Wet Winter hiking season is here!

Now is the time to check out the SM Mountains' Waterfalls

I took my hiking group to see 6 waterfalls near Point Mugu State park on 12/27. If you want to join in, membership in the group is free. The one below is in a room under a giant boulder.

http://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/calendar/15818267

PHOTOS:
http://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=1200522

I also put together a website that features an automatically-generated calendar of nature hikes in the L.A. area:
http://lameetuphikes.blogspot.com/

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OTHER WATERFALL HIKES

Trail Notes: Hike the Grotto Trail from Circle X Ranch
http://wildrye.com/?p=180

Mishe Mokwa to Sandstone Peak--photos
http://sites.google.com/site/daykations/los-angeles-ca/mishe-mokwa-to-sandstone-peak

Ray Miller trail map, photo of La Jolla falls, why Ray Miller was built—to keep horses off the Chumash trail
http://www.californiacoastaltrail.info/cms/archives/hike_fav.php?aid=158

photos of hike in Santa Inez canyon
http://picasaweb.google.com/highland777/WebSantaYnezCanyon?feat=flashslideshow#

photos of hike to Santa Inez falls
http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/santa-ynez-falls/

Solstice canyon after Dec 2010 storms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaahNt4iIx0

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A NEW PARK SERVICE TRAIL MAP:

SMM NPS map of trails in SM and Simi hills
http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&PageID=376830

and another SM Mtns map--All trails are in yellow
http://www.cccarto.com/wmaps/SMMNRA/index.html

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OTHER COOL HIKES:

Photos and map of Ladyface mountain hike
http://www.venturacountytrails.org/RecentPhotos/2009-02-28Ladyface/_Page.html

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photos of Nicholas Flat---
http://picasaweb.google.com/highland777/WebNicholasFlatTrail?feat=flashslideshow#

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http://twitter.com/mountainstrust
their twitter page

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A WRAP-UP OF SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS NEWS:

BATTLING OVER RESTORATION PLANS FOR MALIBU LAGOON:
http://lacreekfreak.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/showdown-over-malibu-lagoon/

Showdown over Malibu Lagoon

http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/environment/malibu-lagoon-dredging-war-eru/

10/13/2010--Malibu Lagoon Dredging War Erupts Between Heal the Bay and Wetlands Defense Fund as Coastal Commission Decides Fate

http://malibusurfsidenews-blog.blogspot.com/2010/10/critics-of-state-plan-say-it-destroys.html

http://www.dof.ca.gov/osae/audit_reports/documents/WEBFinalReport-ResourceConservationDistrictoftheSantaMonicaMountainsMalibuLagoonRestorationP.pdf

review of Malibu Lagoon project
AND aerial before and after photo

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BATTLES OVER MORE CAMPSITES AND TRAIL CONNECTIONS:

http://malibusurfsidenews-blog.blogspot.com/2010/09/overnight-camping-may-now-be-non-issue.html
Overnight Camping May Now Be Non-Issue
• Conservancy Plan Critics No Longer Pack Council Chambers
9/29/2010
While the original plan proposed campsites at five parks, the current plan calls for the bulk of proposed campsites in one Pacific Coast Highway cluster at Corral Canyon Park and in two clusters at the SMMC-owned Bluffs Park. Two Americans-with-Disabilities-accessible campsites were retained at Ramirez Canyon Park, but the current plan eliminates all the campsites at the Latigo property and Escondido Canyon Park.

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CAHUENGA PEAK IS SAVED--HOLLYWOOD SIGN DIDN'T NEED TO BE SAVED

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/40605648#40605648
140 ACRES IS BOUGHT To the west of the sign. The sign and the mountain it sits on have been part of Griffith Park for many years!

-------------------------


HISTORY:

Topanga fire lookout

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/4/6/f/highres_20158479.jpeg
http://www.meetup.com/calabasasdayhikers/calendar/15337485/?from=list&offset=0

The lookout tower is not there anymore; it has been replaced with 2 sofas.


1961 Bel air wildfire
http://www.cccarto.com/cal_wildfire/index.html

Eco highlights for 2010 in Ventura County...

A Year-End Wrap-up for VENTURA COUNTY:

HIGHLIGHTS:

--88 acres were saved in the Ventura River area

--While Ventura City Council considers more sprawl

--Feds and State agree to do their part to clean up Rocketdyne's mess in the Simi Hills

--Logging proposed at Frazier Mountain by feds

--Lockwood Valley mine shuts down


THE COASTAL PLAIN:

Lower Ventura River Parkway---
12/23/2010--The California Coastal Conservancy, in partnership with the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, was awarded $1 million by the federal government to help acquire and permanently protect 52 acres of property in the upper Ventura River Estuary in the City of Ventura, California. The total project cost is $1,604,500.

http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=f95fb85f1cc97d8496edd65fd&id=de23b34d36

http://www.venturahillsides.org/

http://www.facebook.com/venturahills

http://twitter.com/venturahills

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WILL CITY OF VENTURA DEVELOP THE HILLS TO THE NORTH?

http://vchp.org/blog/
From Ventura citizens for hillside Preservation blog

10/12/2010--Despite stiff opposition, the Ventura City Council on Monday decided to include some 800 privately owned acres in the Cañada Larga area for possible annexation and open the largely undeveloped valley to large equestrian ranches or executive homes.
It was a narrow decision, with the council members splitting 4-3 in favor of adding the proposal to the city’s General Plan after more than two hours of public testimony, with a vast majority of speakers urging the council to avoid altering the picturesque canyon four miles north of town.
http://www.venturariver.org/2010/10/canada-larga-annexation.html
----------------

http://www.venturahillsides.org/news.shtml
Ventura, CA (October 1, 2010). The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy will be the beneficiary of up to twenty-five acres of Ventura River bottomland to be held for conservation purposes. The final transfer of title is expected by year’s end. Through an April 28, 2010 judgment of Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten, Mr. Shull Bonsall agreed to donate the acreage to the Conservancy. Bonsall was accused by California Department of Fish and Game of altering a part of the Ventura River watershed on his Cañada Larga property without a permit. Instead of paying civil penalties and admitting wrongdoing, he acceded to donating some of his nearby land to the Conservancy.
-------------------


OJAI:

36 acres were saved:

http://www.ovlc.org/2009
12/28/2009--The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is pleased to announce the permanent protection of 36 acres of ecologically important and stunningly beautiful land in Ojai. Long time Ojai residents generously entered into a land preservation agreement called a conservation easement with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy.

http://www.ovlc.org/2010/06

http://www.ovlc.org/2010

-----------------------

THE LOS PADRES FOREST AREA:

From lpfw.org:

Ozena Mine Shutting Down
Closure hailed by citizens group 'Stop The Trucks'

12/9/2010--The Ventura County Planning Division was informed in late November by Alliance Ready Mix, a Santa Maria concrete company that operates the Ozena mine in Lockwood Valley, that it was withdrawing its application for a new county permit. Considering Ozena no longer has a valid permit the mine is required to close, effective immediately.

