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The National Wilderness Preservation Act 
By RAYMOND MOSTEK 
What Is Wilderness? It can be defined in many ways. One definition of 
wilderness is a primeval area not permanently inhabited by man. Where 
can it be found? There are many places, but some are disappearing from 
the face of the earth. One can find wilderness in a hidden corner of a city 
park, where a little stream still runs, and a few cattails grow and where 
the song of the wood thrush is still heard among the distant human voices. 
One can find his wilderness in a wild bit of north country after days of 
paddling with his canoe, and hours spent on an obscure portage with a 
heavy pack on his shoulders. The wilderness can be found in the solitude of 
a mountain meadow after a nine-mile hike into the back country to a little- 
known lake guarded by grey, somber peaks. 
Large wilderness tracts now exist in our National Parks, our National 
Forests and our National Wildlife Refuges. There is no assurance that 
they will remain that way for unsympathetic administrators could reduce 
their size or make enforcement of wilderness rules subject to their whim 
and fancy. After years of preparation, and many months of field hearings, 
Congress is ready to consider the National Wilderness Preservation Act. 
Briefly the bill would do the following — 
1. Establish wilderness as a policy of Congress. 
2. Prevent any cabinet officer or bureau chief from abolishing or reduc- 
ing the size ot any established wilderness area. 
3. Give the people greater control over wilderness through compulsory 
field hearings and Congressional action. 
The Wilderness Bill is supported by Senators Neuberger, Douglas, Hum- 
phrey, Mundt, Wiley, Morse, Clark, Mansfield, and many others. It is sup- 
ported in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Barratt O’Hara, 
Lee Metcalf, John Saylor, Henry Reuss, and scores of others. It is endorsed 
by the Wilderness Society, the National Audubon Society, the Izaak Walton 
League and the National Wildlife Federation. There is no assurance of its 
passage, because there is strong opposition from the petroleum interests 
in California, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and cattle and mining 
interests who are apparently more interested in exploitation of the land. 
This is without question the most important conservation bill before Con- 
gress today. It behooves every member of the Illinois Audubon Society to 
make his views known on this bill. It is idle to maintain an interest in bird 
life if we fail to maintain the nesting areas and sanctuaries that birds de- 
pend upon for their continued existence. You are urged to write to Sen. 
James Murray, Senate Interior Committee, Senate Office Building, Wash- 
ington, D.C., and to Rep. Wayne Aspinall, House Interior Committee, House 
Office Building, Washington, D.C. You are urged to write also to your own 
senators and congressmen. If you do not know your representative, consult 
the following list: 
