NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – On Tuesday, Lake County's members of Congress and a Napa County rancher testified before a House subcommittee regarding legislation to establish a National Conservation Area across the region stretching from Snow Mountain to Lake Berryessa.
Congressman John Garamendi (CA-3) and Mike Thompson (CA-5) testified at a Committee on Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation in support of H.R. 1025, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act.
Judy Ahmann, a private land owner and rancher from Napa, also testified in support of the legislation.
H.R. 1025, introduced by Thompson in March 2013, 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 Berryessa Snow Mountain Region is a national treasure,” Thompson said during testimony. “We have a responsibility to preserve it and make sure the region is managed efficiently and responsibly. Designating the region as a National Conservation Area would preserve the land, help our local economies, and benefit those who live in and visit the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region.”
Garamendi, former Deputy Secretary of the Interior, told the subcommittee, “The Berryessa Snow Mountain NCA bill would open up a range of business opportunities for our region. The bill allows for federal agencies to coordinate on management of federal lands.”
He said the NCA designation has a proven track record of increasing tourism and creating jobs, which is why H.R. 1025 has garnered the support of chambers of commerce, boards of supervisors, Northern California cities and other local stakeholders.
Ahmann and her husband operate a 3,000 acre cattle ranch, Running Deer Ranch, directly adjacent to Bureau of Land Management lands that are included in the proposed National Conservation Area.
“As a grandmother, protecting our public lands for future generations is important to me,” she said. “I want to make sure that this scenic treasure is permanently protected so that it can be enjoyed by my grandchildren and their grandchildren.”
“I am overjoyed that this legislation is gaining momentum,” said Sara Husby-Good, executive director and campaign director of nonprofit Tuleyome. “There are many people who enjoy recreating in the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region because there is something for everyone. Visitors can hike, hunt, camp, fish, bird, mountain bike, use off road vehicles on legal routes, boat on Lake Berryessa, horseback ride and much more. I look forward to a House floor vote for this important legislation.”
For more information about the area visit http://berryessasnowmountain.org/ .