Tuleyome receives grant to purchase 1,280-acre Silver Spur Ranch

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A conservation organization has received a state grant that will allow it to complete the purchase of a 1,280-acre property near Clearlake Oaks that in the near future will be opened up for public use.

At its quarterly meeting on Thursday, the Wildlife Conservation Board approved $17 million in grants for 20 projects that will help restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat throughout California.

Among the grants approved is $440,000 for Woodland-based Tuleyome, which will use the funds to finalize its purchase of the 1,280-acre Silver Spur Ranch.

The purchase is meant to protect a habitat that includes blue oak woodland, riparian areas and chaparral, and to provide for potential future wildlife-oriented public use opportunities, according to the Wildlife Conservation Board's announcement.

It was exciting news for Andrew Fulks, Tuleyome's board president who has been working on the property acquisition over the last three years.

Noting the amount of work that went into negotiations, Fulks said, “You kind of have to get all the stars to align.”

Tuleyome has worked on significant wilderness conservation projects around Northern California, most notably successfully promoting the creation of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which encompasses 330,780 acres managed by federal agencies in Lake, Colusa, Glenn, Mendocino, Napa, Yolo and Solano counties.

President Barack Obama used his executive power under the Antiquities Act to create the national monument last year. The monument was dedicated in March.

Fulks said the Silver Spur Ranch is located almost exactly in the heart of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, in the narrowest area.

It is easily accessed off Indian Valley Road, and a mile of the north fork of Cache Creek runs through the property, Fulks said.

He said it will be a boon to Lake County's economy, with an increase in recreation and tourism dollars. It adds another destination for visitors to come and enjoy, and spend money in the county. “We're happy to be a part of that.”

The Sierra Club Redwood Chapter, which has supported Tuleyome's efforts both with the national monument and Silver Spur Ranch, welcomed the news of the grant award.

“Tuleyome’s acquisition of the 1,280-acre Silver Spur Ranch builds on last year’s designation of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, which surrounds the property,” said Lower Lake resident and Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Chair Victoria Brandon. “It means that the rare plants and rich wildlife habitat of this amazing place will be maintained and restored, and that hikers, bikers, equestrians and campers will be able to enjoy it – it’s good for the land and good for our community.

Another local organization supporting the project is the East Lake Resource Conservation District.

“East Lake RCD is delighted to learn that Tuleyome's purchase of the Silver Spur Ranch has been finalized, and eager to partner on restoration projects such as erosion control and invasive plant eradication,” said the district's president, Charlotte Griswold. “This is the kind of conservation purchase that is critical to preserving sensitive habitat and to maintaining water quality in Cache Creek.”

Fulks said the $440,000 state grant is the balance of the purchase price negotiated with the land's current owners, the City of 10,000 Buddhas, based In Ukiah.

“This allows us to close escrow and take ownership of the property,” he said.

The total purchase price is $500,000, which was lower than its appraised value and a “bargain sale,” he added.

Fulks said he expects escrow to close within 60 days. Once the sale is concluded, he said Tuleyome plans to get in and work on some management-related issues, in particular, some necessary cleanup of old hunting shacks that have collapsed and abandoned vehicles, installing signage and fences, and analyzing rare plant areas to protect them from impact.

Once those matters are addressed, the organization wants to move forward with opening the land up for people to enjoy, he said.

“One of our main principals is if we take public funding for a property acquisition then the public should have some access to the property,” Fulks explained.

He said Tuleyome is looking at partnering with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife through its Shared Habitat Alliance for Recreational Enhancement, or SHARE, Program, which supports private owners in allowing for public use of their property.

The SHARE Web site also explains that the program compensates participating landowners with monetary payment and liability protection in exchange for providing access to or through their land for recreational use and enjoyment of wildlife.

Fish and Wildlife will administer that public use – including taking reservations for primitive camping, horseback riding, mountain biking and bird watching – which Fulks said takes the burden off of private landowners.

While most of the uses of the land will be nonmotorized activities, Fulks said there is the intent of allowing for some off-highway vehicle, or OHV, use on the far northern part of the property, where fire roads already have been turned into OHV trails.

He said Tuleyome is working with the Bureau of Land Management on a right-of-way for formalized use of that area for OHVs, a plan that is meant to keep riders out of the heart of the property. Fulks added that the organization is all for legal OHV use when it's in an area that doesn't cause disturbance.

