Contact: Ken Graff
Regional Conservation Authority
(951) 955-9700
Conservation Authority Acquires Key Property for Habitat Plan The Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority and Riverside County Transportation Commission team up to purchase 914 acres in Cactus Valley as part of the County’s groundbreaking Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.
Cactus Valley, CA — The Goodhart family’s legacy as early settlers of Cactus Valley stretches all the way back to the 1800s.
On Thursday, the Goodharts joined with Riverside County leaders to celebrate a new legacy – the preservation of their 914-acre property as permanent habitat in the County’s Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP).
The property, located about five miles southeast of Diamond Valley Lake near Hemet was purchased for $5.1 million by Western Riverside County Regional Conservation Authority (RCA) and Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC). County leaders hailed it as a key milestone for the habitat plan, the largest in the nation in terms of species protected.
“This is a great day for residents all over Western Riverside County,” said Robin Reeser Lowe, RCA Chairman and Hemet Vice Mayor. “Acquiring this significant piece of land from a wonderful pioneering family like the Goodharts moves us a step closer to meeting our conservation goals – a key to improving quality of life in Riverside County.”
The MSHCP aims to conserve 500,000 acres of property in Western Riverside County. Since the plan was adopted by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors in June of 2003, the County has acquired approximately 29,000 acres for conservation in the plan.
Because federal and state approval for major County transportation projects is contingent on meeting conservation objectives in the plan, RCTC is required to assist in the purchase of conservation properties.
“This is a key step in what will be a long line of acquisitions to meet our commitment to voters to help shape a truly unique living environment for Riverside County will translate into traffic relief for Riverside County residents,” said RCTC Executive Director Eric Haley of the Goodhart purchase.
The Goodhart property is home to over 75 plants and animal species. RCA officials said the property will provide an important linkage for species that travel between Wilson Valley and the San Bernardino National Forest.
Goodhart Wildlife Habitat Preserve Dedication Ceremony - Nov 10,2005
Please note that the 16 photos from the ceremony in this next link average approximately 1.6MB each and
should be viewed only using a high speed connection as the time to load under a dial up
connection will take a considerable amount of time. (Total download size of 26.6 MB at 56KB phone
connection may require 8 to 10 minutes or even more time depending on your connection) .
