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Activities permitted in wilderness: Most activities that pre-existed the
<br /> wilderness designation are permitted in wilderness areas. Non-motorized recreation,
<br /> such as hiking, camping, hunting, horseback riding, fishing, boating, and commercial
<br /> outfitting are permitted, as are pre-existing activities, such as livestock grazing in the
<br /> same manner as it occurred at the time of designation (including motorized access
<br /> when necessary), development of valid mineral claims and leases, and access to
<br /> existing water-resource facilities for maintenance. Emergency activities, such as rescue
<br /> and firefighting, induding motorized access, may occur in wilderness areas. Certain
<br /> administrative uses such as scientific research, data-gathering devices like rain gauges,
<br /> and fire prevention activities are also allowed. Private property rights within wilderness
<br /> are respected. Access to private land parcels within the wilderness, generally
<br /> consistent with historic access, is permitted.
<br /> Activities prohibited in wilderness: No road construction or permanent
<br /> structures are allowed in wilderness areas, nor are activities such as logging, mining
<br /> exploration, and vehicular traffic, although new construction for livestock grazing, such
<br /> as fences and spring developments, is allowed where needed to protect resources.
<br /> Motorized and mechanized access in wilderness, including off-road vehicles and
<br /> mountain bikes is prohibited, except for emergency use (firefighting, rescue, etc.); and
<br /> for grazing management, and some administrative uses (such as maintenance of water
<br /> facilities), where non-motorized alternatives aren't practical.
<br /> Benefits of wilderness: Leaving areas of land–and established traditional
<br /> activities—as they were at the time the wilderness is designated; protecting
<br /> watersheds that provide drinking water to cities and rural communities; helping meet the
<br /> nation's increasing demand for outdoor non-motorized recreation (hiking, hunting,
<br /> fishing, bird watching, canoeing, camping, and many other activities); providing habitat
<br /> for wildlife and natural laboratories for scientific research; and serving as a haven from
<br /> the pressures of our fast-paced, industrialized society.
<br /> How wilderness designation affects water rights: Wilderness water rights are
<br /> non-consumptive, in-stream flow rights. The water flows through and nourishes
<br /> wilderness and the wildlife and habitat associated with it, then flows out, available for
<br /> other uses. Wilderness designation does not affect existing water rights, and fully
<br /> respects other water rights on the stream. Wilderness water rights cannot disrupt
<br /> existing rights, facilities or project operations. Protection of water flows in wilderness
<br /> may take a variety of forms, but none impinge on existing rights. Any wilderness water
<br /> right would have a priority date of the actual reservation, would be junior to all existing
<br /> water rights, and, therefore would not supplant other, more senior rights. In addition,
<br /> wilderness water rights apply only to unappropriated water. Because they are junior
<br /> rights and not"super" rights, wilderness water rights are subject to availability of
<br /> unappropriated water. A wilderness water right ensures only that when water is
<br /> available, does wilderness get its decreed portion to help protect natural values.
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