SMMC-MRCA 6/27/2011-7/6/2011

Late June-early July Purchases and Developments around the L.A. Ring of Parks, from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority board agendas

HIGHLIGHTS:
Laurel Canyon
Stone Canyon reservoir
Elephant Hill--East L.A.


June 27, 2011 - SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing the addition of the Laurel Canyon – Mulholland properties project to the Conservancy Acquisition Workprogram, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]
July 6, 2011-MRCA--Consideration of resolution authorizing entering into a Project Agreement with the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for the acquisition of the Laurel Canyon – Mulholland Properties project, Laurel Canyon, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2]

June 27, 2011 - SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing a comment letter to City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Upper Stone Canyon Reservoir Water Quality Improvement project. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map]

June 27, 2011 - SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing a supplemental comment letter to Los Angeles County on the Draft 2035 General Plan. [Resolution] [Attachment ] [Map] [Comment Letter]

July 6, 2011-MRCA--Consideration of resolution authorizing a grant application to Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy for acquisition and improvements at Elephant Hill, El Sereno, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Attachment]
[Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2]

test of Rare Earth News email service...

From the editor:
I'm wondering whether the automatic "Google--Feedburner" email system for my subscribers is working. I just changed some settings, so hopefully it is working again. Please reply to me at rexfrankel@yahoo.com if you got this email.

Thanks, Rex Frankel

Trails reopened in Angeles National Forest

Many are open, some still closed...

5/16/11
An update on Angeles Forest Re-opening :
According to the Forest Service map of the station fire closure area at http://maps.fs.fed.us/stationfire/ the list below shows the status, effective May 16 2011, of some of the more popular trails that were affected by the Station Fire. Keep in mind that even though these trails are in the newly opened areas of the forest, the individual trails may be signed closed. Please respect any trail closure signs and stay off those trails for your own safety and the recovery of the forest.

Many of the trails will not be in good shape, so be prepared for surprises like downed trees, slides, washouts, ruts, and other hazards.

Many trails have been drastically changed from before the Station Fire.

Many fire roads have not yet been graded and may be much narrower and in very poor condition with ruts and washouts. All the usual caveats about trail safety apply so use the trails safely and responsibly, and be especially careful the first time you travel on one of the newly opened trails.

Opened Trails (As of May 16, 2011)

* Brown Mountain (to the saddle)
* Gabrielino (JPL to Paul Little)
* Gabrielino (Switzers to Redbox to Chantry)
* Bear Canyon Trail
* Sam Merrill Trail
* Castle Canyon Trail
* Sunset Ridge Trail
* Mt. Lowe West Trail
* Idlehour Trail
* Kenyon Devore Trail
* Rim Trail
* Sturtevant Trail
* Santa Clara Divide Truck Trail (Dillon Divide to Mt. Gleason to Three Points)
* Chilao Loop/Mt. Hillyer
* Vetter Road
* Silver Mocassin
* Shortcut
* Valley forge
* Mt. Lukens road (once the highway opens)
* Earl Canyon
* Haines Canyon
* Doc Larsen

Keep in mind that even though these trails are in the opened area, the individual trails may be signed closed (And those signs should still be respected). Many of the trails will not be in good shape, so be prepared for surprises like downed trees, massive ruts or slides, washouts, and other hazards.


Closed Trails (Until Further Notice)
* Strawberry Peak,
* Tom Sloan
* Dawn Mine
* Upper Brown Mountain (Saddle to the Summit/Ken Burton)
* Ken Burton
* Gabrielino from Switzers to Paul Little
* Grizzly Flat
* Hoyt
* Stone Canyon
* Condor Peak Trail
* Trail Canyon
* Alder Creek
* Colby Canyon
* Josephine
* Mueller Tunnel

Lee Zebold, Los Angeles Hiking Meetup Group, http://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/
Forest Service Volunteer
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A SWITZER FALLS UPDATE

5/28/11,
Folks,

In case you were thinking of seeing Switzer falls soon, here is an update:

I have posted pictures from the Switzer trail to the upper and lower falls. Since the trails have been closed for 1 1/2 years, they need a lot of work, but I was able to get there. The trail to the top of the main falls is passable but littered with debris. The trail to the base of the falls has slid away in some places and has fallen trees blocking two sections. However, I was able to get around them.

