Speak up for commercial use study on the Mokelumne!

BLM hearing in Jackson on Tuesday, July 31

For years, Mokelumne River advocates have worked to ensure that people of all ages and abilities could visit and use our beautiful Sierra river. We have secured access to the long-closed Middle Bar reach, negotiated a favorable hydro license and secured new recreational facilities. And of course, we recently saved the river from the proposed supersizing of Pardee Reservoir.

Now the Bureau of Land Management is proposing a three-year commercial use feasibility study on the Mokelumne’s Electra-Middle Bar run. The study will be discussed at a public hearing at the Jackson Civic Center on Tuesday, July 31 at 7 p.m. The Center is at the corner of Highways 88 and 49 in Jackson.

Adding limited commercial use of this popular river section will provide a way for families with young children, seniors and others to enjoy and appreciate our beautiful Mokelumne. The study will allow limited commercial rafting, kayak classes and guided fishing. If successful, it may lead to longer-term commercial use of the river. That would provide another reason for tourists to visit our counties or stay a little longer, creating more income for local businesses.

Please attend the BLM public hearing to express your support for the study and this careful look at commercial river use. The study has been designed to avoid conflicts with other river users and avoid overcrowding of the river, which no one wants. At the same time, it will expand the number of people who understand why it’s so important to Save the Moke for Good!

More about the hearing
BLM study document