LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Land Trust has been working for the last three years on developing the “Big Valley Wetlands” protection plan.  

The ambitious goal of this project is to permanently protect Clear Lake’s ecologically important wetland and riparian ecosystems that constitute the shore and creek inlets of the Big Valley between Clear Lake State Park and the southern reaches of Lakeport.  

Protection of these wetlands, which intercept nutrients entering the lake and provide habitat for many sensitive animal species, can be achieved through conservation easements or fee-title purchase.

The Land Trust is pleased to announce the first conservation action for this important project.  

An agreement has been reached between the Land Trust and property owners, George and Lisa Melo, for purchase by the Land Trust of a 31-acre parcel on Clipper Lane which supports extensive wetlands, riparian woodlands and wet meadows.

This agreement is the first key piece in protecting what remains of the natural shoreline of the Big Valley – an area that provides irreplaceable habitat for birds, mammals, and fish that rely on wetland vegetation for survival and reproduction.

The Melos' dedication to supporting the conservation of this property is evident in the terms of the agreement, which calls for a two year option for the Land Trust to purchase the property at $225,000, which is $10,000 below the appraised value.  

The option is secured for two years through a $20,000 payment – applied towards the total sale price – provided by the trust to the Melos at the onset of the option period.

The importance of this project was first identified and prioritized when the Land Trust developed a Land Conservation Priority Plan for the county.

The Big Valley Wetlands were at the top of the priority list and because of this, the land trust proceeded with the development of a Conceptual Area Protection Plan (CAPP).  

This document, which is being created in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), identifies critically important ecosystems in a particular region that could suffer degradation or destruction if not protected, and makes the project eligible for conservation funding from the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB).

The Land Trust has received a $10,000 donation from the Pitzer Family Foundation to partially fund the initial option payment and will look to other foundations, the WCB and local donors to complete the project in two years.

The vision of the Land Trust is to permanently protect this property for wildlife habitat with possible limited guided public use.  

Upon completion of the purchase, the Land Trust will develop a management plan prioritizing the preservation of the native plant communities, wildlife habitat, and open space of this property, and which can be built upon to encompass the management of additional wetland and riparian areas that will be protected in the future.

When the Land Trust first began to develop the CAPP, it contacted and held community meetings with all property owners whose lands included critical wetland and riparian areas to inform them of the project. The proposal to protect the Big Valley Wetlands was positively received by the landowners.

Approval also was sought and obtained from the Lake County Board of Supervisors for support of the project.  

It has been made clear that the all actions by the Land Trust can only proceed if landowners are willing to place a conservation easement on their property (by donation or sale of the easement) or are willing to sell their property for conservation purchase, for which the maximum purchase price can be no more than appraised value.

The Land Trust has no agency power or ability to acquire land or conservation easements other than through voluntary agreements.

The Lake County Land Trust’s conservation resumé includes two major land acquisitions: the Rodman Ranch and Slough, part of which is now owned by the Land Trust and known as the Rodman Preserve and the remainder of which is owned and protected by the California Department of Fish and Game and by the County of Lake, and the Black Forest on the northern slopes of Mt. Konocti, which is now owned by the Bureau of Land Management.

The Land Trust is extremely pleased to get started on this new and important project to secure some of the most important remaining wetlands on Clear Lake.

The group looks forward to working with their friends and neighbors over the next two years to secure the funding to purchase this important property, and continue to move forward with further protection of the Big Valley Wetlands.

If you would like to support this effort, and other projects of the Lake County Land Trust, please attend the upcoming spring fundraising dinner at the Saw Shop Gallery Bistro in Kelseyville.

The dinner is Monday, May 14, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $70 per person.

The four-course meal is donated by Marie Beery, owner of the restaurant, and is served with locally donated wines.

All proceeds from the dinner go to support the Land Trust and its many projects, including the Rodman Preserve, Big Valley Wetlands, Boggs Lake Preserve and Rabbit Hill in Middletown.

Call now for your reservations – 707-278-0129. Payment is taken the night of the event.

For more information about the Land Trust, go to www.lakecountylandtrust.org or friend the group on Facebook.