California kept 2,060 coastal acres closed to the public as a buffer around Diablo Canyon nuclear plant; after plans for luxury homes, a $42 million deal will turn the land into trails, campsites and protected coastline
For decades, 2,060 acres of California’s Central Coast remained closed to the public as a buffer around the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. Now, the land above Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County is set to become a nature preserve with hiking trails and campsites after a $42 million conservation deal.The Wildlands Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust, has agreed to acquire the property known as Wild Cherry Canyon, San Francisco Chronicle reported. On Thursday, the state agreed to provide $42 million through the State Coastal Conservancy, allowing the organisation to proceed with the purchase.The property is owned by Eureka Energy, a subsidiary of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, which operates the nearby nuclear facility. The land has coastal hills, valleys, native grasslands and oak and pine woodlands.The land which has been the subject of development plans, including proposals for high-end homes, is on the path towards becoming public open space, after the deal. The Wildlands Conservancy plans to create trails and camping opportunities while protecting Native American cultural sites. The preserve is expected to open to the public within five years, while guided tours could begin as early as next year.
Wild Cherry Canyon becomes nature preserve
Wild Cherry Canyon is at the southeastern end of the larger Diablo Canyon Lands, between Avila Beach and Port San Luis. Cattle currently graze on the property, while a road through the area leads to the power plant.The wider Diablo Canyon Lands cover part of the Irish Hills, with rugged cliffs above sandy beaches and tide pools. Some peaks rise to about 1,500 feet. The area also has native grasslands and oak and pine woodlands, but much of the landscape has remained inaccessible to the public.“We are excited about the opportunity to establish public access here. This scenic access is what we call absolutely world class,” said Tim Duff, project manager at the Coastal Conservancy.The three major properties around Diablo Canyon could eventually form about 12,000 acres of preserved open space. The area would extend from Montana De Oro State Park in the north to Avila Beach in the south and run along 14 miles of coastline.Local residents and officials have pushed for decades to protect the lands around the nuclear plant and make them accessible to visitors. Wild Cherry Canyon is expected to be the first of three major properties to meet the state’s conservation and public-access requirements.
Five- to six-mile trail
Frazier Haney, executive director of the Wildlands Conservancy, said protecting Native American cultural sites would be among the organisation’s priorities. These include sites connected to the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe.The plan is to build a five- to six-mile loop trail at Wild Cherry Canyon. The site will be the first part of an eventual 20-mile coastal trail across the Diablo Canyon Lands.“Once you get up on these hills, this is as beautiful as the California coast gets anywhere,” Haney said. “You’ll be able to go for a hike, then end your hike by going out on the pier in Port San Luis, and get something to eat and drink. It will just be a wonderful experience for people.”The conservation plan comes as the future of the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant remains under discussion. The facility had been scheduled to close in 2025, but Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature decided to extend its operation because of electricity demand.The plant is now scheduled to run until 2030, although another extension is under consideration. As a condition for temporarily continuing nuclear operations, state officials required PG&E to help permanently protect the surrounding lands and eventually provide public access.
Development plans delayed conservation
The acquisition follows nearly two decades of attempts to conserve Wild Cherry Canyon. Disagreements over the price and competing plans for the property had delayed earlier efforts.After the dispute was settled, the Wildlands Conservancy saw an opportunity to move forward. Under the agreement, nearly all of the $42 million will be used to buy out the lease. That is expected to be completed later this year, while the remaining money will go towards the purchase of the property, anticipated next year.“The community has been dedicated to making this happen. We just got thrown the ball in the fourth quarter of the game,” Haney said.
Decades-long effort reaches major step
The effort to protect the lands around Diablo Canyon has involved conservation groups, local residents and state officials for decades.Kaila Dettman, executive director of the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County, said the organisation had been working for decades to protect the properties and secure public access.“This is a really exciting vision, and we don’t want it to slip by,” Dettman said. “It’s a special part of our county and, frankly, the state. It really gives you a sense of wild California, old California.”Kara Woodruff, a San Luis Obispo resident who helped form Friends of the Diablo Canyon Lands, said she had been thinking about Wild Cherry Canyon for more than 26 years.“The fact that this is finally coming together is the greatest news I can imagine,” Woodruff said. “I’ve been thinking about Wild Cherry Canyon for over 26 years.”John Laird helped secure funding for the deal and negotiate the requirement that PG&E conserve the properties around the nuclear complex.“There were plenty of times when it looked like it might not happen, but the Central Coast community never gave up,” Laird said in a statement Thursday. “Protecting Wild Cherry Canyon is a major step toward preserving the incredible lands surrounding Diablo Canyon for generations to come.
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