Jackson - Thousands of acres of Pacific Gas and Electric company lands along the Mokelumne River and the entities competing for there ownership are the subject of an upcoming public information meeting in Jackson. The 140,000 acres under discussion became available after a bankruptcy settlement agreement with the state in 2000 required PG & E to donate their surplus lands to public entities or non-profit organizations. After concern was expressed over how stewards would be chosen, a Pacific Land and Forest Stewardship Council was established to spearhead designation of donees. Amador County consultant John Hoffman told Supervisors on August 12 that the county is one of many donees competing with other interested parties for land management. Donees can be land owners or conservation easement holders with a say over land use, but not both. The bankruptcy deal requires new owners to manage the lands in the “public interest.” It is expected that approximately half of the 140,000 acres of PG & E lands will ultimately be donated. Also at that meeting, Mary Adelzadeh, Regional Land Conservation Manager with the Stewardship Council, said “our primary purpose is to conserve and enhance these watershed lands.” She said “we’re seeking organizations interested in holding fee title” as well as “organizations interested in a land conservation role.” She said the primary role of a title holder “is really monitoring, with no management involved.” Amador County is among 19 entities interested in fee title on parcels of approximately 2,607 acres of land in the North Fork Mokelumne area, 914 acres in the Lower Bear area and 1,028 acres in the Blue Lakes area. Other applicants include the Amador Water Agency, the California Department of Fish and Game and the US Forest Service. “These decisions are going to effect ecology, wildlife and the ability to transfer water back and forth,” said Forster. The Stewardship Council will host the upcoming workshop, to take place October 7 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Amador County Senior Center in Jackson. For initial reports and proposals on the Mokelumne River properties and other PG&E lands being evaluated, visit www.stewardshipcouncil.org. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.