About Wilderness

Aren't our Wilderness Areas protected from development under the Wilderness Act of 1964 once approved and designated by Congress?

Many wilderness areas had private lands within their boundaries at the time of designation—often due to mining, homesteading and railroad grants. As long as these inholdings exist, there remains a real risk of development or use incompatible with wilderness preservation and protection. Federal law guarantees that inholding owners shall have reasonable access to their private lands over the adjoining federal lands. Development of inholdings is regulated (if at all) by local government zoning and planning laws, and not by the federal government.

What are the adverse impacts caused by the development of wilderness inholdings?

• Fragmentation of pristine ecosystems and environmental damage such as air and water pollution, soil erosion, loss of solitude and disruption of wildlife.
• Nonconforming uses such as aircraft landings and motor vehicle intrusions.  
• Degradation of the wilderness experience of visitors due to physical structures and human activities.
• Conflicts between land owners and visitors, and public outcry associated with proposed development.
• Complex land ownership patterns make managing wilderness more expensive and time consuming for land agency officials, particularly when there is controversy.