Fulks said this latest project builds on the campaign for the national monument and the partnerships it created with other organizations.

“We wanted to show with this that we're really serious in continuing those partnerships and making sure everybody gets a little bit of something,” he said.

He said Tuleyome wants to work with the Back Country Horsemen on camping and multiuse trails, and Audubon for birding opportunities, among others.

Then it will be a matter of encouraging these partner organizations and the public to get out and use the property, he said.

Having people out legitimately using such lands reduces destructive use, Fulks said.

Fulks said the Silver Spur Ranch acquisition and future public use will open up another 3,700 acres of BLM land just west of the ranch itself that was previously landlocked and could only be reached by crossing private property.

Members of the public will now be able to cross the Silver Spur Ranch and enjoy the BLM property, he said.

In addition, the Silver Spur Ranch is near lands in conservation easements, such as one area on the Colusa County side of Walker Ridge, and constitutes a key piece in the center of a landscape that is being preserved.

On March 1, Bob Schneider, Tuleyome's senior policy director, went to the Board of Supervisors to make a presentation on the Silver Spur Ranch as well as the establishment of a Northern Coast Range Inner Coastal Conservancy. At that time, the board voted unanimously to support the purchase and also approved a letter in support of the conservancy.

Schneider reported at the time that the City of 10,000 Buddhas allowed the property to be purchased for less than its appraised value of $670,000 because the organization wanted the property protected, and also was seeking a deed restriction that doesn't allow hunting or fishing on the property because of their “high respect for all forms of life.”

Fulks said that support from the Board of Supervisors was very helpful, as was support from organizations like the Sierra Club and the Eastlake Resource Conservation District, and state Sen. Lois Wolf and Assemblyman Bill Dodd.

“All of our partners that were supportive, we couldn't have done it without them,” he said.

At the Wildlife Conservation Board's Thursday meeting, Fish and Wildlife Director Chuck Bonham noted that the importance of stakeholders coming together to support projects, Fulks said.

In related news, Schneider reported that SB 1396, the Wildlife Conservation Board: Inner Coast Range Program – which he also spoke to the Board of Supervisors about in March – passed the California Senate on Thursday.

The conservancy is meant to facilitate additional funding and local collaboration for conservation protection and economic development. Counties that are eligible to participate include Colusa, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano, Trinity, Tehama and Yolo. Participation is optional.

The bill, by Wolk and Dodd, now heads to the State Assembly.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

Supervisors to discuss Measure N updates, Cristallago time extension

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors has a full agenda for its first meeting in June, including proposed updates to marijuana cultivation rules, consideration of a recommendation on the Cristallago development, a swearing-in ceremony for several new sheriff's office employees and honors for Valley fire volunteers.

The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.

The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8 and online at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Boards/Board_of_Supervisors/calendar.htm . Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.

In an item timed for 10:15 a.m., the supervisors will discuss making changes suggested by the Medical Marijuana Ad Hoc Committee to amend Article 72 of the Lake County Code, otherwise known as Measure N, which went into effect in 2014.

The changes are suggested in order for the county to develop a permitting and taxing process for medical marijuana consistent with the regulatory structure the state is implementing as a result of the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act, which was enacted in September.

Most of the proposed changes appear to relate to permitting requirements, and would not change the prohibition against growing in neighborhoods and community growth boundaries.

In other business, at 10 a.m., the board will hold a public hearing to consider the Lake County Planning Commission's April 28 recommendation to approve a two-year extension of time for Cristallago Vineyards' amended general plan of development. The development is to be located in the north Lakeport area, off of Hill and Scotts Valley roads.

Originally envisioned as a development that would be centered around an 18-hole golf course, the project now will include 624 acres – including a 292-acre Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard – along with a commercial center, 475 residential lots and 325 resort units that include a hotel.

Also on Tuesday, at 9:06 a.m., the board will host Sheriff Brian Martin's swearing-in ceremony for his new deputy sheriffs Scott Berger, Joseph Lyons, Anthony Garber and Nathaniel Newton, and Dominic Robles, a new correctional officer.     

Following that ceremony, at 9:10 a.m. the board will present proclamations commending Valley fire volunteers Joey Brodnik, Lori and Gene Thornton, and Sharon Thornton.

The full agenda follows.

