TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Supervisor Haschak
MEETING DATE: July 11, 2023
DEPARTMENT CONTACT:
Supervisor Haschak
PHONE:
707-463-4221
ITEM TYPE: Consent Agenda
TIME ALLOCATED FOR ITEM: N/A
AGENDA TITLE:
title
Approval of Letter of Support for the Acquisition of Folsom Ranch by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Mendocino Land Trust
(Sponsor: Supervisor Haschak)
End
RECOMMENDED ACTION/MOTION:
recommendation
Approve letter of support for acquisition of Folsom Ranch in Mendocino County by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Mendocino Land Trust; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
PREVIOUS BOARD/BOARD COMMITTEE ACTIONS:
None.
SUMMARY OF REQUEST:
Mendocino Land Trust and BLM are currently attempting to acquire the Folsom Ranch. This is a potential partnership between the BLM, The Conservation Fund, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Golden State Land Conservancy, and the Mendocino Land Trust.
Folsom Ranch's vast size, over 7,000-acres, and adjacency to existing BLM and other conserved lands provides a tremendous conservation and recreational opportunity for the County as a whole. The Ranch contains significant natural resources including mixed conifer forests, oak woodlands, valleys and meadows, agricultural lands, and about 3/4 mile of Wild and Scenic Eel River frontage as well as frontage along Tomki Creek. This project supports a once-in-a-generation conservation opportunity to permanently protect thousands of acres of important lands for multiple benefits, including climate change resilience, potential collaboration with Tribes, and enhanced outdoor recreation.
Folsom Ranch is adjacent to portions of BLM's 6,500-acre English Ridge lands currently proposed as designated Wilderness Area. Adding the 7,000-acre Folsom Ranch to BLM's English Ridge properties would significantly enhance the natural resource protection of the region and provide potential access to one of BLM's "crown jewels".
Folsom Ranch offers a lands...
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