July 31, 2002

Conservation Deal Protects Threatened Fish and Wildlife on Humboldt County Cattle Ranch

Santa Rosa, Calif. -- After three years in development, the Pacific Forest Trust has completed the acquisition of a conservation easement that permanently protects the 3,640-acre Howe Creek Ranch near Rio Dell, Calif.

The conservation easement ensures that the ranch is never subdivided and that its abundant fish and wildlife are protected, while sustainable grazing and timber management continue. Sixty percent of the $3.25 million easement value was purchased with funds granted by the California State Coastal Conservancy and Wildlife Conservation Board, with the remaining value generously gifted by the Hackett family, owners of the ranch for five generations.

"This easement, with its strong environmental protections, is an inspiring expression of the Hackett family's commitment to sustainable resource management -- which is evident by how productive their ranch is not only for timber and cattle, but also for salmon and owls," said Connie Best, PFT's managing director.

Thirteen miles of high-quality salmon streams, all tributaries of the Eel River, flow through the Humboldt County ranch. The ranch's namesake, Howe Creek, is considered to be the most productive summer rearing stream for steelhead in the entire Eel River system. Chinook and coho, also threatened salmon species, dwell in the ranch's streams as well.

The ranch's native redwood and Douglas fir forests, as well as its grasslands, are home to numerous types of wildlife, including northern spotted owls, golden eagles, goshawks, black bears, mountain lions, bobcats and great horned owsl. This excellent habitat is largely due to the Hacketts' ongoing management and restoration efforts, which have resulted in the reforestation of 900 acres since 1984. Another 750 acres will be reforested within the next decade. The Hacketts have also engaged in extensive stream restoration for salmon habitat.

The Howe Creek Ranch protection would not have been possible without PFT's Strategic Opportunities Conservation Fund, which provided a low-cost bridge loan to the family to pay off other burdensome, high-interest commercial loans. This bought the Hacketts time, while PFT worked with state agencies to raise funds for the easement purchase. PFT is able to provide such low-cost conservation financing thanks to a $5 million grant from the Surdna Foundation.

"Our fundamental purpose and motivation in granting this easement is to create a balance between continued productive commercial forest and rangeland management and conservation of public trust resources," said Steve Hackett. "Unlike regulation, which I think has proven to be ineffective, a conservation easement provides a cooperative non-governmental approach to achieving this balance."

State Sen. Wesley Chesbro said, "One reason I supported this project is because conservation of Howe Creek Ranch should demonstrate to others that the future of resource lands along the coast does not have to be one of depletion and development. Conservation and restoration can and should be part of a new business model to sustain our working landscapes."

"I am proud to have played a role in this project," said State Assemblymember Virginia Strom-Martin. "These funds not only allow the Hacketts to continue their tradition of good land stewardship, but also provide the public with the benefits of open space, wildlife habitat protection, and stream and forest restoration."

Conservation easements are deed restriction landowners voluntarily place on their properties to protect environmental resources, such as fish and wildlife habitat, water quality or scenic views. These restrictions stay with the property even if it changes hands, ensuring permanent protection while allowing private ownership and productive use to continue.