Businesses Urge Protection for Berryessa-Snow Mountain

Media Releases

Environment California Research & Policy Center

Sacramento – Today Tuleyome and Environment California Research & Policy Center released a video featuring business owners who have taken a stand to permanently protect over 350,000 acres of federal public lands in the Berryessa-Snow Mountain region of Northern California. Last month, one hundred local businesses released a letter calling on President Obama to protect this scenic landscape as a national monument.

 “Berryessa-Snow Mountain is a national treasure,” said Nathan Weaver, Preservation Advocate with Environment California Research & Policy Center. “I am proud to stand with these local businesses in support of permanently protecting this hidden gem.”

The Berryessa-Snow Mountain region stretches nearly one hundred miles from the shores of Lake Berryessa to the flanks of Snow Mountain in the Mendocino National Forest. This undiscovered landscape provides wonderful opportunities to hike, horseback ride, and hunt, camp, fish, bird watch, use motorized vehicles on designated routes, enjoy both motorized and non-motorized boating, water recreation, and much more.

“We should do everything we can to protect nature and its beauty,” said Aaron Curtin with APEX Cycles in Davis. “If we pave over it, it will take 10 generations to get it back.”

In 2013, Congressman Mike Thompson and U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer introduced the Berryessa-Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act in the House (H.R.1025) and the Senate, (S.483).

 “Despite strong bicameral support for permanently protecting the Berryessa-Snow Mountain Region, my legislation has not been voted on in either the House or Senate,” said Congressman Mike Thompson. “If Congress will not act to protect this area, then the Obama Administration should. Protecting the Berryessa-Snow Mountain Region will help boost tourism, grow the local economy, improve recreation opportunities and protect important species. We do not want to lose out on these benefits because Congress will not act – and we do not have to. The Obama Administration should take action where Congress hasn’t and permanently protect this natural treasure.”

“Many stores and hotels in Napa, Winters, and Clear Lake rely on visitors to support their businesses,” said Sara Husby, Executive Director of Tuleyome. “Protecting the Berryessa-Snow Mountain region as a national monument can raise the region’s profile, boosting local tourism. Permanent protection of this undiscovered landscape is good for the land and good for the people.”

Momentum to protect Berryessa-Snow Mountain has been building for years. Lake, Napa, and Yolo counties have already endorsed permanent protection. So have the Napa Valley Vintners Association and dozens of elected officials. President Obama promised that “I’ll use my authority to protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations” earlier this year in his January State of the Union Address, and has already moved to protect 500,000 acres of land in New Mexico.

To view the video online, please visit http://goo.gl/MgdvJI

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Environment California Research & Policy Center is a statewide, citizen-based advocacy group working for the places we love and the environmental values we share.