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Johanns Marks Designation Of America's First Tropical Wilderness Area

Press Office

Washington, -

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today marked the designation of the first tropical wilderness in the Western Hemisphere, the El Toro Wilderness, part of the Caribbean National Forest in Puerto Rico.

"The El Toro Wilderness represents an area of unique ecological and biological diversity," said Johanns. "This wilderness designation will help to protect critical habitat for generations to come and preserves the natural condition of the land, providing outstanding opportunities for Americans to enjoy an unconfined wilderness experience."

Johanns presented a ceremonial signing pen to Rep. Luis Fortuño, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, for sponsoring the Caribbean National Forest Act of 2005 that was signed into law by President Bush on Dec. 1, 2005.

The Caribbean National Forest Act of 2005 designated nearly 10,000 acres of the Caribbean National Forest and the Luquillo Experimental Forest as a wilderness area, more than one-third of the forest's 28,000 acres. Located 25 miles east of San Juan on the western side of the Luquillo mountain range, the area is named after the highest peak (3,524 feet) in the forest. In addition to being the first wilderness area in a tropical forest, it is also the first wilderness area in Puerto Rico.

The El Toro Wilderness area is home to the endangered Puerto Rican parrot, one of the most vulnerable species listed under the Endangered Species Act. Other endangered wildlife species include the Puerto Rican sharp-shinned and broad-winged hawks and the Puerto Rican boa. The forest also features 240 native tree species--more than any other national forest. Federally listed endangered plants grow in the forest, such as the Miniature Orchid (Lepanthes eltoroensis) and Palo de Jazmín (Styrax portoricensis) as well as several other rare plant species.

A wilderness area designation by Congress under the Wilderness Act of 1964 is the greatest protection afforded to federally managed areas. The act protects some of the most natural and undisturbed places in America, prohibiting activities such as road construction and motorized vehicles, while promoting uses that leave no visible trace on the land. The El Toro Wilderness' 10,000 acres joins the more than 105 million acres of National Wilderness Preservation System land already established by Congress.

For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us/r8/caribbean/.

Learn More About The El Toro Wilderness Area, Caribbean National Foresthttp://www.fs.fed.us/news/2006/releases/01/el-toro-wilderness.shtml

https://www.fs.usda.gov/es/about-agency/newsroom/releases/johanns-marks-designation-americas-first-tropical-wilderness-area