Help Save the North ForkWHERE IS THE NORTH FORK?The North Fork of the American River is one of the most beautiful, rugged, and spectacular canyons in all of America. In the spring, the North Fork rages through the steep, narrow canyon for some 60 miles from its source high in the Sierra Nevada down to its confluence with the Middle Fork American River at Auburn. Waterfalls abound along the river: Heath Falls, Palisade Falls, Wabena Falls, Beacroft Falls. Tributary creeks, swollen from snow melt, crash down steep cliffs forming more great waterfalls. Many of these are difficult to reach because of the canyon walls, anywhere from 2000 to 4000 ft. high. New York Canyon Falls, Canyon Creek Falls, Codfish Falls, and Big Granite Creek Falls are just a few of the waterfalls in this canyon. Whenever I am down along the river, I am always amazed at its pristine beauty, mostly untouched by mankind. Besides hiking and backpacking, in the spring the North Fork is also very popular for rafting and kayaking. There are some dandy advanced runs here: the Giant Gap run from Euchre Bar to Iowa Hill Rd, and the Chamberlain Falls run from Iowa Hill Rd to Yankee Jim's bridge. Many great trout fishing areas can be found along the river in the more easily accessible areas such as Colfax and Weimar. In addition to recreational use, of course, the canyon is home to many animals including the black bear, mountain lion, spotted owl, peregrine falcon, golden eagle, and goshawk.WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?The steep canyon walls of the North Fork and difficult access have helped preserve the area in the past from logging and development up until now. But this is changing. We have already seen this happen all across the country: private development and logging has caused many trail closures. Waterfalls and other prominent sites, once accessible to the public, can no longer be accessed. It is happening in the North Fork also. Logging at Lost Camp near Blue Canyon could close the China Trail (down to the North Fork of the North Fork American River). Although the North Fork American River is protected by its designation as a Wild and Scenic River, access to the river is not. Many old trails to the river cross private lands, not owned by Tahoe National Forest or the Bureau of Land Management, the two agencies which own substantial holdings within this canyon. There exist many parcels of land up and down this canyon owned by lumber companies, such as Sierra Pacific Industries, or other private parties. Examples are the Canyon Creek Trail at Gold Run, the Big Granite Creek Trail, and the Heath Springs Trail to Heath Falls. If not already closed to the public, these trails will be closed soon, as private development increases.HOW CAN YOU HELP?Can the North Fork be saved and preserved for generations to come? Yes! It is not too late, but we need your help! Write letters to our elected officials (see addresses below), encouraging them to support Land and Water Conservation Funding (LWCF) for TNF and BLM, in order for these agencies to purchase the private parcels of land along the North Fork. Writing letters can make a difference! In the early 1900's, industrial power companies were aiming to completely destroy the great Niagara Falls, using every last drop of water for hydro-electric power. They didn't care one iota for the great waterfall. But led by J. Horace McFarland, thousands of people wrote to their elected government representatives to save Niagara Falls, and it worked! Although the Niagara River is still used for hydro power, and the falls is not what it once was, it was saved from total destruction, and it still is an incredible sight to see. You can help save the North Fork from destruction. You can help preserve it for our children. You can help make a difference. Please write.WHO CAN YOU WRITE TO?Please write to the people below, asking them to support LWCF funding for Tahoe Natl. Forest and Bureau of Land Management, in order to purchase parcels of land along the North Fork of the American River. Immediate needs are for the Canyon Creek Trail at Gold Run (BLM), and Lost Camp near Blue Canyon (TNF). Currently, TNF is in the process of attempting to obtain two parcels along the North Fork, at Government Springs (Sawtooth Ridge), and along Big Granite Creek with LWCF funding. We need to encourage both Congress and TNF to broaden the scope of land acquisitions along the North Fork, as well as the North Fork of the North Fork American River. Thank you. Senator Barbara BoxerU.S. Senate 112 Hart Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Senator Dianne Feinstein U.S. Senate 331 Hart Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Representative John Doolittle U.S. House of Representatives 1526 Longworth Building Washington, D.C. 20515 |