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February 24, 2006 Protection Agreement Secured Along Scenic Corridor MONO COUNTY, CA—The Eastern Sierra Land Trust announced today the completion of a permanent land preservation agreement on 75 acres of land at Big Hot Springs Ranch just east of Highway 395 in Bridgeport. The agreement, legally called a conservation easement, was donated by the ranch owners, Ulrich Schmid-Maybach, Glen Poulsen and Andreas Rickenbach and will permanently preserve the Highway’s scenic beauty along its boundaries. “Ever since we bought the property 9 years ago, we have been considering a land protection agreement for the scenic corridor,” explains co-owner Ulrich Schmid-Maybach. “We are motivated to include the scenic corridor on our property in consideration of our beautiful surroundings, and hope to make a positive permanent impact on the Bridgeport community.” The Ranch, which was originally homesteaded as Fulton Hot Springs, is located just south of Bridgeport along Highway 395 and lies between two large meadow systems that are important to wildlife. “Many State highways are located in areas of outstanding natural beauty and bountiful wildlife. The stretch of Highway 395 just south of Bridgeport to Lee Vining—designated as a California Scenic Highway—is no exception,” says Julie Bear, Executive Director of the Eastern Sierra Land Trust. “The Big Hot Springs Ranch land protection agreement ensures that these 75 acres along the Highway will remain scenic.” According to the California Department of Transportation, the intent of the Scenic Highway Program is to preserve and protect scenic highway corridors from change which would diminish the aesthetic value of lands adjacent to highways. A scenic highway corridor, defined as the land generally adjacent to and visible from the highway, can create a positive image for a community, preserve and protect environmental assets and encourage tourism. Scenic corridor protection includes regulation of land use and density of development, control of outdoor advertising (including a ban on billboards), and careful attention to design and appearance of structures and equipment. “Rather than maximizing development density per county zoning laws, responsible landowners should strive to minimize the environmental impact of any development and focus more on its aesthetics,” emphasizes co-owner Glen Poulsen. “Doing so will preserve the ecological and visual integrity of our wild and open spaces in perpetuity for the enjoyment of future generations.” The Piñon pine forests and upland habitats on the property are important to many types of wildlife including mountain lion, bobcat, coyote, migrating songbirds, raptors and many small mammals. The Mono Lake deer herd travels through this area between its winter and summer range, and evidence of past Native American use are found on the property, particularly obsidian flakes and fragments. The Eastern Sierra Land Trust is a non-profit, 501 (c)3 organization that works with private landowners and the public to protect farms and ranches, plants and animals, rural culture and scenic vistas in Inyo, Mono, and Alpine counties. For more information about the Eastern Sierra Land Trust please contact us at (760) 873-4554. |