White Water Adventures backs Wolk's Wild & Scenic Cache Creek Bill

Rafting tour business supports legislator’s effort to protect 31 miles of Cache Creek

Assembly Bill 1328 would designate 31 miles of Cache Creek in Yolo and Lake Counties as a State Wild, Scenic and Recreational River, preserving and protecting in perpetuity 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.

White Water Adventures reversed its opposition to the bill after Wolk added amendments to protect water rights, prevent a federal wild and scenic designation, address flood interests and insure that efforts to eradicate mercury and invasive species will not be stopped. The amendments also led both State Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) and the Lake County Board of Supervisors to move from neutral to support positions—and the Yolo County Flood Control District, Cache Creek Conservancy and Woodland City Council to withdraw their opposition to the bill.

“We want to thank you for listening to our concerns and addressing them in your recent amendments to the bill,” wrote Mark Gholson of White Water Adventures in a letter to Wolk. “Designation as a State Wild and Scenic River is the proper level of protection for upper Cache Creek and with the protections against a dual federal designation we are pleased to remove our opposition and support your bill AB 1328.”

“Our numbers continue to grow,” said Wolk. “Those who love Cache Creek, who truly appreciate its value as a natural and recreational resource, want this Wild and Scenic designation.”

AB 1328 will next be heard in the Senate Committee on Appropriations. Among the bill’s many other supporters are the County of Yolo, the city of Davis, the city of West Sacramento, Woodland Democratic Club, Sierra Club Yolano Chapter, Cache Creek Wild, Sierra Club Mother Lode Chapter, Sacramento River Preservation Trust, Cache Creek Wild, Yolo Audubon Society, and hundreds of individuals.