A PUBLIC HEARING on amendments to the Sierra County General Plan, Zone Amendment and Williamson Act Contract for 222 Lemmon Canyon Road in Sierraville was held during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on March 17th. Planning Director Brandon Pangman explained his department received an application a couple years ago from property owner Lucy Blake whose land is all under the Williamson Act, to rezone 720 acres of forest land from Agriculture to Forest land use designation. Zoning has to be consistent with General Plan and cannot be in the Williamson Act and Timber Production Zone (TPZ) simultaneously. Qualifications for a TPZ includes having a timber management plan approved by a professional forester, site capability for timber grown, and compliance with local zoning. Only 562 acres met qualifications. Pangman reported it was the recommendation of the Sierra County Planning Commission that they amend the General Plan on all 720 acres and only change 562 acres to TPZ and amend Williamson Act. The new contract would delineate the areas for TPZ. The proposed changes also had to go through the Open Space Screening Committee. Pangman noted that everyone was in agreement with this approach. He stated there was a long history of agricultural and timber management on the property and felt it more practical to have split zoning.
During public comment, owner Lucy Blake explained she’s been planning to do this change for 35 years after Sierra County resident and former assessor Bill Copren suggested that land be in a TPZ. She purchased the ranch in 1988 and inherited the Williamson Act contract with it. Supervisor Sharon Dryden questioned the ranch being in a conservation easement. Blake explained the land is in an easement that allows for grazing and timber management.
The Resolution on the aforementioned changes to the General Plan, Zone Amendment and Williamson Act was approved unanimously. Dryden commented she was pleased that the property will be managed well for forest health which protects the property as well as the community.
A second public hearing was held during the same meeting for non-renewal of the Yost -Clark Williamson Act after it was discovered that the four parcels once commonly-owned and jointly managed as “contiguous” parcels under one contract have each subsequently been sold. Each of the four parcels are now owned by separate persons.
The Board unanimously adopted the resolution to non-renew the existing contract. A notice will be served to all four property owners of the change and owners can enter into a new contract if they meet the Williamson Act qualifications, particularly acreage size.
Sierra County Assessor Eric Jackson commented if any property owners were to get into another contract they would see no change in their tax base.
National School Librarian Day, observed on April 4, 2026, shines a spotlight on the essential role librarians play in shaping student success. This year, the occasion arrives amid growing concern within the Plumas Unified School District (PUSD), where librarians are part of the proposed budget cuts approved during the February 11 board meeting.
During the most recent PUSD board meeting on March 11, Portola High School librarian Klytia Dutton delivered a passionate public comment urging district leaders to reconsider the decision.
Dutton emphasized that her advocacy was not about preserving jobs, but about protecting students. She described school libraries as inclusive spaces that serve a wide spectrum of needs. For avid readers and college-bound students, libraries offer challenging materials and enrichment opportunities. For others—those less inclined toward reading—libraries provide a welcoming environment to relax, socialize, and simply be themselves.
Libraries also play a critical role in accessibility. Students who are learning English can find resources tailored to their needs, while others benefit from practical materials that support personal interests and real-world skills. Dutton shared the example of a student who used library resources to learn how to repair a motor-cycle—an illustration of how libraries empower curiosity and independence.
Beyond academics, libraries offer a refuge. In the often busy and overstimulating environment of a school campus, they provide a quiet space where students can decompress and regain focus. She also highlighted the economic aspect of the debate, pointing out that librarians are among the lowest-paid staff members in the district, yet remain integral to the educational team.
Closing her remarks, Dutton urged district officials to reconsider the long-term impact of the cuts. “Once something is gone,” she warned, “you will never get it back.”
During public comment, owner Lucy Blake explained she’s been planning to do this change for 35 years after Sierra County resident and former assessor Bill Copren suggested that land be in a TPZ. She purchased the ranch in 1988 and inherited the Williamson Act contract with it. Supervisor Sharon Dryden questioned the ranch being in a conservation easement. Blake explained the land is in an easement that allows for grazing and timber management.
The Resolution on the aforementioned changes to the General Plan, Zone Amendment and Williamson Act was approved unanimously. Dryden commented she was pleased that the property will be managed well for forest health which protects the property as well as the community.
A second public hearing was held during the same meeting for non-renewal of the Yost -Clark Williamson Act after it was discovered that the four parcels once commonly-owned and jointly managed as “contiguous” parcels under one contract have each subsequently been sold. Each of the four parcels are now owned by separate persons.
The Board unanimously adopted the resolution to non-renew the existing contract. A notice will be served to all four property owners of the change and owners can enter into a new contract if they meet the Williamson Act qualifications, particularly acreage size.
Sierra County Assessor Eric Jackson commented if any property owners were to get into another contract they would see no change in their tax base.
National School Librarian Day, observed on April 4, 2026, shines a spotlight on the essential role librarians play in shaping student success. This year, the occasion arrives amid growing concern within the Plumas Unified School District (PUSD), where librarians are part of the proposed budget cuts approved during the February 11 board meeting.
During the most recent PUSD board meeting on March 11, Portola High School librarian Klytia Dutton delivered a passionate public comment urging district leaders to reconsider the decision.
Dutton emphasized that her advocacy was not about preserving jobs, but about protecting students. She described school libraries as inclusive spaces that serve a wide spectrum of needs. For avid readers and college-bound students, libraries offer challenging materials and enrichment opportunities. For others—those less inclined toward reading—libraries provide a welcoming environment to relax, socialize, and simply be themselves.
Libraries also play a critical role in accessibility. Students who are learning English can find resources tailored to their needs, while others benefit from practical materials that support personal interests and real-world skills. Dutton shared the example of a student who used library resources to learn how to repair a motor-cycle—an illustration of how libraries empower curiosity and independence.
Beyond academics, libraries offer a refuge. In the often busy and overstimulating environment of a school campus, they provide a quiet space where students can decompress and regain focus. She also highlighted the economic aspect of the debate, pointing out that librarians are among the lowest-paid staff members in the district, yet remain integral to the educational team.
Closing her remarks, Dutton urged district officials to reconsider the long-term impact of the cuts. “Once something is gone,” she warned, “you will never get it back.”
