Amador County - The Board of Supervisors discussed and took action on a Pacific Land and Forest Stewardship Council Land Conservation Plan presented by county consultant John Hoffman and General Services Director Jon Hopkins at Tuesday’s meeting. The proposed plan dates back to 2000, when a bankruptcy settlement agreement with the state required PG & E to donate their surplus lands to public entities or non-profit organizations. Hopkins said he thought the state’s controversial dealings in that situation were “nothing less than legalized extortion.” After expressing much concern over the lands and some backroom deals, the Stewardship Council was designated to spearhead designation of donees. Donees can be land owners or conservation easement holders with a say over land use, but not both. It is expected that approximately half of the 140,000 acres of PG & E lands will ultimately be donated. Under discussion Tuesday were PG & E lands in Amador, Alpine and Calaveras Counties and the process of choosing donees interested in holding conservation easements within a specific watershed area. “These decisions are going to effect ecology, wildlife and the ability to transfer water back and forth,” said Supervisor Richard Forster. PG & E lands in Amador County are grouped into two planning units: the North Fork Mokelumne River Unit and the Lower Bear Area. Of the 3,445 acres in the North Fork Mokelumne area, 2,607 acres are likely to be donated. Of the 1,798 acres in the Lower Bear Area, 914 are likely to be donated. Representatives of two eligible donees were present: Steve Cannon, President of the Amador Resource Conservation District and Ellie Route of the Mother Lode Land Trust. Cannon said his organization would be a good candidate for land ownership because “the directors are all landowners themselves” who agree with the recommend focus of the Stewardship Council, including recreation and sustainable forestry. Route said her group has already applied as a conservation easement holder. Supervisor Louis Boitano asked who would pay the property taxes on these lands. Hoffman said there was a stipulation in the agreement that the county must remain tax neutral. The Supervisors unanimously agreed to register the county as both land owners and easement holders in order to be considered as part of the process. Registration ends in 30 days but does not require that entities become a donee. Hoffman described it as “keeping our oar in the water.” The Stewardship Council will continue the process of choosing donees, to be decided by September. Hoffman said the council plans a “field trip on September 18th to gather the public’s input on how they feel the lands should be used.” Story by Alex Lane. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.