CONSENT AGENDA

7.1: adopt proclamation commending Joey Brodnik for volunteer efforts to the Lake County residents affected by the Valley fire.     

7.2: Adopt proclamation commending Lori and Gene Thornton for volunteer efforts to the Lake County residents affected by the Valley fire.        

7.3: Adopt proclamation commending Sharon Thornton for volunteer efforts to the Lake County residents affected by the Valley fire.     

7.4: (a) Waive the competitive bidding process; and (b) approve agreement between the county of Lake and Richard Bachman, DVM for FY 2016/17 veterinary services in the amount of $140,000 and authorize the chair to sign.     

7.5: Approve long distance travel for Animal Control Officer Alicia Brisker to Durango, Colo., Aug. 29 to Sept. 3, 2016, to attend the Equine Investigators Academy on a partial scholarship.

7.6: Approve agreement between Aurora Santa Rosa Hospital and county of Lake for acute professional psychiatric inpatient services for fiscal year 2015-16 for a new contract maximum of $126,200 and authorize chair to sign.   

7.7: Approve first amendment to the agreement between Davis Guest Home and the county of Lake for adult residential support for fiscal year 2015-16 for a new contract maximum of $34,770 and authorize chair to sign.   

7.8: Approve agreement between the county of Lake and Dimension Reports LLC for access to Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) County claim reports for fiscal year 2015-16 for a contract maximum of $16,500 and authorize the chair to sign.     

7.9: Approve resolution approving an agreement between Lake County Health Services Department and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Capacity Building Funds in the Amount of $15,000 and authorizing the director of Health Services to sign said agreement.

7.10: Approve amendment one to the agreement between the county of Lake and SHN Consulting Engineers & Geologists Inc., for technical services in support of the implementation of cleanup and Abatement Order R5-2015-0713 at the Eastlake Landfill in the amount of $13,460 for a new contract maximum of $36,260 and authorize chair to sign.

7.11: Adopt resolution approving right-of-way certification for the emergency roadside repair project on Soda Bay Road PM 9.2 - Federal Aid Number # EO-ER-28C1 (002).

7.12: Adopt resolution amending Resolution No. 2015-119 to amend the adopted budget for FY 2015-16 by canceling obligated fund balance for road improvements in the CSA #23 Zone F Piner Court Maintenance Fund.

7.13: Approve request to pay late travel claim of $81 for Social Worker Supervisor Carrie Bridges while attending mandatory training at UC Davis from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25, 2016.

7.14: Adopt resolution authorizing Special Districts administrator or his designee to sign and submit a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding application for County Service Area #20, Soda Bay Water System.

7.15: Sitting as the Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, approve project agreement between the state of California Department of Water Resources and the Lake County Watershed Protection District for LCWPD - Levee Patrol Road Gravel Repair in the amount of $45,639 and authorize the chair to sign.    
TIMED ITEMS

8.2, 9:06 a.m.: Swearing-in ceremony for deputy sheriffs Scott Berger, Joseph Lyons, Anthony Garber and Nathaniel Newton, and correctional officer Dominic Robles.     

8.3, 9:10 a.m.: (a) Presentation of proclamation commending Joey Brodnik for volunteer efforts to the Lake County residents affected by the Valley fire; (b) presentation of proclamation commending Lori and Gene Thornton for volunteer efforts to the Lake County residents affected by the Valley fire; (c) presentation of proclamation commending Sharon Thornton for volunteer efforts to the Lake County residents affected by the Valley fire.     

8.4, 9:15 a.m.: Renewal of proclamation of local health emergency.

8.5, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of Planning Commission's recommendation of approval for general plan amendment (GPA 14-01) from community commercial to service commercial and certification of mitigated negative declaration on approximately 8.5 acres; project located at 5846 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville (APN 008-061-26); applicant is Doug Bridges.

8.6, 9:45 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of Planning Commission's recommendation of approval for general plan amendment (GPA 15-12) from Agricultural and Community Commercial to Service Commercial; Rezone (RZ 15-04) from "A/C2-DR" Agriculture/Community Commercial-Design Review Combining to "C3-DR" Service Commercial-Design Review Combining; and certification of mitigated negative declaration on approximately 3.72 acres; project located at 3463 and 3447 Stone Drive, Finley (APNs 008-021-39 & 47); applicant is Jase Harrell.

