Posted on 10/07/2002 11:20:23 AM PDT by TonyWojo
RAMONA – The Nature Conservancy has received a $660,000 federal grant to use as a down payment toward the purchase of the 420-acre Cagney Ranch in the grasslands belt south of the Ramona airport.
The money, which came from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be matched with a $165,000 grant from the state, according to Ann Van Leer of the Nature Conservancy.
She said the group hopes to raise the rest of the nearly $2 million needed to purchase the ranch – which is dotted with vernal pools and pockets of undisturbed native grasses – from private donors and through other grants.
Janet Gilbert, spokeswoman for a group called Ramona Grasslands, said purchase of the Cagney ranch will be a major achievement. The property was owned by William J. Cagney, the brother of movie star James Cagney..
Don Adkison, an attorney for the Cagney family, said the Cagney brothers often visited the property, which was used to raise cattle. He said the ranch has value not only for its habitat, plants and wildlife, but because of American Indian artifacts found on it.
"Though Jim (James Cagney) had no real ownership with it, he appreciated it," Adkison said. "He also wrote poetry about nature and was a painter. I think everyone connected with the family is pleased that this land will be protected."
In addition to Gilbert's organization, Van Leer said the Wildlife Research Institute and the Vernal Pool Association also were instrumental in obtaining the grants.
Gilbert said the ranch is a key component of the proposed preserve because it is in the heart of the grasslands.
"I am confident that we will be able to complete this purchase and protect creatures such as the federally endangered San Diego fairy shrimp, arroyo toad, Stephen's kangaroo rat and the threatened California gnatcatcher," she said.
She noted that the area south of the airport is also home to wintering raptors and serves as a stopover for migratory waterfall and songbirds. She said her group's ultimate goal is to purchase about 5,000 acres and bordering terrain and join it with the San Dieguito River Park and Multiple Species Conservation Program lands to the south.
Sharon Quisenberry, who is representing the sellers, said she could not say when the option to purchase the land obtained by the Nature Conservancy will expire. Nor would she say what the exact price of the deal will be.
"But I can reiterate that the Cagney Trust is very happy that this is going to happen," said Quisenberry, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Associates in Ramona. "They think this is a positive step for Ramona and for their family's legacy."
Check out the tables!
Dang if this does not tick folks off to know that their monies they spend for hunting and fishing licenses are now being used to STEAL land from their friends and neighbors, What will? Folks need to be awaken? Were is the NRA when we need them? Oh, straddling the fence! Luke warm! That is not a good place to be!
Now do we all want to save all the "vernal pools'??? Not me! I have been told to make sure I have no buckets, tires, etc. that supports "dead water"...so why then a "vernal pool"???????? It is all a bunch of BS! Meant to steal land! Hello, when will real folks wake up?
Yep, going on everyday and in every country.
Here's some news from Irownwood, Michigan.!
The Ironwood Daily Globe (Michigan)
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The Ontonagon County Board also accepted the recommendation of its planning commission to support the objectives and concepts of the purchase of 390,000 acres from the Kamehameha Schools Trust of Hawaii by the state of Michigan, the Nature Conservancy and a private investor.
Planning members noted that the objectives and concepts are: "public access to the lands and proper timber management, while still being able to collect a small amount of taxes with the land under the Commercial Forest Reserve."
Commissioner Joe Moskwa voted no, saying the issue "appears to be on short notice and a fast track."
In other action the commission:
--Approved purchase by the sheriff's department of two M16 A1 rifles.
The Nature Conservancy has received a $660,000 federal grant
This grant sounds like a down payment from the intended owner.
Regional Conservation Planning
About NCCPs
The Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) Act authorizes local land use authorities and the Department of Fish and Game to enter into an agreement that streamlines permitting for impacts to listed species and their habitat in exchange for measures which ensure conservation of those species. The NCCP Act requires an initial planning agreement, and a public participation process.
Because initial NCCPs authorized in southern California have been criticized by scientists and environmentalists as well as developers, a new statute containing stricter requirements was proposed during the 2001 legislative season. SB 107 will require additional standards and findings to be part of any NCCP Plan.
also for the kids . . .
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California Vernal Pools |
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| Kids & Education Links Vernal pools are the perfect outdoor classroom. Vernal pools are miniature watersheds. They have nearly closed ecosystems with huge food webs. And they are on a spatial scale that kids can understand. Plus where else can you play with slimy critters and see thousands of wildflowers? Vernal Pool Links for Kids
Vernal Pool Links for Teachers
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http://www.vernalpools.org/education.htm |
But my Father worked hard as a state employee to have what he had and to leave his children something.....like all fathers do, and I have worked hard to hold and maintain it! I have had to sell all of my collections to pay the taxes and provide for my children! I want to leave them what my father worked so hard for, and what I have worked so hard to keep for them-----our futher generations!
Don't forget the fairy shrimp, mustn't forget the fairy shrimp. It's a big deal out here on the left coast.
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