Desert Protection Act of 2010

Senator Diane Feinstein has introduced the Desert Protection Act of 2010, which will set aside 90,000 acres of wilderness and establish two new national monuments that would encompass more than a million acres (a good image of the proposed national monuments is here). This sweeping legislation would also help protect wildlife corridor and provide a larger buffer zone for the Pacific Crest Trail in southern California.

After an initial reading, I am excited by this legislation, since it is setting aside large portions of land for zero development. However, it looks like there are provisions for easing the permit process for wind and solar developers, but it looks like their access to wild, lands is off-limits. As California seeks to develop renewable energy (which I think is great!), this legislation will establish parameters, which we need. Unplanned, unfettered projects need to work within guidelines. Hike a National Scenic Trail, and one will notice places where unplanned development has spoiled wild lands for everyone (i.e. Sugar Top in North Carolina, which is painfully visible on the Appalachian Trail, and a lot of the Front Range along the Continental Divide Trail in Colorado). The proposed Sand to Snow National Monument in the San Gorgonio Mountains will provide a greater buffer from development for the Pacific Crest Trail.

I look forward to hearing and reading more about this bill. I am sure that it will be argued (as it has already on the blogoshphere), but I think this congress and administration will pass it. I will keep my fingers crossed.