Los Padres ForestWatch has been monitoring the mine since their attempt to expand in 2006 without preparing the neccessary environmental studies, and we also provided data and comments at a Santa Barbara County Planning Commission in support of 'Stop The Trucks' and putting an end to gravel truck traffic on Highway 33 - a National Forest Scenic Byway and State Scenic Highway.

Now that its permit is expired, the property owners must proceed with reclamation. They will remove all of the equipment and a trailer at the site, as well as return it to a condition where it can be used for agriculture again.

More info:
http://www.lpfw.org/news/0701mining.htm
------------------------

LOGGING OF FRAZIER MOUNTAIN?

http://www.lpfw.org/news/1010fraziermountain.htm
Frazier Mountain Logging Proposal
On the Los Padres in northern Ventura County

12/9/2010--In September, the U.S. Forest Service announced a commercial logging project on Frazier Mountain. In addition to the timber sale, the project also includes removal of other vegetation totaling a combined 2,386 acres from the summit to a campground at the base of the mountain.

In response to the announcement, ForestWatch submitted comments urging forest officials to carefully evaluate all impacts from the project in an Environmental Impact Statement, and to consider other alternatives that do not rely on commercial logging. Frazier Mountain is one of the highest peaks in the Los Padres National Forest and contains large, old-growth trees as well as harbors a diverse array of plant and animal life, many of which are considered rare.


Map of the project
http://www.lpfw.org/docs/hf/Frazier/20100913ProjectMap.pdf

--------------------------------

OTHER STUFF OF INTEREST IN THE FOREST AREA:

http://www.lockwoodarc.org/
Lockwood Animal Rescue Center

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Quatal canyon jeep trails
http://wildrye.com/?p=177

http://www.flickr.com/photos/docsearls/85964989/
cowhead potrero aerial

http://pio.longstair.com/items/Aug06_QuatalCanyonCliffs/?g2_page=2
photos of Quatal canyon cliffs

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THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS AND SIMI HILLS:

http://senweb03.senate.ca.gov/focus/outreach/sd23/sd23-enewsletter-201009.asp

9/2010--ROCKETDYNE Santa Susana Cleanup Agreement

After decades of hard work by community activists and countless hours of meetings and negotiations with state and federal authorities, I'm thrilled to announce that a historic proposed settlement agreement has been reached to clean up the Santa Susana Field Lab (SSFL) by 2017. The plan would remove soil contaminated with carcinogenic dioxins, heavy metals and radioactive materials from the former nuclear research facility, considered one of the most contaminated sites in the United States.

The 2,849-acre field laboratory located in the Simi Hills, the site of America's first partial nuclear meltdown in July of 1959, has been the focus of a comprehensive environmental investigation and cleanup program, conducted by Boeing, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and overseen by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

I want to thank the community members who fought tirelessly for this cleanup as well as Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, Cal-EPA Secretary Linda Adams, Governor Schwarzenegger, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, my policy staff consultant Bill Craven who has worked on this issue for years, and many others at the Department of Toxics Substances Control for the years of work they have put into this clean-up. Special thanks go to U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer who has been very forceful on behalf of the public health protections that should be in place and who worked very hard with the federal agencies to make sure this agreement adhered to state law, which was authored by former District 23 Senator Sheila Kuehl.

These agreements in principle between the state, the U.S. Department of Energy and NASA must be finalized formally before they become effective. DTSC invites public review and comment until October 1, 2010. To access the proposed settlement, click here. It's now time for Boeing to clean up the land they own at SSFL.

http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/SiteCleanup/Santa_Susana_Field_Lab/SSFL-Agreements.cfm
Santa Susana Field Laboratory Agreements

-----------------------------

thousand oaks lizard survey
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0012767

----------------

Video on the search for the rumored Manson Family "Hideout CAVE and Waterfalls" Hidden Spahn Ranch Chatsworth California 11/27/09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUe8s6p4wCs&feature=related

Tribe seeks to buy 47,000 acres along the Klamath River from timber giant...

Yurok Tribe seeks big land deal along the Redwood Coast, at the mouth of the Klamath River

excerpted from:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-redwoods-yuroks-20101226,0,3593074.story

12/26/2010

...The tribe is asking Rep. Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) to introduce legislation that would transfer 1,200 acres of a woody knob of Redwood Park and 1,200 acres of redwood stands in the Six Rivers National Forest to the tribe. The Yurok are also seeking control of Redding Rock, an offshore sea stack that is part of the California Coastal National Monument.

...An early draft of the proposed legislation authorized a $50-million allocation to the Yurok to purchase 47,000 acres of commercial timber land. The tribe later withdrew the provision, saying that the appropriation was politically untenable and that the Yurok leadership never signed off on it.

But the tribe has other resources to which it can turn. The Yurok's seven-year land-acquisition project is driven by a sophisticated campaign that has yielded million of dollars in loans and grants from federal, state and private sources. The Western Rivers Conservancy is helping the Yurok raise the estimated $73 million required to purchase the timber land. Earlier this month the state water board awarded the tribe an $18.7 million loan to purchase a portion of the timber property...

ECO—MILESTONES IN THE SF BAY AREA FOR 2010:

A Wrap-up of 2010

BAY RIDGE TRAIL SYSTEM:

Thanks to supporters like you – we dedicated over 10 new miles of trail in 2010, planned new trail all around the Bay region, launched a new web site with printable maps for all 330 miles of dedicated trail, and expanded our events and outings. With your help, 2011 will be our best year yet.

http://www.ridgetrail.org

http://www.facebook.com/ridgetrail

http://picasaweb.google.com/BayAreaRidgeTrail

BAY RIDGE TRAIL IS 53% COMPLETE:
http://rare-earth-news.blogspot.com/2010/06/sf-bay-ridge-trail-system-is-53.html

----------------------------

http://openspacecouncil.typepad.com/bay-area-open-space-council/2010/10/the-nations-largest-urban-trail-system-is-right-here.html

The Nation's Largest Urban Trail System Is Right Here

http://www.baycitizen.org/outdoors/story/new-grant-fund-nations-largest-urban/

http://ebparks.org/node/1420

--------------------

IN THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2010/11/trail-users-looking-better-view

It is an oversight the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council is working to change.

