Earth Day Finds A California Natural Treasure In Trouble
Monday, April 21, 2008
The United States loses 6,000 acres of open space every single day, according to a new report to be released in conjunction with Earth Day on Tuesday. The Campaign for America's Wilderness study spotlights 10 national treasures in trouble, finding these currently unprotected wild lands vulnerable to mining, development and off-road vehicle abuse.
California's Beauty Mountain is on that list, and Shane Walton with Friends of the River says the 16,000 acres of wilderness on the border between San Diego and Riverside counties deserve protection.
"Areas like Beauty Mountain are really the gems of our last wild places. By designating them as wilderness, we keep them available for hiking, camping and recreating and ensure that they won't be overrun by development."
The report found that because some people believe there's gold and other minerals in Beauty Mountain, mining remains the biggest threat.
Walton notes if these lands are given wilderness designation, they will become permanently protected.
"Not only you, but your children and your grandchildren will still be able to enjoy wilderness areas as they are today."
The "Ten Treasures in Trouble" report is available online at www.leaveitwild.org.
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