Mountain Area Preservation Foundation Wins Sierra Lighthouse Award
The Sierra Nevada Alliance Board and staff awarded the Sierra Lighthouse Award to the Mountain Area Preservation Foundation at the Alliance's 2005 Annual Conference in Kings Beach. This award was presented to the Foundation for its ambitious conservation goals and the successful strategies they offer for other Sierra groups to follow.
"Mountain Area Preservation Foundation has an extremely impressive strategy," said Joan Clayburgh, Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Alliance. "The commitment and time dedicated to achieving recent victories in Martis Valley is truly amazing and should be recognized as part of the ongoing effort to protect important natural areas in the Sierra Nevada."
Building on the victory over Placer County in the Martis Valley Community Plan lawsuit, the Foundation successfully negotiated an agreement with both Northstar and Eaglewood on future development in Martis Valley. At Northstar alone, the agreement permanently protects 4,900 acres of Martis Valley land, establishes specific management practices to preserve wildlife habitat throughout the Northstar property (about 8,000 acres) and prevents 233 acres east of High 267 from being developed. Together through negotiated transfer fees, these agreements will provide $45,000,000 in present value over the next 20 years to be used in Martis Valley by groups such as the Truckee Donner Land Trust.
"Although we realize the fight is far from over, we are extremely proud of what the Foundation and our partners have been able to accomplish so far," said Stefanie Olivieri, the Foundation board member accepting the award. "Just imagine the impacts of over 6,000 additional homes, three new golf courses and a four lane highway."
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