11/24/2010--The Bay Area Ridge Trail is 400 consecutive miles of trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use created two decades ago to expose residents to the Bay in all surrounding counties. But the highest point of The City’s seven-mile portion of the trail misses the mark.

According to Bern Smith, South Bay trail director with the council, when the trail was created, organizers decided to avoid the peaks, which would have offered a 360-degree view but also a steeper climb.

“You’re walking right on the side,” he said, “not one or two blocks from Twin Peaks.”

http://baynature.org/events/sixth-annual-peak-to-peak-walk

Sixth Annual Peak to Peak Walk

Saturday, October 16, 2010
8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

--------------

IN SOLANO COUNTY:

There were 2 Ridge Trail dedications in Solano County:

McGary Road (Thurs, Sep 30) and the I-780 overcrossing (Sat, Oct 2).

Details below.

A 3.2-mile bikeway on McGary Road is opening, creating 9 miles of continuous Ridge Trail between Hiddenbrooke and Lynch Canyon Open Space. The link also completes the Solano County bikeway from Vallejo to Fairfield.

Where: McGary Road at Lynch Canyon Road. Enter from Red Top Road. Click here for a map.

http://joomlaridgetrail.org/images/events/McGaryRoad.pdf

McGary Road opens again after 12-year wait--- LINK NOT WORKING

Vallejo Times-Herald
The new roadway also will also add 3.2 miles to the 26.5 miles of the Bay Ridge Trail in Solano County. Funding for the McGary Road reconstruction work and bike lanes ...

Also opened: the Rose Drive Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge Path

The new multi-use bridge path provides a safe crossing over I-780 at the Columbus Parkway Interchange, replacing a very narrow lane and cement curb.

 It’s just a two-mile stroll or easy bike ride from downtown Benicia to the new path, which will provide great community connections in the area, linking neighborhoods north of I-780, the Vallejo Benicia Buffer and Blue Rock Springs Park, with Benicia State Recreation Area, Carquinez bluffs, and more along the Carquinez Strait. Smooth pedestrian connections are in place and final improvements for cyclists are being reviewed.

-------------------------------

http://joomlaridgetrail.org/images/events/I-780.pdf

Benicia portion of ridgetrail—I-780 overcrossing

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NEW PARK PURCHASES:

http://www.savemountdiablo.org/home.htm

To learn about some of the wonderful opportuntities that we have to preserve habitats, wildlife corridors and recreational prospects, please read Dennis Cuff's article in the Contra Costa Times and view the slideshow for lovely sneek peaks of new lands.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_16849943

East Bay park and conservation groups in recession land rush

12/15/2010

By the end of the year, the East Bay Regional Park District will have bought 9,274 acres during 2009 and 2010 for  $45 million, park officials said. That amounts to 14.5 square miles, nearly a third the size of San Francisco. The shopping spree has increased park district holdings by about 10 percent, to 108,000 acres.

The park district isn't the only group snapping up land:

The Contra Costa Water District this year bought the first 600 acres of the thousands of acres it plans to acquire for open space to offset the environmental effects of expanding Los Vaqueros Reservoir.

Save Mount Diablo, a nonprofit land preservation group based in Walnut Creek, is buying six small parcels along Marsh Creek and elsewhere on the east side of Mount Diablo this year. It usually buys a one property every year or two.

The Muir Heritage Land Trust has acquired 506 acres in areas east of Hercules and in Lafayette in the past two years.

…The East Bay Regional Park District often buys much larger parcels from third- or fourth-generation ranch families to expand parks such as Black Diamond Mines near Antioch, Pleasanton Ridge and Vasco Caves near Byron.

In September, the regional park board approved an agreement to pay $6.4 million for the first 640 acres of a new park to open in Dublin's Doolan Canyon.

A SLIDE SHOW OF THE NEW PARKLANDS:

http://extras.mercurynews.com/slideshows/news/2010/12/1213landbuy/

----------------------

A Park is Born in Dublin--the 650 acre Dublin Hills Regional Park

http://baynature.org/articles/oct-dec-2010/a-park-is-born-in-dublin

by Dan Rademacher

The newest addition to the East Bay Regional Park District rides high on the Calaveras Ridge, with views from San Francisco and the Bay all the way around to Sunol, Brushy Peak, and Mount Diablo.

From the Oct-Dec 2010 issue
Published October 01, 2010

http://www.embracetheoutdoors.com/2010/07/dublin-hills-regional-park.html

http://www.embracetheoutdoors.com/

---------------------

11/2010—Save Mount Diablo e-news

http://www.savemountdiablo.org/DiabloWatch/2010FallDiabloWatch.pdf

Fall 2010 issue--Dry Creek, Save Mount Diablo’s most recent acquisition property—we closed escrow in September—is only 5.18 acres but it is a spectacular and strategic purchase, with magnificent oaks near Cowell Ranch State Park in Brentwood and within a half mile of Brentwood subdivisions.

Since 1971 Save Mount Diablo has helped increase open space on and around the mountain from 6,788 acres to more than 100,000 acres - with your support we can save the next 80,000 acres. Read a letter from Art Bonwell, SMD founder.

http://www.savemountdiablo.org/SaveTheMountain.htm

With the help of our allies we have increased open space to over 100,000 acres since 1971. However, over 80,000 acres of Mount Diablo and its foothills are still at risk of being lost to development forever.


http://savemountdiablo.org

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=lrxdvzbab&v=001qNmFLvMdRPATOBTl5CTq9Ohb98OJRfa36di5FrZ0u6ChHV_KQRSsDQYr5q_6eUXGbt_4iuMZVE_r5PbgR3QcYw5MVqLK-IT86sWjATfg27_EcT3Z7wH2Kw%3D%3D


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SPRAWL CONTROL---URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARIES

RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION:

DEVELOPER ATTACKS ON GROWTH BOUNDARIES LOSE IN:

San Ramon in Contra Costa County—72% no

NEW OR RENEWED URBAN BOUNDARIES WIN IN:

Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Cloverdale in Sonoma County (56 to 66% yes)

11/4/2010-Dear supporter of Greenbelt Alliance, Thank you.

