The historic bipartisanship that marked the successful legislation to create a Sierra Nevada Conservancy in 2004 continued in the New Year as Assemblymembers Tim Leslie (R-Tahoe City) and John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) joined forces to create a California license plate dedicated to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
The Sierra Nevada License Plate legislation – assigned Assembly Bill 84 (AB84) on January 6, 2005 – directs the California Department of Transportation to design and issue a license plate that honors the Sierra Nevada, similar to existing plates in honor of Lake Tahoe, the California Coast, and Yosemite.
As with other California License Plates, drivers who register with the Department of Motor Vehicles will have the option of selecting a Sierra Nevada License Plate for a fee of $50. All proceeds from the sale of Sierra Nevada License Plates will fund the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. As with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the Sierra Nevada License Plate legislation is sponsored by The Sierra Fund.
In 2004, Assemblymembers Tim Leslie and John Laird joined together to create a Sierra Nevada Conservancy. This successful legislation created the largest state conservation effort of its kind in the nation, covering over 25 million acres in 22 counties, from the Oregon border nearly to Bakersfield. In September, Governor Schwarzenegger signed this legislation into law, fulfilling a commitment he made during his campaign for Governor.
The effort to create a Sierra Nevada License Plate continues this bipartisan collaboration. The Sierra Nevada License Plate program will provide funding for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to –
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Provide increased opportunities for tourism and recreation;
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Protect, conserve and restore the region’s physical, cultural, archaeological, historical and living resources;
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Aid in the preservation of working landscapes;
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Reduce the risk of natural disasters, such as wildfires;
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Protect and improve water and air quality;
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Support efforts that advance both environmental preservation and the economic well-being of Sierra residents in a complementary manner; and
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Undertake efforts to enhance public use and enjoyment of lands owned by the public.
