Wilderness Designation on Federal Public Land

Home Browse Search

Wilderness Designation on Federal Public Land What Is Wilderness? Wilderness is a system of federal land protection based on a legal definition laid out in the Wilderness Act of 1964. In short,wilderness is designated by Congress on federal public lands-- National Parks,Forests,and Wildlife Refuges,and Bureau of Land Management lands--and is the highest form of protection for federal lands. No roads or permanent structures are allowed in wilderness,nor are activities like logging, mining,or most vehicular traffic. However,traditional activities such as livestock grazing and hunting are permitted. Activities permitted in wilderness -Non-motorized recreation, such as hiking, camping,hunting,horseback riding, fishing,non- motorized boating, and commercial outfitting. -Pre-existing activities such as livestock grazing(including motorized access when necessary), development of valid mineral claims, and access to existing water resource facilities for maintenance. -Emergency activities such as rescue and fife-fighting,including motorized access. -Certain administrative uses such as scientific research, and data-gathering devices like rain gauges. -Access to private land parcels within the wilderness,generally consistent with historic access. Activities prohibited in wilderness -Recreational motorized and mechanized travel,including off-road vehicles and mountain bikes. -Road building. -Timber harvesting, except for fire-suppression activities. -New mineral exploration or development(valid pre-existing claims and leases are respected). -Construction of permanent facilities or structures. Benefits of Wilderness -Leaves areas of land—and established traditional activities-the way they are now -Protects watersheds that provide drinking water to cities and rural communities. -Helps meet the nation's increasing demand for outdoor recreation: hiking,hunting, fishing,bird watching,canoeing, camping, and many other activities. -Provides habitat for wildlife. -provides natural laboratories for scientific research. - Serves as a haven from the pressures of our fast-paced, industrialized society. How does wilderness designation affect water rights? Wilderness designation does not affect existing water rights. Legislative language protecting water flows in wilderness may take a variety of forms,but none of those versions impinge on existing rights. If wilderness water rights are established,they are junior to all pre-existing rights. Wilderness water flow is not a consumptive water use.The water flows through and nourishes wilderness and the wildlife and habitat associated with it,then flows out,unpolluted and available for other uses.