Agreement reached on Cache Creek Wild & Scenic Bill

Wolk negotiates to protect Cache Creek and local water rights

Attorneys for Lake County, the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and Friends of the River jointly developed significant amendments to Wolk’s Assembly Bill 1328 that will protect water rights, prevent a federal wild and scenic designation and insure that efforts to eradicate mercury and invasive species will not be stopped. The discussions were facilitated by prominent water attorney Dan O’Hanlon, of the Sacramento law firm Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann and Girard, on behalf of Assemblymember Wolk.

"I have always believed that agriculture and conservation are compatible… that they are, in fact, partners in the struggle to preserve our natural resources,” said Assemblywoman Wolk. “This agreement moves us closer to our goal of preserving 31 miles of Cache Creek for future generations, while protecting the fundamental water and flood management interests of the local community. I look forward to the Governor's signature on the bill."

“The proposed amendments make sure that Lake County’s interests are protected, and that was our bottom line,” said Lake County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ed Robey, who along with fellow Supervisor Anthony Farrington comprise the subcommittee of their board charged to work with Wolk on the bill. “I’m glad we had a seat at the table in these discussions and will be recommending that the Lake County Board of Supervisors remove our opposition at the June 7 board meeting.”

“Speaking for my Board, I am pleased to be in agreement with these amendments,” wrote Bob Schneider, president of Tuleyome and Cache Creek Wild, in a letter to Wolk. “The language is specific to Cache Creek, and I believe that it ensures that both our wild heritage and our agricultural heritage will be protected into the future. This is good for Yolo and Lake Counties and for all the residents of California. We are all winners.”

“Your staff has worked with the District to develop amendments to AB 1328 that would protect the current and future exercise of the District’s water rights and inhibit the California designation from leading to a designation of Cache Creek under the federal Wild and Scenic Act,” said Ann Brice, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. “Our ad hoc committee believes that these amendments as approved by your staff would address these issues to the satisfaction of the District.”

The amendments will receive formal votes from the Lake County Supervisors and the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District directors at their respective meetings in early June. The bill will next be heard in the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday and must be voted on by the full Assembly by Friday June 3.

Among its supporters are the County of Yolo, the city of Davis, the city of West Sacramento, Sierra Club California, Sierra Club Yolano Chapter, Sierra Club Mother Lode Chapter, California Trout, Sacramento River Preservation Trust, Northern California Federation of Fly Fishers, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance, Friends of the River, Cache Creek Wild, California Audubon Society, Yolo Audubon Society, Trout Unlimited, Patagonia, The California Oak Foundation, California Wilderness Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, California Canoe and Kayak, Defenders of Wildlife, California League of Conservation Voters, Environmental Defense, and hundreds of individuals.