8.7, 10 a.m.: Public hearing, consideration of Planning Commission's recommendation of approval for a two-year extension of time (GPD EX 15-01) for amended general plan of development (GPD 05-05) known as Cristallago Vineyards; applicant is Cristallago Development Corporation; project located at 3595, 3851, 3907, 4051, 4141, 4151, 4161, 4283, 4483, 4637 and 4687 Hill Road and 3580 Scotts Valley Road, Lakeport (APNs 003-046-66 and 67, 005-009-04, 05, 06 and 07, 005-010-05, 16 and 17, 005-011-06 and 07 and 005-012-33).

8.8, 10:15 a.m.: Discussion and Consideration of Medical Marijuana Ad Hoc Committee's recommendations to amend Article 72 of the Lake County Code.

UNTIMED ITEMS

9.2: Consideration of the following appointments: Child Care Planning and Development Council Emergency Medical Care Committee, Kelseyville Cemetery District and Lake County Public Authority Advisory Committee.

9.3: Consideration of sublease agreement between the county of Lake and the Lake County Department of Child Support Services for sublease of the Gard Street School facility.

9.4: Consideration of approval of amendment number two to the memorandum of understanding between the county of Lake and the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association for calendar years 2014-15.

9.5: Consideration of memorandum of understanding with the Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Association and the county of Lake for calendar years 2016-2017.

9.6: Consideration of approval of classification and compensation committee findings and recommendations.

9.7: Consideration of agreement by and between the county of Lake and the South Lake County Fire Protection District for the Submittal of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program DR-4240 project sub-application and authorize the chair to sign.   

9.8: Sitting as Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, consideration of resolution authorizing the Lake County Watershed Protection District to file a grant application for a California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention FY 2015/2016 for a Clear Lake Mussel Prevention Improvement Project - planning grant and signature authorization to execute agreement and authorize chair to sign.

9.9: Sitting as Lake County Watershed Protection District Board of Directors, consideration of resolution authorizing the Lake County Watershed Protection District to file a grant application with the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways Quagga and Zebra Mussel Infestation Prevention FY 2015/2016 - Implementation Grant and Signature Authorization to execute agreement and authorize chair to sign.

CLOSED SESSION

10.2: Conference with legal counsel: Significant exposure to Litigation pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9 I(d)(2)(e)(1) – One potential claim.     

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

Solicitation ordinance, call for election, sales tax measure on Lakeport City Council agenda

LAKEPORT, Calif. – This week the Lakeport City Council will consider the second and final reading of an ordinance to address solicitation in the city, take up the resolution to call for this fall's municipal election and discuss moving forward on a sales tax measure.

The council will meet in closed session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, for conference with labor and property negotiators before the public portion of the meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

On Tuesday's agenda are two public hearings.

The first is the second reading of an ordinance regarding solicitation, including panhandling, that was accepted on its first reading last month, as Lake County News has reported.

If accepted, the ordinance would require a permit for soliciting, with an express exclusion for religious and political activities.

Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said in his report to the council that the ordinance would give police additional tools to deal with the kind of aggressive soliciting that has been on the rise in the city over the last two years.

In the second public hearing, the council will consider adopting a proposed resolution approving the additional Supplemental Activity to the 2014-CDBG-9883 grant for the use of additional business assistance loan funds.

In other business, the council will consider a resolution calling for the city's Nov. 8 general municipal election and requesting approval for election services from the Lake County Registrar of Voters Office.

Three council seats will be up for election this year. The seats currently are held by Mayor Marc Spillman, who has said he won't seek reelection, and his fellow Council members Martin Scheel, who is running for District 4 supervisor, and Kenny Parlet.

Also on Tuesday, City Manager Margaret Silveira will take to the council a request to authorize city staff to move forward with vendor selection and work on a public education and outreach project for a revenue sales tax measure.

As part of that item, Silveira is asking the council to authorize an increased budget appropriation from the general fund reserve in the amount of $25,000 to fund the work related to the measure.

On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are ordinances; minutes of the May 17 meeting; the May 25 warrant register; Application No. 2016-015  with staff recommendations for the Lake County Arts Council and the Main Street Art Gallery for the Spring Bazaar to be held in and around the Yacht Club on June 11; adoption of a resolution of the Lakeport City Council setting forth the terms of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee; and initiation of proceedings on delinquent utility accounts for sewer and water charges.

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.

060716 Lakeport City Council agenda packet