She said that many who hear of the word “Wild” think it refers to turning the river into a Wilderness area which could affect the rights of private land owners. Dunn says the Wild and Scenic River Designation would actually protect landowners. Currently, government agencies could chose to create power generating facilities along the river, exposing land owners to potential eminent domain proceedings. The Wild & Scenic designation prohibits any future damming of that section of the river. Dunn is in the process of raising awareness on the matter among local individuals, agencies and organizations. The Foothill Conservancy Public Open House is scheduled for February 26, 6 – 8 pm in the Board of Supervisors Chambers. All land owners along the 37 mile stretch of the Mokelumne will be personally invited. The Bureau of Land Management representative, who will be preparing the river management plan, a requirement of the Wild and Scenic River designation, will also be on hand to answer questions.

The Wild and Scenic River Designation came about nearly 40 years ago when the US Congress declared a national policy to protect selected rivers and their immediate environments. In order to be designated as Wild and Scenic, rivers must possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, or cultural values.  According to Dunn, this means all the current recreation like fishing, hunting, panning for gold and kayaking would continue, and would be preserved for future generations.  According to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System website, the Act purposefully strives to balance river development with permanent protection for the country's most outstanding free-flowing rivers. You can find additional information on the Foothill Conservancy website at www.foothillconservancy.org, and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System website at www.rivers.gov.