SMUD Nature Preserve
SMUD teamed up with Sacramento Valley Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy to set aside approximately 1,200 acres for a nature preserve on the eastern and sourthern portion SMUD's Rancho Seco property in southeastern Sacramento County.
An Oct. 2006 Memorandum of Understanding between SMUD and the two conservancies sets up a 30-month temporary easement for the protection of critical ecological and agriculural resources, including seasonal vernal pools that support threatened and endangered species. The Sacramento Valley Conservancy assumed management of granzing on the land, which SMUD leases to a cattle rancher.
With the Rancho Seco Recreational Area, the Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge, and the Howard Ranch Trail, SMUD has devoted more than 1,800 acres of land to such uses.
Wetlands mitigation bank to be created
The ultimate goal is the establishment of a permanent wetlands mitigation bank for the protection of the critical habitat for vernal pool species and critical ecological and agriculture resources. Additionally, the mitigation bank would provide credits to SMUD that could be used to offset the biological impacts of future power projects or sold to benefit its ratepayers. The ultimate establishment of a wetlands mitigation bank will depend on approvals by state and/or federal regulatory agencies.
No impact to Rancho Seco Recreational Area
The nature preserve will not include the Rancho Seco Recreational Area which consists of Rancho Seco Lake and Rancho Seco Park. To learn more about the park, click here.