I have posted pictures from today here: http://www.meetup.com/hiking-196/photos/1658071/
and two videos of the upper and lower falls on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZXGVla2qmw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NZYMZSArgY

--Rex, hike organizer

SMMC-MRCA 3/28/2011 to 6/1/2011

Land Preservation and Development Deals in the L. A. and Ventura County Mountains, March to June 2011

(Taken from the agendas for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the MRCA)

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CalTrans Provides Funds to Save North End of Simi Hills, between Rocky Peak Park and Sage Ranch park

FOR MORE INFO: FROM THE MRCA 4/6/11-- authorizing entering into a Caltrans Contribution Agreement, District Agreement No. 07-4903, to receive mitigation funds from the State Route 118 and Rocky Peak Road on and off-ramp project, Santa Susana Mountains, City of Simi Valley. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map]

Photos of this area are posted here: https://picasaweb.google.com/Rare.Earth.fotos/SageRanchSimiHills962009#5378565824937880978

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SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS:

SMMC 3/28/11-- comment letter to City of Los Angeles on Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Hollywood Hills Master Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (sch No. 2008111048), City of Los Angeles. [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3] [Map 4] [Map 5] [Map 6] [Map 7] [Resolution] [Comment Letter]

SMMC 4/25/11-- comment letter to Los Angeles County on Notice of Consultation for 2701 April Road project adjacent to Malibu Creek State Park, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Map] [Resolution] [Comment Letter] [Map 2]

SMMC 4/25/11-- comment letter to City of Los Angeles on Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Hollywood Hills Master Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report (sch No. 2008111048), City of Los Angeles. [Resolution] [Attachment] [Staff Report]

SMMC 4/25/11-- comment letter to Los Angeles County on Final Environmental Impact Report for the Pepperdine Campus Life Project (sch No. 2008041123), watersheds of Marie/Winter/Middle canyons, unincorporated Malibu area. [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Attachment 5] [Comment Letter]

SMMC 4/25/11-- “The Edge (U2)’s housing tract--concerning public benefits program associated with Coastal Development Permit application numbers 4-10-040, 4-10-041, 4-10-42, 4-10-043, 4-10-44, and 4-10-045 (formerly application numbers 4-07-067, 4-07-068, 4-07-146, 4-07-147, 4-07-148 and 4-08-043) and authorize entering into an agreement to secure such public benefits, Sweetwater Mesa, unincorporated Malibu area. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4]

SMMC 5/23/11-- comment letter to the City of Calabasas on the Notice of Preparation for the proposed 77-acre Messenger Development located at 4790 Las Virgenes Road, Malibu Canyon watershed. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map]

SMMC 5/23/11-- transfer of jurisdiction and control from State Coastal Conservancy of APN 4458-009-900, 24038 Malibu Road, City of Malibu. [Map] [Staff Report]

SMMC 5/23/11-- add two potential Coastal Slope Trail – Sweetwater to Tuna Canyon Park parcels (apns 4453-016-004 and 006) in Carbon Canyon to the Conservancy Workprogram, Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

MRCA 4/6/11-- acceptance of conservation easement, approximately 0.3 acres, over portion of APN 5565-011-011, on Horse Shoe Canyon Road, Laurel Canyon, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2]

MRCA 4/6/11-- acceptance of conservation easement, approximately 0.2 acres, over portion of APN 2428-006-042, on Oak Point Drive in the Cahuenga Pass area, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3]

MRCA 4/6/11-- amending Resolution No. 10-106 and authorizing acquisition of APNs 5576-009-055, 056, 057, 058, 059, 060, 061, 062, 063 AND 064, Hollywood Knolls, South of Lake Hollywood. Negotiators: Joseph T. Edmiston and Daniel Fitzgerald. Under consideration: price and terms. (This item may be heard in closed session pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the Government Code.) [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2]

MRCA 5/4/11-- authorizing acceptance of the offers to dedicate trail easements associated with Coastal Development Permit Nos. 5-89-133 (Stiepel), 5-89-1149 (Thorne), 5-87-983 (Forge), 5-89-260 (Norman), 5-90-106 (Niemier), 5-89-124 (Ashley), 5-89-123 (Ashley), incorporated and unincorporated Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Map 2]

MRCA 5/4/11-- “The Edge” project-- public benefits program associated with Coastal Development Permit application numbers 4-10-040, 4-10-041, 4-10-042, 4-10-043, 4-10-044, and 4-10-045 (formerly application numbers 4-07-067, 4-07-068, 4-07-146, 4-07-147, 4-07-148 and 4-08-043) and authorize entering into an agreement to secure such public benefits, Sweetwater Mesa, unincorporated Malibu area. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3]

