Bill to protect Snow Mountain area

Three California state representatives have introduced legislation to designate more than 319,000 acres of federal land between Lake Berryessa (pictured) and Snow Mountain as a National Conservation Area.

The area, covering parts of Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Yolo counties, is a popular recreational destination, according to Public News Service. Introduced by Congressmen Mike Thompson and John Garamendi, and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, the legislation would add the Lake Berryessa-Snow Mountain region to a list of 16 other National Conservation Areas including King Range on the California coast.

The bill will prevent reckless development like road construction and unregulated mining that would really harm the region’s natural character,” said Paul Spitler of The Wilderness Society.