Date: July 10, 2015

Contacts: Jessica Kershaw (Interior), Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

Martha Maciel (BLM), 916-078-4616

Secretaries Vilsack and Jewell Laud President Obamas Designation of

Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument
Presidents Action Protects, Connects Northern California Area Known for Natural
Beauty, Recreational Opportunities

WASHINGTON Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell
joined members of Congress, California State and local elected officials, and community
members across Northern California today in praising the Presidents designation of the
Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument.
The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is one of three new national monuments
announced by President Obama today that help tell the story of significant events in American
history and protect unique cultural and natural resources for the benefit of all Americans.

The Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument strikes a unique balance between Northern
Californias urban environments of Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area and the wild,
remote landscapes that surround the farms, ranches, orchards, and vineyards that nourish our
nation, said Secretary Vilsack. The Presidents proclamation today will ensure that these lands
will continue to be a sustainable, working landscape that supports local economies and critical
resources like fresh water, grazing lands, and habitat for important plant, fish and wildlife
species.

Todays action honors more than a decade of work by the local community to protect this
beautiful landscape, said Secretary Jewell. The Berryessa Snow Mountain region draws
families and outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure, recreation, and the solitude that only nature
can provide. The Presidents action will help boost local economies and ensure that the areas
unique natural, cultural, and recreational resources are protected for generations to come.

The new 330,780-acre monument is comprised of existing federal lands, extending from
Berryessa Peak and other lands in the vicinity of Lake Berryessa in Napa, Yolo, and Solano
counties through the spectacular lands of Lake, Colusa, and Glenn Counties to the eastern
boundary of the Yuki Wilderness in Mendocino County. It is now the second largest national
monument in California, after the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The monument
does not include Lake Berryessa itself, which will continue to be managed as a recreation area by
the Bureau of Reclamation.

In December, Secretary Jewell, U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, and USDA Under
Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie visited the Berryessa Snow
Mountain area at the request of Congressman Mike Thompson to hear from the community about
their vision for conservation in the region. Since 2012, Congressman Thompson and Senator
Barbara Boxer have been introducing legislation to protect this area. The boundary declared by
the Presidents designation follows the approach adopted by legislation introduced in February of
this year following extensive public outreach and engagement by the Congressman.

The regions proximity to population centers such as Sacramento, San Francisco, and Santa Rosa
make the area an important setting for recreation for millions of Northern California residents.
Studies estimate an increase in visitors could bring up to $26 million in new economic activity
and $500,000 in tax revenue to local economies during the five year period post designation.

Miles of hiking, horseback riding, and designated off-road vehicle trails offer visitors views of
the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east and the Coastal Mountains to
the west, as well as panoramic vistas overlooking Clear Lake, Lake Berryessa, and the steep

canyon of Cache Creek. Hunting and angling are popular activities year-round. The Cache
Creek, Cedar Rough, and Snow Mountain wilderness areas provide opportunities for remote
backcountry travel and Cache Creek provides the closest commercial whitewater rafting to San
Francisco.

The area contains one of the greatest concentrations of biodiversity in California and is home to
threatened and endangered plant and wildlife species including northern spotted owls, marten,
and fisher. California Coastal Chinook salmon and Northern California steelhead spawn in the
areas waterways.

This is an amazing area for the public to get outside and connect with their public lands and the
natural environment, said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. Visitors can get a truly wild
experience on this landscape, spending days and even weeks exploring the rugged terrain and
finding something new around every corner. From the smallest insects and flowers, the largest
mammals and trees, to the sweeping vistas of the Monuments mountains and valleys across the
Sacramento Valley to the High Sierra this is a breathtaking area with so much to see and
explore.