MRCA 6/1/2011-- authorizing acceptance of the offers to dedicate scenic easements and/or open space easements associated with Coastal Development Permit Nos. 5-90-265 (Nesse), 5-89-743 (Segal), 5-90-106 (Niemier), 5-88-938 (Ohanian/Bennett), 5-90-327 (Javid), 5-89-960-A (McCallister), 5-90-246 (Bolton), incorporated and unincorporated Malibu. [Map] [Staff Report] [Resolution]

MRCA 6/1/2011-- accepting the assignment of the right to apply for 1992 per parcel funds (8.b.1) from the City of Los Angeles, and approving the filing of an application for designated Proposition A funds for the acquisition of APNs 5576-009-055, 056, 057, 058, 059, 060, 061, 062, 063, and 064, known as the La Rocha Acquisition Project, and entering into a Project Agreement with the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District to acquire said properties. Hollywood Dell area, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2]

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VERDUGO MOUNTAINS:

SMMC 3/28/11-- acceptance of donation of fee title on and over Canyon Oaks development open space, Verdugo Mountains, City of Los Angeles. [Map] [Staff Report] [Resolution]

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VENTURA COUNTY:

SMMC 4/25/11-- comment letters to City of Simi Valley regarding Ready Project, 890 and 900 West Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley. [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Resolution]

SMMC 4/25/11-- 300 room hotel--- comment letter on the Draft Specific Plan for the Hummingbird Nest Ranch, City of Simi Valley. [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map] [Comment Letter]

MRCA 4/6/11-- authorizing entering into a Caltrans Contribution Agreement, District Agreement No. 07-4903, to receive mitigation funds from the State Route 118 and Rocky Peak Road on and off-ramp project, Santa Susana Mountains, City of Simi Valley. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map]

MRCA 5/4/11-- authorizing acceptance of multiple conservation easements totaling approximately 11 acres from the (Cal Lutheran) University Village project over APN 521-0-031-140 and acceptance of processing funds, Thousand Oaks. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Map 2]

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SANTA CLARITA VALLEY:

SMMC 5/23/11-- comment letter to Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission on Mission Village Project (sch No. 2005051143), Newhall Ranch. [Staff Report]

SMMC 5/23/11-- comment letter to City of Santa Clarita Planning Commission on One Valley One Vision General Plan Final Environmental Impact Report (sch No. 2008071133), Santa Clarita. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Attach 1] [Attach 2] [Attach 3]

MRCA 4/6/11-- authorizing entering into a contract with Desert and Mountain Conservation Authority for pre-acquisition services directly related to the acquisition of parcels in the Upper Santa Clara River watershed and San Gabriel Mountains. [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map] [Map 2] [Staff Report]

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SANTA SUSANA MOUNTAINS:

SMMC 5/23/11-- advance of funds to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority from CF-0907 for Browns Canyon restoration project, unincorporated Chatsworth. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

MRCA 4/6/11-- authorizing the acceptance of a donation of a portion of APN 2826-026-005 and potentially portions of APNs 2826-026-006 and 014 located west of Interstate 5 in the Newhall Pass, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

MRCA 5/4/11-- authorizing acquisition of APN 2816-031-001 totaling 9.3 acres using in lieu mitigation fees, Santa Susana Mountains, Devil Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

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HIGH DESERT—LA COUNTY:

MRCA 4/6/11-- authorizing entering into a management agreement and contract with Desert and Mountain Conservation Authority for property management of approximately 187 acres bordering Elizabeth Lake Road, from the Joshua Ranch project, City of Palmdale. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

MRCA 4/6/11-- authorizing entering into a management agreement and contract with Desert and Mountain Conservation Authority for administration, acquisition expenses, initial site preparation, and property management services for a 480-acre property, from the AV Solar Ranch One project, located between Highway 138 and California State Parks Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve, unincorporated Antelope Valley. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Map] [Map 2]

MRCA 4/6/11-- requesting transfer and acceptance of Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy properties located north of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor Zone in Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment] [Attachment 2] [Map]

SMMC 4/25/11-- transfer of apns 3059-004-900, 3059-005-900, 3079-004-900, 3091-018-900, 3091-018-901, 3236-006-901, 3236-007-903, and 3318-002-900 located north of the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor zone to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Map] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3] [Map 4] [Map 5] [Staff Report] [Resolution]

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ASSORTED:

SMMC 4/25/11-- grant of Proposition 84 funds to the City of Los Angeles for a natural area within the boundaries of Cesar Chavez Recreation Complex in the San Fernando Valley. [Attachment] [Map] [Attachment 2] [Staff Report] [Resolution]

