California Wilderness To Become Part Of A Vast Nature Preserve

An aerial of an expanse of land Thursday, May 8, 2008, in Lebec, Calif., that will become part of a vast nature preserve. A group of environmentalists and the owners of a large stretch of California wilderness announced they have reached a deal that would set aside the largest parcel of land for conservation in the state's history.
Photo: AP: Ric Francis

LEBEC, Calif. – A group of environmentalists and the owners of a large stretch of wilderness have reached a deal that would set aside the largest parcel of land for conservation in California history.

After years of legal tussles, conservationists including the Sierra Club have agreed not to challenge proposed development on the sprawling Tejon Ranch north of Los Angeles in exchange for preserving 240,000 acres of the ranch. The deal was announced May 8, 2008 by Calif. officials and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

At 375 square miles, the preserve of desert, woodlands and grasslands would be eight times the size of San Francisco and nearly the size of Los Angeles, said Bill Corcoran, the Sierra Club’s senior regional representative.

Tejon Ranch sits atop the Tehachapi Mountains 60 miles north of Los Angeles and is home to elk, wild turkeys, coyotes, bears and eagles, as well as a critical habitat for condors.

The Tejon Ranch Co. has been trying for years to develop three projects, or 10 percent of the 270,000-acre ranch, while appeasing environmentalists. The other groups that have signed on are the Natural Resources Defense Council, Audubon California, Planning and Conservation League and Endangered Habitats League.

“After nearly two years of negotiations, which were often difficult but always in good faith, we have achieved an unprecedented agreement protecting close to 90 percent of the ranch,” Corcoran said.

At least one front remained, however. The Center for Biological Diversity, which walked away from the talks in 2007, denounced the pact on grounds it allows for the largest development ever proposed in the state and would harm the population of the endangered California condor.

An independent conservancy will be set up to manage the preserved land and the developer has agreed to donate some money for its upkeep, Corcoran said. The agreement also seeks to establish a large state park that will be open to the public.

“In my opinion it’s a near certainty that California will never again see a private land conservation agreement of this size and ecological importance,” Corcoran said.

Source: L.A. Times, AP