Stewardship Council to Discuss Recommendations for Lands in Nevada, Placer, Yuba, Shasta Counties Stewardship Council Board of Directors to Meet in Sacramento on Wed., Nov. 16 Published on Nov 9, 2011 - 12:05:53 PM
SAN MATEO, Calif. Nov. 9, 2011 - The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council, a land conservation and youth investment foundation, announces its next board of directors meeting will be held in Sacramento on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. The Stewardship Council board of directors may take action on the following agenda items related to its Land Conservation Program, as well as on other matters.
The Stewardship Council board of directors may take action to recommend that approximately 11,500 acres of PG&E-owned forested lands located in the Pit River, Tunnel Reservoir, and Lake Spaulding planning units be donated to expand the state's research and demonstration forests. Of this total, approximately 4,584 acres of forested lands are being recommended for donation to the University of California Center for Forestry (UC Center for Forestry) and approximately 7,016 acres are being recommended for donation to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). These donations would significantly expand the existing research and demonstration state forests owned and operated by UC Center for Forestry and CAL FIRE, and create a new major state research and demonstration forest centered at the Pit River planning unit in Shasta County.
These donations would incorporate additional forest types and locations, and broaden the ability of UC Center for Forestry and CAL FIRE to conduct and facilitate research and education on forest management, climate change, and other issues affecting the Sierra and Cascade ranges. This joint research forest at the Pit River planning unit is expected to spur further collaboration between these and other research institutions in the Sierra-Cascades region.
The board may also take action to recommend additional fee title donations of PG&E-owned lands in Placer and Yuba counties.
Fee Title Holder Recommendations:
The specific fee title donee recommendations made by the Watershed Planning Committee that will be considered by the board of directors on November 16 are as follows:
SHASTA COUNTY: Pit River Planning Unit - CAL FIRE and the University of California Center for Forestry as the prospective recipients of fee title to approximately 8,320 acres available for donation as follows: CAL FIRE is recommended for approximately 5,220 acres available for donation within 27 parcels (Parcels 43-48, 50-56, 65, 67, 68, 83-92, and a portion of 74). UC Center for Forestry is recommended for approximately 3,100 acres available for donation within two parcels (Parcel 75 and a portion of 74). The final configuration and actual acreage amounts to be donated to CAL FIRE and UC would be subject to further joint discussions with CAL FIRE and UC Center for Forestry. Also, that PG&E retain fee title to approximately 2,466 acres of land originally identified as available for donation, but constrained. This acreage is in addition to the 1,691 acres originally designated by PG&E for retention in this planning unit.
SHASTA COUNTY: Tunnel Reservoir Planning Unit - CAL FIRE to become the prospective recipient of fee title to approximately 1,796 acres available for donation within 20 parcels (Parcels 13-18, 22-25, 28-35, 38, and 41). Also, that PG&E retain fee title to approximately 232 acres available for donation within 17 parcels. This acreage is in addition to the 523 acres originally designated by PG&E for retention in this planning unit.
NEVADA COUNTY: Lake Spaulding Planning Unit - UC Center for Forestry to become the prospective recipient of fee title to approximately 1,484 acres within three parcels (Parcels 795, 796, and 797).
PLACER COUNTY: Lower Drum Planning Unit - The Auburn Area Recreation and Park District to become the prospective recipient of fee title to approximately 64 acres within four parcels (Parcels 888, 893, 894, and 895).
YUBA COUNTY: Narrows Planning Unit - The University of California, Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center as prospective recipient of fee title to approximately 41 acres within one parcel (Parcel 916).
Conservation Easement Holder Recommendation:
The board may also consider taking action on a recommendation from the Watershed Planning Committee for a conservation easement holder on select PG&E watershed lands as follows:
Narrows Planning Unit - Bear Yuba Land Trust, formerly the Nevada County Land Trust, as the prospective organization to become the holder of the conservation easements over all of the lands in the Narrows planning unit.
If the above recommendations are approved by the Stewardship Council board, transaction negotiations would commence with PG&E, the Stewardship Council, and prospective fee and conservation easement donees. The proposed transaction agreements would become part of a Land Conservation and Conveyance Plan (LCCP) to be considered for adoption by the board at a later date after an opportunity for public comment. Transactions would not be finalized until the California Public Utilities Commission has had an opportunity to review the LCCPs and approve the transactions.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and provide feedback and suggestions to the board.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: Sacramento Public Library, East Meeting Room, 828 I Street, Sacramento, California
By submitting a comment you consent to our rules. You must use your real first and last name, not a nickname or alias. A comment here is just like a letter to the editor or a post on Facebook. Thank you.