SMMC 5/23/11-- comment letter to Los Angeles County on the Draft 2035 General Plan. [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Attachment 5] [Attachment 6]

SMMC 5/23/11-- grant of Proposition 84 funds for Green Solutions Phase III, Project Planning and Design, Upper LA River Watershed. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3]

MRCA 5/4/11-- authorizing acceptance of donation of approximately 1.09 acres of natural land, APN 2569-022-054, between La Crescenta and Tujunga, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]
-----------------------------

SCC 3/2011 to 5/2011: Coastal Land buys by the State this spring

Our taxes funded purchase of 2970 acres this spring on our coastline

From the agendas of the State's Coastal Conservancy:

http://scc.ca.gov/2011/05/06/coastal-conservancy-public-meeting-may-19th-2011/

http://scc.ca.gov/2011/03/04/coastal-conservancy-public-meeting-march-17-2011/

3/17/2011--Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to disburse up to $706,000 to the City of Laguna Beach, Orange County, for acquisition of the 7.8-acre Domanskis property adjacent to the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park for open space, public access, and habitat preservation.

3/17/2011--Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to disburse up to $240,000 to Save the Redwoods League to complete the acquisition of a 500 acre property commonly known as the “Raiche-McCrory Property” and add it to the Area of Critical Ecological Concern managed by the federal Bureau of Land Management within the area known as “The Cedars” in western Sonoma County.

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5/19/2011--Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to disburse up to $1,445,000 to the City of Santee to acquire 105 acres and design a trail on the Walker Property along the San Diego River, San Diego County, for the purpose of protecting and restoring habitat and providing compatible public access.

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5/19/2011--Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to disburse up to $3,000,000, including $500,000 of funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to The Trust for Public Land for acquisition of the 63-acre Ocean Meadows property in Devereux Slough, Santa Barbara County.

5/19/2011--Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to disburse up to $3,100,000 to the Solano Land Trust toward acquisition of approximately 1,500 acres of the Rockville Trails Estates property, and preparation of a property management plan.

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5/19/2011--Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to disburse up to $1,000,000 to the East Bay Regional Park District for the acquisition of approximately 540 acres of the 955-acre Owen property in order to expand the Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park in Alameda County.

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5/19/2011--Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to disburse up to $750,000 to LandPaths to acquire a remainder interest in the 120-acre Ranchero Mark West property in Sonoma County for the protection of natural resources, public access, and education.

5/19/2011--Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to disburse up to $500,000 to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to acquire the 97-acre Silva property for addition to the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve near the town of La Honda in unincorporated San Mateo County.

5/19/2011--Consideration and possible Conservancy authorization to disburse up to $315,000 to the Northcoast Regional Land Trust to acquire an approximately 36 acre parcel at the confluence of Martin Slough and Swain Slough in the Elk River watershed in Humboldt County to facilitate the future restoration and enhancement of wetlands, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitat on a portion of the property, and the preservation and enhancement of coastal agriculture on the remaining area.

WCB 2/2011 to 6/2011

Big Purchases of Land and Development Rights at Important Calif. Wildlife Linkages coming up in June

Includes outright purchase of 2342 acres and purchase of “conservation easements” on another 25,173 acres

http://cdfgnews.wordpress.com/2011/06/page/7/

HIGHLIGHTS:

Mono County—108 acres
Santa Cruz—8.5 acres
Fresno--.15 acres
Palm Springs—70 acres
Western Riverside co—715 acres
San Diego--250 acres
Lassen Foothills—8455 acres
Sierra Crest—2683 acres
Mendocino co—Willits—8544 acres
Sonoma co—4046 acres
Contra Costa co—1159 acres
Half Moon Bay/San Mateo co—140 acres
San Luis Obispo—1337 acres

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NOTICE OF MEETING--WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD--June 2, 2011

FOR FULL AGENDA:

http://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=29798

FOR MAPS OF ALL PURCHASES: https://goo.gl/photos/4sCAiQdbBKFFu3si9

Wheeler Ridge Wildlife Area, $550,000 Expansion 3, Mono County
--grant to Eastern Sierra Land Trust to acquire a conservation easement over 108± acres located south of the town of Mammoth Lakes and north of the town of Bishop in Mono County.

Santa Cruz Long-Toed Salamander, $60,000 Larkin Valley Santa Cruz County
--acquisition in fee of 8.5± acres at the northwest corner of Larkin Valley Road and Metiver's Way in Santa Cruz County.