Because of your support, we can proudly announce that after the votes were counted Tuesday night, all five of our endorsed local measures were victorious. It looks like Bay Area voters are truly embracing the Grow Smart Bay Area vision for the region through choices at the ballot box:

In Contra Costa County, San Ramon residents overwhelmingly defeated Measure W ( 71.91%), a measure that would have expanded the city's urban growth boundary to allow development in the Tassajara Valley, a critical wildlife habitat and agricultural area.

In Sonoma County, Measure O passed by 66.9%, renewing Santa Rosa’s urban growth boundary until 2035. Measure T won with 64.5%, renewing Petaluma's urban growth boundary through 2025. And in Cloverdale, Measure Q, which establishes the city's first urban growth boundary, passed by 56.7%.

Berkeley residents passed Measure R ( 64.21%). Now the city council has direction from the voters to put in place a plan for a sustainable downtown -- a plan that will put homes near transit and jobs and in the process reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Of those five, we’re particularly pleased that two Greenbelt Alliance-led campaigns, Measure W in San Ramon and Measure O in Santa Rosa, won with over 2/3 voter approval.

--------------------

IN THE EAST BAY:

10/6/2010—from Greenbelt Alliance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGei8ADSYn4

Who benefits from Measure W?

Measure W in San Ramon will destroy the Tassajara Valley and the Western Hills, and for what?  Who benefits?

Watch this 60-second video that identifies exactly who will capitalize on Measure W.

 For more on Measure W in San Ramon, visit NoonMeasureW.org, or read the endorsement from the Contra Costa Times (spoiler alert: the Times says vote it down.)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/People-Opposed-to-Measure-W-Breaking-San-Ramons-Urban-Growth-Boundary-2010/139044299466573

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http://sf.streetsblog.org/2010/06/10/advocates-brentwood-sprawl-measure-a-litmus-test-for-sb-375/

------------------------------------------------

http://www.savemountdiablo.org/DiabloWatch/2010FallDiabloWatch.pdf

stories on Urban Growth Boundary attacks in Brentwood and San Ramon

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IN SONOMA COUNTY: Setting good boundaries

Sonoma County's sense of place -- and its deserved reputation as a vacation destination -- has been preserved in large part by urban growth boundaries. In Sonoma, eight of our nine cities established urban growth boundaries between 1996 and 2000. Now, on November 2, voters can renew the lines in Santa Rosa http://www.santarosaurbangrowthboundary.org/index.html and Petaluma http://www.yesontpetaluma.com/ and approve the first one in Cloverdale.

We give an enthusiastic "Yes!" vote to all three urban growth boundary ballot measures, but read our analysis of these measures  http://growsmartbayarea.org/gs_news/?p=349 to learn a bit more about each policy.

 And read our Ballot Guide for a full roundup of where Greenbelt Alliance stands on crucial open space and urban places ballot initiatives.

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UPDATES ON OTHER PRESERVATION BATTLES:

THE SOUTH BAY:

http://greenfoothills.org/documents/GreenFootnotesFall2010.pdf

Your support last year allowed us to continue our legacy of advocacy, education and grassroots action on several fronts:

-- Opposing growth inducing land use actions in Morgan Hill and Gilroy,

--Participating in review of, and opposing, the proposed Redwood City Saltworks bay development project,

--Opposing the proposed Big Wave development in Pillar Marsh,

--Working with the City of San Jose to establish appropriate riparian protection policies.

-- For more 2010 accomplishments please see our latest newsletter, Green Footnotes, pages 10 & 11!

--------------------

THE NORTH EAST BAY:

http://concordreuseproject.org/

from greenbelt alliance:

The Concord Reuse Project Area Plan Book 1 and Book 2 was created for this purpose.

--The Community Coalition for a Sustainable Concord, of which Greenbelt Alliance is a member, is still analyzing the document ( download Books 1 & 2 from the website), but so far the Coalition likes the clustering of homes and services near the North Concord BART station and that more open space has been set aside than what was planned in February.

--------------------------

MARIN COUNTY:

Since 1980, MALT has permanently protected nearly half of the working farm  and ranch land in Marin County. I am deeply grateful to all our supporters who have allowed us to carry out this important work over the last 30 years.

But there is still more work to do...60,000 acres of irreplaceable farmland are still at risk. If you haven't yet made a 2010 contribution, you can help us reach our goal by donating to MALT today!

http://www.malt.org/

MAP:

http://www.malt.org/about/map.php

-------------------------

SONOMA COUNTY:

In this season of giving, a wonderfully generous Sebastopol family, which has asked to remain anonymous, has come forward with an inspiring and challenging gift — a $300,000 pledge to be matched dollar for dollar. Every gift we receive by December 31 will be matched by their extraordinary generosity. We hope you will consider making a year-end donation to help ensure that these and other projects are completed: adding 255 acres of protected redwood forest along the Sonoma Coast; restoring 1,000 acres of wetlands along San Pablo Bay, protecting wildlife corridors in the Sonoma Valley, and expanding our hikes and recreational activities at the Jenner Headlands.

http://twitter.com/SonomaLandTrust

http://www.facebook.com/sonomalandtrust?ref=s

Plan may save forest east of Eureka...

In Humboldt, New McKay Tract plan hatched: Green Diamond, land trust put forward timber conservation, community forest proposal

excerpted from:
http://www.times-standard.com/localnews/ci_16863377


John Driscoll/The Eureka Times-Standard, 12/15/2010

The Green Diamond Resource Co. is working with the Trust for Public Land to craft a plan to protect the 7,500-acre McKay Tract next to Cutten and virtually the entire Ryan Creek watershed from development.
The timber company and the land trust -- which has worked on the Arcata Community Forest's Sunny Brae expansion -- have agreed in concept to use conservation easements that would restrict use of the land east of Ryan Creek to timber harvest and potentially set up a community forest on the west side of the creek. A small portion of the land, 256 acres already out of timber production zoning, could remain available for development...

...Green Diamond -- then Simpson Timber Co. -- bought the tract from Louisiana-Pacific in 1998, when that company sold off its land in California. Green Diamond owns all of the tract aside from Security National Corp.'s 83 acres at the north end of the area, which is zoned for high-density development in the Eureka Community Development Plan, and is listed for sale.
In 2008, Green Diamond had proposed development on nearly 1,000 acres of the tract, and considered a county request to allow a road to run through the property as a means of easing traffic congestion. The plans never got off the ground...

