CONSERVATION STORY
High Sierra Rural Alliance Represents the Public’s Interest in Protecting the Rural Communities of the Sierra
The High Sierra Rural Alliance is a non–profit, grassroots organization committed to the preservation and enhancement of the rural Sierra experience. Believing rural values provide a balance between human, economic and environmental well-being, HSRA monitors local land use decision-making and advocates for the preservation of rural landscapes. The organization was founded in 2004 by two former County Land Use Planners in response to the increasing development pressure threatening the areas sensitive natural resources. In a short time the HSRA has:
- ·Protected the California public’s right to participate in land use decisions by winning a precedent setting case banning certain “streamlined zoning” processes
- Established a de facto moratorium on development projects which encroach upon open space lands in Plumas County
- Partnered with the Sierra County Land Trust to purchase up to 1,000 acres in the Sierra Buttes/Lakes Basin for water quality, habitat and open space protection
- Aided the residents of the City of Loyalton to successfully derail a developer’s plan for leap frog development into neighboring ranches
- Convinced Plumas County that their Land Use Planning process is in need of revision
- Galvanized the community of Sierraville in opposing plans for a gated-community development at the Sierra Valley Hot Springs site
- Plugged a loophole in the Sierra County Zoning Code making measures to mitigate environmental impact enforceable
- Successfully insisted that the potential environmental impacts of amending existing policies and regulations must be disclosed to the public before amendments are made
Currently, HSRA is advocating:
- For the Plumas County General Plan Update by:
- challenging projects which highlight the lack of protection for open space and threaten natural resources in Plumas County;
- collaborating with citizens groups and developers to pressure the Board of Supervisors to commit to a public process to update the General Plan:
- exposing the County’s effort to fix the General Plan without public participation
- monitoring and testifying against proposed development projects which are not consistent with the public’s desire for a coherent land use plan
- For compliance with Sierra County’s General Plan by:
- attending Planning Commission meetings and offering suggestions as the Commission considers revision of ordinances
- challenging projects which threaten rural and environmental values
- challenging Sierra Pacific Industries’ rezone of over 7000 acres between Jackson Meadows Reservoir and Perazzo Meadows from a zone which protects California forests from development to a zone which encourages development.
Other Projects include:
- Writing a Child Element for the Calaveras County General Plan Update in collaboration with a Calaveras County citizen’s group
- Compiling data and material to create a GIS model of the Sierra Valley for use by local jurisdictions in planning
 The High Sierra Rural Alliance believes the resources and exceptional communities of the Sierra will be protected through good local and regional land use planning and public participation. The organization participates in the land use decision making process and provides outreach and education to members of the community to encourage those impacted by the process to speak out.
The HSRA is one of the only citizen groups watch-dogging Sierra and Plumas County’s land use decisions. While it is important that citizens take part in a local conservancy or land trust, it is also important that residents are vigilant of the democratic process, environmental review process, and environmental implications of policy in their region. Without strong policies protecting natural resources, conservancies will be at the mercy of a speculative real estate market. HSRA has been an astute observer of those issues. If you are interested in getting involved with HSRA, becoming a member, volunteering, donating, or would like to find out more about them please visit www.highsierrarural.org.
ORGANIZATIONS
Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group
Contact Name: Jim Wilcox
Address: 550 Crescent Street Quincy, CA 95971
Phone: (530) 283-3739
Email: jim@plumascounty.org
Website: www.feather-river-crm.org
County: Plumas
Description: The Feather River Coordinated Resource Management Group works to
protect, maintain, and enhance ecosystems and community stability in the Feather River
Watershed through collaborative landowner participation.
Feather River Land Trust
Contact Name: Paul Hardy
Address: 75 Court Street
P.O. Box 1826
Quincy, CA 95971
Phone: 530.283.5758
Email: frlt@frlt.org
Website URL: www.frlt.org
County/Counties: Plumas, Sierra
Issue Focus: botanical, forest, land use, watershed health, wildlife and habitat
Group Type: volunteer, staffed
Public Events: tours of preserves, annual Round Valley Run
Volunteer Opportunities: help restore wetlands, protected properties, or assist in our annual Round Valley Run
Accepts Donations: Yes
Description: The mission of the Feather River Land Trust is to conserve, restore and manage land in the Feather River region in cooperation with willing landowners for the benefit of current and future generations.
The Feather River Land Trust works with willing landowners, local communities, and the general public to protect the land. We do this by purchasing conservation easements, buying land, and through donations. As a result the land we protect, restore and manage remains both protected and productive. It continues to generate needed tax benefits for the community, county and state, and preserves the unique character of the region.
High Sierra Rural Alliance
Contact Name: Stevee Duber
Address: P.O. Box 65, Sierra City, CA 96125
Phone: (530) 862-1571
Email: stevee@highsierrarural.org
Website URL: www.highsierrarural.org
County/Counties: Plumas, Sierra
Issue Focus: botanical, land use, transportation, water supply, watershed quality, wildlife and habitat
Public Events: public informational meetings
Volunteer Opportunities: internships, event planning, local agency meeting attendance
Accepts Donations: Yes
Description: The High Sierra Rural Alliance advocates preservation and enhancement of rural Sierra Nevada in Plumas and Sierra Counties. Formerly the Environmental Defense Project of Sierra County, the High Sierra Rural Alliance (HSRA) has been in existence since 2004. Our organization utilizes land use and planning expertise to provide local agency oversight and public input opportunities. We advocate for the public’s right to participation and healthy sustainable communities. Our focus is on the preservation of agriculture in Sierra Valley and conservation of the immeasurable natural resources found in the region. Please visit our website, www.highsierrarural.org for project information and our successes.
PUBLIC OFFICIALS & AGENCIES
Plumas County Board of Supervisors
Address: 520 Main Street, Room 309
Quincy, CA. 95971
Phone: (530) 283-6170
Fax: (530) 283-6244 - FAX
E-Mail:pcbs@countyofplumas.com
Senate Representative – 1st District:
Counties Represented: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Plumas and Sierra, as well as portions of Nevada, Placer and Sacramento Counties.
Website: http://republican.sen.ca.gov/web/1/
Assembly Representative – 3rd District
Counties Represented: Lassen, Plumas, Butte, Sierra Yuba, Nevada, Placer
Website: http://republican.assembly.ca.gov/members/a3/index.aspx
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