acres of forest between the Auburn and Folsom Lake state recreation
areas will be protected from development forever under a deal that
closed this week. The American River Conservancy purchased a
conservation easement for the land, part of the historic Garland Ranch
in El Dorado County, conservancy director Alan Ehrgott said. The land
is due east of the river, across the canyon from Auburn and
immediately downstream from the old Auburn dam site. Ehrgott called
the deal a major step toward the dream of a 16-mile trail corridor
around the east side of Folsom Lake that would connect with the south
fork of the American.

“This acquisition will help protect existing
wildlife migration corridors, the quality of water flowing downstream
to Sacramento and the potential for hiking, biking and equestrian
trails in the future,” he said. The conservancy did not purchase the
land, Ehrgott explained, but paid the owners – the Richard Gutierrez
family – $1.8 million for the rights to subdivide and develop the 558
acres. Those rights will be retired. “We also bought the right to put
in a passive recreational trail for hikers, equestrians and mountain
bikers,” Ehrgott said. The area will be closed for hunting and
off-road vehicle use, he said. Most of the purchase price – almost
$1.5 million – came from the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe
Neighborhood Parks and Coastal Protection Fund (Proposition 40). The
rest of the money included a “generous donation” from the Gutierrez
family, Ehrgott said.

The Garland Ranch has three tributary streams,
along with the frontage on the river. The ranch includes ponds that
provide habitat for ducks and other migratory waterfowl. Gutierrez
said his family agreed to sell the conservation easement to ensure
that the land never would be subdivided into residential lots. “We now
know the wildlife it supports and its enduring beauty will be
protected indefinitely,” he said The conservancy, which is celebrating
its 20th anniversary, is dedicated to protecting the water supply and
wildlife habitat immediately upstream of Sacramento. The nonprofit has
completed 71 conservation projects that protect more than 10,600
acres. The agency also operates the American River Nature Center in
Coloma. http://www.sacbee.com/378/story/1488263.html