For years Tuleyome touted the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area as a mechanism to help get more grant money to the region.
Recently, Congressman Mike Thompson and Senator Barbara Boxer both introduced Bills into Congress to make this region a federal National Conservation Area.
But the most astonishing thing about the legislation and Tuleyome”s lobbying efforts is the map that was presented to the public did not have private property within the boundaries of the NCA, but today the legislation includes thousands of acres of private property that are now mapped into the boundaries.
It seems clear that the goal of this NCA is not to preserve public lands, but to assure that Congress and environmentalists get to dictate land use on private property.
I understand that the Bill states that the NCA will not impact private property, but just look at other NCA”s where development of any kind on private property was prohibited because it may have impacted the conservation values of the NCA.
Locals deserve to know the true impact this legislation will have on our region and local economies.
Trying to sell the public on a “paper park” will not increase tourism; it will only assure that more land is taken off the tax rolls through limiting the use of private property and making willing sellers. Taxpayers will be funding the purchase of private property.
The vast lands will have no sensible or private use. This Designation is simply destructive and unnecessary. Stop HR 5545 and S 3375.
Ashley Indrieri
COO of Family Water Alliance a grassroots voice for the protection of agriculture, water rights and private property rights
