Tehama board opposes including river in wild and scenic system
Chico Enterprise Record - 9/25/02
By Marti Taylor, Red Bluff Daily News staff writer

RED BLUFF - The Tehama County Board of Supervisors took formal action this week to oppose the inclusion of the Sacramento River and its tributaries in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, over the dissent of Supervisor Barbara McIver.

The board voted 4-1 to clarify its opposition to the creation of the "Sacramento River National Conservation Area" as included in national Senate Bill 2535 or the California Wild Heritage Wilderness Act of 2002 authored by Sen. Barbara Boxer.

McIver also dissented on a related issue earlier this year, and tried to clarify her position Tuesday.

In March the board voted 4-1 on a resolution to opposed inclusion of the river into the national scenic river system.

The resolution further voiced support of, "collaborative efforts by Tehama County's local watershed groups as the most viable method of watershed management for Tehama County."

McIver said Tuesday, "I am opposed to the linking of a national conservation area and local watershed groups. I would like to unlink them as they pertain to my vote."

McIver voiced her support for all groups that work to protect and maintain the river and offer, "services to preserve a resource that will hopefully outlive all of us."

McIver said she endorses, advocates and applauds local watershed groups as well as other efforts to protect natural resources and does not believe that the two are mutually exclusive.

"My support of this bill does not indicate a lack of support or appreciation for local conservation and watershed groups," said McIver.

The board's vote Tuesday will result in a letter being sent to Sen. Barbara Boxer and Sen. Diane Feinstein.

The letter states creation of the conservation area would, "serve to circumvent and on-going local collaborative process to protect Northern California waterways and riparian habitat."

Supervisor George Russell defended the board's action. "Right now is a really difficult time relative to water. We can't afford to lose any flexibility we might have had regarding water. The timing of this matter is such that I support the resolution."

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