Wilderness Area

Tiffany & Co., famous for its opulent jewelry, announced Wednesday that it was fighting to keep some precious metal in the ground. Tiffany criticized the U.S. Forest Service's decision to approve in concept the development of the Rock Creek Mine under the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness Area in northwestern Montana's Kootenai National Forest.

The distant battles between wilderness advocates and the oil and gas industry have, until now, played out across a handful of Rocky Mountain states. But a Bush administration plan to allow oil drilling in proposed wilderness areas in the Los Padres National Forest near here has brought that fight to Southern California. U.S. Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) on Wednesday discussed proposed legislation that would ban drilling in the Los Padres, where the U.S.

A federal judge Monday struck down a ban on building roads in a third of America's national forests, saying the Clinton administration rule illegally designated wilderness areas. It was the second injunction issued by a federal judge against the so-called roadless rule. The first, in 2001, was overturned in December by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in San Francisco. Monday's decision by U.S. District Judge Clarence A.

Three cheers for John Balzar's April 17 commentary, "Charging to the End of Paradise," protesting the Bush administration's plans to make permanent the charging of "recreational" fees to visit any wilderness area that is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. Not enough people are aware of this encroachment on the free use of public land, which we have already paid to buy and maintain, and of the rapid commercialization that goes along with fee-for-use. Yes, there are many more important issues to be concerned about, issues dealing with our security, health, finances and the proliferation of violence at home and abroad, but ready access to wilderness sites for recreation and enjoyment of nature is of real value to all of us. Those who care about the wilderness will be taking note of the June 15 national protest date.

A conservation group has acquired 417 acres in Tuna Canyon between Malibu and Topanga canyons, linking two large pieces of land set aside last year to protect a stretch of undeveloped landscape above Pacific Coast Highway. "It's a perfect example of a Southern California canyon in its pristine state," said Garrie Mar of the Mountains Restoration Trust, which completed the deal last week.

Environmentalists' longtime goal of preserving Coal Canyon as a wilderness area was assured Tuesday when the state closed escrow on the 649-acre parcel near the Riverside Freeway in north Orange County. "We're thrilled," said Warren Westrup, a spokesman for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, which bought the land for $40 million from St. Clair Co. of Newport Beach. "It's been an ongoing project, and it's a significant biological linkage."

It's late spring, that lusty, romantic time of year, when each day ends with a simple question: Did I admire a castor bean today? Or a California buttercup, rusty popcorn or even a scarlet monkey flower? Take your pick. This is a great time of year to view big, blooming wildflowers in local parks and wilderness areas. Though the odd weather patterns this spring mean a late-blooming crop, April's heavy rains could make May a heavenly time to spot colorful patches of local wildflower favorites.

A state panel Thursday approved $6 million toward the purchase of Orange County's Coal Canyon, but officials warned that major hurdles remain before the fragile wilderness corridor will be fully shielded from home construction. In addition to the money for Coal Canyon, the state Transportation Commission also approved release of $4 million to buy Bair Island in San Francisco Bay. The two purchases were designed by Gov.

Re "Environmentalists Assail Plan to Mine in Forest Area," Oct. 8. I was alarmed and dismayed to read about exploratory mining in the Sespe Wilderness Area of the Los Padres National Forest. Most shocking were the details of the possible transfer of our public lands into private hands under the terms of a 1872 mining law. It's inconceivable to me that we can still allow mining companies to purchase our wilderness for $2.50 an acre. In the late 1970s, we faced a similar threat when the Homestake Mining Co. proposed exploratory drilling for uranium in the watershed of Lake Casitas.