Wolk honored for Cache Creek preservation

Legislator awarded for her work to designate Cache Creek a Wild a Scenic River

SACRAMENTO–Statewide conservation group Friends of the River honored Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) last Friday for her 2005 legislation that designated a dramatic stretch of Cache Creek as a State Wild, Scenic and Recreational River.

Wolk was presented with the Peter H. Behr Award, given annually to “an elected official who has taken significant and noteworthy action to preserve and protect California Rivers and/or to further sustainable water policy.” The award was presented by Pete McCloskey, a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives who lives alongside Cache Creek in the Capay Valley.

Previous honorees include state Senator Byron Sher and United States Senator Barbara Boxer.    

"Assemblywoman Wolk introduced and championed Assembly Bill 1328, legislation which added 31 miles of Cache Creek in Lake and Yolo Counties to the California Wild & Scenic Rivers System," said Peter Ferenbach, Friends of the River’s executive director.  "She worked closely with Friends of the River and other bill sponsors, and it ultimately proved to be one of the most important state legislative environmental victories of the past year. That has helped Friends of the River move closer to its goal of preserving 6,000 miles of California's rivers for future generations."

“It is a great honor to receive this award, and to be included among such esteemed past recipients, whose environmental leadership has helped protect California’s rich and diverse landscape,” said Assemblywoman Wolk.  “We worked for over two years to see this bill signed into law, and it was never easy. I always kept my door open to all interested parties, and over time was able to negotiate an agreement that preserved this natural treasure while protecting fundamental water and flood management interests of the local community.  Now, visitors to Cache Creek can leave knowing that this recreational, natural and cultural treasure will be protected in perpetuity.”

The Peter H. Behr award pays respect to the esteemed California state Senator, conservationist, and father of the 1972 California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.