As the Boxer/ McKeon Wilderness Bill heads through Congress, staff from Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office has approached Inyo County Supervisors about yet another wilderness proposal.

On Tuesday, the Inyo Supervisors discussed this idea of new wilderness proposed for Inyo County. Supervisors Richard Cervantes and Linda Arcularius had been informed by Feinstein’s staff that the California Wilderness Coalition had approached the senators office with a request for more wilderness in southern Inyo County.

Cervantes said that most of the newly proposed wilderness areas are near historic or active mining areas, including the Great Falls Basin near Trona, and an area in the Panamint Valley close to the Briggs Mine and including the Ratcliff Mine. Eureka Valley is proposed as is the Malpais plateau across highway 136 from Keeler.

Cervantes said that it was his belief that the wilderness advocates were trying to eliminate mining on public lands.

This potential legislation is still in the idea stage. Supervisor Arcularius said that she was extremely appreciative, of being included so early in the process.

The Inyo Supervisors voiced opposition to this proposed legislation but did not make a decision to formally oppose this new potential legislation at the meeting Tuesday.

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