Bill Overview
Title: Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument Expansion Act
Description: This bill modifies the boundary of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument to include the Walker Ridge (Molok Luyuk) Addition, which is approximately 3,925 acres of federal land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Lake County, California. The Department of the Interior shall administer the addition as part of the monument. Interior and the Department of Agriculture shall jointly develop a comprehensive management plan for the monument in accordance with, and in a manner that fulfills the purposes specified in, Presidential Proclamation 9298 of July 10, 2015, relating to the establishment of the monument. The BLM or the Forest Service shall enter into agreements, contracts, and other similarly cooperative and collaborative partnerships if requested by an affected federally recognized Indian tribe regarding management of the monument pursuant to the relevant federal authority.
Sponsors: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Target Audience
Population: People living in or near the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument and stakeholders
Estimated Size: 65000
- The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is currently approximately 330,000 acres and is being expanded by about 3,925 additional acres, affecting land and ecosystem management.
- The expansion could lead to additional protections for the wildlife and natural resources within the expanded area, impacting the ecosystem services and biodiversity.
- Local residents and landowners adjacent to the area might face changes in land use and access restrictions.
- Recreational users such as hikers, campers, and researchers who frequent the monument area will be affected as the lands they can access are expanded and managed differently.
- The bill involves cooperation with local tribes, meaning Native American communities could be directly impacted by changes in land management and access.
- The population of Lake County, California, which is 64,000 according to recent estimates, includes those most directly impacted due to proximity.
Reasoning
- The expansion of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument mainly affects local residents, recreational users, and Indigenous communities in the area. The policy primarily influences a small and rural population centered around Lake County, California.
- Since the policy focuses on land management, the cost and size constraints must ensure sustainable conservation measures that do not overextend available funds. A $3,750,000 budget in the first year suggests initial costs will be for administrative and initial infrastructure enhancements.
- Many people in this area depend on natural resources and recreational access for their wellbeing. Thus, shifts in land management could affect their quality of life, either by restricting access or by improving environmental conservation and recreational facilities.
- The broader impact of the policy on wellbeing will manifest over decades, considering environmental and socio-economic changes. Immediate impacts might be limited but will increase as management plans take effect.
Simulated Interviews
Elementary School Teacher (Lakeport, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The expansion is a positive step toward preserving our local environment.
- I'm worried about the management plans and how they'll affect local access to these lands.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Park Ranger (Clearlake, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This expansion will bring more resources and better conservation efforts.
- I'm excited about the potential for increased biodiversity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired (Kelseyville, CA)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about potential restrictions on where I can hike.
- It's important that they balance preservation with access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Small Business Owner (Upper Lake, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More land could mean more visitors.
- I hope this brings more business rather than restrictions that drive people away.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Freelance Environmental Scientist (Middletown, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The addition is great for ecological research.
- I hope the policies remain science-driven.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 7 |
Tribal Council Member (Santa Rosa, CA)
Age: 51 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This expansion could provide more opportunities for tribal involvement in land management.
- It's crucial for maintaining our cultural heritage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Environmental Policy Advocate (Williams, CA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The expansion is essential for long-term conservation.
- Collaborative management with tribes is a strong point.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Graduate Student (Davis, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expansions increase opportunities for research.
- I'm concerned about funding sufficiency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Land Developer (Lakeport, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried that this will lower property values in the area.
- There needs to be clear communication about land use changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Journalist (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An important story for environmental journalism.
- Tracking how this impacts communities will be key.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3750000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4500000)
Year 2: $3500000 (Low: $3000000, High: $4000000)
Year 3: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 5: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 10: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Year 100: $3000000 (Low: $2500000, High: $3500000)
Key Considerations
- The expansion of protected lands could help preserve ecosystems and biodiversity in Walker Ridge and the broader region, which has indirect economic benefits.
- Balancing conservation efforts with local economic interests, including potential impact on existing agricultural or development plans, needs careful consideration.
- The cooperative management agreements with Native American tribes will require ongoing resources to maintain effective partnerships.
- Potential increased visitation due to expanded recreational space could impact local infrastructure and require additional public services.