Sonoma growers are fighting a pitched battle with environmentalists trying to restrict their rights to plant alongside the Russian River, reports Decanter.com.

Draft revisions to what is known as the county's 'general plan' include limits on grazing, fencing and construction within 100 feet of streams and 200 feet of the river.

There would also be more general limits on clearing vegetation near streams - a practice that would limit flooding and save endangered habitats, according to environmentalists. But vintners and grape growers told Decanter.com that the proposals go too far.

They risk "severely limiting agricultural activity in the county, and will have a direct negative impact on the economic viability of the county's US$8.1 billion wine industry," said Honore Comfort, Executive Director, Sonoma County Vintners, which represents over 150 wineries.

For the complete story, go to http://www.decanter.com