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Washoe tribal land trust proposes conservation acquisition; locals raise grazing and access concerns
Summary
A Washoe tribal land trust presented plans to acquire about 10,273 acres near Loyalton and apply for a Wildlife Conservation Board grant; tribal leaders emphasized fuels reduction, reforestation and stewardship and said Feather River Land Trust is a partner/advisor, while ranchers and residents raised concerns about grazing, public access and long‑term land use.
CHARLES MULKEY, chairman for the tribal land trust, told the Sierra County Board of Supervisors the group seeks to acquire roughly 10,273 acres adjacent to the Loyalton landfill and place it in a tribal nonprofit land trust for conservation and restoration. Mulkey said the land has ‘‘huge archeological sites’’ and described plans for fuels reduction, reforestation and grazing management as part of a broader stewardship program.
Supervisor (identified in the transcript as Speaker 2) introduced the item and clarified that Feather River Land Trust is acting as a consultant and partner while the Washoe land trust would hold title and be the grantee for the Wildlife Conservation Board grant application. ‘‘We did apply for the grant, but in their name,’’ the tribal representative said when board members asked who would hold the title.
Speakers from the community expressed a mix of support and concern. Rick Reperti, identifying himself with Sierra Valley ranching and the California Cattlemen’s Association, said he supports conservation but warned that fenced or privately held land can reduce grazing access, hurt local grazing economies and complicate traditional uses. Reperti said the property currently supports livestock and that changes to access or grazing could have cumulative impacts on local ranching.
Mulkey responded that the tribal trust’s initial work would focus on conservation restoration, fuels mitigation, erosion control and management of water sources, and that the tribe intends to work with neighbors and agencies. He described a program of reforestation, on‑site training, a small local sawmill partnership and fuel‑reduction projects to reduce wildfire risk.
Board members pressed for clarity about the grant applicant and the practical implications for public access, grazing leases and fire management. Speaker 2 said the public should be aware that the acquisition is financed through state Wildlife Conservation Board funds and therefore involves taxpayer dollars. The tribe emphasized collaboration and repeated that the land trust will be a tribal nonprofit with its own board and bylaws.
The discussion concluded without a formal board decision recorded in the transcript; the item served as a public briefing and opportunity for local comment. The board did not take a final action on the grant at this meeting and asked staff to keep lines of communication open.
