Return to Op-eds Index

Wild and Scenic: Republicans support the environment

by Doug Hansen, President of REP's California chapter
published in the Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat on August 31, 2005

On a hot summer day, the cool waters of Upper Cache Creek are a welcome sight - no matter what your political affiliation may be.

Upper Cache Creek, flowing eastward through mainly public lands in Lake and Yolo counties, would be a worthy addition to the state Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Pending legislation to include 31 miles of the creek in the state's river conservation network enjoys bipartisan support from county supervisors, city council members, business leaders, conservationists, and scientists.

Wait a minute, some may ask. Why would Republicans support a wild and scenic rivers bill? Everyone knows that Republicans are anti-environmental, right?

Wrong. The prevailing view that only Democrats care about the environment isn't consistent with the long history of bipartisan conservation achievements, here in California and across the United States.

Republicans who remember their history know that the party's past leaders fought for conservation because conservatives believe in saving for the future and taking pride in America's natural beauty. True conservatives have taken to heart Theodore Roosevelt's insight that conservation, as he put it, "is a great moral issue, for it involves the patriotic duty of ensuring the safety and continuance of the nation."

Still not convinced? Take a brief walk through America's conservation history and notice the Republicans. Theodore Roosevelt wasn't an anomaly, although he set a conservation gold standard by protecting 130 million acres of national forests, establishing 18 national monuments, and inaugurating a system of national wildlife refuges that today covers nearly 100 million acres.

Abraham Lincoln signed legislation to protect Yosemite Valley as a public park, setting an important precedent. Herbert Hoover established numerous national monuments, one of which later became Death Valley National Park. As governor, Ronald Reagan fought off proposed dams on the Eel River and the middle fork of the Feather River. As president, Reagan signed the California Wilderness Act of 1984, one of 43 wilderness bills protecting 10 million acres that he signed during his presidency.

That was then. California cannot rest on its conservation laurels. As the state's population surges toward 40 million, there is growing pressure on our remaining wild lands and waters. There will be increasing demand for open space and special places for people to enjoy healthful outdoor recreation.

Upper Cache Creek is one of those special places. Including the creek in the state Wild and Scenic Rivers System will prohibit future dams and water diversions. The creek's extraordinary beauty and its fishery will be protected. At the same time, protection will have no impact on farming and will not interfere with invasive plant removal.

The Upper Cache Creek legislation is the fruit of a collaborative, bipartisan effort that found the right balance between preservation and careful use. Protection enjoys local support and will benefit the local economy and the state as a whole. The bill deserves to be passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger.

Protection of Upper Cache Creek is a prime example that people of good faith can transcend party lines and work together for the benefit of our communities and our state. All of us, whether we have an "R," a "D," or something else on our voter registration cards, can appreciate a wild river with good fishing. So will the future generations who will thank us for our foresight.