Eagle-eyed readers will note that the above real estate flyer from 2007 seeks a breathtaking $30 million dollars for Bruin Ranch–a little less than 2,600 acres of oak-studded woodlands along the Bear River in Placer County California. For years, that figure–based on the land’s development value in a fast-growing region–has served as an effective deterrent to local conservationists who have sought to protect the land because of its natural beauty and value for recreation and as wildlife habitat.
Two years later, TPL and local Placer County Land Trust stand a good chance of picking up most of the land for $13 million. The reduction in prices for such conservation-worthy properties has been termed the recession’s “green lining” for conservationists.
National Public Radio listeners will hear more about the green lining and Bruin Ranch in an episode of Quest that is scheduled to air soon on the national network. But the program has already aired in Northern California, and listeners who can’t wait will find it here.
The deal is far from done. There will be an extensive campaign to raise the funds, and probably less money will come from public sources than would have in years past. Quest is clear on this flip side of the green lining: while land is cheaper, money is harder to find.
If the deal goes through, Bruin Ranch will be the centerpiece of over 6,000 acres of open space in the Sierra Foothills. The plan is to open this vast spread of oak woodlands, pristine Bear River frontage, ponds and rocky peaks to the public. . .
But it seems likely that TPL and PLT will have to count on less help from state agencies when it comes to opening this land to the public. There are real costs here: everything from building and maintaining bathrooms and trails to assuming legal liability for visitors. Ordinarily, these kinds of services would be fall to the local park and recreation department. But in a time of slashed budgets, can they afford to take on a new park?
Listen to the Quest story or view a Bruin Ranch slide show on KQED website
More on Bruin Ranch on TPL’s website
