A process now underway in our region will determine the future disposition of more than 7,000 acres of PG&E-owned land in the Mokelumne River watershed.

More than 10 years ago when California’s energy deregulation debacle began, conservation and recreation advocates were concerned that PG&E would sell off some or all of the 140,000 acres it owns in the state, which would then make the land available for development. The lands generally surround PG&E’s hydroelectric projects and include lakes, forest, wetlands and river frontage. Much of that land is undeveloped now, and most is open to the public. Some of the lands are critical wildlife habitat. Other parcels are appreciated for their scenic beauty or recreation value.

The opportunity to protect the lands came when PG&E entered bankruptcy. As part of the bankruptcy settlement, the utility agreed to place conservation easements or comparable protections on its scattered watershed properties and to transfer those it no longer needs for power production to nonprofit or government agencies. The intent is to ensure protection of the lands for their recreation, habitat, watershed and other public values.

At the time, Reed Holderman, Vice-President and Regional Director of the Trust for Public Land, said, “Long- term protection for wildlife and public recreation is a tremendous legacy for future generations and one of the largest land conservation accomplishments in California since the early 20th century.” The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council was formed to handle the disposition of the affected properties. That disposition process is now playing out in the Upper Mokelumne watershed.

PG&E’s Upper Mokelumne watershed lands include property near Blue Lakes in Alpine County, land around Bear River Reservoir, a large parcel on Cole Creek adjacent to the Mokelumne Wilderness, parcels in the North Fork Mokelumne canyon, and lands near Lake Tabeaud and Tiger Creek and Electra powerhouses. Some of the parcels are nearly or completely surrounded by lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. All are technically open to the public today, but some are quite difficult to access.

The utility plans to retain the half of the Mokelumne properties that fall within the boundaries of its federal hydroelectric project license. The remaining parcels will be transferred to new owners.

An assortment of agencies and organizations have expressed interest in the land or the conservation easements, including, among others, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Amador County, University of California Regents, CalFire, and the locally based Mother Lode Land Trust. Foothill Conservancy has been involved in this issue for more than 10 years and will continue to be involved. We have a long-term interest in the Mokelumne watershed and will work to ensure that these lands are protected and managed in the public interest — the original intent of this conservation effort.

If you’d like to be involved, too, please watch our website for meeting opportunities. For maps and additional information, see the Stewardship Council website.