Visalia-based conservation group gets PG&E easement

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has given a conservation easement for lands on the Kern River to Sequoia Riverlands Trust, a Visalia-based conservation group.

The agreement, similar to the easement conveyed last year on acreage near Doyle Springs in Tulare County, permanently protects the lands.

“This and our recent Doyle Springs easement for PG&E lands represent a real advance in conservation efforts by major utilities, which are often rich in high-value conservation lands,” said Soapy Mulholland, Sequoia Riverlands Trust executive director.

The Kern River property straddles the Kern River below Lake Isabella and is surrounded by public lands managed by Sequoia National Forest.

The Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council arranged the easement under a California Public Utilities Commission settlement with PG&E to protect 140,000 acres of watershed lands.

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 4:54 PM with the headline "Visalia-based conservation group gets PG&E easement."