Napa Valley Register-Thompson rallies support for Berryessa Snow Mountain conservation

United States Interior Secretary Sally Jewell heard plenty of opinions Friday on a proposed Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, but gave no hints as to what the idea's fate might be.

Jewell is a key figure in a regional effort to have President Barack Obama bestow national monument status on 350,000 acres of public lands, including those in eastern Napa County near Lake Berryessa. She sits on Obama's Cabinet.

Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, organized a public event with Jewell and other federal officials at Napa Valley College. For several years, Thompson has tried to pass legislation in Congress to create the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Conservation Area. Those attempts have failed, but only Obama's approval is needed for a national monument.

"I would say Congressional action is my preference," Jewell told the gathering of more than 200 people. "I think it's probably the congressman's preference."

Obama has used the Antiquities Act of 1906 to designate or expand 13 national monuments, bringing the total in the nation to 110. The latest came about in October when Obama designated the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument in Southern California.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain area stretches from the Snow Mountain Wilderness Area in the Mendocino National Forest 100 miles south to mountains separating eastern Napa and Solano counties. The proposed national monument would include public lands only, including 62,000 acres in Napa County.

On stage with Jewell and other panelists was a large poster that read, "Hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting and fishing, motorized vehicle use, grazing, logging."

Jewell described a hike she took in the Berryessa Snow Mountain area earlier that day. She talked about fording Cache Creek in knee-high water and seeing tule elk and salamanders. Clearly, she said, this is a beautiful area with treasures.

"We are here to listen to what you want in your region," she told the audience.

Then the speakers came forward, 36 over the two hours that Jewell was present. Thompson said he had requested speaking cards from more than 80 people favoring national monument status, 18 opposed and six undecided. Thompson chose the speakers.

Several supporters said national monument status would lead to a cohesive management plan among the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation for the various lands they oversee. They said having the area under the national monument banner would raise its visibility and lead to more tourism and economic growth.

Assemblyman Bill Dodd of Napa County was among the speakers. He whole-heartedly supports anything that can be done to protect these valuable resources, he said.

Local resident Ginny Simms agreed.

"I think this is a place that people from all over the United States will learn to treasure," she said.

Some speakers wanted to make sure a national monument would still allow them to use the public lands for such recreational pursuits as hang gliding and dirt biking. Some were skeptical.

Craig Morton of the Lake Berryessa area said certain uses such as motorized boating and hunting might be allowed at first, but things could change. He said Lake Berryessa used to have a thriving economy with tourists before the Bureau of Reclamation decided to renovate the lake's resorts, an effort that has yet to come to fruition.

Lake Berryessa is a man-made lake and doesn't fall under the criteria for a national monument, he said.

Before leaving, Jewell said she values everyone's perspectives. She realizes Lake Berryessa is a man-made lake and that the area has certain geological features and archeological features. All of this will be factored into decisions, she said.

"As a visitor myself to the region, I will say you have a great place," she said.

But a national monument or national conservation area? That remained undecided after the Friday afternoon event.

Also on a panel at the event with Jewell and Thompson were Rep. John Garamendi, U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Robert Bonnie, Tom Bohigian representing U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, Tuleyome Executive Director Sara Husby, Napa County rancher Judy Ahmann, Susan Harrison of UC Davis, Lake County Supervisor Denise Rushing and Austin McInerny of the National Interscholastic Cycling Association.