SIERRA NEVADA CONSERVANCY CREATED VS

A BILL COSPONSORED BY LOCAL ASSEMBLYMEMBER JOHN LAIRD CREATED THE SIERRA NEVADA CONSERVANCY WITH GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER'S SIGNATURE TODAY. THE CONSERVANCY CONSISTS OF 25 MILLION ACRES IN THE SIERRA NEVADA FOOTHILLS. ASSEMBLYMEMBER LAIRD SAID THAT THE SIERRA NEVADA CONSERVANCY WOULD STAND AS TESTAMENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. ONE OF THE PRIMARY GOALS OF THE CONSERVANCY IS TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION AND ASSIST THE REGIONAL ECONOMY, PRESERVE WORKING LANDSCAPES, PROVIDE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOURISM, AND RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE NATURAL DISASTERS, SUCH AS WILDFIRE. MORE THAN 65 PERCENT OF CALIFORNIA'S BIRD AND MAMMAL SPECIES, AND AT LEAST 50 PERCENT OF THE STATE'S REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN SPECIES LIVE WITHIN THE CONSERVANCY'S BOUNDARIES. AS CALIFORNIA'S PRINCIPAL WATERSHED, THE REGION PRODUCES 65 PERCENT OF THE STATE'S WATER SUPPLY FOR RESIDENTIAL AND AGRICULTURAL USES. BETWEEN 33 AND 50 PERCENT OF THE STATE'S ANNUAL TIMBER SUPPLY COMES FROM WITHIN THE CONSERVANCY'S BORDERS. THE SIERRA NEVADA CONSERVANCY WILL BE GOVERNED BY A 13 MEMBER BOARD.