Public
Services Director, Kim K. Clymire, announced today that after almost
ten months of negotiations for an easement across the seller’s property
to access the new Mt. Konocti County Park
site, an agreement is finally close to completion. Unfortunately, since
the grading season ends October 15, which will before the easement
documents are ratified by the seller and the Lake County Board of
Supervisors, construction of the easement, that will consist of a
approximately 1,350 foot trail, will not be able to be done until the
grading season opens again on April 15, 2011, with a park opening
tentatively scheduled for Saturday April 30, 2011. In the interim, park
staff will continue to work on pre-opening improvements.
In
1997 County staff was approached by Peter Windrem, attorney for the
Fowler family who were the long time owners of a major portion of Mt.
Konocti, to inform us that in order to satisfy a family trust, the
Fowlers, needed to divest themselves of the property, and to their
credit, wanted to give the County the first right of refusal to purchase
the property because the Fowler’s knew that the County’s dream for the
mountain mirrored theirs, which is to preserve and conserve the mountain
in perpetuity for current and future generations enjoyment. As
a result, County staff, with the full support of the Board of
Supervisors and ninety nine point nine percent of the public, began to
seek grant funds to acquire the property at a price of 3.8 million
dollars for 1,520 acres. In 2008 Director Clymire
and/or his staff appeared approximately forty times to in front of
several groups and organizations to garner support for the acquisition
of beautiful Mt. Konocti.
Speaking and power point presentations were given to various clubs and
organizations that included but were not limited to: Rotary, Kiwanis,
Lions, Garden Clubs, Woman Civic Clubs, Business Associations, the
Audubon Society, the Sierra Club, the Land Trust, six public night
meetings, Tribal members, etc. In addition, numerous press releases were
issued, editorials in favor were written, information was posted on the
internet, direct mailings were sent out, flyers were posted and booths
were staffed at the Heron and Pear Festivals. As a result, over $91,000
was donated by the general public and club members toward the
acquisition of this jewel of a mountain.
In addition to the funds raised, a perfect storm for the acquisition materialized in 2008 shortly after the County Board
of Supervisors agreed to exercise an option to purchase the property
and find the money. The County received an unexpected Geothermal Royalty
revenue sharing check from a lease that was entered into and the amount
was almost the same as the purchase price. The
Board of supervisors, to their credit and forward thinking, agreed to
use the money to purchase the mountain, a decision that was probably the
most significant action they will take during their term in office. The purchase also included a communication site on Buckingham Peak
that generates a little over $100,000 annually in license agreements
and the Board, again to their credit, agreed to use the net proceeds
from those license agreements to make capital improvements to and do
maintenance on the mountain. In addition to that ongoing revenue source,
the County also was recently awarded an $80,000 park bond grant to
purchase and install signage, restrooms, benches and tables on the
mountain.
The
County is currently working with a volunteer committee to develop a
Master Management Plan for the site that includes representatives from
the public, the Bureau of Land Management, Cal Fire, Kelseyville Fire,
Tribes, the Countywide Parks and Recreation Board, an environmental
group rep, an equestrian rep, non motorized mountain bike rep, and a
dogs on leash rep. Initially the park will be
open in the spring of 2011for day use hiking only until the Master
Management Plan is complete and uses other than hiking will be
determined or ruled out. Special use permits, in compliance with
preservation and conservation, may be granted, that may fall outside of
the regular day use hiking only, as part of the Master Management Plan,
but that too, has yet to be determined.
In
closing, Director Clymire once again expressed his sincere appreciation
to the Fowler Family for giving the County First Right of Refusal to
acquire the property that clearly may have kept it from eventually
becoming privately owned with ranchettes up and down the mountain, the
Lake County Board of Supervisors for their forward thinking and
authorizing the acquisition, and the thousands of citizens who support
this exciting, once in a lifetime, opportunity.
If
you have any questions regarding this exciting acquisition please feel
free to call the Public Services Department at (707) 262-1618 or e-mail
Director Clymire at kimc@co.lake.ca.us.
