Assembly passes Cache Creek protection bill

In June the California Assembly passed AB 1328, introduced by Assemblymember Lois Wolk, to add 31 miles of Cache Creek to the California Wild and Scenic Rivers System. State wild-and-scenic designation would protect the creek's extraordinary scenic, recreational, wildlife, and fishery values.

Cache Creek is located in the scenic Coast Range northwest of Sacramento. It is one of the most popular whitewater-boating and -rafting streams close to the Bay Area and Sacramento. It supports one of the largest bald-eagle and tule-elk populations in the state. It is also rich in Native American cultural heritage. The segment proposed for state designation flows largely through public lands managed by federal, state, and county-park agencies.

The Assembly vote was 43 - 22, with 15 members not voting. The vote was on party lines, except that two Republicans voted for the bill.

AB 1328 is supported by the Sierra Club, Friends of the River, Cache Creek Wild, and more than 60 local, regional, and national conservation and outdoor recreation organizations. AB 1328 was bitterly opposed by agricultural and water-development interests, but much of the opposition was neutralized when amendments were added addressing key water-rights issues in Yolo and Lake Counties.

AB 1328 now goes to the California Senate. We hope that the bill will pass the Senate before the session closes in September.

WhatYouCanDo

Write to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at:

State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814.

Urge him to sign AB 1328.

compiled by Vicky Hoover from California Wild Heritage Campaign reports