Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., introduced the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Act on Thursday. The legislation would designate the Berryessa Snow Mountain region as a National Monument to better manage and protect more than 350,000 acres of publicly-owned land in Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Glenn, Colusa, Solano and Yolo Counties and to promote tourism and outdoor recreation across the region.

Previously, Boxer and Thomspon had called on President Barack Obama to designate the area a National Monument. The two have been pursuing legislative protections since 2012.

Now joined by Feinstein, the new legislation would “preserve the environment and support local communities,” Feinstein said in a statement. “By providing permanent protections and coordinated federal management, this legislation will help ensure one of California’s most beautiful and biologically diverse regions continues to thrive.”

“The Berryessa Snow Mountain region is one of California’s greatest natural treasures,” Boxer said. “This bill will expand opportunities for outdoor recreation and help preserve this region’s magnificent vistas and diverse wildlife for current and future generations.”

Photos: BerryessaSnowMountain.org

“Protecting the Berryessa Snow Mountain Region will help boost tourism, grow the local economy, improve recreation opportunities and protect important species,” said Congressman Thompson. “By designating the region as a national monument, we can unite all federal lands under one management plan and preserve this national treasure for generations to come.”

The new National Monument would cover lands stretching more than 100 miles from Putah Creek, below Lake Berryessa, up to the peak of Snow Mountain. The area provides a haven for hiking, camping, rafting and horseback riding and is home to a diverse array of wildlife including bald and golden eagles, black bears and tule elk.

The legislation would unite all currently publicly-owned land within the area under one management plan, allowing for better coordination among federal agencies to protect wildlife, restore habitat, improve water quality, expand recreational opportunities and prevent wildfires.

The new designation would also help raise the profile of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region, increasing tourism and business opportunities for local communities. The bill would create a public advisory committee so that local residents, outdoors enthusiasts and business owners can share their ideas for preserving and promoting the area’s wildlife and pristine rivers, forests, ridges, canyons and creeks.

Supporters of this legislation include: the Lake, Napa and Yolo County Boards of Supervisors; the Calistoga and Napa County Hispanic Chambers of Commerce; the cities of Calistoga, Clearlake, Davis, St. Helena, West Sacramento and Winters; and over 200 businesses. In addition, over 25 local and national recreation and conservation organizations support the proposal including the Blue Ribbon Coalition, International Mountain Bike Association and the National Hispanic Environmental Council.