LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Visitors and residents alike enjoy the scenic views, wildlife and vast recreational opportunities offered by the federal public lands of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.
On Tuesday, the Lake County Board of Supervisors voted to support permanent protection for the federal public lands of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a national conservation area or national monument.
“The federal public lands of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region are an escape for many. A National Monument designation will ensure the continued use and enjoyment of this wild and scenic landscape, and help our local economies by driving tourism,” said Supervisor Anthony Farrington.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain region includes federal public lands in Solano, Mendocino, Lake, Napa and Yolo counties.
The Solano County supervisors voted on Oct. 7 to support efforts to permanently protect these public lands.
In Lake County, the public lands are managed mostly by the Bureau of Land Management, including Cache Creek Wilderness, and the Bear Creek Unit bordered by highways 16 and 20.
“I hope President Obama will respond to these local efforts to permanently protect this scenic landscape,” said Ed Robey, former Lake County Supervisor. “There are few other places so close to Sacramento and the Bay Area where you can enjoy such a wide variety of outdoor recreation. This landscape is truly an outdoor wonderland.”
This stretch of public lands spans nearly 100 miles from the shores of Lake Berryessa to the flanks of Snow Mountain in the Mendocino National Forest.
The region is part of California’s biodiversity hotspot, making it one of the most biologically diverse, yet least known regions in the state.
Many visitors take delight in the annual spring wildflower displays, and rare plants seen nowhere else on the planet.
The region also is inhabited by many of California’s iconic wildlife including tule elk, river otters, osprey, black bears and one of California’s largest populations of wintering bald eagles.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain region also provides ample opportunities for recreation.
Many residents and visitors alike enjoy the scenic hikes, horseback riding, hunting, camping, fishing, bird watching, riding motorized vehicles on designated routes, motorized and nonmotorized boating, water recreation and much more.
“People use this area a lot,” said Bob Schneider, Tuleyome’s senior policy director, who was in attendance during the Lake County Supervisor meeting. “Permanent protection of this area will provide well-managed recreation opportunities, safeguard the area’s natural beauty, sensitive areas, wildlife and rare plants, and ensure continued use and enjoyment for future generations.”
Lake County supervisors vote to protect Berryessa Snow Mountain region
- Lake County News reports
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