Bob Schneider (April 2005)

Assembly member Lois Wolk has introduced AB 1328 to protect upper Cache Creek as a California Wild and Scenic River.

This bill will:

• Permanently protect the upper portion of Cache Creek. There will be no new dams or diversions that would reduce the outstanding natural values of the river.
  
• Keep current management. The Bureau of Land Management and Yolo County Parks will continue to manage our public lands abutting these reaches of the river and the Water District will continue to manage water flow for farmers.
  
• Generate more public awareness and support for Cache Creek and our region. The river will be part of a state wide system of special places.
  
• Help our regional economy. Studies have shown that protecting wild places is good for the economy.
  
  

This is an assurance for the future. Currently the 5 members of the Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District have sole power and control (subject to court decrees) to determine water flows in Cache Creek. While there are good people on the Board now, we must ensure that Boards now and in the future do not contemplate management strategies that could devastate upper Cache Creek. State wild and scenic designation will act as a permanent “check and balance” to ensure protection for Cache Creek into the future, for our children and their children.