I would like to respond to the letters regarding the proposed consolidation of the Berryessa/Snow Mountain National Conservation area.
In concept the idea of only purchasing land from a willing seller is noble, however it”s not that simple. I agree completely with Ms. Indrieri in referring to “the willing seller hoax.” Mr. Williams for one, has obviously not experienced the coercion that some government agencies will use to facilitate a willingness to sell. I have seen land adjacent to an NCA condemned and confiscated because the owner acted “contrary to the management plan.” He started construction of a house on his own property, with the proper county building permits. Unfortunately his property was adjacent to a National Conservation Area and is now public land.
My family has owned land in Northern California since long before it became part of an NCA. Fortunately for us, there was already a cabin on it. We were surrounded by private property but the properties around our land have been sold to the government so now we are surrounded by federal lands. Our private property rights have been stripped from us by a management plan that restricts our access and our uses. The government has offered to buy our land at a less than market value because of its “limited uses.” Most people would be willing sellers at this point, but we are not. My family has owned this land for 150 years. The BLM restricted public access, restricted uses and spent thousands of dollars removing roads to make it eligible for wilderness designation. They also put up a locked gate to keep the public out.
With the efforts of Congressman Mike Thompson and Senator Diane Feinstein, the land around ours is now part of a large wilderness area. There can never be public toilets installed, the use of fire suppression equipment is limited and it is only accessible to hikers. Who really benefits? Not the adjacent land owners, not the general public, not the elderly and certainly not the disabled. The only ones to benefit from this action are hikers and the legislators who have added it to their list of political accomplishments. Ms. Indrieri seems to truly understand this process. I support her actions and commend her courage.
Linda J. Franklin
Middletown
