American River Wildlife News

Sacramento County lawmakers banned alcohol for pedestrians – including those who stumble off rafts onto islands in the middle of the American River – after a drunken melee with oar-wielding boaters last Fourth of July left one man in the hospital and 20 jailed.

“From wild to safety,” said Albert Gonzales of Rancho Cordova, describing the difference between this and previous years. “The cops are controlling. The past couple of years, people blew it for those who just wanted to spend a good time on the river. Now people have to behave.”

Police and park rangers were out in force over the weekend with bullhorns and even helicopters warning boaters of the new laws. Revelers can still drink on their rafts, but not on land.

Even that may change.

More at SignOnSanDiego.com.