Plan to be released for PG&E watershed lands

PG&E's hydroelectric system includes about 140,000 acres of watershed lands. Watershed lands most familiar to Bay Area residents include lands along the Eel River and around Lake Pillsbury in Mendocino County, lands in the Grouse Lakes area in Tahoe National Forest, and lands around the Blue Lakes in Alpine County.

The Stewardship Council, a non-profit corporation determining the future ownership and management of the watershed lands, will publish the Draft Land Conservation Plan for the lands in April. Watershed lands not needed for hydroelectric purposes may be donated to government agencies or non-profits. In addition to general policies, the plan will contain descriptions of the 47 planning units and maps showing recommended future management actions. The maps are already available at Stewardship Council (click on "Land Conservation" and then "Planning Unit Analysis").

For a copy of the draft plan on a CD, contact the Stewardship Council at info -at- stewardshipcouncil.org or write

303 Vintage Park Drive, #150
Foster City, CA 94404.

Your postal address must be included in the request.

This will be your opportunity to tell the Stewardship Council:

• how to improve the framework for their future decisions;
• your opinion of the recommended future management actions for your favorite areas;

Studying the maps for your favorite areas is a good way to get started.

The Sierra Club PG&E Lands Task Force is also monitoring PG&E's current management of the watershed lands. For example, the task force is objecting to a proposed PG&E timber sale, around the Lindsey Lakes in the Grouse Lakes area, which is likely to degrade the exceptional scenic and recreational values of this heavily visited area.

For more information, visit California Hydropower Reform Coalition (click on "Stewardship Council"), or contact John Moore at jkmoore6891 -at- sbcglobal.net

John Moore, Sierra Club PG&E Lands Task Force