Berryessa Snow Mountain is Newest Designated National Monument

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2015

Contact: Courtney Sexton, 202-772-0288

Berryessa Snow Mountain is Newest Designated National Monument

California’s majestic mountain region now permanently protected

SACRAMENTO— Today the Obama administration announced the designation of three new national monuments, including a new monument in northern California, Berryessa Snow Mountain. The Berryessa Snow Mountain region of northern California’s Inner Coast Ranges is home to a wide variety of California wildlife, including mountain lions, bears, deer, osprey, native trout, bald eagles and elusive Pacific fishers. In 2012 California lawmakers first introduced a bill that would designate the region as a National Conservation Area. In December 2014, the Obama administration received more than 80,000 public comments supporting the permanent protection of Berryessa Snow Mountain, and today it acted.

The following is a statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife:

“Today’s announcement by the Obama administration establishing Berryessa Snow Mountain as a national monument is an all-around win. National monument status now guarantees the conservation of the unique ecological, recreational and economic benefits of the Berryessa Snow Mountain region far into the future. This designation safeguards important areas for wildlife and rare plants to adapt to a changing climate, protects our clean water, encourages tourism and supports local businesses, and ensures that suitable public lands remain open to varied forms of outdoor recreation.

“With this newest monument designation, President Obama continues to follow in the footsteps of virtually every president since Teddy Roosevelt, who designated the first national monument more than 100 years ago. National monuments recognize and protect cultural and ecological wonders all over the United States for future generations to enjoy just as we do today and Berryessa Snow Mountain deserves its rank among our country’s treasured, permanently protected places.”

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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.