County closes deal on Conway Ranch
The conservation easement on Conway Ranch closed escrow December 1, permanently protecting the wetlands, springs, irrigated meadows, grazing lands and cultural history of the property. The 800 acres, located northeast of Lee Vining, has been a topic of debate for decades.
In the early 1990s, the land parcel was approved for large scale residential and resort development before Mono County bought the Ranch using grant funds from California State Parks, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and Caltrans. These grant funds restricted the use of the land to environmental habitats and educational opportunities. Assuming they were in line with the grant restrictions, the County began building a trophy trout fishery in 2006 in order to enhance the economy.
However, there were disagreements over grant restrictions with Caltrans, eventually leading to the conservation easement brokered and monitored by Eastern Sierra Land Trust (ESLT).
“Cooperation can feel like a rare event these days,” opens the ESLT Press Release from December 10 announcing the deal. “This unusual example of cross-agency cooperation ensures that future generations will be able to enjoy the unique and beautiful vistas, wildlife, open spaces, and history of Conway.”
Mono County spent approximately $114,000 in escrow costs, including a long-term endowment for the conservation easement, said Environmental Services Manager Tony Dublino. Under the agreement, Mono County is released from the grant restrictions on the 75 acres surrounding the fish hatchery, allowing the County to continue to develop their project on the property.
“The Conservation Easement will allow for Mono County to realize the economic and fish rearing potential of Conway Ranch, while also protecting important natural and historic resources for generations to come,” said Acting Caltrans District 9 Director Mike Beauchamp.
Due to three years of drought conditions, Mono County closed the hatchery in November 2013. However, “the entire point of the easement is to preserve the aquaculture opportunities on the property,” Dublino said. “We have no specific plans in place but I hope to go before the Board in January to present short term options and get direction.”
After terminating Inland Aquaculture Group’s contract for the aquaculture operations in July, the County will have to start the lengthy process of hiring another aquaculture operator before re-opening the fish hatchery in the future.
Mono County continues to own and manage the property, and the conservation easement enforces the grant restrictions on the area outside of the 75 acres. ESLT is responsible for monitoring the terms of the conservation easement.
Former Conway Ranch Project Manager and ESLT Executive Director Karen Ferrell-Ingram said securing the easement “was a long and complex process and we really appreciated the involvement of local residents and others to make it a better agreement in the end.”
