DISCUSSION regarding a letter from the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) considering a grant to the Wášiw-šiw Land Trust for acquiring 10,273± acres of land for the preservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat located in Lassen and Sierra Counties was held during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on November 18th in Loyalton. The land is known as the Loyalton Ranch previously owned by City of Santa Clara. Chairman of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California Serrell Smokey attended the meeting to explain their vision for the property and to answer questions. He stated this was the first time buying this type of acquisition. Smokey said there are huge archeological sites around the Loyalton area and he personally has a lot of history in the area with his great grandmother who lived in Loyalton after she was married and two great uncles who trained horses for ranches in Loyalton.
The Wášiw-šiw word means All Of The Washoe People and they created the land trust for this purchase and future land purchases. He explained it as a new non-profit organization held by the Washoe Tribe and will have its own board. Feather River Land Trust was appreciated for helping them create the land trust.
Smokey announced they will not be building a casino. They plan to do conservation restoration, fuels mitigation, and grazing management, noting a lot of erosion happening around water sources. Smokey said this area used to be a huge harvesting area for pinyon pine and have plans to regrow the trees. They are teaching young adults how to do forestry work and run equipment. He noted a lot of work to do out there and are ready to do it.
Supervisor Paul Roen stated one of the concerns was grazing. Smokey said they are the only tribe that still operates a cattle ranch so they are well attuned to managing and know about the detriment of “leaving things”.
Smokey understood it won’t be the same but are doing what they can and are willing to work with everyone, noting they can’t get everything done without partnerships. He added they are not trying to acquire land to just look at it and want to fill the gap.
Supervisor Sharon Dryden worried about the access going away.
The Wášiw-šiw word means All Of The Washoe People and they created the land trust for this purchase and future land purchases. He explained it as a new non-profit organization held by the Washoe Tribe and will have its own board. Feather River Land Trust was appreciated for helping them create the land trust.
Smokey announced they will not be building a casino. They plan to do conservation restoration, fuels mitigation, and grazing management, noting a lot of erosion happening around water sources. Smokey said this area used to be a huge harvesting area for pinyon pine and have plans to regrow the trees. They are teaching young adults how to do forestry work and run equipment. He noted a lot of work to do out there and are ready to do it.
Supervisor Paul Roen stated one of the concerns was grazing. Smokey said they are the only tribe that still operates a cattle ranch so they are well attuned to managing and know about the detriment of “leaving things”.
Smokey understood it won’t be the same but are doing what they can and are willing to work with everyone, noting they can’t get everything done without partnerships. He added they are not trying to acquire land to just look at it and want to fill the gap.
Supervisor Sharon Dryden worried about the access going away.
