The Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act is a U.S. federal law enacted in 2006 that enlarged existing wilderness boundaries and created new wilderness areas for protection under the National Wilderness Preservation System. These newly designated protected wilderness areas help safeguard habitat for more than 250 endangered species including the California condor and the bristlecone pine, the oldest living trees on earth. It also added Wild and Scenic status to sections of the Black Butte River, created the Cow Mountain Recreation Area and designated the Elkhorn Ridge Potential Wilderness Area. The Act was sponsored by Representative Mike Thompson, Senators Barbara Boxer, and Dianne Feinstein, and was signed into law on October 17, 2006.

Timeline

May 21, 2002- Senator Barbara Boxer introduces California Wild Heritage Act of 2002 (S. 2535) in the 107th United States Congress. " In short, this bill preserves, prevents, and it protects." - Senator Boxer March 27, 2003- Bills are introduced in 108th Congress. October 16, 2003- Companion bills introduced in U.S. House of Representatives: March 4, 2004- Senator Dianne Feinstein joins Senator Boxer and Representative Mike Thompson in supporting the bill. December 8, 2004- U.S. Senate passes Senate bill 738, which was bundled together with several other bills collectively titled H.R. 620. It was then sent to the House for consideration, but the House adjourned before action was taken. January 4, 2004- January 14, 2005- July 24, 2006- Debate on bill for 40 minutes. October 5, 2006- Bill was presented to President of the United States. October 17, 2006- Bill is signed and becomes Public Law No. 109-362

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