Sacramento is considering legislation under which California reservoir and watershed managers would receive citizen input and consider recreational use of their lands, including trail access. This means powerful agencies like the Marin Municipal Water District (overseeing a large trail network on Mt. Tamalpais) and the East Bay Municipal Utility District (with extensive trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties) would be required to consider public commentary when they decide how to deal with trails.
IMBA is part of a coalition of recreation and conservation groups that have endorsed Assembly Bill 672. Assembly Member Johan Klehs, of San Leandro, authored this trail-friendly bill. KEY POINTS:
* Across the state, reservoir and watershed managers have inconsistent policies regarding recreation and trail opportunities on watershed lands.
* Under AB 672, reservoir and watershed managers would set up a mechanism to consider recreation and trail opportunities on their lands.
* The legislation will create a great opportunity for all kinds of trail users to participate in a process that could provide many new recreational activities. It is endorsed by diverse organizations, including the California League of Conservation Voters, California Bicycle Coalition, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, East Bay Regional Park District, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Northern California Mountain Biking Association, and Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay.
* The legislation will enable trail enthusiasts to help watershed agencies establish plans that will balance water quality, environmental protection, and the recreation and health needs of the community.
* Don’t forget to sign your letter, and to mention where you live!
HOW TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD:
* Write a letter or send an e-mail to your state senator in support of AB 672
* Phone calls work too, but written communication is preferable
* Copy your letter to Assembly Member Johan Klehs
* Another copy of your communication should go to Senate co-sponsor Tom Torklakson
Go here to find your state Senator
Contact Assembly Member Klehs:
The Hon. Johan Klehs
California State Assembly
Room 5150, State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento CA 94249-0018
Phone number: (916) 319-2018
Fax number: (916) 319-2118
Contact Senator Torlakson:
The Hon. Tom Torlakson
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room 4032
Sacramento CA 95814
E-mail address: Senator.Torlakson@sen.ca.gov
Phone number: (916) 651-4007
Fax number: (916) 445-2527
MORE INFORMATION ON AB 672
Under AB 672, agencies like the Marin Municipal Water District (that oversees a large trail network on Mt. Tamalpais), the East Bay Municipal Utility District (with extensive trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties and 25 miles of trails in the Mokelumne area of the Sierra Nevada foothills), the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (with land interests around the Bay Area and in the Sierra Nevada), and the Contra Costa Water District would establish citizen advisory committees for recreational access. They in turn could recommend increased trail access, including mountain bike access.
Across the state, reservoir and watershed managers are inconsistent in their recreation policies. California trail enthusiasts have been trying for years to persuade public watershed-owning land managers to open their trail systems to the public if it is safe to do so. But there has been no requirement that the agencies hear the requests, and some have all but ignored them. Assembly Member Klehs told the Contra Costa Times (April 6, 2005), “We want the [local watershed agencies] to design the recreation programs. But it’s not acceptable to say. ‘No public access allowed. Go away and don’t bother us.’ ” AB 672 would create a procedure for the watershed agencies to gather citizen input. This could mean access to trails that are currently closed to bicycles.
AB 672 will enable trail users to recommend plans that balance water quality, resource protection, and the recreation and health needs of the community. The bill is endorsed by such diverse groups as the California League of Conservation Voters, California Bicycle Coalition, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, East Bay Regional Park District, IMBA, Northern California Mountain Biking Association, and Bicycle Trails Council of the East Bay. Well-known outdoors columnist Tom Stienstra has written glowingly about AB 672 in the San Francisco Chronicle. The June 9 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle also has a feature story about AB 672. We are sure AB 672 will be good for mountain biking if it passes.
On June 2, AB 672 passed in the California Assembly by a vote of 67 to 9. Now the bill is heading for the state Senate, where � despite all of the endorsements mentioned above � its passage is in doubt. To get all the way through the Assembly, only to fail in the Senate, would be tragic.
Please contact (1) your state Senator, (2) Assembly Member Klehs, and (3) state Senate co-sponsor Tom Torklakson in support of AB 672. Writing a letter is best; e-mail or a phone call are acceptable alternatives. Please take one of these actions today if possible, because time is of the essence.