...The trust and Green Diamond expect to present a more detailed plan in the spring.

FOR COMMENTARY ON THIS:
http://humboldtherald.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/good-news-for-eureka-salmon-spotted-owls

-------------------------------------------

BACKGROUND:
http://efhumboldt.org/2010/08/trees-fall-near-sitter/

The two logging plans Green Diamond is operating on in the Jacoby Creek Watershed provide a small example of the systemic clear cutting Green Diamond is engaged in, across their entire 430,000 acre ownership in northern California. In 2004, the century old logging company changed its name from Simpson Timber to Green Diamond, in a strategic greenwashing move. Kamilche Group, a Washington-state based conglomerate and parent company to both Simpson and Green Diamond, also owns California Redwood Company.

Solar power plans for CA Desert from the feds and L.A....

Feds Target 1.7% of the land in California for Solar Power facilities (OK, 1.7 million acres), but say much less than that will be used

From the Fed's notice:
In California,  1,766,543 acres of land would be available under the solar energy development program alternative. Four SEZs would be identified: Imperial East (5,722 acres), Iron Mountain (106,522 acres), Pisgah (23,950 acres), and Riverside East (202,896 acres).

Public Comment on the Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIS):

The Draft Solar PEIS is now available for public review, as detailed in the “Notice of Availability for the PEIS” published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2010 (http://solareis.anl.gov/documents/docs/SolarDraftPEIS_NOA.pdf). The Notice provides information on dates, times, and locations of public meetings on the PEIS, and solicits public comments. Comments can be submitted using the Public Comment Form on the Solar PEIS website (http://solareis.anl.gov/involve/comments/index.cfm).

For More Information Information about the Solar PEIS is available on the Public Information website (http://solareis.anl.gov).

-------------------------

MORE ON THIS ISSUE:

http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Chu-Announce-Next-Step-in-Nations-March-toward-Renewable-Energy-Future.cfm

This press release says "reasonably foreseeable solar energy development is anticipated on only about 214,000 acres of the suitable and appropriate BLM lands in 6 western states."

MAP OF CALIFORNIA LANDS: http://solareis.anl.gov/documents/dpeis/maps/alternatives/Solar_DPEIS_CA_Statewide.pdf

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/16/AR2010121604898.html

http://www.ca.blm.gov/tf5c
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20101217/BUSINESS/12160394/1006/news01/New%20program%20could%20fast-track%20solar%20projects
-------------------

http://www.ca.blm.gov/1f5c
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-16/u-s-selects-solar-power-zones-to-streamline-project-approval-process.html

12/16/2010--The Wilderness Society studied the 24 areas initially suggested by the BLM and this month and identified two that aren’t suitable for development, said Alex Daue, a spokesman for the society.
One is the 110,000-acre Iron Mountain zone in California, located between the Joshua Tree National Park and the Mojave Desert National Preserve.
“A couple of the zones are inappropriate for large-scale solar development,” Daue said in a telephone interview. “Iron Mountain should be taken off their map.”
The Wilderness Society plans to work with other environmental groups and the Interior Department to promote development at the solar zones it considers best suited for large-scale energy plants, Daue said. It will do so during a 90- day comment period that begins when the document is published in the federal register, he said.
“We support solar development on most of the zones and we want the BLM to ensure projects are built within those zones,” Daue said.


------------------------

Solar Project near Ridgecrest opposed by Fed's advisory committee:

http://www.ridgecrestca.com/news/x41610864/Steering-committee-opposes-solar-project
6/29/2010--Steering committee opposes solar project

Ridgecrest, Calif. —
The Bureau of Land Management Steering Committee, at its meeting Thursday, voted 12-1 to approve a letter stating its opposition to Solar Millennium's proposed solar-power-plant project. Committee Member Dave Matthews cast the dissenting vote.
…He said the committee members represent certain entities in the Indian Wells Valley. “We represent their beliefs of what they would like to see or what they wouldn't like to see.”
The committee's letter states the project would use approximately 600,000 gallons of water a day during construction, 200,000 gallons a day during operations and 191,000 gallons of propane a year.
The letter also stated a concern the project would disturb 2,000 acres of top soil known to contain spores that cause valley fever and the proximity of the disturbed soil to human population that includes children and the elderly.
…The committee's letter stated the draft EIS does not comply with CEQA and NEPA regarding full and frank discussion of alternative sites.
“Preference is to be given to land that has already had disturbance,” it said.
According to the letter, the Garlock alternative has such a disturbance and is not located nearly as close to communities and individuals as the proposed site.
“DEIS discussion of the site does not indicate it has the wildlife issues (ground squirrel, tortoise) that the RSPP has,” said the letter.
It also states the draft document does not comply with the state and national acts regarding full and frank discussion of alternative energy sources, and the southern project area sits squarely within the northern gateway to the El Paso Mountains — one of the most popular recreational destinations in the Desert District.

-------------------

Plus--L.A. Plans Solar "Ranch" in Owens Valley
FROM Eastern Sierra Land Trust-10/14/2010:

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power announces plans for 3000 acre Owens Valley "Solar Ranch"

LADWP is preparing an Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Southern Owens Valley Solar Ranch, which would provide 200 megawatts of energy from photovoltaic solar panels. Two potential sites are being considered for this 3000 acre development. The northern site is located northeast of Lone Pine, east of the Owens River. The second site is just east of HWY 395 and north of Owens Lake. More info about the upcoming scoping meeting and where to send comments can be found here: Southern Owens Valley Solar Ranch.

http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp013701.jsp

SMMC-MRCA 11/3/2010 to 12/1/2010

Expansion of Rim of the Valley park sought

And other agenda items by park-creating agency in L.A.

