Despite overwhelming support from state legislators and the public, our Diablo Range bill, California Assembly Bill (AB) 1426, was held on the suspense file on Friday, May 23.
AB 1426 would have established the Diablo Range as an official California conservation priority and created a Diablo Range program within the Wildlife Conservation Board.
Unfortunately, the decision was made to suspend all new state bills that would establish a new program, including AB 1426, because of California’s projected $12 to $14 billion budget deficit.
Gratitude to Our Supporters
AB 1426 would have helped to protect land up and down the Diablo Range. Pictured here: the Panoche region in San Benito County. Photo by Scott Hein
We are incredibly grateful to the numerous supporters who helped bring AB 1426 forward.
A massive thank you to Assemblymembers Rebecca Bauer-Kahan and Ash Kalra, who co-authored the bill with Save Mount Diablo as the sponsor.
Thank you to the California Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife, and its Chair Assemblymember Diane Papan, as that committee in early April approved our bill with 10 votes in favor, two against, and one abstain vote.
Thank you also to the California Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, and its Chair Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan, because that committee in late April approved AB 1426 with 12 votes in favor, one against, and one abstain vote.
We are extremely grateful to the bill’s co-sponsor, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan; California State Assembly Chair of Natural Resources Committee Chair Assemblymember Isaac G. Bryan; and California State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks, and Wildlife Chair Assemblymember Diane Papen.
Our legislative team in Sacramento with bill co-sponsor Assemblymember Ash Kalra. Photo by Ted Clement
Advancing Diablo Range Conservation in Sacramento
Though AB 1426 didn’t pass this year, it built up significant momentum and awareness for the Diablo Range and Save Mount Diablo.
In support of the bill, about 200 individuals and agencies sent letters to lawmakers.
AB 1426 helped familiarize the legislature and public with the Diablo Range’s established boundaries, as first established by the Board on Geographic Names on May 15, 1908.
Blunt-nosed leopard lizards are endangered; Save Mount Diablo is part of a collaborative effort led to by the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to reintroduce them in the southern Diablo Range. Photo: Fresno Chaffee Zoo
The Diablo Range is 200 miles long, covers over 3.5 million acres, and runs through 12 counties, with Mount Diablo in its northernmost county of Contra Costa.
The Diablo Range is an incredible wildlife habitat corridor, teeming with biodiversity. It’s home to hundreds of rare and endangered species.
Amazing wildlife like California condors, golden eagles, tule elk, mountain lions, and blunt-nosed leopard lizards call the Diablo Range home amid important endemic plants like the Mount Diablo globe lily.
Land Conservation Together
Hikers admiring a view of Mount Diablo. Photo by Scott Hein
We are feeling the direct impact of decisions made on the federal level, which contributed to the state budget deficit that caused AB 1426 and other bills to be held on suspense.
In these tumultuous times, it is all the more important that we come together to make big things happen for nature. If we work together, we can celebrate historic victories for conservation and reach California’s 30×30 goals.
There was a lot of momentum built up through AB 1426, and we’ll be continuing our legislative efforts for the Diablo Range in the coming months.
Stay tuned!
