Feb. 18, 2009 - It took all of 20 years, but the last of the sixteen river front parcels has been acquired along the South Fork American River to accommodate a new 20 mile trail system from the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area to Highway 49, just north of Coloma.
The American River Conservancy recently announced the acquisition of a key 45 acre trail head property on the north side of the Salmon Falls bridge that will allow the construction of a new segment of trail that will lead hikers upstream along the South Fork of the American River to Highway 49 just north of Coloma.
"The Conservancy started the South Fork project in 1989," stated director, Alan Ehrgott. "Our goal was to acquire 16 parcels or about eight lineal miles of river front property, to protect the native fisheries and the wildlife corridor, develop a recreational trail and preserve the excellent quality of water flowing downstream to Sacramento and other communities throughout central and southern California. This is a great 20th year anniversary present to the thousands of people, organizations and public agencies that have supported this project over these past 20 years. We cannot thank everyone enough!"
The Salmon Falls trailhead acquisition was acquired in January, 2009 from a willing seller at an appraised value approved by the State Department of General Services with a combination of public and private funding. Of the $560,000 required to purchase the property, $400,000 was provided by the State Wildlife Conservation Board, $100,000 from the State Resources Agency (River Parkways Grant Program) and $60,000 was raised from over 400 private donors that contributed to the American River Conservancy through its American River Trails Campaign.
Overlooking Salmon Falls
The property sellers, Larry and Judy Klein, found the conservation vision appealing. "We initially purchased this property to build our dream home overlooking the South Fork American River and Folsom Lake", stated Judy Klein. "But the more we thought about the uniqueness of its location, the more we recognized the greater benefit of protecting the natural habitat for future generations to enjoy. We look forward to hiking this trail one day with our grandchildren."
The American River Conservancy is now working with the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM") and the State Department of Parks and Recreation to complete the design and environmental documentation required before trail construction can begin. "The trail will skirt the very northern edge of the Pine Hill Ecological Reserve and we are being very careful to make sure the trail will avoid federally-listed rare plant species," stated Ehrgott. "We are hopeful to start construction on the final four miles of the trail in April, 2009. We still need about $175K to complete trail construction, a stream crossing and interpretive signage at the trailheads. We are hopeful we will be able to have a ribbon cutting sometime in late spring of 2010."
The South Fork American River trail may become a key segment within a larger regional trail. "With a little coordination between the City of Sacramento, the City of Folsom, State Parks, the BLM, and El Dorado County, and the construction of a few trail linkages we could have a Sutter's Fort to Sutter's Mill trail," stated ARC Board President, Penny Humphreys. "With the extensive trail along the American River Parkway, trails around the south side of Folsom Lake and the completion of the South Fork trail, an approximate 50 mile trail from downtown Sacramento (Sutter's Fort) to Coloma (Sutter's Mill) would be 98% complete."
The American River Conservancy is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary. It has completed 72 conservation projects protecting over 10,700 acres of native fisheries, endangered species habitat and recreational lands.
The Conservancy also provides interpretive hikes, educational programs to schools and volunteer opportunities to the greater Sacramento Metropolitan region. The American River Conservancy operates the American River Nature Center which is located at 348 Highway 49, Coloma, California.
Contributions to the American River Trail Campaign can be sent to: The American River Conservancy, P.O. Box 562, Coloma, CA. 95613. Contributions of $1,000 or more will receive name recognition on a bronze plaque at the trailhead. A contribution of $5,000 or more will be rewarded with the placement and maintenance of a picnic table along the trail with a bronze plaque recognizing the donor. For further information regarding trail project donations, please contact: David Morrill, ARC Marketing and Development Director at (530) 621-1224.
Website: www.arconservancy.org
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