by Victoria Brandon, Redwood Chapter Chair
As previously mentioned, in July the House Public Lands and Environmental Regulation subcommittee held a hearing on the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act (H.R. 1025). This important landscape-level conservation proposal, which has the strong support of the Redwood Chapter, would permanently protect 350,000 acres of federal public lands with outstanding conservation values, set up a structure to improve collaborative management among affected agencies, enhance recreational potential, and benefit the visitor-based economy.
H.R. 1025 is co-sponsored by all three members of Redwood Chapter’s Congressional delegation and covers land managed by three federal agencies in five counties, including three Wilderness areas and a state Wild and Scenic River.
There’s no predicting when a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives may occur, but in the meantime we need your help to push the proposal along in the Senate.
Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced companion legislation, S. 483, but unfortunately Senator Dianne Feinstein has still not become a co-sponsor, and without her support S. 483 stands no chance of getting a hearing.
Won’t you please take a moment to send her a letter telling her what you love about the region and the reasons it merits protection? Letters should be sent to Honorable Dianne Feinstein, 331 Hart Senate Office Bldg. Washington, D.C. 20510. Your own words are always strongest, but you are welcome to get started by copying and pasting the sample letter below. After you send your letter, please send a copy via email to vbrandon@lakelive.info.
For additional information about the proposed NCA, visit berryessasnowmountain.org.
And thanks so much for your help!
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Sample Letter:
[INSERT DATE]
Honorable Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Re: Co-sponsoring the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act
Dear Senator Feinstein:
As a resident of [TOWN AND STATE], I am writing to encourage you to co-sponsor S. 483, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act would protect 350,000 acres of federal public lands in Yolo, Napa, Lake, Solano, and Mendocino counties. These lands provide habitat for a wide array of plants and animals, and support outstanding opportunities for hiking, camping, biking, and rafting, within a short drive of my town.
Designating this area as a national conservation area will provide well-managed recreation opportunities and safeguard the area’s natural beauty.
[INSERT WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT THE REGION AND WHY IT SHOULD BE PROTECTED]
I urge you to support efforts to establish the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area by co-sponsoring S. 483, the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Sierra Club Redwood Chapter 