Placer County supervisors approve $10 million for Waddle Ranch

Placer County will contribute a total of $10 million towards the purchase of the Waddle Ranch in the Martis Valley north of North Lake Tahoe for open space preservation.

The funding contribution approved by the Board of Supervisors at its regular meeting on May 22, 2007, will include an initial contribution of $5.3 million by October of this year and a remaining amount to be collected through open space fees from properties in the Martis Valley. The cost of the Ranch is $23.5 million and other anticipated contributors would include the California Wildlife Conservation Board, the Truckee Donner Land Trust, the California Resources Agency and the Truckee Tahoe Airport District. Additionally, a capital campaign to raise funds for the purchase has already started.

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

‘Supervisor Robert Weygandt and I have been working long and hard alongside the Trust for Public Land and other partners to help make this dream a reality,’ said Supervisor Bruce Kranz, who represents District 5, which includes the Martis Valley.  ‘Our Board of Supervisors is pleased to make this important commitment toward public recreational opportunities.’

The Trust for Public Lands and the Truckee Donner Land Trust have been negotiating for the purchase of the Ranch since last year. The property includes 1,481 acres, which lay east of Highway 267 in an undeveloped area. The property abuts the Martis Creek National Recreation Area and the Tahoe National Forest, in addition to timberland owned by Sierra Pacific Industries. The size of the Ranch and its habitat resources would make it a valuable acquisition for open space mitigation. The property would be consistent with open space priorities set out in the Martis Valley Community Plan. Public access would include but not be limited to hiking, mountain biking, fishing, cross country skiing, wildlife viewing and picnicking.  Public access has been a priority of Board of Supervisors members.

Of the first contribution of $5.3 million, Placer County has already collected $2.6 million and is expected to collect another $1.7 million. In addition, another $950,000 in funds already set aside by the Board for open space through HR 2389 would be added.

Development projects in the Martis Valley require that developers contribute funds to an Open Space Preservation Program for the purpose of acquiring and managing open space properties in the Martis Valley. Contribution to the purchase of the Ranch is dependent upon negotiation of an acceptable funding package and terms of the transaction.