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Walker Basin Conservancy outlines public river access plan for Smith Gage ranch; neighbors raise safety, privacy and fire concerns
Summary
Walker Basin Conservancy representative Peter Stanton presented plans for public access to the 850‑acre Smith Gage ranch and said staff will be onsite dawn to dusk; neighbors at the Smith Valley CAB meeting pressed for more environmental study, fencing and clearer notification about river access and potential liabilities.
Walker Basin Conservancy representative Peter Stanton told the Smith Valley Citizens Advisory Board on June 3 that the conservancy intends to maintain production at its 850‑acre Smith Gage ranch (acquired 2015) while providing free public access to the river from Lower Colony.
Stanton said the conservancy will keep the gate open and have a site supervisor on duty during daylight hours: “The gate will remain open and there is a site supervisor that can be called if needed,” he said, adding the property does not have 24‑hour staffing. He also said some areas of the conservancy’s broader holdings have used heavy equipment and pesticides, which he described as a potential safety issue in those locations.
Residents raised multiple concerns during the presentation and question period. Amber Nuzum, who identified herself as an adjoining property owner, asked who from the conservancy lives in Smith Valley and expressed worries about noise, pollution, trash and fire risk. Tammy Weatherford said the land had belonged to her great‑grandparents and asked why neighbors were not notified about the project. Mike McGuire and Scott Smith requested additional environmental studies and more fencing to prevent trespass onto private property.
Other questions focused on recreational use and liability. Peter Stanton confirmed rafting would be allowed and said the conservancy would trespass people when necessary; Paul Costa asked for a “swim at your own risk” sign to be posted. Dan McClure urged neighbors to “negotiate the good,” saying he was sympathetic to keeping open space accessible but concerned about limited existing informal river access.
The presentation was listed as “for presentation only” on the agenda and no board action or vote was taken. The conservancy representative described public access as off Lower Colony with no user fees and invited further suggestions from the community.
The CAB discussion closed with residents requesting clearer communication, fencing options, and more environmental information; the conservancy committed to continuing to receive feedback and to enforce property boundaries where practical.
Next steps: the presentation was informational only; residents and the conservancy may pursue follow‑up with county planning or the CAB for additional community input.
