SCH Number 2023060188

Project Info

Title

Tribal Land Back Purchase to Conserve Cultural and Natural Resources (SNC #1610-LC)

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.

3 documents in project