This old homestead property on SPI land lies just downstream of the four Rushing Meadow parcels.

1/25/12    

     For a number of years, the PG&E Stewardship Lands Council has been systematically looking to give away PG&E lands.

     Because of a settlement agreement in 2003 with the Public Utilities Commission, the Stewardship Lands Council was formed to determine what to do with thousands of acres of PG&E properties that are considered to be surplus or unnecessary for power generation purposes. One such block of properties included four parcels that lie east of Lyons Reservoir.

     In January, CSERC's executive director testified in Sacramento before the Stewardship Lands Council's board of directors. John urged the Council to choose the U.S. Forest Service to be the recipient of the 628 acres that encompass Rushing Meadow and conifer forest habitat that lies on both sides along 2 miles of the South Fork Stanislaus River. CSERC had previously submitted detailed written comments in support the choice of the Forest Service and had discussed the matter with the Council's staff.

Rana boylii       The meadow and riparian habitat along the South Fork Stanislaus River in the parcels that are now moving into Forest Service ownership, all contain potential habitat for the extremely rare Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog.

     The Forest Service was one of two agencies competing to receive the 628 acres. CAL FIRE, the state department of forestry and fire protection, had also applied to receive the property.

     CSERC testified that the Forest Service was far more able to provide the wildlife biologists, botanists, recreation specialists, and other key resource staff that the Stanislaus Forest already has working on surrounding lands. CSERC also supported the Forest Service because CAL FIRE has been a strong supporter of clearcut logging, the spraying of herbicides, and other forest practices on private lands. CSERC opposes such ecologically insensitive practices and the lack of conservation emphasis that CAL FIRE has repeatedly applied to forest issues.

     At the Lands Council board session, CSERC's testimony was supported by long-time Sierra Club activist John Moore, who has spent many years engaged in monitoring the Lands Council's actions. After the testimony from CSERC and the Sierra Club, the Stewardship Lands Council voted unanimously to approve donating the land to the U.S. Forest Service. Final details, easement language, and settlement stipulations are still to be worked out, but the good news is that nearly one square mile of riverside forest and meadow habitat will now be in public ownership. CSERC hopes to work closely with the Forest Service to help remove noxious weeds, improve meadow health, and otherwise aid in enhancing the resource values of this South Fork Stanislaus River property.

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