NOTE: SOME OF THE MRCA LINKS DON'T WORK. THEY CAN BE FOUND HERE:
11/3/2010: https://web.archive.org/web/20110115052234/http://www.mrca.ca.gov:80/attachment.asp?agendaid=200
12/1/2010: https://web.archive.org/web/20110115052234/http://www.mrca.ca.gov:80/attachment.asp?agendaid=201


11/8/2010 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing scoping comments to the National Park Service Rim of the Valley Corridor Special Resource Study. [Letter] [Resolution]

More info:

http://www.nps.gov/pwro/rimofthevalley/

-------------

IN SANTA CLARITA VALLEY:

11/8/2010 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing a comment letter to the City of Santa Clarita on Vista Canyon Santa Clara River project, Tentative Tract Map 69164, Ancillary Annexation Area, sch No. 2007071039, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Attachment] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attch4] [Attachment 5] [Attachment 6] [Attachment 7] [Attachment 8] [Attachment 9] [Map ] [Attachment 10] [Attachment 11] [Comment Letter]

11/8/2010 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing a comment letter to Los Angeles County on Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 061105, Draft Environmental Impact Report (sch No. 2005051143), Newhall Ranch Specific Plan Area, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3] [Map 4]

11/8/2010 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing a comment letter to the City of Santa Clarita on Draft One Valley One Vision General Plan and Draft Program Environmental Impact Report, Santa Clarita and unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Map] [Attachment] [Comment Letter] [Resolution]

12/1/2010 MRCA--Consideration of resolution authorizing: (a) acceptance of dedication of all or a portion of APNs 3208-009-003 and 3208-009-007; (b) if necessary to enter into an agreement with parcel donor to allow retention of mitigation rights, and (c) acceptance of processing fees, Bobcat Canyon tributary of Soledad Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

Consideration of resolution authorizing: (a) acceptance of dedication of all or a portion of APN 3208-045-212; (b) if necessary to enter into an agreement with parcel donor to allow retention of mitigation rights, and (c) acceptance of processing fees, Acton area of Soledad Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2]
-----------------------

IN THE L.A. PORTION OF THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

11/8/2010 SMMC--Consideration of resolution approving the City of Los Angeles’ use of Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Trust Fund funds for the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority’s acquisition of six parcels located at the southwest corner of Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Mulholland Drive, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report]

----------

IN TOPANGA: 20 ACRE PURCHASE

11/8/2010 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority to use the Coastal Habitat Impact Mitigation Fund for acquisition of apns 4448-018-023, 024, 025, 026, 041, comprised of 20.66 acres, Topanga Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2]

-------------------

IN MALIBU:

11/3/2010 MRCA--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of the offer to dedicate trail easement associated with Coastal Development Permit No. 5-88-659 (Pepperdine University), incorporated and unincorporated Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

11/3/2010 MRCA--Consideration of resolution entering into a grant agreement with the State Coastal Conservancy and acceptance of the grant funds for construction of the Malibu Road Public Access project. [Staff Report] [Resolution]

12/1/2010 MRCA--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of the offers to dedicate scenic easements and/or open space easements associated with Coastal Development Permit Nos. 5-89-1149 (Thorne), 5-90-217 (McGovern), 5-88-231 (Wentzel), 5-89-324 (Moss), 5-88-489 (Busch), 5-89-514 (Robertson), 5-85-773-A (Fridolfs), 5-87-684 (Eckleyton), 5-87-974 (Saddle Peak Assoc.), 5-89-325 (Lerner), 5-89-1101 (Rebello), incorporated and unincorporated Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3] [Map 4] [Map 5] [Map 6] [Map 7]

--------------------------------

IN THE SIMI HILLS:

12/1/2010 MRCA--Consideration of resolution authorizing an extended Temporary Right of Entry permit to the Boeing Company for ongoing restoration at former Rockwell employee gun range, Sage Ranch Park. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment]
-----------------

IN THE EAST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY:

12/1/2010 MRCA--La Tuna Canyon--Canyon Hills development--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of a grant of conservation easement, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Map 2]

----------------------------

IN CENTRAL AND WEST LA.:

12/1/2010 MRCA--Consideration of resolution authorizing a grant to the Los Angeles Conservation Corps for demolition and site preparation for the Compton Creek-Washington Elementary School Natural Park. [Staff Report] [Resolution]

11/3/2010 MRCA--Mt. Washington--Consideration of resolution amending Resolution No. 09-69 to increase property to be conveyed to approximately 386 sq. feet. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment]

11/3/2010 MRCA--Consideration of resolution approving the plans and specifications for the Ballona Creek Trail and Bike Path Improvement (Phase I) and Ballona Creek to Parks Connection Loop projects. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment]

SF portion of Bay Ridge trail misses the peaks....

SF Trail Users Looking for a better View

11/24/2010--SF Examiner

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2010/11/trail-users-looking-better-view

Catching a glimpse of the water surrounding The City can be challenging at times with tall buildings blocking the view.

Seven miles of trails snake through San Francisco streets and open space, offering plenty of unobstructed views of the Bay and ocean. Not all portions of the Bay Area Ridge Trail through The City, though, accomplish this goal.

The area along Aquavista Way, on the west side of Twin Peaks, doesn’t offer sights that live up to its name. It is an oversight the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council is working to change.

The Bay Area Ridge Trail is 400 consecutive miles of trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use created two decades ago to expose residents to the Bay in all surrounding counties. But the highest point of The City’s seven-mile portion of the trail misses the mark.

According to Bern Smith, South Bay trail director with the council, when the trail was created, organizers decided to avoid the peaks, which would have offered a 360-degree view but also a steeper climb.

“You’re walking right on the side,” he said, “not one or two blocks from Twin Peaks.”

Though changes may be years off, Smith said, discussions could propel the project forward. Smith said ideas include improving existing trails and creating one lane of pavement for vehicles while opening a second to foot traffic.

San Francisco’s portion of the trail begins at Fort Funston and winds north through city streets — around Twin Peaks — and many parks. North of Twin Peaks, hikers and bikers are led through Buena Vista Park, the Panhandle and along Arguello Boulevard to the Presidio and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Craig Dawson, executive director of the Mount Sutro Stewards, said increasing access for city-dwellers to their favorite open space is part of the goal.

“The conceptual idea goes back a decade,” he said. “Now, though, there is a movement to gain greater connectivity in green corridors and off urban streets. We’re on the rise again.”


Have a peek:

* 7 Miles of trail in San Francisco
* 400 Consecutive miles on Bay Ridge Trail
* 910 Feet Twin Peaks is above sea level
* Starts at the Golden Gate Bridge
* Ends at Fort Funston
* Stays in greenbelts as much as possible
* Stays on streets around Twin Peaks
* Provides 360-degree view

Source: Bay Ridge Trail Council

Still planning for paving in North L.A. County...

Welcome to SCOPE's first monthly email:


11/28/2010
http://scope.org

Santa Clarita Valley, North Los Angeles County


full newslettter:
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/678928/4250f5e075/285907711/26891c9f5e/

x
Don't worry, we absolutely promise NOT to overwhelm your email box with posts. But we thought you would like to know what we are up to, and snail mail is just way too expensive and usually way too slow.  So here is our attempt to stay connected with you and keep you update on local conservation and planning issues. Hope you like it!
You may even want to Forward this message to a friend.