San Joaquin Fish Hatchery (Hovannisian Property) $28,500 Fresno County
-- acquire a fee title to 0.15± acres of land for future public access to the San Joaquin River Parkway and the San Joaquin Fish Hatchery.

Thousand Palms Conservation Area (Gabison) $705,000 Riverside County
-- acquiring 70± acres of land located west of the City of Thousand Palms

Western Riverside County MSHCP (2006), $1,704,650 Expansions 6—9 --to acquire four properties totaling 715± acres. .

San Diego County MSCP/HCPLA 2009 (Gibson) $885,000 -- to acquire in fee 250± acres located south of Interstate 8 and northwest of Harbison Canyon Road in San Diego County.

Lassen Foothills, Expansion 6 (Gaumer Ranch) $2,545,000 Tehama County
-- a grant to The Nature Conservancy to acquire a conservation easement over 8,455± acres of land for protection of deer and mountain lion habitat, and native oak woodlands, located within the Deer Creek watershed in southeast Tehama County and approximately six miles east of Highway 99.

Sierra Crest Conservation Easement, Phase III $2,420,000 Sierra County
-- a grant to the Truckee Donner Land Trust to acquire a conservation easement over 2,683± acres located approximately 16 miles northwest of the town of Truckee, in close proximity to Webber Lake, in Sierra County.

Eel River Peninsula $8,559,000 Mendocino County
-- a grant to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to acquire a conservation easement over 8,544± acres of threatened and endangered species habitat, deer range habitat, oak woodlands and old growth forests, wildlife corridors, riparian areas and to provide future wildlife oriented public use opportunities, located east of the town of Willits in Mendocino County.

Baxter Ranch $2,360,242 Sonoma County
--to acquire a conservation easement over 4,046± acres within the Coastal Range, in close proximity to the Lake Sonoma Recreational Area, 10 miles west of the City of Cloverdale, in Sonoma County.

San Joaquin Multi-Species Conservation Plan $1,847,966 (Thomas) Contra Costa County
-- to acquire 1,159± acres in the Diablo range within the City of Pittsburg east of the town of Clayton.

Pillar Point Bluff Complex $3,010,000 San Mateo County
--to acquire in fee 140± acres along the Pacific Ocean immediately to the west of the Half Moon Bay Airport near the town of Half Moon Bay.

Nick Ranch Conservation Easement $2,375,000 San Luis Obispo County
--a grant to the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County to acquire a conservation easement over 1,337± acres of land for the protection of rangeland, grazing land and grassland areas, located approximately 20 miles east of the City of San Luis Obispo, near the small rural community of Pozo, within the Salinas River watershed and next to the federally designated Machesna Mountain Wilderness and the Los Padres National Forest, within San Luis Obispo County.

Gualala River--discussion of 14,000 acre conservation easement purchase; approved at 9/2011 meeting

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

2/2011: WHAT’S BEING SAVED:

Siskiyou County—5929 acre conservation easement at Little Shasta River

Humboldt County---2903 acre conservation easement at Charles Mountain Ranch in southeast Humboldt county

Mendocino County

—13,913 acre conservation easement at Gualala River

--45,576 acre conservation easement at the Usal Forest

--disburse up to $3,000,000 to Save-the-Redwoods League to acquire approximately 957 acres known as the Shady Dell Creek Tract, as part of the 50,635-acre Usal Redwood Forest Conservation Project in northern Mendocino County. http://scc.ca.gov/webmaster/ftp/pdf/sccbb/1101bb/20110120Board05_Shady_Dell_Creek_Acquisition.pdf

(NOTE: the Usal forest was purchased from the Hawthorne Timber Company in 2007 by the Redwood Forests Foundation in order to preserve it as a sustainably logged forest. The funds from the State will help pay off the loans which were used to buy the land.)

--disburse up to $2,500,000 to The Conservation Fund to acquire the approximately 464-acre Smith Tract portion of the Ten Mile Ranch, located adjacent to the Ten Mile River, Mendocino County.

http://scc.ca.gov/webmaster/ftp/pdf/sccbb/1101bb/20110120Board06_Ten_Mile_River_Acquisition.pdf

Yuba County—833 acre conservation easement in the Yuba Highlands

Contra Costa County—798 acres—Barron property south of Pittsburg

Ventura County:

disburse up to $500,000 to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy to acquire and prepare a stewardship plan for 70 acres of the Hollingsworth Ranch property along the Ventura River in unincorporated Ventura County.

http://scc.ca.gov/webmaster/ftp/pdf/sccbb/1101bb/20110120Board11_Hollingsworth_Ranch.pdf

