Just as it seems it will take a law introduced by a conservation-minded US representative from Indiana (Jim Jontz) to save the old-growth forests in Oregon and Washington state, it will probably take legislation introduced by easterners to save the last of the West's wilderness lands. Why is this? The politicians from the states where the lands and timber reside seem to be just 'too close' to the pressure of timber companies, mining corporations, water developers, and off-road vehicle promoters to listen to the environmentalists in their own states! Remember that the management and protection of federal lands is the business of every American, no matter where he or she lives!
Currently, some good wilderness protection bills are stalled in Congress. No matter what state you live in, write your senators and representative and ask for strong wilderness bills for the following western states, with federal reserved water rights, similar to the new Arizona Wilderness law:
