Natural History Wanderings

The Sacramento Bee reported that preliminary approval has been given for P. G. and E. to the transfer of large areas of watershed lands to the public. The land transfer is a result of P.G.& E.’s bankruptcy in 2004. The approval was voted on by Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council, whose function is to conserve 140, 000 acres of P. G. and E. watershed lands. Permanent approval will be voted on in December. The transfers will be at no cost but the receiving entities are obligated to manage the areas for public benefit including recreation, water quality, wildlife habitat and research.

Land transfers include:

• 1500 acres of mountain land to Nevada and Placer Counties (64 acres go to a community park in Auburn, 1484 to UC Berkeley Center for Forestry near Lake Spaulding)
• 3100 acres in Shasta County’s Pit Watershed  to UC Berkeley Center for Forestry
• 5200 acres in Shasta County’s Pit Watershed to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
• 1800 acres in Shasta County’s Tunnel Reservoir to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Read more in the Sacramento Bee PG&E will turn over major parcels of land to public agencies