Posted on 06/21/2005 9:23:57 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The population of the Sierra Nevada could more than triple in the next 35 years, threatening many of the mountain range's Gold Rush-era towns with sprawl, gridlock and pollution, according to a report released Tuesday.
Much of the 400-mile-long range is designated as national forest, park land or wilderness. It also holds plenty of private land where development could change the face and feel of the mountains, warns the Sierra Nevada Alliance, a 12-year-old coalition of more than 60 environmental organizations.
About 600,000 people live in the 20 California and three Nevada counties that divide the Sierra, a population projected to grow to between 1.5 million and 2.4 million by 2040.
Poor planning for that growth invites the problems that have plagued more populous areas, warns the Alliance in the first of a planned series of reports on the health of the range's natural resources.
Seven of the 20 California counties have general plans more than 10 years old, although five of them are expecting updates. But fewer than a third have plotted areas that deserve protection from development, and most have no conservation plans.
"Population in and of itself really isn't a problem. It's how well we plan for it," said Joan Clayburgh, the alliance's executive director. "Ten years ago, they weren't expecting all these population increases. ... The tripling (of the population) would come by 2040, but even in 2020 we see a doubling."
California state Assemblyman Tim Leslie, R-Tahoe City, fears overburdening private property owners with restrictions on developing or altering their land. That's one reason he backed this year's creation of a Sierra Nevada Conservancy charged with protecting resources, promoting tourism and enhancing recreation in the area.
"I think the idea isn't to close it down, but to rather be smart and make it work for everybody," Leslie said. "The Sierra needs to have a vital economy just like the rest of California. ... I think there's a balance that needs to be struck."
Overall, a third of the Sierra is privately owned, but that percentage varies among counties. Private landowners own half the land in 10 of the 20 California counties, and two-thirds or more of the acreage in five of those counties.
The amount of developed land could double over the next half-century, even using conservative projections. Traffic congestion already has followed an increase in home building, and the environmental coalition fears a cascading effect on air and water quality in a region that provides much of California's water storage and hydroelectricity.
The counties most affected are Placer, El Dorado and Nevada, all within commuting distance of Sacramento. Placer County's population is expected to grow by 84 percent, El Dorado's by 42 percent and Nevada County's by 38 percent by 2020.
More isolated counties are affected, too, as they develop what Clayburgh called "a mailbox economy" - retirees who get their income from retirement accounts instead of working in the region.
Much of the environmental focus has been on the region's old growth timber, particularly as the U.S. Forest Service fights to implement a sweeping management plan for the 11 national forests that dot the range.
But the oak woodlands that grow at lower elevations are most in danger from sprawl, particularly in the western foothills, where 70 percent of the current population resides. That pressure is likely to continue as the region is within ready commuting distance of Central Valley cities.
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On the Net:
Sierra Nevada Alliance: www.sierranevadaalliance.org
Sierra Nevada Conservancy: www.sierraconservancy.org
Living in a motorhome is starting to sound more and more attractive.....
Beautiful country though, Nevada City and the Tahoe National Forest are wonderful places to visit.
the census people say taht the state of CA will ADD more people between now and 2025 than presntly live in NY state... 17,000,000. These small towns weill be where the city people move when they sell their homes and start new businesses.
I was thinking seriously about moving to The Sierras when I sell my house here in Silicon Valley, but then I remembered, oops, I'd still be in California and therefore subject to the inevitable "gotcha!" a couple years down the road when they repeal Prop 13.
This is what this entire PANTLOAD is all about. The Sierra Nevada Alliance has been recently headed up by a former El Dorado County Supervisor that was turned out of office after one term, after starting this 12 year old battle over the County's General Plan!!!
Welcome to the Socialist Rulers of the Sierra-Nevada (my world)!!! This is the outfit that's putting this PANTLOAD of a story out all over the State of CA, today!!!
If you read these biographies carefully, they only tell a fraction of the story of these militant EnvironMental/GovernMental activists!!!
Between these illegitimate rulers, the Sierra Business Council and the Sierra-Nevada CONservancy (note that there is much cross pollenization, along with the Sierra Flub) the Sierran Citizens who are mainly conservative, haven't go a chance!!!
Don't worry, all the other Californians moving over there are quickly and drastically changing the nature of that state to that of CA. Soon you won't be able to tell em apart. Remember! That's where Filthy Harry Reid is from!!! They are very near changing NV into another "blue voting" state!!!
The California I grew up in and the one it has become today are remarkably different. It's still a great state, but it's far less great for conservatives.
I had such high hopes during the Reagan Administration, and then again in 1994-1996 when we won a majority on the Assembly... Only to have it all go in the toilet when Lundgren couldn't beat Gray Davis!!! I'll admit they were both kinda like tirds in the punch bowl, however!!!
I gotta hand it to ol Dan Lundgren, he whupped a VERY aggressive conservative in his recent run for CONgress at the very last second!!! (And both of them were kinda like tirds in the punch bowl, too!!!)(grin)
They'll need guns up there.
What will be the population of El Dorado county after it grows by 42%...
Start building your breastworks and redoubts to keep the socialists out. After all, the Sierras are the high ground. Here's some toys to get you started -
An Internet auction of military hardware will test Ukraine's new openness, experts say, as the former Soviet republic prepares to sell off enough equipment to outfit an army of three million soldiers, Globeandmail.com reported.
Ukraine's Defence Ministry plans to launch a website next week, where prospective buyers can browse through hundreds of military products, from tanks and armoured personnel carriers to more prosaic items such as trucks, tents, tarpaulins, medical equipment and field kitchens.
"Any weapons could be for sale without any restrictions," said Andrei Sparuk, an aide to deputy defence minister Vyacheslav Kredisov.
Happy shopping.
It's the same song, second verse... A little bit louder and a little bit worse... You can't ride in my red wagon, the wheel is broke and the axel's saggin... Same song, third verse... A little bit louder and a little bit worse... You can't ride in my RED wagon...
Hay sergeantdave, could you become our "arms supplier?" (smirk!) (just kidding you nosey authorities!!!)
Oh! I forgot to tell y'all that if'n ya hit that hyperlink in #9 that ya bedder turn on yer GANG-GREEN filter!!!
I agree but there are not enough parks in the area mentioned in this article. I hae a friend who bought in near Senora, looks like he will make a bundle with this growth hits.
You've got the picture tuned in sharp and clear.
I have a special this week on spy costumes - Groucho Marx moustache w/prehensile tail - and California obsidian spears - 3 for $10.
Let me know. I'm usually sold out by noon Wednesday.
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