NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – State Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and Assemblymember Bill Dodd (D-Napa) have introduced Senate Bill 1396 to establish the Northern Inner Coast Range State Conservancy.
The bill is also being coauthored by state Sen. Mike McGuire and Assemblyman Marc Levine.
Participation in the conservancy would be optional, and decided at the county level.
Counties eligible for inclusion are all or part of Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Trinity, Tehama and Yolo counties.
Tuleyome, a regional conservation organization based in Woodland, is a strong supporter of a state conservancy for our region.
The group is making a presentation on the Northern Inner Coast Range proposal to the Lake County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, as Lake County News has reported.
“A Northern Inner Coast Range Conservancy can bring additional funding and local collaboration in the region for conservation protection and economic development,” said Bob Schneider, senior policy director for Tuleyome.
“Our model is the Sierra Nevada Conservancy that plays an important collaborative role working with local governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations and others and offers additional opportunities for additional state funds, proposition bond funds and other grant opportunities,” Schneider said. “It is time that the region receives its fair share of funding for conservation and remediation projects, and economic development.”
Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, mayor of the city of Winters, added, “Our region needs to be at the table to help plan and develop the Inner Coast Range Conservancy. The funding for projects like this is given only to those that are part of a conservancy. Currently Yolo, Lake, Colusa and others are not included in one, thus we are unable to apply for those funds to meet our local needs. We need a conservancy in order to compete for local funding and give us a strong local voice.”
“A state conservancy for our region can provide fairness and equity in providing critical and necessary outside funding for important projects such as for Clear Lake's water quality and ecosystem,” said Lake County Supervisor Jim Steele.
“The Northern Inner Coast Range is an important part of the state’s economy, and is world-renowned for its numerous and varied resources. The region hosts unique natural and cultural assets, a rich agricultural community, and amazing recreational opportunities,” said Sen. Wolk. “Establishing a state conservancy gives us a strong voice, and will help the region compete for funding to protect and enhance these resources for future generations, and promote regional economic development.”
“It’s critical that we leave California a better place for future generations, and establishing this conservancy will allow our region to better compete for needed restoration and conservation projects,” said Assemblyman Dodd. “Sen. Wolk is a tremendous partner in this effort, and I look forward to working with her to ensure we advance the economic, recreational, and environmental benefits of the Northern Inner Coast Range.”
Northern Inner Coast Range state conservancy bill introduced
- Lake County News reports
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