Wild River Campaign seeks to protect Big Sur rivers

by Dave Westman

Hidden within the wild backcountry of the northern Santa Lucia Mountains and along Monterey County's spectacular Big Sur coast are a handful of free flowing rivers and streams that retain the same wilderness character enjoyed by the native Salinan and Esselen peoples centuries ago.

Unfortunately, these free-flowing rivers remain at risk of being degraded with dams, diversions and other developments to serve our ever-growing population. Only one local river, the Big Sur River, is fully protected with both federal wilderness designation and by inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic River System. Even rivers within federal Wilderness Areas, are at risk of development if they are not part of the National Wild and Scenic River System. Such rivers can be dammed and developed by Presidential Executive Order.

To protect these rivers and streams, the Sierra Club is teaming up with the California Wild Heritage Campaign, the Ventana Wilderness Alliance and Friends of the River to launch the Ventana Wild Rivers Campaign. We have only begun this historic project, and are currently working to raise the public awareness of seven outstandingly remarkable rivers for permanent protection within the Forest Service boundary: Arroyo Seco, Carmel River, Nacimiento River, San Antonio River, San Carpoforo, Tassajara Creek, Willow Creek.

For more information visit: www.ventanawild.org/projects/rivers.