Monday, 20 August 2007 02:05

The Positives Of Wild & Scenic Designation For Local River

slide8The Wild and Scenic designation for portions of the Mokelumne River in Amador County proposed by the Bureau of Land Management, or B-L-M, has generated quite a bit of discussion amongst both local opponents and proponents of the designation. According to Chris Wright of the Foothill Conservancy there are many direct benefits to the designation.

slide29 Wright says the National Wild and Scenic River designation is good for local people because it ensures we can continue using our river in all the ways we do today. He emphasizes that the federal designation protects people locally by making sure that no big city can destroy more of our river with a dam and reservoir to provide water to the urban areas. There are also positive economic impacts to local communities says Wright because the national recognition is a tourist draw Amador County for nature and wild life enthusiatists. 

Wright says that the designation does not regulate private land at all -- but in fact,  is likely to increase its property values. For more information, see www.foothillconservancy.org or call Chris at 295-4900.