Wilderness Act
The 1964 Act was passed to “secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness.” (Sec. 2a). The law established a National Wilderness Preservation System and initially protected 54 areas or 9.1 million acres in 13 states. It also provided for the addition of new lands and now covers 677 areas or 106.5 million acres in 44 states. With some exceptions, prohibitions include closure to motorized vehicles, timber harvest, new grazing and mining activity, or any kind of development. [download]
