Tribal Land Back Purchase to Conserve Cultural and Natural Resources (SNC #1610-LC)
Summary
SCH Number
2023060188
Public Agency
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Document Title
Tribal Land Back Purchase to Conserve Cultural and Natural Resources (SNC #1610-LC)
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
6/6/2023
Document Description
The Sierra Nevada Conservancy would provide funding for the Mono Lake Kutzadika’a Indian Community Cultural Preservation Association (Association) to acquire fee title to a 160-acre parcel in Mono County. The parcel is surrounded by Inyo National Forest land and is approximately 10 miles from the east entrance to Yosemite National Park. The parcel is composed of spring-fed creeks with meadows, riparian vegetation, aspen groves, and conifer forests. The property is currently privately owned, with a conservation easement held by Claremont McKenna College for protecting, preserving, and conserving the natural habitat and ecosystem of the property, and to use as an educational resource. It is used by Claremont McKenna College as the Burger Sierra Research Station and has several rustic cabins and a main lodge with kitchen and dining facilities. The Association will complete a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment and will work with the College to develop a Stewardship, Management, and Monitoring Plan to ensure conservation values, as expressed in the conservation easement, are upheld. The project will restore land ownership to the Tribe, allowing the Tribe to manage the buildings and scenic landscape for multiple uses that will help the Tribe preserve cultural heritage and utilize traditional knowledge to steward the parcel, as well as support nature-based solutions to climate change impacts for the Tribe and adjacent communities.
Contact Information
Name
Mary Akens
Agency Name
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Job Title
Legal Counsel
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
Lee Vining
Counties
Mono
Regions
Northern California
Other Location Info
677 Log Cabin Mine Road, 4 miles west of the community of Lee Vining along Hwy 120, Mono County. APN 021-090-011.
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Section 15325 Transfers of Ownership of Interest in Land to Preserve Existing Natural Conditions and Historical Resource
Reasons for Exemption
The project is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15325 Transfers of Ownership of Interest in Land to Preserve Existing Natural Conditions and Historical Resources, which consists of the transfers of ownership of interests in land in order to preserve open space, habitat, or historical resources. The intent of this acquisition is to conserve the natural conditions, habitat, and cultural resources on the property. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy has independently reviewed the project and determined that no exception under Section 15300.2 applies.
County Clerk
Mono
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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