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A Holiday Gift from our Planning Agencies?
  
Every year as the holidays approach it seems that the number of large projects moving through the City and the County public planning process increase in number. One can only surmise that this phenomena is due to a hope on the part of developers that the public will be busy with friends, family and holiday cheer and thus not paying attention to local politics and land use planning.
This year is no exception. The City has just begun the public process for the Vista Canyon http://www.santa-clarita.com/Index.aspx?page=672 project in the Sand Canyon area.  Although the County would only allow 700 units in its jurisdiction for this project, the City is proposing to annex it and nearly double the number of units to 1350. So much for the City’s line that it is the County that continues to approve so many housing units. Comments on the draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) were due by Dec. 3, 2010.  The hearings themselves will continue into next year.
This project will fill the flood plan and requires a general plan amendment at the very time the City is updating its general plan. Why is a project that requires a general plan amendment being rushed through right before this extensive plan revision? One can only wonder.
Mission Village, the 4400 unit second tract in Newhall Ranch received its first hearing on Wednesday, Nov.10th. Landmark Village, the 1444 unit first phase has still not been approved, and neither project has received permission to alter the Santa Clara River in this sensitive area west of I-5, but the county is moving forward. The comment period was extended to Jan 4^th, with a final hearing scheduled for March 16^th.
One Valley One Vision, (which really must not be one valley or one vision because there are two gigantic and separate planning documents), is also underway. With hearings set before both the City (comment period previously closed Dec 22^nd, but the Planning Commission extended the comment period for another 45 days after our request at its Tuesday hearing that lasted until after midnight )  and the County (comment period closes Jan 24^th, hearing Dec 8^th) on these two separate plans. The public is expected to review thousands of pages in each document.  The City will give you a free disc of the Plan and Draft Environmental Impact report for your holiday reading pleasure, available upon request at City Hall.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was written to ensure the public’s knowledge, views and concerns would be included in the planning process. Undisclosed problems brought to the attention of the decision-makers and requirements that would reduce impacts of new development on the environment and the community have resulted in better projects because of this law.
It appears that between these four projects, the public is expected to review some 60,000 to 70,000 pages immediately before and during the holiday period. Because of the importance of public involvement in the planning process, Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment (SCOPE) has asked both the City and County to extend the comment period on these four projects into the new year.  
If you would like to help us participate in any of these project reveiws, just send an email to exec@scope.org.

Mapping Out essential USA wildlife + parks connectors

The "big picture" of Park links in the USA:

It's a large file to download, 13.8 megabytes, but it's interesting reading for fans of connected wildlife corridors across the USA

http://www.wildlandsnetwork.org/sites/default/files/Wild%20LifeLines%20White%20Paper.pdf

WCB 11/2010: Calif. Wildlife board to save 84,000 acres in November...

State Plans Big End of Year Land Purchases—over 84,000 acres of land and development rights

Deals include $15 million paid to the Tejon Ranch Company

NOTICE OF MEETING --WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD
November 18, 2010

http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=24287

MAPS: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=25149

HIGHLIGHTS:

Heart K Ranch, 880 acre conservation easement, Plumas County

Lower Yuba River, Excelsior, 527± acres, Nevada and Yuba Counties

Bruin Ranch, 1,773± acres, Placer County

Oak Hills Ranch, conservation easement over 3,316 ± acres, Yolo County

Los Vaqueros Ranch Conservation Easement, 800± acres, Monterey County

Santa Clara River Watershed, 123± acres, Ventura County

Tejon Ranch -- conservation easements over 62,003± acres--$15.8 million Kern/Los Angeles Counties

Bottle Peak 418± acres $3.5 million San Diego County

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIFICS ON AGENDA ITEMS


20. Heart K Ranch $1,090,000 Plumas County
To consider the acquisition of a conservation easement for the Department of Fish and Game over approximately 880± acres for protection of critical habitat for the Sloat Deer herd as well as protection of black oak woodland, montane riparian, and wet meadow habitats, located in the Genesee Valley along Indian Creek in Plumas County.

21. Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area, Expansion 6 $1,120,000 Butte County
To consider the acquisition of 222± acres of land for the Department of Fish and Game for the protection of wetland habitat, located approximately five miles west of the City of Biggs in Butte County.

22. Lower Yuba River, Excelsior, Phase I, $3,216,440 Nevada and Yuba Counties
To consider the acquisition of 527± acres of land by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) known as the Yuba Narrows Ranch for protection of deer and mountain lion habitat, located along the Yuba River within the lower Yuba River watershed, situated between the DFG Daugherty Hills and Spenceville Wildlife Areas, in Nevada and Yuba Counties.

23. Bruin Ranch Phase I, $4,515,000 Placer County
To consider the allocation for a grant to Placer Land Trust for a cooperative project with the Department of Fish and Game, Caltrans and Placer County to acquire 1,773± acres of property to protect habitat for threatened and endangered species, including blue oak woodland habitat and approximately three miles of riparian corridor along the Bear River, located in Placer County. Protection of this property will also allow the connection of a regional trail through previously protected land to Placer County's Hidden Falls Regional Park and Coon Creek.

24. Oak Hills Ranch, $2,296,000, Yolo County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the California Rangeland Trust for a conservation easement over 3,316 ± acres of native oak woodlands located south of the community of Dunnigan and north of the town of Esparto in Yolo County.

26. Los Vaqueros Ranch Conservation Easement, $1,210,000.00 Phase II Monterey County
To consider the allocation for a grant to The Nature Conservancy to acquire a conservation easement over 800± acres of property to protect critical steelhead habitat as well as habitat for sensitive wildlife species including the red-legged frog, yellow-legged frog, western pond turtle and intact populations of native fish, oak woodlands, and grasslands on the west side of Salina Valley along the Arroyo Seco River in Monterey County.

27. Santa Clara River Watershed, Totlcom , $2,298,500 Ventura County
To consider the allocation for a grant to The Nature Conservancy, the acceptance of a Recovery Land Acquisition Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife; and the authorization to enter into an Agreement to Subgrant to The Nature Conservancy for a cooperative project with the State Coastal Conservancy, Santa Clara River Trustee Council and the Department of Fish and Game to acquire 123± acres of land for the protection of threatened and endangered species and habitat corridors, located south of the City of Ventura in Ventura County.

