Lake Almanor has been officially safeguarded for public benefit through a conservation easement, marking a significant milestone in a two-decade-long effort by the Feather River Land Trust (FRLT).
The conservation easement, recorded on December 19, 2023, at the Plumas County Recorder’s Office, covers 29,057 acres of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E)-owned land, including the reservoir itself. While PG&E will retain ownership and management of Lake Almanor, the easement restricts subdivision of Lake Almanor and Chester Meadows but also ensures the preservation of open space, legal public access, and ongoing access to PG&E-operated recreation facilities, such as campgrounds, picnic areas, and boat launch.
FRLT worked collaboratively with PG&E and the Pacific Forest and Watershed Lands Stewardship Council to secure this protection, making Lake Almanor the fourth and final PG&E-owned reservoir in the Feather River region to be safeguarded with a conservation easement.
Sophia Micheletti, Development and Communications Associate with FRLT, emphasized the importance of the conservation easement in preserving public access, wildlife habitat, and scenic open space for current and future generations. She explained that a conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement that limits development and changes to land use, ensuring the long-term conservation values of the protected area.
FRLT, as the conservation easement holder, will engage in annual meetings with PG&E to discuss management plans and potential impacts to special resources and publicly important values. Regular inspections will be conducted to ensure the easement terms are upheld.
