Cosumnes River Preserve

A Conservation Partnership

Photo by Ramona Swenson

Background

1984 First acquisition by The Nature Conservancy (TNC)

1987 Ducks Unlimited and TNC form Cosumnes River Preserve

1989-1994 Partnership grows and more acquisitions take place

+ Bureau of Land Management+ California Department of Fish and Game+ Sacramento County Regional Parks+ California Department of Water Resources+ California State Lands Commission

By 1994 the Cosumnes River Preserve was over 7,000 acres

Where we are today… Over 60 Properties have been acquired

Total Acreage over 46,000 54% Fee Title Ownership / 46% Conservation Easements

7 Land-Owning Partners TNC, BLM, CDFG, DU, DWR, SLC and Sac County Parks

10 Full-Time Staff composed of: BLM, TNC, CDFG, Galt JUSD and Sac County

Parks

100+ Volunteers

California State Lands Commission Involvement Bed of the Cosumnes River as

Sovereign Lands. 1998: CSLC Purchases Additional

263 Acres. 2008: CSLC Enters Into

Management Agreement with Other Partners.

2010: Commission Authorizes Staff to Take Legal Action if Necessary regarding Mustang Airport project.

Cosumnes River Preserve

Proposed Mustang Airport Project

Proposed Improvements

Convert Airport from Private to Public Phase I

Widen & Extend Runway60 Rental Hangers and 25 Tie Downs4,800 Annual Take-off/Landings

Average of 13 per day

Phase II40 Rental Hangers7,200 Annual Take-off/Landings

Average of 20 per day24-Hour OperationFixed Based Operator

Concerns:

1. Public Safety

2. Environmental

Harm

Safety Concerns

Safety Concerns

Noise vs. Birds?

Environmental Concerns

FAA Guidelines The criteria states airports serving piston-

powered aircraft should maintain a distance of 5,000 feet from wildlife areas, and the approach or departure airspace should maintain a distance of 5 miles.

If a land use practice creates a wildlife hazard, FAA encourages the airport operator to take steps to control the wildlife hazards.

Conclusion

Staff recommends adoption of the resolution opposing the Mustang Airport expansion project.

Public Safety Concerns. Concern that existing habitat

restoration projects could be compromised and future habitat restoration projects could be impeded by the existence of a public-use airport in such close proximity to the Preserve.