Memorandum
Date: September 21, 2021
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Eddie “EJ” Crandell, Vice-Chair and District 3 Supervisor
Bruno Sabatier, Chair and District 2 Supervisor
Subject: Consideration of letter of support for federal legislation expanding the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument
Executive Summary:
On July 15, 2015, President Obama declared a new National Monument with large portions of its area residing in Lake County. The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is a biological hotspot of diverse flora and fauna. The Walker Ridge area, which would add an approximately additional 4,000 acres to the already more than 330,000 acre National Monument was part of the original National Monument footprint, but was excluded in its final declaration. However, Walker Ridge is an important part of the area and adds to the beauty, diversity, and recreational opportunities that the National Monument already features.
Congressman John Garamendi, with the help of the Tuleyome non-profit conservation group, have worked to create the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act which would add the Walker Ridge area to the existing National Monument. This area is already owned by the federal government’s Bureau of Land Management.
We bring this letter of support for the Expansion Act for the board’s consideration, believing that this expansion will enhance the opportunities that this National Monument brings to our county both for conserving our precious surroundings and for the economic advantages that a National Monument destination brings to local jurisdictions.
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Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Consistency with Vision 2028 (check all that apply): ☒ Not applicable
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Recommended Action: Approve the letter of support for the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act