MERCED RIVER, LAKE McCLURE

Scenic River List Trimming Sought

Legislation has been introduced in Congress by Representative Tom McClintock (R-Granite Bay) that would remove the wild and scenic designation from a small section of Merced River.

Co-authors include Representatives Jim Costa (D-Fresno), Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), Devin Nunes (R-Visalia), David Valadao (R-Hanford) and Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale)

The change would permit expansion of the storage capacity of Lake McClure.

Environmentalists, believing the action would set a precedent for reversing protections granted to many rivers under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, oppose the legislation.