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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Lancette,Communications Director,202 429 2692,chris_lancette@tws.org

Statement of The Wilderness Society's Paul Spitler on Senate Passage of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009

WASHINGTON

Today's action clears the most significant hurdle to protecting some
of the country's most cherished landscapes. This legislation is the
most important conservation measure in a decade.

The Senate shows great vision in making this bill a priority. These
wonderful landscapes are under tremendous pressure, and their value to
local communities and to all Americans who treasure our natural
heritage will remain long after the country has recovered from the
economic crisis.

We remain concerned that the Izembek provision is included in this
otherwise stellar legislation and will continue to work to ensure that
this valuable and unique wilderness and wildlife resource remains
protected.

Senators Bingaman and Reid deserve our thanks and the gratitude of
the American people for their continued leadership in advancing this
landmark legislation.

Other Wilderness Society contacts:

CALIFORNIA

Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel: Sally Miller, 415-518-7679 California Desert, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Sam Goldman, 202-744-3809

COLORADO

Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, Dminguez Canyon,
Rocky Mountain National Park/Indian Peaks: Steve Smith, 303-650-5818
x106

IDAHO

Owyhee-Bruneau Canyonlands: Craig Gehrke, 208-867-9970

MICHIGAN

Beaver Basin Wilderness: Jeremy Garncarz, 970-247-8788

NEW MEXICO

Sabinoso Wilderness: Deanna Archuleta, 505-217-8705

OREGON

Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, Copper Salmon Wilderness, Lewis
and Clark Mt. Hood Wilderness, Oregon Badlands Wilderness Act, Spring
Basin Wilderness Act: Bob Freimark, 541-979-2843.

WEST VIRGINIA

Wild Monongahela Act: Matt Keller, 970-247-8788

VIRGINIA

Virginia Ridge and Valley Act: Matt Keller, 970-247-8788

UTAH

Washington County Growth and Conservation Act: Suzanne Jones, 303-650-5818 x 102

WYOMING

Wyoming Range Legacy Act: Steff Kessler, 307-332-3462

ALASKA

Izembek National Wildlife Refuge: Maribeth Oakes, 202-429-2674 or Nicole Whittington-Evans, 907-272-1670

NATIONAL LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION SYSTEM ACT

Kevin Mack, 202-454-2524

THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY'S WILDERNESS SUPPORT CENTER:

970-247-8788

Since 1935, The Wilderness Society has led the conservation movement in wilderness protection, writing and passing the landmark Wilderness Act and winning lasting protection for 107 million acres of Wilderness, including 56 million acres of spectacular lands in Alaska, eight million acres of fragile desert lands in California and millions more throughout the nation.