Brown Signs Bigelow’s Mokelumne River Bill

Sacramento, CA — Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill that would require some additional steps before declaring the Mokelumne River as “Wild and Scenic.”

AB 142 was authored by Republican Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, who represents the Mother Lode region. Prior to potentially declaring the Mokelumne River as Wild and Scenic, the bill requires that a study be conducted to look at its likely impacts on issues like water supply, climate change, and future water requirements.  Designating the river as Wild and Scenic would increase outdoor recreation opportunities, but it would also make development and water projects more difficult.

It was one of 24 water related bills signed today by Governor Brown.