In what's being touted as a landmark victory for conservation efforts, the Placer Conservation Authority (PCA) has made a decisive move to protect a substantial tract of land just north of Lincoln. Spanning a hefty 4,245 acres, the lush expanse, known as Raccoon Creek Ranch, has been secured via conservation easements, ensuring its protection for generations to come, Placer County announced.
This isn't just any patch of green. Raccoon Creek Ranch, or the Teichert property as it was formerly called, boasts the largest concentration of prime farmland in Placer County. The conservation easements recorded by PCA mean the ranch will remain immune to development tempts and will continue supporting 1,299 acres of agricultural activity, alongside providing vital habitat for various species. The scale of the property is no joke – we're talking about land five times the size of Central Park, so, you can imagine the breath of fresh air it offers for the community and local wildlife.
Placer County's website details the impressive ecological features of the land, including vast expanses of vernal pool grassland complex and riverine/riparian habitats, not to mention a substantial stream system with spawning grounds for salmon and steelhead. "This is a major accomplishment for our program," remarked Gregg McKenzie, PCA Executive Director, acknowledging the significant size and ecological value of the acquisition.
The Raccoon Creek property had a brush with a different fate when it was permitted as a gravel mine back in 2003. However, those plans never took root, and in 2023, Teichert stepped back, asking to rescind all mining entitlements – a request that the Placer County Board of Supervisors approved. Now Ecosystem Investment Partners, the current property owner, is on the path to sell the land, but with a catch, the land must adhere to the conservation easements that dictate its ongoing agricultural use and restoration efforts.
Emphasizing the county's commitment to its open spaces, PCA Chair and District 2 Placer County Supervisor Shanti Landon said, "Open space consistently polls as one of the top priorities for our residents." The acquisition, which closed with the PCA Board's blessing on agreements totaling roughly $61 million, is funded through mitigation fees originating from development endeavors in the region, as per the Placer County release.
The conservation success of Raccoon Creek Ranch is a key milestone within the Placer County Conservation Program (PCCP), which has a broad vision to cover 47,300 acres of conserved land in its reserve system. With the recent addition of Raccoon Creek Ranch, the PCCP reserves have now swelled to approximately 9,100 acres since the program's inception in 2021. For those interested in the intricacies of the purchase, agreements, and restoration efforts, more information is readily available on the Placer County website.