Los Angeles County

118 acres at Cold Creek in Malibu

151 acres in Claremont

8 acres in Rubio Canyon in Altadena

Riverside County

92 acre conservation easement at Mystic Lake (Ramona)

40 acres at Big Morongo canyon

71 acres near Hemet, Western Riverside exp 5

San Diego County

132 acres in Potrero

89 acres in East Elliot and Otay Mesa

1081 acres at Jacumba Peak

278 acre conservation easement in Mendenhall Valley—Palomar Mountain

385 acres in San Felipe Valley north of Julian

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To read the full agendas,

Wildlife Conservation Board, February 24, 2011
https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=31265&inline=1

FOR MAPS OF WCB PURCHASES: https://goo.gl/photos/9akMd2P2oLy1mTzV8

SMMC-MRCA 2/28/2011 to 3/2/2011

1000 Acre Addition to South side of Vazquez Rocks park funded by L.A. Mountain Park agency

(click on maps to enlarge--THE LAND BEING SAVED IS IN THE RED BORDER)

This purchase is part of the creation of a circle of parks around the City of Santa Clarita, best known as the home to the Magic Mountain amusement park, which has been filling up with tract housing since the 1970's and has threatened to become just another part of L.A.'s sprawl.

This 1000 acre purchase will also help complete the link for the park connection between the two halves of the Angeles National Forest.

From the 3/2/2011 MRCA agenda: Consideration of resolution requesting that the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District add 1,017.47 acres, to Project Agreement 58A1-09-2202, augmenting said Project Agreement to increase grant amount, and authorizing acquisition of said parcels, Soledad Canyon area, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Map] [Resolution] [Staff Report]

Background: Rio Dulce is a 1,017 acre holding of 20 lots, located east of Agua Dulce Road south of State Route 14. Staff participated in a Bay Area auction to purchase the parcels in 2007. MRCA was outbid and the parcels were purchased by Nominn, LLC. The situation has changed and now both the Riverside Land Conservancy (RLC) and the City of Santa Clarita are negotiating with Nominn, LLC to acquire the parcels. MRCA would be the likely fee owner. RLC is the lead agency on the acquisition. They are working on a package to acquire the Nominn parcels plus 1,100 adjacent acres in Agua Dulce Canyon.

To date, the MRCA used the subject Proposition A 5th Supervisorial District Excess Funds to acquire nine parcels totaling 82.71 acres. Four additional parcels, known as the Agua Dulce Rodda parcels, were subsequently added to the grant list by a separate action. These were purchased by the City of Santa Clarita with grant funds the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. This purchase would solve major legal access issues in the area. MRCA ownership of the Nominn parcels would finally allow legal access to the existing homes presently adjacent to these properties in Long Canyon without growth inducing impacts.

MORE INFO: (12 megabyte file)
http://www.santaclaritaopenspace.com/_pdf/scimpstgy_rpt_final.pdf.
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MORE HIGHLIGHTS:
--Mulholland Drive--0.2 acres in L.A. City
--Newhall Pass--6.6 acre purchase

--Malibu City trail system
--Topanga Canyon--0.2 acre purchase
--Zuma Canyon trail
--Mulholland Drive/405 Freeway bridge replacement
--Las Virgenes canyon trail south of 101 Freeway
--Ahmanson Ranch

3/2/2011 MRCA--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of the offers to dedicate scenic easements and/or open space easements associated with Coastal Development Permit No. 5-90-103A (Solar Systems, Inc.), incorporated and unincorporated Malibu. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map 1] [Map 2] [Map 3] [Map 4] [Map 5]

3/2/2011 MRCA--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of conservation easements over portions of APNs 2275-028-005, 006 and 007 (approximately 0.20 acres) for wildlife movement purposes, 14501 Mulholland Drive, City of Los Angeles. [Map] [Staff Report] [Resolution]

3/2/2011 MRCA--Consideration of resolution amending MRCA Resolution No. 10-36 to authorize the use of In-Lieu Fee Mitigation funds for the acquisition of 6.6 acres known as APN 2826-025-007 in Los Angeles County Chapter 8 Agreement 2664, Newhall Pass, Santa Clarita. [Map] [Attachment] [Resolution] [Staff Report]

2/28/2011 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing a comment letter to City of Malibu on Draft Updated Parkland and Trails System Map. [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Comment Letter] [Attachment 5_HL] [Comment Letter] [Attachment 6]

