Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board to Vote on $2.5 Million Grant Program Guidelines

(Auburn) – The Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) Governing Board will decide on guidelines for accepting applications for approximately $2.5 million in Proposition 84 bond grants to help restore ecological health to Sierra forests and remediate impacts from historic abandoned mines. The vote on the guidelines is among the items included in the board’s quarterly meeting at the West End Theatre in Quincy, June 6.

The board will also take a field trip to meet with three of its grant recipients— Feather River College, the Feather River Resource Conservation District, and the Feather River Land Trust—with a reception at the Heart K Ranch in Taylorsville to follow.

“This will be our first governing board meeting in Quincy and we look forward to seeing the results of our investment in the area,” said SNC Executive Officer Jim Branham. “Work in the Feather River Watershed impacts much of California, given its role as the state’s primary source of water. Our grants in this area are reducing the risk of wildfire and preserving the area’s ranching heritage.”

The Feather River Resource Conservation District received $232,750 to complete forest health improvements on the Heart K Ranch, and the Feather River Land Trust received $300,000 to purchase a conservation easement on the Pearce Family Ranch. Feather River Community College received two grants totaling $96,875 for site improvements and project education at its fish hatchery.

The Prop. 84 Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coast Protection Bond Act was approved by voters in 2006. The SNC was allocated $54 million for projects and associated administrative costs. To date, the SNC Governing Board has awarded approximately $50 million dollars to nearly 300 projects throughout the Sierra Nevada.

SNC staff will also present a report to the board on the overall success of the Proposition 84 grant program, highlighting a variety of projects. The report, which includes short video interviews from selected projects, is linked to the SNC home page, www.sierranevada.ca.gov, along with all other details and agenda items for the board meeting.

The field trip begins at the Feather River College main parking lot, located at 570 Golden Eagle Avenue, Quincy, Wednesday, June 5, at 1 p.m. The board meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday, June 6, at the West End Theatre, 541 Main Street, Quincy. The public is invited to attend all SNC events; however, lunch and transportation are not provided. For more information on the field trip, contact Theresa Burgess, (530) 823-4670.