Assembly Joint Resolution
No. 4
CHAPTER 19
Relative to Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
April 09, 2015.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AJR 4, Dodd.
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
This measure would urge the President of the United States and the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior to designate the area known as the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, The Berryessa Snow Mountain region stretches nearly 100 miles from the shores of Lake Berryessa to the flanks of Snow Mountain; and
WHEREAS, The Berryessa Snow Mountain region encompasses more than 350,000 acres across the Counties of Napa, Mendocino, Lake, Solano, and Yolo and is rich in wildlife, including bald and golden eagles, black bears, mountain lions, tule elk, river otters, and the rare Pacific fisher; and
WHEREAS, Berryessa Snow Mountain is a biodiversity hotspot and includes numerous trails, open spaces, lakes, and rivers that help create a fishing, camping, boating, birding, horseback-riding, bicycling, and off-highway vehicle paradise; and
WHEREAS, Permanently protecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain region will ensure continued recreational opportunities while safeguarding the region’s beauty, wildlife, rare plants, agriculture, and water, which includes important sources of drinking water and irrigation for nearby communities; and
WHEREAS, The Berryessa Snow Mountain region is within easy driving distance for millions of citizens residing and visiting the bay area and the Sacramento metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, Protected public lands are major contributors to our nation’s $646 billion outdoor recreation economy; and
WHEREAS, More than one-half of California residents participate in outdoor recreation each year, supporting more than 700,000 jobs, generating more than $6 billion in state economic activity; and
WHEREAS, Studies have shown that local economies surrounding permanently protected areas such as national monuments expand after establishing a monument, increasing per-capita personal incomes; and
WHEREAS, More than 100 businesses in areas surrounding the Berryessa Snow Mountain region support a national monument designation, as do nationally recognized recreation and sportsmen’s groups such as the International Bicycling Association, Back Country Horsemen, and the Equine Land Conservation Resource; and
WHEREAS, President Obama recently designated 346,000 acres of public land in southern California as the San Gabriel National Monument, and expanded the California Coastal National Monument to include the Point Arena Stornetta Public Lands; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature of California urge President Obama and the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior, Sally Jewell, to protect and preserve the unique and precious qualities of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region for current and future generations by creating a Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument; and be it further
Resolved, That in designating the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Monument, the Secretary consult an area advisory council consisting of, but not limited to, one representative from each of the Napa, Lake, Yolo, Mendocino, and Solano County Boards of Supervisors, a representative of the California Resources Agency, and a representative of Native American Tribes; and be it further
Resolved, That in designating the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Monument, the Secretary take into consideration existing land uses, including grazing, on the federal lands within the region; and be it further
Resolved, That the designation of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument does not require nonfederal property owners to allow public access to private property, nor does it modify any provision of federal, state, or local law with respect to use of nonfederal land; and be it further
Resolved, That any acquisition of nonfederal land within the National Monument occur only through exchange, donation, or purchase from a willing seller; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States and to the Secretary of the United States Department of Interior.