Wolk Wild & Scenic Cache Creek bill wins Bipartisan support

Legislation to ensure a free-flowing Cache Creek passes Natural Resources with 7-2 vote

“We have made substantial progress,” said Assemblywoman Wolk. “Today’s vote was an important step in moving beyond the overly charged political rhetoric and into the substantive issues.”

AB 1328 would designate the portion of Cache Creek spanning from just below the Clear Lake dam to Camp Haswell at the upper end of the Capay Valley, as well as the creek’s north fork downstream from Highway 20. The creek watershed is home to the largest wintering population of Bald Eagles south of the Klamath Basin. If added to the state system, Cache Creek will join a prestigious list of California rivers, including portions of the Smith, Klamath, Scott, Salmon, Trinity, Eel, Van Duzen, Gualala, Albion and the South Yuba.

“I believe there is growing recognition that it is indeed possible to protect this exceptional portion of Cache Creek without causing any harm,” concluded Wolk. “In fact, the more people look at this they see how this measure can not only help protect the Creek, but can also protect currently held water rights. That’s the kind of win-win solution I will continue to pursue as the bill moves forward.”

The bill will next appear in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Among its supporters are Sierra Club California, Yolo Audubon Society, Trout Unlimited, Patagonia, The California Oak Foundation, California Wilderness Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Defenders of Wildlife, California League of Conservation Voters, and Environmental Defense.