RELATIONSHIP TO THE WILDERNESS ACT Sample Clauses

RELATIONSHIP TO THE WILDERNESS ACT. The 1964 Wilderness Act defines wilderness, describes the purpose for wilderness, and directs the wilderness management agencies to protect wilderness character. This Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Management Cooperative Agreement reflects those provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964: The purpose of Wilderness is, “In order to assure that an increasing population…does not occupy and modify all areas…leaving no lands designated for preservation and protection in their natural condition, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the Congress to secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness.” [Section 2 (a)] The Act defines Wilderness as, “A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” Wilderness is further defined as an area … “which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions and which … generally appears to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature, with the imprint of man’s work substantially unnoticeable….” [Section 2 (c)]. Further, the Act defines the purposes of wilderness in Section 4 and specifically states that, “Except as otherwise provide in this Act, each agency administering any area designated as wilderness shall be responsible for preserving the wilderness character of the area…..”. [Section 4 (b)] Though the Wilderness Act does not specifically define wilderness character, the agencies have determined that wilderness character may be defined by the four statutory qualities of wilderness: untrammeled, natural, undeveloped and outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation. These qualities are defined in ATTACHMENT D to this document. When projects are proposed in wilderness, affects to these four wilderness qualities must be assessed and mitigated.‌‌ It is important to note that the Wilderness Act also specifically acknowledges the role the States have in management of fish and wildlife. Section 4(d)(7) of the Wilderness Act provides that "nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the several States with respect to wildlife and fish in the national forests." The Forest Service and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks acknowledge that each agency has important manageme...