SACRAMENTO –– Today, Assembly Bill 1973 by Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, was signed by Governor Jerry Brown. AB
1973 will help restore full access to State Route 140 (SR140) in
Mariposa County through the “Ferguson Slide” that leads to Yosemite
National Park.
“Reconstruction
of SR 140 is essential to the health and stability of Mariposa County’s
economy,” said Olsen. “I’m pleased that the Governor recognized the
importance of allowing this commonsense fix for Mariposa County.”
CalTrans
has completed a draft Environmental Impact Report showing that all
reconstruction alternatives will affect one fully protected species -
the limestone salamander. In order to begin reconstruction, CalTrans
needs an “incidental take” permit.
Currently,
the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is prohibited from granting an
incidental take permit for a fully protected species. AB 1973 will
authorize DFG to grant such a permit for the limestone salamander,
contingent upon appropriate mitigations.
“Passage
of AB 1973 into law is essential to ensuring safety on the roadway, and
to the economy of the entire Yosemite region,” said Kevin Cann,
Mariposa County Supervisor. “We appreciate Assemblymember Olsen for her
leadership and hard work on this issue.”
