Bill allows Lake Berryessa motorized recreations

"Designating our nearby public lands as a National Conservation Area"

Designating our nearby public lands as a National Conservation Area would bring added economic vitality to gateway communities – including many here in Lake County – through tourism and job creation.

"Protecting this area from development is the right thing to do for future generations"

We want to allow access for people who like long hikes with beautiful views. We feel strongly that protecting this area from development is the right thing to do for future generations, so they can enjoy it just as we do today.

"Our community has greatly benefitted from enhanced access to public lands and waterways"

Residents appreciate these expanded opportunities to recreate in their own backyard, while those traveling through our community boost our small town economy. It's truly a win-win for everyone.

"The Berryessa Snow Mountain NCA project is as exciting!"

"The last National Conservation Area type project I was involved with was Point Reyes National Seashore. The Berryessa Snow Mountain NCA project is as exciting! We need your help to make this happen." – Former U.S. Congressman Pete McCloskey

"The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area, a region internationally famous among geologists... "
"The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area lies within the southeastern part of the northern California Coast Ranges, a region internationally famous among geologists for its spectacular exposures of rocks formed at a tectonic plate margin." – Eldridge Moores, Ph. D, Professor Emeritus in Geology at the University of California, Davis.

"The Berryessa Snow Mountain boundaries have been determined based upon goals to protect!... "

"The Berryessa Snow Mountain boundaries have been determined based upon goals to protect clean water, mitigate climate change, maximize biodiversity, and better manage recreational opportunities consistent with those goals." – Bob Schneider, Senior Policy Director, Tuleyome

Letters to the Editor

Friday, June 22, 2012
Bill allows Lake Berryessa motorized recreations

Published: Thursday, Jun. 21, 2012 - 12:22 pm

Re “Develop Berryessa recreation” (Letters, June 19): The letter is misleading and false. It suggests that motorboat access and recreation would be negatively impacted if my bill (HR 5545, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act ) becomes law. This could not be further from the truth. Nothing in the legislation would impact motorboat use. Any suggestion otherwise is untrue.

Napa County, Lake County, the Winters City Council, the Davis City Council, the Clearlake City Council and the Calistoga City Council have all passed unanimous resolutions of support in favor of the bill. There are also 148 businesses, representing all four involved counties, who support the legislation. This bill is about protecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain region. It only affects federally owned property. These federal lands are open to the public and my bill will make sure it stays that way. It will ensure that tax dollars are spent efficiently, and that the land is managed effectively. It will help our local economy, preserve the land for future generations and has a wide base of local support.

--U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena

Our Mission

Permanently protecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain region

Latest News

Sacramento Bee, June 12, 2013. "Berryessa area should be a national conservation area."

Sacramento Bee, June 8, 2013. "Editorial: Give national status to Berryessa's lands."

Davis Enterprise, June 7, 2013. "Take a hike!"

Davis Enterprise, June 5, 2013. "Supervisors again endorse Berryessa Snow Mountain conservation area."

Sacramento Bee, June 2, 2013. "CA Traveler: Going With the Flow."

Sacramento Bee, April 28, 2013. "Exploring Cache Creek Nature Area's Blue Ridge Trail."

QUEST KQED, April 26, 2013. "Another Try for California's Second National Conservation Area."

Lake County News, April 22, 2013. Letter to the Editor: "Preserving public lands for future generations."

The Sacramento Bee, April 4, 2013. Letter to the Editor: "Berryessa is good for business."

The Sacramento Bee, April 2, 2013. "Viewpoints: Protecting region's special places is good for tourism, businesses."

Daily Democrat, April 5, 2013. "Snow Mountain an undiscovered treasure."

Sierra Club Lay of the Land, March 13, 2013. "CA Legislators are Clear: Protect Berryessa Snow Mountain."

SCV News, March 13, 2013. "Boxer Bill Would Add Layer of Protection to 350,000 Acres."

Davis Enterprise, March 10, 2013. Letter to the Editor: "Overwhelming support for NCA."

NEWS UPDATE: The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area campaign is gaining steam. On March 7, 2013, Representative Mike Thompson re-introduced the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act with co-sponsors Representatives John Garamendi, Jared Huffman, Ami Bera, and Anna Eshoo, which would protect 350,000 acres of public land just a short drive from the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. In addition, Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced the senate companion to the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area Act. Re-introduction of these bills follows nearly six years of work at the community level to permanently protect this special place. PRESS RELEASE - BILL RE-INTRODUCTION

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