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Alpine County approves resolution to pursue $8 million Wildlife Conservation Board grant for Park Ranch acquisition
Summary
The board unanimously authorized the CEO to execute two Wildlife Conservation Board grant agreements to support Western Rivers Conservancy'backed funding applications for an approximately 1,693-acre Park Ranch acquisition; discussion addressed water-rights language, grazing leases and a monitoring plan.
Alpine County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the county CEO to execute two Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) grant agreements that, if funded, would support Western Rivers Conservancy'led purchases of roughly 1,693 acres known as Park Ranch and a planned transfer of land to the county for long-term stewardship.
CEO Sam Booth reviewed the project history, noting a prior county letter of support and a purchase-sale-and-donation agreement with Western Rivers. He told the board WCB staff visited the ranch and that the WCB will consider an $8 million funding request at its May 28 meeting; the county resolution authorizes the CEO to sign the necessary grant documents on short notice.
Board members asked for clarity on water-rights language included in the phase 2 grant agreement. Booth said the county would rely on the sale agreement with Western Rivers to ensure all appurtenant water rights transfer with the property and that Western Rivers'counsel agreed to add customary "and all appurtenances" language to legal descriptions.
Supervisors and staff discussed a monitoring plan the WCB requires within one year of closing and the long-term costs of stewardship. Booth and wildfire coordinator Clint Celio said existing state and private forestry grants (including funds tied to Tamarack fire recovery) and grazing-lease income could be used to support monitoring, maintenance and irrigation needs; Western Rivers has drafted a grazing lease that can be transferred or adapted when the county assumes stewardship.
Supervisor Dobson and others praised the conservation value and public-access potential but cautioned that grazing and monitoring will require sustained management. Booth said staff will seek to avoid general-fund obligations where possible and pursue grant or lease revenue to cover monitoring and maintenance.
The board passed the resolution and authorized the CEO to execute the grant agreements so Western Rivers and the county can present the project to the Wildlife Conservation Board next week.