2/28/2011 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing a comment letter to the City of Malibu on Coastal Development Permit Application No. 10-010, regarding an easement for the City-designated Rosemary-Thyme Trail, Zuma Canyon, City of Malibu. [Resolution] [Attachment] [Attachment 2] [Map] [Comment Letter]

2/28/2011 SMMC--Consideration of resolution confirming a comment letter to Caltrans regarding Mulholland Drive bridge realignment, Sepulveda Pass. [Staff Report] [Comment Letter] [Resolution] [Map] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Attachment 3] [Attachment 4] [Attachment 5] [Attachment 6]

2/28/2011 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority to use the Coastal Habitat Impact Mitigation Fund for acquisition of 0.2 acres known as apn 4444-023-010, Topanga Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Map] [Staff Report] [Resolution]

2/28/2011 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing assignment of right to apply for Los Angeles County 3rd Supervisorial District Proposition A Excess Funds to the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation for the implementation of the Las Virgenes Trail, Malibu Canyon watershed, City of Calabasas. [Staff Report] [Resolution]
The connector trail will be built on a Los Angeles County Flood Control District easement in both incorporated and unincorporated land. The connector trail will begin south of Agoura Road and run under
the 101 Freeway to the 190 acres east of Las Virgenes Road that was recently acquired by the
Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.

2/28/2011 SMMC--Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate Property in Fee Title recorded June 20, 2006 to 2650 acres commonly known as Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space, unincorporated Ventura County. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Attachment 1] [Attachment 2] [Map]

.SMMC-MRCA 2/2/2011

L.A. Mountain park additions...Taken from the agenda of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority for 2/2/2011

HIGHLIGHTS:
--Santa Clarita--5 acres
--Woodland Hills
--Lobo Canyon--5 acres
--Calabasas Secret trail--120 acres
--Mount Washington
--Cahuenga Pass-Hollywood Hills
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Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of conservation easement over portions of APN 2803-030-072 totaling approximately 5-acres, Santa Clarita. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of a donation of a conservation easement over APN 2172-013-053 near Conservancy-owned Serrania Ridge, Woodland Hills. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

Consideration of resolution authorizing acceptance of a five-acre donation of 2058-012-007 in Lobo Canyon, unincorporated Los Angeles County. [Map] [Staff Report] [Resolution]

Consideration of resolution authorizing application to Wildlife Conservation Board for funding the acquisition of 120-acre property (APNs 4455-006-032 and 033) in Cold Creek watershed and further authorizing the acquisition of the subject parcels, Calabasas. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map] [Map 2]

Consideration of resolution retroactively authorizing the acquisition of APN 5466-010-013 near Heidelberg Park using funds from SMM-0809, Mount Washington area, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Resolution] [Map]

Consideration of resolution authorizing a conservation easement over APN 2425-009-033 in the Multiview Drive area of Cahuenga Pass and acceptance of monitoring fund, City of Los Angeles. [Staff Report] [Attachment] [Attachment 2] [Resolution] [Map]

Loggers to Sell development rights by Mt. Shasta...

Shasta Slopes Saved

2/2/2011--Today the Roseburg Resources Company and Pacific Forest Trust (PFT) announced they will establish a working forest conservation easement to conserve the significant natural resources of the company’s 8,230-acre Bear Creek tract, located on the slopes of Mt. Shasta in the northern California counties of Siskiyou and Shasta. This effort will complete the permanent conservation of the upper Bear Creek watershed, spawning grounds for the world-famous Fall River rainbow trout.

(click on map to enlarge)

The Bear Creek Working Forest Project is located in the PFT's Mt. Shasta Headwaters Conservation Area within the Klamath-Cascade region, source of the majority of California’s drinking water, heart of the state’s timber industry and home to one of the world’s most biodiverse conifer forests.

Together Roseburg Resources and PFT are applying to the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, the National Scenic Byways Program and private foundations for grants to fund the $7.8 million appraised value of the conservation easement. Roseburg has committed to sell the easement to PFT if sufficient funding commitments can be secured this year.

Family-owned Roseburg Resources Company, http://roseburg.com, headquartered in Dillard, Oregon, owns 175,000 acres in northern California....

FULL PRESS RELEASE:
http://www.forestsworkwonders.org/2011/02/pft-and-roseburg-resources-company-join.html

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OTHER PACIFIC FOREST TRUST NEWS:


12/2010--We have some great news to share as 2010 comes to a close. This month California's Sierra Nevada Conservancy delivered the funds to complete our conservation easement on the 245-acre Calpine Meadow Ranch in Sierra Valley, CA, located at the southern tip of our Klamath-Cascade focal area.

