Documents Associated
with the Project

Hearst Ranch Project Information

• Hearst Ranch Now Response to Questions and Concerns - Since the start of the project we have gathered the questions of those that are skeptical about the Hearst Ranch Conservation Project. We have taken these concerns and have tabularized them with the actual question, our response and referenced where in the transaction documents the information can be found.

Hearst Ranch Now Response to Questions and Concerns - (PDF Version, 1.2 MB):

Includes attachment 1;Easement Comparison, attachment 2;West Side Access Comparison, attachment 3; Coastal Trail Maps and Hearst Ranch Size Comparison Map.

For example:

• Objection	Response	Reference
  Will the Baseline Report be reviewed and approved prior to funding of the project?	Yes, The WCB Grant Agreement specifically requires approval and review of the Baseline Report	WCB Grant Agreement Detail 3B, Section 2.2

• Hearst Ranch Now Response to Legislative Analyst Office Letter, 8-3-2004: On 8-3-2004 the Legislative Analyst Office issued a letter concerning the Hearst Ranch conservation project. They raised several issues about the project and may of misinterpreted the easement itself. We have taken the misinterpretations and concerns, and have addressed them accordingly in this document. In addition, we have made references to where they have been addressed in the conservation easement(s) where appropriate.

• Hearst Ranch Now Response to California Coastal Commission Letter, 8-5-2004 - On 8-5-2004 the California Coastal Commission Staff issued a letter concerning the Hearst Ranch conservation project to Peter Douglas, the senior staff person, of the California Coastal Commission (CCC). The CCC raised 9 points of concern in this letter. We have taken those concerns and have addressed them accordingly. In addition we have made references to where they have been addressed in the conservation easement(s) where appropriate.

• Hearst Ranch Now Response to Vote the Coast Organization as posted 8-28-2004- On 8-28-2004 we saw that Vote the Coast had posted 11 points of concerns concerning the Hearst Ranch Conservation Project all similar to other points already raised and addressed by HRCN. We have taken those concerns and wrote a response based on our knowledge of conservation easements, the documentation available to support the project and have made references to where the 11 points of concern have been addressed in the conservation easement(s) where appropriate.

We see nothing in Vote the Coast's concerns that should prevent the project from moving forward with funding from the State Coastal Conservancy. To send a letter of support to the State Coastal Conservancy <Click Here>.

• Hearst Ranch West Side Access Comparison (350 KBytes)
  This document has been prepared to help the public better understand the increased access to the West Side of the Hearst Ranch as a result of the Hearst Ranch Conservation Project.

We have taken the current access parameters west of Highway 1 and compared them to what will be allowed under the new conservation easement negotiated between the State of California, American Land Conservancy, and Hearst.

The information gathered clearly shows that access will be increased and is not revocable under this conservation easement.

• Hearst Ranch Size Comparison to San Francisco (319 KBytes)
  This map has been prepared to help the public better understand the actual size of the 82,000 acre Hearst Ranch in comparison to the City of San Francisco (32,800 acres).

• Hearst Ranch Resources Agency Project Summaries and Documents: The Resources agencies have released three overall transaction summaries for the project. They are listed below.

  • Overall Transaction Summary
  • West Side Transaction Summary
  • East Side Transaction Summary .
  • All Other Transactions Documents

 

• Answer to questions at July 15, 2004 Cayucos Hearing- This a good document because it answers many of the questions of the general public about the Hearst Ranch Conservation Project.

• Public Comments - This is a list of public comments about the project gathered from July 15, 2004 State presentation

• Hearst Ranch Project Summary (23 KBytes)
  With the public information we have gathered to date combined with our knowledge of land conservation we have been able to construct a good idea of what we believe the Hearst Ranch Conservation Project will be like.

• Environmental Resource Documents - The documents summarize the resources of the Hearst Ranch.

RESOURCES INFORMATION SUMMARY.(3.04 MB)............................ ..........5A
WEST SIDE PUBLIC LANDS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT.(3.40MB)...5B

• Memorandum of Understanding (130 KBytes)
  This is a copy of the MOU between Caltrans and the Resources Agency. The signed MOU document was released at the CTC hearing May 13, 2004. It is posted here as a convenience to all involved.

Other Information on Working Ranches

• 34,000-Acre Jack Varian Ranch

• The Nature Conservancy Working Ranch Brochure.

• California Rangeland Trust Project List

• American Land Conservancy Project List.

• Related Article on preserving Working Ranches and Open Space

• Conservation Groups Announce Major Success with Bridgeport Valley Ranchland Protection
  Centennial/Dressler Ranch, Bridgeport, CA
  MONO COUNTY, Calif., March 25, 2003

• Preserving a Sierra Jewel,
  Centennial/Dressler Ranch, Bridgeport, CA
  Los Angeles Times - May 12, 2003 Article
  EDITORIAL

• Scenic Easement Saving the Dressler Ranch (Part 1, Page 34)
  Continued from Part 1 (Part 2, Page 36)
  Bridgeport, CA
  California Transportation Journal
  September 2003

• Posted on Mon, July 21, 2003
  San Jose Mercury News
  Cowboy conservationists race to preserve ranches
  DESIRE TO PREVENT SUBURBAN SPRAWL INSPIRES TRUST THAT BUYS RANGELAND RIGHTS
  Varian Ranch, Parkfield, CA

• Posted on November 23, 2003
  New York Times
  ENVIRONMENTAL CALCULUS -
  Counting the Costs of Growth With a Forest of Formulas