The effort to designate the Berryessa Snow Mountain a national conservation area took another step forward on Thursday.
Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-5), John Garamendi (CA-3), Jared Huffman (CA-2), Anna Eshoo (CA-18) and Ami Bera (CA-7) on Thursday introduced H.R. 1025, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act of 2013.
U.S. Senator Barbara (D-CA) introduced S.483 the companion bill in the Senate.
The legislation would designate the 350,000 acre Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area (NCA).
Under this designation, all currently owned federal lands within the NCA boundary would be united under one management plan, allowing the region to be managed according to the site-specific needs.
The region also would be permanently protected under a NCA designation, ensuring continued recreational opportunities while safeguarding the region’s natural beauty, wildlife, rare plants, and waters – which include important sources of drinking water and irrigation for nearby communities.
The NCA designation only applies to lands managed by the federal government. Current access to and uses of private land will not be affected by this proposal. As the legislation states, “this Act should apply only to federal land and interests in federal land, and should not apply to private property or other non-federal land.”
In addition, the legislation further protects private property rights by clearly stating that nothing in the legislation requires a private property owner to allow public access to their property.
“The Berryessa Snow Mountain Region is a national treasure. We have a responsibility to preserve it and make sure the region is managed efficiently and responsibly,” said Thompson. “Designating the region as a National Conservation Area will preserve the land, help our local economies, and put all federal lands under one management plan. The bill does not impact private land in anyway. It will only protect and enhance the public lands for those who live in and visit the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region.”
“With its magnificent vistas and diverse wildlife, the Berryessa Snow Mountain region is one of California’s greatest natural treasures,” Sen. Boxer said. “This bill will expand opportunities for outdoor recreation and help preserve this spectacular area for current and future generations.”
“The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Act is a way to reap the benefits of our modern world while also protecting and promoting the beauty, serenity, and healthy activity that the natural world offers,” said Garamendi. “By conserving this natural setting, we are maintaining a prized commodity that will bring tourists, boost economic activity, and support local jobs. This bill will fully respect property rights and is a win-win for residents of our region and our entire country.”
“Designating the Lake Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area is responsible stewardship of one of northern California’s most treasured natural resources. The bill ensures the region’s continued use as a recreation area and a safe haven for rare wildlife,” said Eshoo.
“Berryessa Snow Mountain is one of California’s natural wonders and I am proud to cosponsor legislation that will turn this beautiful region into a National Conservation Area,” said Bera. “As a lifelong Californian, I have spent countless hours enjoying our state’s natural beauty by camping, hiking, and fishing, and I am fully committed to protecting our natural treasures. This new National Conservation Area will both help Northern California’s economy, and allow us to protect and manage these lands for those who visit the region today and in the future.”
Establishment of a NCA will improve coordination between federal agencies; protect essential migratory corridors for wildlife adapting their ranges to a changing climate; keep water clean; and provide additional federal funding opportunities for conservation protection, invasive plant eradication, recreation management, and a coordinated multi-agency fire management plan.
The bill reflects the changes promised by Thompson to constituents at Lake Berryessa Town Hall Meeting last year. These changes include adding additional language to ensure that NCA designation has no impact on the use of private property, and maintains access to private inholdings and adding additional language to ensure that the legislation will not impact motorized recreation on Lake Berryessa.
The new legislation also modifies grazing language to ensure that all existing grazing will continue unchanged. The bill does not prohibit other grazing in additional areas as long as it is accordance with all laws and regulations. And the bill allows for the expanded use of grazing as a management tool.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain region stretches more than 100 miles from the lowlands of Putah Creek below Lake Berryessa, across remote stretches of Cache Creek, and up to the peak of Snow Mountain. It encompasses more than 350,000 acres across Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano and Yolo Counties. The area is rich in biodiversity, including bald and golden eagles, black bears, mountain lions, tule elk, and rare plants found nowhere else on Earth.
“We’re pleased that Congressman Thompson has recognized the natural wonders and recreational opportunities offered by the Berryessa Snow Mountain region – and the strong desire by community members to protect this scenic treasure so that it can be enjoyed by future generations,” said Sara Husby-Good, executive director of Tuleyome. “His National Conservation Area proposal is a win-win for everyone.”
Outdoor recreation and protected lands help the local economy. Recent studies by Headwaters Economics, a non-partisan, independent, nonprofit research group, have found that jobs and real personal income rose in local communities after nearby areas were permanently protected. That same potential is offered by the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.
Napa County Supervisor, Keith Caldwell agrees that the proposed Conservation Area will be good for business. He stated, “Legislation to protect the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area is definitely something to get excited about. As someone who hikes, paddles and rides my motorcycle in the area, I have a vested interest in insuring this land remains public open space.”
Supervisor Caldwell continues, “Protecting our public lands is also an economic investment. Lake Berryessa is a wonderful place for people to swim, boat, fish, and more, but there are also a lot of local businesses that depend on the traffic that the Lake attracts. NCA status will not only help protect the existing recreational uses, it will attract eco-tourism, create jobs and support local businesses.”
“Protecting special places increases recreation opportunities, encourages tourism, and supports local businesses,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisor Don Saylor. “That’s why I was pleased to see that Representative Mike Thompson re-introduced legislation to protect the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Conservation Area, supporting local businesses, and most importantly is a gift to future generations.”
The white water rapids of Cache Creek, Lake Berryessa’s bass fishery, and mountain bike and horseback riding opportunities make the Berryessa Snow Mountain region a major outdoor recreation destination. Permanent protection for the region would improve management of recreational trails and campsites. It would also increase user education and help draw visitors to the area.
“I applaud the reintroduction of legislation to permanently protect the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. The proposed National Conservation Area will not only preserve a very special region of California, but also provide opportunities for the public to reconnect with the outdoors,” said Tom Ward, California Policy Advisor for the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). “IMBA is supportive of the proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area because it would maintain and enhance trails and preserve important recreational uses in the region.”
“We are pleased that Representative Thompson has reintroduced the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act, safeguarding the region’s recreation opportunities and natural beauty and improving coordination between federal agencies and the local community,” said John and Judy Ahmann, ranchers and adjacent private landowners. “We feel better management and coordination by federal agencies will help us to fulfill our own stewardship goals with conservation easements on our private land. It is important to have strong stewardship of both public and private lands so that this incredible landscape can be enjoyed by future generations.”
No legally-open roads or motorized vehicle trails will be closed as a result of the NCA designation. Federal agencies will retain their existing authority to open new roads and trails or to temporarily close them when necessary, such as during major storms or emergencies.
Hunting and fishing will still be allowed in the NCA and the California Department of Fish and Game will retain its authority over these forms of recreation. The NCA designation would not impose any new regulations on hunting, fishing, or firearm use.
Existing laws and policies regarding firefighting will not be changed by the establishment of the NCA. Federal agencies can continue to reduce fuels before fires start by thinning trees, establishing fuel breaks, and by using controlled-burns and other appropriate tools.
Lake, Napa, and Yolo County Board of Supervisors; the Calistoga and Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and the cities of Calistoga, Clearlake, Davis, St. Helena, West Sacramento, and Winters support permanently protecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain region.
Also in support of the designation are more than 65 elected officials including former Congressman Pete McCloskey, co-author of the Endangered Species Act; more than 200 businesses representing all five involved counties; nearly 30 landowners and farmers; and more than 35 recreation and conservation groups including the Blue Ribbon Coalition, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Ducks Unlimited, the Backcountry Horsemen of California and the National Hispanic Environmental Council.
The legislation was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.