Elk Valley Rancheria used a California Coastal Conservancy grant to purchase a 9.19 acre parcel along Crescent Beach for wildlife enhancement and public access. | Image courtesy of Donna Zorn

From Elk Valley Rancheria:

The Elk Valley Rancheria, California was awarded $725,000 from the California State Coastal Conservancy for the acquisition of the 9.19-acre Bush parcel on Crescent Beach, south of Crescent City, in Del Norte County, and for preparation of a plan for that property for wildlife habitat enhancement and public access, and for removal of invasive species on the property.

The property was acquired to protect open space and beach access, protect and enhance wildlife habitat, and implement sea level rise adaptation measures, including measures to protect nearby roads and highways, consistent with open space and habitat protection.

The ancestors of the Elk Valley Rancheria Tribal membership lived in and around Del Norte County for thousands of years, in villages located on bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and along the banks of local watersheds. With this acquisition, the Tribe is reclaiming a piece of its past while securing land for future generations, thereby preserving Tribal heritage and identity.

The Tribe will begin efforts for invasive plant species removal and the development of a plan to create long-term management strategies for future recreational use. The plan will include recommendations for measures to make parking and trails on the site accessible. Recreational amenities might include improvements to the existing parking area and the addition of picnic tables and educational signage.

South Beach improvements can act as a catalyst for a wide range of activities that benefit the local community through increased tourism, job creation, infrastructure development and by providing a more attractive and accessible setting for both residents and visitors. The Tribe looks forward to working with regional partners and local governments to improve and enhance the South Beach area for the benefit of Tribal members and the entire community at large.

Chairman Dale Miller stated: “We are pleased to work with the Coastal Conservancy to acquire and jointly work to preserve this property for future generations. It is traditionally a site of importance to the Elk Valley Rancheria’s citizens for cultural and subsistence purposes and acquisition of the property is consistent with the Tribe’s community-oriented goals, including ensuring environmental stewardship.”

Vice-Chairman Richard Warner stated: “We survived termination and exceeded the expectations of many nay-sayers. We are an integral part of the community, and we look forward to continued success and cooperation with the community.”

COO Crista Stewart stated: “This is another step in an economic renaissance in Crescent City and Del Norte County. We expect that the Tribe’s success will continue to be the catalyst for community wide economic development.”

Tribal Background
The Elk Valley Rancheria, California was terminated in 1962, was restored to recognition through federal court litigation in 1987, and formally reorganized in 1994 pursuant to a written Tribal Constitution approved by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior. The Tribe offers various governmental services to its members and operates the Elk Valley Casino. The Tribe also owns Elk Valley Rancheria Economic Development Corporation and Elk Valley Rock, and will soon open Elk Valley Tribal Fuel Mart. The Elk Valley Rancheria, California is community oriented and strives to provide respect and dignity for all, preserve our culture, and to be self-sufficient and diversified for the good of the Tribe, County, community, and region

SHARE →