Finalizing this conservation easement brings the total lands PFT has safeguarded this year to more than 3,000 acres - a cause for celebration!

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=emptq8bab&v=001HMt6LRUvA5islRFztcpzIlGHAsOlHJ8xSbcaxe--gKVVcS5Kve0pavUsav9B4KTe77GLzLV96uprkqG4YjrE5HYZQRNieZcHw2bf0w8hEjYPly5OhEw0xdNBloodgFDIAUZ9zYd-cbsTPgqA0hpmVWXXtZnIGTSamL1-uvQMYEBCjw0Jz3eAcw%3D%3D
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https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Bzo64sMxUUP8NDA3MWY2YTMtY2UwNy00MzYyLWI2MDMtNzUzMjg4NDJjMWVh&hl=en

PFT is working with local ranchers to create a conservation corridor across southern Sierra Valley, the largest alpine valley in North America. Located north of Lake Tahoe and a stone’s throw from Reno, Sierra Valley is the headwaters of the middle fork of the Feather River, where the snowmelt from the northern Sierra creates the largest wetland ecosystem in the Sierra Nevada. To date, in partnership
with five families, we have conserved 4,500 acres along the important transition between the upland forests and valley meadowlands. More conservation easement projects are underway.

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Mt. Shasta

PFT is working closely with the owners of large, well-managed commercial forestlands that surround this majestic peak, interspersed with the National Forest and Mt. Shasta Wilderness Area. The goal of these partnerships is to secure key properties that anchor the forest products industry of the area, while assuring the ongoing sustainable management of these uniquely diverse forests. The glaciers and snow pack of Mt. Shasta form the headwaters of the Sacramento River and several of its key tributaries, including the McCloud and Fall Rivers, which provide much of the water for thirsty Californians. To date, PFT has conserved more than 9,000 acres here, with several major conservation projects in development.

North L.A. Sprawl not a done deal...

Obama's EPA shows Backbone in Newhall Ranch fight

excerpted from:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-adv-newhall-epa-20110202,0,6039644.story

2/3/2011--A project to build a community of 60,000 residents along the last wild river in Southern California has sparked a feud between two federal agencies over plans to alter areas crucial to California condors and convert nearly 20 miles of waterways into concrete drains and levees.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency questions whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is set to permit the Newhall Ranch construction 35 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, has adequately considered the threat of flooding caused by building in the flood plain of the Santa Clara River or its effects on water quality, tributary streams, Native American burial sites and an array of rare and endangered plants and animals.

The corps is expected to issue a Clean Water Act permit this month authorizing the developer, Newhall Land, to use 20 million cubic yards of excavated soil to fill in wetlands in areas to be developed over the next 20 to 30 years on the 12,000-acre ranch.
Of particular concern to the EPA are plans to fill in much of Potrero Canyon, which includes a rare alkali wetlands and roosting and foraging grounds for endangered California condors. Developers would also convert nearly 20 miles of tributaries and riverbank into storm drains and levees, which the EPA contends could increase flood risks to ranch residents and downstream communities, including Ventura and Santa Paula.

"We are not trying to stop this project, just modify it," said Eric Raffini, an environmental scientist with the EPA's wetlands regulatory program in Southern California. "We do not believe it is appropriate to put people in that flood plain, and we are proposing that they reduce the project footprint by about 80 acres in Potrero Canyon."

"We are prepared to elevate this case, if necessary, to our headquarters in Washington for review, which could result in a veto of the project," Raffini said.

Under the Obama administration, the EPA has overruled the Corps of Engineers before, notably in the EPA's decision to require that the Los Angeles River be managed as a navigable waterway from its source in the west San Fernando Valley to its mouth in Long Beach. That subjects the river and its tributaries to the tight strictures of the Clean Water Act...

...The corps is studying alternative proposals, including one that "would avoid all of Potrero Canyon," Allen said. But he noted that the corps has jurisdiction over only seven of the 109 acres of flood plain in dispute. "So the developer could still develop a lot of it without our permit," he said.

"Do I believe these issues will reach the point where the project will be stopped?" asked Emile Haddad, president and chief executive of Five Point Communities Management, a real estate management company owned by Haddad and Lennar Corp., one of the nation's largest homebuilders. "No. I want to find a solution. I'm a person who can sit down and make a deal. If the EPA's biggest problem is 80 acres and about 500 homes, we'll get rid of them. Done."

It may take more than that to satisfy the EPA...