Envisioning a Glorious Future

Arnold is ringed by some truly magnificent public lands—the 8,000 acre Urban Interface (which is Forest Service land), spectacular Big Trees State Park, and the scenic Stanislaus River canyon. There is only one thing standing between an unbroken 30-mile trail encircling the community—a trail that could be accessed easily from each of Arnold’s subdivisions—and that’s Sierra Pacific Industry (SPI) land. On roughly the northeast corner of this currently imaginary loop is SPI’s 3,500-acre holding in the Upper San Antonio Creek watershed. On roughly the southwest corner is a 1,200-acre strip (also owned by SPI) that stretches from the Stanislaus River to the upper portion of the Interface between Love Creek and Moran roads. These currently separate pieces, if connected, would form an Arnold Rim Trail (ART), a breathtaking 20,000-acre community recreation resource to rival anything in the West. In addition to boosting property values and adding immeasurably to the quality of life of residents and second home owners, it would make Arnold (currently perceived as the gateway to the Big Trees, Bear Valley, and the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness) a superb recreation destination in its own right. That’s the vision. And it’s not unrealistic. 

There are a variety of avenues available to pursue the necessary funding. The Parks Bond and the Water Bond are state programs with monies earmarked for projects of this nature. There is the Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Lands. There is private grant money available from organizations like the Packard Foundation. The Arcata Community Forest, a tremendous 660-acre forest with a park and hiking trails owned by the city of Arcata in Humboldt County, is logged lightly every few years under the stringent guidelines set forth by the Forest Stewardship Council. (Turn the page for more on FSC certification.) The revenue from these periodic timber sales is then used for maintenance and administration of the Community Forest, with any surpluses going to the community’s general fund. Limited and environmentally sensitive timber harvest operations, unlike clearcutting, would not fragment wildlife habitat, threaten watershed quality, or diminish the recreational experience for those future ART users. So in addition to being an enormous community resource, portions of the land could be used as a demonstration forest for alternative timberland management techniques. An interpretive center could be established, perhaps in conjunction with the Sierra Logging Museum.     

The purpose of this article is to present a preliminary vision of what might be possible if we as a community put our shoulders to the wheel. A project of this magnitude would obviously be an enormous undertaking, and there are innumerable obstacles to clear. If we want the benefits we’ll have to meet those challenges. But it’s doable. Are there any takers?

Questions?

Q: This sounds like a pipe dream. How could the community ever put together a proposal to acquire such a huge piece of property?

Actually it could happen very easily, provided SPI is a willing seller. There is money available in both the Park bond and the Water bond. Also, there is money available in the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Packard Foundation is making grants, and any one of the larger land-trust organizations is capable of putting together a project of this scale.

Q: Wouldn’t this put loggers out of work? 

The 4,700 acres in question comprise three tenths of one percent of SPI’s holdings in California, and about six percent of their 75,000 acres in Calaveras County, so this project won’t put a dent in their timber operations. In addition, SPI is nearing completion of their USA Creek Timber Harvest Plan. And a recreation project of this size will create a number of jobs, including restoration work and trail building. One scenario would allow a portion of the land to remain in timber production under the guidelines of the Forest Stewardship Council, much like the Arcata Community Forest in Humboldt County.

Q: Wouldn’t the community have to come up with any money?

It would certainly help. The Arnold Rim Trail Project is currently accepting pledges while awaiting tax-exempt non-profit status. The Harbinger is fielding e-mail correspondence (creeks@harbingerproject.com) from interested parties.

Q: Isn’t this an opportunity for a Win-Win-Win?

Yes! SPI could reap a public relations windfall. The community could gain a valuable recreation resource and protect its watershed. Big Trees State Park could more effectively manage the land on its boundary to better protect the North Grove, and the project would be a feather in the cap of the Forest Service, illustrating their involvement in helping people enjoy their public lands and their stated commitment to working with local communities. And we haven’t even discussed the health of the forest itself, the restoration of which is the primary motivator for this project.

If you have an interest in participating in a visioning process for an Arnold Rim Trail, contact us at creeks@harbingerproject.com.