Wilderness Myths Debunked

 

Myth: Wilderness conflicts with other uses of the national forest.

Fact: Not only is Wilderness identified as one of the “multiple-uses” for national forests under the law, it is one of the best tools to achieve many of the other designated uses, including recreation, water and soil conservation, and wildlife habitat.

 

Myth: Recreation is restricted in wilderness

Fact: Recreation is enhanced is wilderness. Hunting, fishing, horse riding, hiking, camping, canoeing, and many more activities are all allowed in wilderness.

 

Myth: All motors are banned from wilderness areas.

Fact: Although the Wilderness Act prohibits the general use of motorized equipment and transportation, the Act clearly allows for their use by the U.S. Forest Service (and other managing agencies) for search and rescue operations, fire fighting to protect adjacent private land, insect and disease control and other circumstances where they are the minimum tools necessary for proper administration of the area.

 

Myth: Fires, insects and disease can’t be controlled in wilderness.

Fact: The Wilderness Act specifically states the certain measures may be taken to control fires, insects and disease in wilderness Areas. In short, anything necessary for the protection of public health or safety, including the use of mechanized equipment, is clearly permissible.

 

Myth: Injured people cannot get help in a wilderness area.

Fact: Emergency vehicles (helicopters, all-terrain vehicles) are allowed to get to injured people.

 

Myth: Trails cannot be maintained in wilderness.

Fact: In general, only the minimum tools necessary for maintenance are used, normally hand tools. However, power tools can be authorized in emergencies brought on by ice storms, extensive blow-downs, or other event.

 

Myth: Wilderness areas are not handicapped accessible.

Fact: In a 1992 report to Congress, 76% of persons with disabilities surveyed said that they enjoy wilderness areas and do not believe that wilderness designation diminishes their ability to enjoy an area.

 

Myth: There are other ways to protect these areas without wilderness designation. Why designate the area as wilderness?

Fact: Congressional designation as a wilderness Area is the only way to permanently protect an area from logging and oil drilling, and from parking lots, buildings and motorized vehicles. Other levels of protection are less strict, and the protection can be eroded by the Forest Service, the President, etc. - but not with wilderness designation.

 

Myth: America already has plenty of wilderness.

Fact: Wilderness lands comprise just 4.4% of the entire United States. 95% of all U.S. wilderness lies in Alaska and the Western states, with less than 5% east of the Mississippi.

 

Myth: Wilderness areas are set-asides for the rich and elite.

Fact: Unlike many other forms of recreation, the enjoyment of wilderness does not require expensive specialized equipment. A pair of walking shoes are sufficient in the Shawnee National Forest Wilderness areas.

 

Myth: Wilderness negatively impacts private property.

Fact: Only federal (public) land may be designated as wilderness. The law allows access to private in-holdings and the value of private property near wilderness often increases.