What is a Wilderness Area
Wilderness is defined as a portion of land set aside by the 1964
Congressional "Wilderness Act" that will remain unspoiled for future
generations. The "Wilderness Act" gave the U.S. Forest Service a
mandate to manage these special lands so they would be "an enduring
resource," one that would remain "unimpaired for future use and
enjoyment as wilderness." In contrast with those areas where man
and his own works dominate that landscape, a wilderness is recognized
as an area '…where the earth and its community of life are
untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not
remain". Wilderness areas are generally over 5,000 acres in size
and may contain ecological, geological, or other features of scientific,
educational, scenic, or historical value.
A Remote Adventure
In the wilderness, you will have the opportunity to experience
challenge, self-reliance, and the reward of discovery; but you are
also responsible for your own safety. In an area that is unfamiliar
or new, there are few posted signs, so you must know how to read
a map and use a compass. You may need to be your own doctor and
must be prepared for accidents and dramatic changes in weather.
Common Questions Regarding Wilderness
Q. Is hunting and fishing allowed?
A. Yes. Follow state
regulations for hunting and fishing.
Q. Is grazing allowed?
A. Yes. Grazing is allowed with an appropriate permit.
Q. Can you backcountry camp?
A. Yes. There are general regulations for wilderness
areas. Each wilderness area may have its own set of regulations.
Please visit each Wilderness Area
webpage for specific guidelines. Leave
No Trace techniques are encouraged whenever
you venture into the backcountry.
Q. Are mountain bikes allowed?
A. No. No mechanized equipment is allowed including
vehicles, chainsaws, bikes, hang gliders, etc..
Q. Are dogs, horses, and fires permitted?
A. Yes. Each wilderness has regulations governing
the use of horses, dogs, and having fires. Please visit each Wilderness
Area webpage for specific guidelines.
Philosophies behind Wilderness
The philosophy behind Wilderness is a complex issue; however, a
look at several viewpoints held by early advocates may help clarify
why there was movement towards protecting selected public lands
as far back in our history as the 1880's. John Muir, founder of
the Sierra Club in 1892, identified the value of wilderness as being
experiential. To him and perhaps many people today, the essence
of wilderness was freedom, solitude, and the beauty of the mountains.
Muir felt these qualifications could satisfy all of man's needs.
It was also a spiritual experience. Muir wrote, "Everything seems
equally divine."
Bob Marshall, founder of the Wilderness Society in 1935, said that
wild scenery was similar to great works of art. Marshall wrote, "…wilderness
furnishes perhaps the best opportunity for . . . pure aesthetic
rapture."
Wallace Stegner from Stanford University (1962) argued that wilderness
should be preserved for sanity's sake. Stegner said that Americans
must be able to retreat to a place free from noise, exhaust, and
the stinks of human automotive waste.
Others felt that wilderness is a reservoir for renewal of the mind
and spirit. It was of great mental and moral value as one had to
depend on his own resources to survive. Arthur Carhart, a forest
service landscape architect in the early 1900's supported this view
when he stated that the rebuilding to the body and spirit was the
greatest service obtained from our forests.
A third wilderness theme relates to the scientific values wilderness
holds for society. With its generally undisturbed setting, wilderness
has been viewed as an important source of information about the
world around us, how it evolved, and how impacts and changes effect
an unmodified environment. Thus, there was an ecological and ethical
justification for such areas
Formal Protection
By the late 1800's selected public lands were protected from uncontrolled
development and reserved to benefit the nation. The creation of
Yellowstone National Park marked the beginning of a turning point
in management of public natural resources. The first public land
set aside for protection of wilderness values was made in the Gila
National Forest of New Mexico in 1924. Forty years later, the desire
to protect the wilderness resource was formalized with the Wilderness
Act of 1964. Fifty-four wildernesses totaling 9 million acres were
set aside. The act represents a synthesis of diverse philosophical
values that evolved over the years and the definition protection
in the National Wilderness Preservation System. In addition, there
are several agencies which mange wilderness under the regulations
set down in 1964.
Today the system comprises over 89 million acres
in 465 locations as more were added in following years including
1984. The process of classifications of lands which qualify for
inclusion will continue for a number of years
Management
Much debate has centered around the issue of wilderness management,
and the debate will continue. The real question however, is not
to manage but how to manage.
There are two alternative philosophical notions about wilderness
management and the basis for its values. Simply stated, one places
more emphasis on managing for use and enjoyment. The other places
emphasis on the preservation of natural order and programs the most
clearly approximate natural energy flows within wilderness ecosystems.
These are polarized views, each with their own argument. It is generally
consensus that the philosophy that focuses on preservation is recommended.
Common sense however, denotes the need for responsiveness to local
conditions. The framework provided by Congress was for the agencies
to do only what was necessary, but restrictions on use may sometimes
be required to protect fragile locations.
Before Entering the Wilderness - What You Need to Know
Each wilderness area in the country varies in size, climate, terrain
and amount of human use. Due to these differences, each wilderness
has unique management needs and regulations. Always check Forest-wide wilderness regulations before
beginning your trip. When traveling in the Mt. Naomi or Wellsville
Mountains, please adhere to the regulations below:
- All campsites must be greater than 200 feet away from water
sources, trails and other occupied campsites.
- All litter must be carried out. Do not bury anything other than
human waste, which should be buried 6".
- Horses may be tethered for no more than 1 hours within 200 feet
of any water source.
- Horses may not be tied to any tree for more than 1 hour and
must be moved sooner if damage is occurring.
- All feed and hay taken onto National Forest land must be tagged
as "Certified Weed Free" by the county extension agent.
- Campfires are prohibited where firewood supply is depleted,
when fire building threatens wilderness qualities, or for public
safety.
For
more information on how you can protect these areas with "leave
no trace" techniques, try the Leave No Trace web site. Click on "Easy
Info" and then on "Rocky Mountains" or wherever you would like to
look up, for great information on how to protect your lands.
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