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A key objective of the Wetlands Project for
2008-2009 is the placement of a
conservation easement on a significant
wetlands area at Chanslor Ranch. Chanslor Wildlife, LLC (dba Chanslor Wetlands Wildlife
Project) is working to obtain both
corporate and individual support to fund a conservation easement. The purchase of an
easement would be part of an
expanded program of habitat protection and environmental education. The expanded program
would include:
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The purchase of
a permanent conservation easement on approximately 50 acres of wetlands habitat adjacent to
Hwy 1 at Chanslor Ranch in Bodega Bay,
California. Approximately 3 million people visit the adjacent State
Parks annually. This portion of the 378 acre property has long been recognized as
exceptionally significant by County,
State and Federal agencies as well as by
environmental organizations such as Audubon and the Native Plant Society.
THE GOAL WOULD BE TO PROVIDE NAMING RIGHTS FOR THIS SENSITIVE HABITAT
IN
EXCHANGE FOR A LEASE OR FOR FUNDING THE PERMANENT EASEMENT
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The funding of
qualified environmental supervision of the 50 acre area to provide oversight for an expansion of
wetlands interpretive programs for the public and schools by Chanslor
Wildlife, LLC's existing eco-tourism
programs on the property
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The funding of
scholarship programs to bring 'at risk' inner city kids and students to the
wetlands in Bodega Bay. IDEALLY THESE SCHOLARSHIPS WOULD BE
FUNDED BY THE SPONSOR OF THE CONSERVATION EASEMENT
Current
environmental education programs are funded by the recreation and hospitality programs
at Chanslor
Ranch.
The addition of
a permanent protective easement and providing scholarships for students and 'at risk' children will
require outside financial
support.
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| COMMENTS
REGARDING THE EASEMENT AREA FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES |
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"The
Salmon Creek marsh area located east of Highway One at Salmon Creek, up to
and including
Bailey's Hole should be acquired.. . This is a prime bird
sanctuary and should be preserved."
Sonoma County Planning
Department "The Sonoma Coast" - December 1973
"Both as a Sonoma County Supervisor and member of the California
Coastal Commission for the past
nine years, I have been aware and
supportive of your environmental education and conservation
programs at
the Chanslor Wetlands in Bodega Bay. ... The prospect now that these key
wetlands may be permanently protected by a conservation easement ....
would be of significant benefit to the public
for generations to
come." Mike Reilly, 5th District Supervisor Sonoma County,
State of California Coastal Commissioner and former Chairman of the
Coastal Commission - July 2005
"Some of the desired improvements are...educational interpretive
facilities...expansion of Chanslor Ranch... "
"gives highest
priority to the preservation and protection of environmentally sensitive
habitats.."
State of California Coastal Plan - January 1981 |
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| WHAT
MAKES THIS AREA OF SALMON CREEK WATERSHED SIGNIFICANT |
This
area of the ranch encompasses brackish marsh, a tidal lagoon, freshwater
marsh and pond, riparian habitat, riverine habitat wet meadow and seasonal
pools. Four federally listed species; tidewater goby, steelhead,
California freshwater shrimp, and California red-legged frog live within
the area planned for a protective easement. In addition to the Wetlands
Project goal of protecting this area, it has remained a priority of both
the State of California Coastal Plan and the Sonoma County General Plan to
this day.
Studies, under the supervision of Dr.Michael Fawcett have been underway
for the last nine years to obtain information
for a protective easement. These studies have also included
archaeology with the University of California and plants
with the Native Plant Society. Salmonid-estuary studies have just
been completed by Prunuske Chatham, Inc with
oversight by the California Department of Fish and Game, California State
Department of Parks and Recreation, the
National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Additional studies to delineate the wetlands
areas to be protected are scheduled with Golden Bear Bio Studies, Inc and
are planned to be completed by Spring 2008. |
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| WHAT
ARE THE PROGRAMS FOR WHICH FUNDING WILL BE SOUGHT |
- CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON
50 ACRES OF WETLANDS - "Wetlands Easement" in photo above
Delineation of the various wetland habitat areas within the area is
underway. An appraisal will be contracted that
will establish values for the various types of habitat when used as as
part of an off site mitigation program. Once the appraisal has
been received, a sponsor will be sought for the overall easement on
the 50 acres. Funding will also be sought under this program to
provide the appropriate level of qualified supervision from an
independent agency to insure that the interpretive programs are conducted at levels
consistent with the sensitivity of the habitat.
- TRANSPORTATION AND
INTERPRETIVE TOUR SCHOLARSHIPS
Budgets are being established for beginning this program in Spring of
2008. Transportation is one of the major
issues facing schools or social services agencies who want to provide
their clients a scientific field trip experience. These
scholarships will involve the transportation component & guided
field trip component. The transportation component will include
certified, licensed and insured tour buses, pre-tour orientation and
education materials. The field trip component will include interpretive specialists,
catered lunch, and rental of transportation equipment if needed (i.e. disabled), trail maintenance. A second category
of field trip may include a horse ride component for at risk' kids. The
buses will carry signs identifying the sponsor of the field trip
program.
- EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT FOR INTERPRETIVE TOUR SCHOLARSHIPS
Materials include water sampling kits, binoculars, microscopes,
interpretive panels, digital cameras, raincoats
and rubber boots. In addition to assisting instructors
and docents by making sure students are properly
equipped,
this will also relieve parents and schools who cannot afford to
provide outdoor apparel and observation equipment - particularly in
some of the inner city areas.
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THE
NON-PROFIT STATUS OF THE PROJECT |
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The
Wetlands Project was intended to be financially self sufficient with
revenue provided by hospitality, recreation and
events businesses
conducted by Chanslor Wildlife, LLC and is not a non-profit.
When grants have been obtained,
as has been the case with
educational literature and equipment, those grants have been
administered through 501(c)3 organizations such as West County
Community Services. Any grant support or donations
under this program will be requested, funded and administered
through a 501(c)3 organization meeting the standards of the donor.
Conservation easements will be processed through the appropriate
Federal, State and County agencies (i.e. Army Corp of Engineers,
U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Department of Fish
and Game, Sonoma County Planning Department).
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