It is our feeling that snow can be manufactured. Wilderness can't. The people who seek to preserve San Gorgonio are asking for nothing. The commercial interests who wish to develop the ski lifts are asking to dip their hands in the public till to the tune of 3,500 acres. The areas left to the wilderness would leave nothing but ridges, narrow canyons, and 45% slopes. This wilderness in its present state is used by everyone, all the time. Developed "Snow Play" areas are for skiers only and take away its use from the majority of the people. We are sending our donation in the hopes that it will be of assistance in fighting this issue. GENTLEMEN: At a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Memorial Garden Center in Costa Mesa held November 1, 1965, the enclosed resolution was adopted by unanimous vote. 1 Membership list placed in committee files. As secretary, I was instructed to send this copy to you for your use at the hearing. Thank you for this opportunity to express our concern. Yours very truly, (S) ADELINE WALKER, Whereas the intent of the Wilderness Act of 1964 was the preservation of natural areas for all the people of the United States and for scientific studies as well as to protect the flora and fauna in the various areas: Therefore be it Resolved, That the Orange County Memorial Garden Center, Inc., at a regular meeting of the board of directors in Costa Mesa, California on November 1, 1965 opposes H.R. 6891 (Dyal), H.R. 7490 (Corman), H.R. 7654 (Leggett), H.R. 8033 (Hawkins), 8176 (H. T. Johnson) and H.R. 9959 (Roosevelt) that would delete 3500 acres from the heart of the San Gorgonio Wilderness for the benefit of certain commercial firms to build entertainment facilities. Mrs. WESTON WALKER, UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP OF SAN BERNARDINO, San Bernardino, Calif. Whereas the San Gorgonio Mountain Region, located in the San Bernardino National Forest, is classified as a "Wilderness Area" under the 1964 Wilderness Act and Whereas such Wilderness constitutes a valuable resource of natural phenomenon for all people to enjoy and Whereas the San Gorgonio Region specifically contains an unusually rich variety of natural beauty unduplicated anywhere else in the Los Angeles cultural region and Whereas six bills have been introduced to Congress proposing to amend the 1964 Wilderness Act to exclude the Heart of the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area thereby permitting commercial development of said area and Whereas once this area is developed commercially, its value as an area of natural wilderness is permanently lost, this fact would tend to further encourage the development of neighboring wilderness area and Whereas there are existing commercial facilities sufficient for the foreseeable demands of urban vacationers: Be it therefore Resolved, That we the members of the San Bernardino Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship support the continuance of the San Gorgonio Mountain Region as a Wilderness Area, and urge the defeat of the proposed amendments that would permit commercial development. Duly passed the 19th of September 1965. WILLIAM H. GUTGESELL, President. PUBLIC LANDS SUBCOMMITTEE, ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE, The Wilderness Act will save some of the natural beauty of our country for the enjoyment of future generations. The San Gorgonio area was included in this excellent act. We feel that the removal of the center portion of the beautiful area for development is a violation of the basic concept of wilderness preservation. Man's greatness can be measured in what he can afford to leave alone. Sincerely yours, BILL DENNEEN PUBLIC LANDS SUBCOMMITTEE. WHITTIER AUDUBON SOCIETY, Whittier, Calif., November 5, 1965. GENTLEMEN: The Whittier Audubon Society hereby wishes to register protest to Bill H.R. 6891 introduced by Mr. Dyal and to the other Bills with similar intent. San Gorgonio is the only area in Southern California where Alpine flora may be found. This is important for study. It is the only area of true wilderness scope where youth groups may learn first hand the importance of nature in a more or less undefiled condition. We have only to look at the San Jacinto Tramway and the deviation from the avowed original purpose to know that the wilderness concept will also be destroyed in San Gorgonio if intrusion such as this is permitted. Once changed, the real wilderness character can never be recaptured. People need San Gorgonio as it is, if Southern California is to retain any of its high mountain value. Hearings held before the Wilderness Bill was passed thoroughly demonstrated the importance of the area in Wilderness, and we recommend that it be kept as it is with the limited use now made of it. Sincerely yours, MRS. J. H. COMBY, Conservation Chairman. SAN CLEMENTE GARDEN CLUB, RESOLUTION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE SAN GORGONIO WILDERNESS AREA Whereas the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area has for many years been used by youth groups for camping, hiking and riding, thereby giving urban children the educational advantages of learning about nature first hand, and Whereas many people need the refreshment of a few hours or days in the quiet atmosphere of the wilderness to relieve the tensions of every day living, and Whereas the wilderness should be kept for the people and not given to commercial interests whose main objective is to use the people's land for financial gain, and Whereas the necessary cuitting of trees to build roads, parking lots and skilifts is a threat to the watershed: Therefore, be it resolved. That the San Clemente Garden Club at a regular meeting on November 3, 1965 at San Clemente, California strongly recommends the preservation of the integrity of the San Gorgonio Wilderness Areas and opposes H.R. 6891 (Dyal) and its companion bills that would open part of the area to various commercial developments. Mrs. FRED J. CARTER, President. WASATCH MOUNTAIN CLUB, Salt Lake City, Utah, November 5, 1965. HOUSE INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, SIRS The Wasatch Mountain Club of Salt Lake City, Utah opposes the six bills H.R. 6891, H.R. 7490, H.R. 7654, H.R. 8033, H.R. 8176, and H.R. 8859. Having worked for the passage of the Wilderness Act and having opposed ski development in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area in the past we are deeply concerned with this almost instantaneous flaunting of the provisions of that Act. Is the avowed congressional responsibility to preserve designated wilderness areas to be abdicated in the face of the first challenge from commercial pressures? If the Wilderness Act is to be meaningful it must be administered so as to protect wilderness over and over again against repeated and even stronger pressures of this sort. Sincerely yours, B. GALE DICK, Conservation Director. |