At Monday night’s Sutter Creek City Council meeting, the Council discussed some of the details of the proposed Erickson Ranch Annexation, a project that has been the subject of controversy in recent weeks. The Erickson Ranch property is comprised of 187 acres adjacent to the Hwy 49 bypass, between Tonzi and Sutter-Ione Roads. Although the item was not on the agenda, several residents commented on the proposal. Concerns among the public included the cost of maintaining the property, the limitations on public access to the land, and the Amador Land Trust’s involvement in land’s maintenance.

Present at the meeting was Steve Mair of the Amador Land Trust, who explained his organization’s role in enforcing the numerous environmental regulations on the property in perpetuity, a requirement imposed by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Fish and Game. The city council members present also voiced some of their concerns with the project, believing portions of the property are not sufficiently fenced in. Overall, the council expressed optimism regarding their plans for the project. Mayor Pro-tem Bill Hepworth stated, “we took this property for the purpose of keeping it like it is, and I still see it as a great gift to the city.” The Erickson Ranch Annexation Proposal will be on the agenda at the Monday, February 18th City Council Meeting.