29. Tejon Ranch $15,800,000 Kern/Los Angeles Counties
To consider the allocation for five grants to the Tejon Ranch Conservancy to acquire five conservation easements over 62,003± acres for the protection of significant natural landscapes and wildlife linkages and corridors, located south of the City of Bakersfield and north of the City of Los Angeles, adjacent to Interstate 5 and State Highway 138, in Kern and Los Angeles Counties.

30. Bottle Peak $3,562,900 San Diego County
To consider the allocation for a grant to The Escondido Creek Conservancy to assist with the acquisition of 418± acres of property to anchor regional habitat conservation planning efforts, including a Natural Community Conservation Plan, in central San Diego County and provide a critical ecological link between coastal habitat and the higher elevation Cleveland National Forest.

NOTE: PART 2 OF THE AGENDA IS IN NEXT POST

WCB 11/2010: Part two--Calif. Wildlife board to save 84,000 acres in November...

More: State Plans Big End of Year Land Purchases—over 84,000 acres of land and development rights

PART 2 OF AGENDA:

NOTICE OF MEETING --WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD
November 18, 2010
10:00 AM
State Capitol, Room 113
Sacramento, California 95814

http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=24287

MAPS: https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=25149

HIGHLIGHTS:

Glenn County, transfer120± acres to Nature Conservancy, to acquire 104± acres in fee

Loch Lomond Vernal Pool, Lake County, acceptance of 1.7± acres and the disposal of 1.4± acres

Swiss Ranch, 304 acre conservation easement, Calaveras County

Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, 532 acres, American Canyon, Napa County

Peninsular Bighorn Sheep, 947± acres, Riverside County,

East Elliott and Otay Mesa Regions (Sunroad), 1 acre, San Diego County

Cow Creek Conservation Area, conservation easement over 5,868± acres Shasta County

Red Bank Creek, conservation easements over two ownerships totaling 7,132± acres Tehama County

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPECIFICS ON AGENDA ITEMS

8. Hamilton City Flood Damage, $10,000.00 Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration, Glenn County
To consider the disposal of a portion of property, the Sacramento River Conservation Area, Expansion 4, 120± acres, funded through a Wildlife Conservation Board grant to The Nature Conservancy, approved by the Board in November of 2001, and to authorize the reuse of proceeds generated by disposal to acquire 104± acres in fee title for the protection of riparian and riverine habitat supporting threatened and endangered species.

9. Loch Lomond Vernal Pool, $25,000, Ecological Reserve Exchange, Lake County
To consider the acceptance of 1.7± acres and the disposal of 1.4± acres through an exchange of fee title land between the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and a private landowner to expand protection of vernal pool habitat at the Loch Lomond Ecological Reserve, located in the community of the Loch Lomond, in Lake County.

10. Swiss Ranch, Expansion 3, $430,000, Calaveras County
To consider the acquisition of a conservation easement for the Department of Fish and Game over 304± acres of land for protection of critical habitat for the migratory Rail Road Flat deer herd, located in the Sierra foothills along Swiss Ranch Road in Calaveras County.

12. Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, $10,000, American Canyon Napa County
To consider the acceptance of 352± acres of land for the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) for protection of bay wetlands, as an addition to the DFG’s Napa-Sonoma Marshes Wildlife Area, located between the City of American Canyon and the Napa River in Napa County.

16. Peninsular Bighorn Sheep $5,000.00 Riverside County
To consider the acceptance of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Land Acquisition grant and authorize the use of those funds to acquire 947± acres for the Department of Fish and Game, to protect and enhance existing regional wildlife linkages and habitats for the Peninsular Bighorn Sheep, located west of the community of Oasis, in Riverside County.

17. East Elliott and Otay Mesa Regions (Sunroad), $5,000, San Diego County
To consider the acceptance of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat Conservation Planning Land Acquisition grant and the approval to subgrant the federal funds to the City of San Diego to assist with the acquisition of 1± acre of land to protect critical regional wildlife linkages, coastal sage scrub, and to protect and preserve core areas of vernal pool habitat that will enhance the existing Multiple Species Conservation Program and the Natural Community Conservation Plan areas located on the western Otay Mesa, south of Highway 905 and east of Highway 805 in the San Diego city limits.

18. Cow Creek Conservation Area, Expansion 2, $1,340,000, Shasta County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the American Land Conservancy to acquire a conservation easement over 5,868± acres of land, for protection of rangeland, riparian corridors and other significant ecosystems, located north of State Highway 44 approximately 10 miles east of the City of Redding in Shasta County.

19. Red Bank Creek $3,960,000.00 Tehama County
To consider the allocation for a grant to the Northern California Regional Land Trust to acquire conservation easements over two ownerships totaling 7,132± acres for protection of native oak woodland habitat, located approximately 20 miles northwest of the City of red Bluff in Tehama County.

Oil giant can't get a break in L.A....

Oil Company trying to find a local government that will OK its Planned Destruction of East L.A. County to Orange County Wildlife link

from 10/2010 newsletter of http://hillsforeveryone.org :

http://www.hillsforeveryone.org/news-publications/PDFs/hfe-publications/newsletters/2010/fall-2010.pdf


Aera Energy, the wholly owned subsidiary of Shell/ExxonMobil owns the natural lands above Brea and Rowland Heights, between the 57 Freeway and Harbor Blvd. The company appears to be playing a strange game.

After five years of processing its 3,600 unit development through Los Angeles County, Aera was told by the County to revise and downsize the project. Instead, in late 2006, Aera picked up stakes and took the same project proposal to Diamond Bar in hopes of being annexed into that city. Again, Aera was told to make it a greener project, downsize, and reduce the footprint (grading). Now Aera is no longer processing the project in Diamond Bar and the city will soon be formally ending the application.

Despite an additional 50,000 vehicle trips a day generated by the project, Aera continues to refuse to pay for improvements to the 57 Freeway. Both Diamond Bar and Brea are not happy about that. Apparently Aera plans to return to Los Angeles County for project approvals, but the County has not yet received a formal application. It will be interesting to see if the project has changed. Aera has long touted a need for executive homes but the bottom has dropped out of that market in the recession and there is a flood of executive homes for sale.

In the meantime, the Aera property was on a short list for potential funding from Measure M, Orange County’s transportation sales tax measure, to save the land. Aera had stated publicly that they were willing to look at a sale for preservation by using funds from this measure, but in April, Aera removed itself from consideration. The next round of funding comes in the summer of 2011.