Sierra Nevada Conservancy Searches for First Home
Posted: Wed Dec 14, 2005 4:54 pm
Sierra Nevada Conservancy Launches Search for First Home; Specific Criteria Will Guide Selection Process
December 14, 2005 05:30 PM US Eastern Timezone
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 2005--Executive Officer Jim Branham today announced that criteria has been established and a search is underway for the first home of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. Established last year by Governor Schwarzenegger to promote environmental conservation and economic development, the scope of responsibility for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy covers 25 million acres.
"We have been pleased with the interest shown by numerous Sierra Nevada communities in becoming home to our Conservancy's headquarters office," Branham said. "There are so many wonderful communities in our region, it will a difficult decision to make."
Branham was named executive officer in October by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Board. He said that based on Board direction during their December meeting, the office location will need to be within two hours of Sacramento and have year round access. Office space proposals will then be limited to cities within the following counties: Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Tehama, Tuolumne and Yuba. The California Department of General Services (DGS) will also participate in conducting the search.
Other search criteria include: an availability of interim and/or permanent office space (including the option of a "build to suit" building), access to major north-south and east-west transportation corridors (I-5, Hwy 99, Hwy 395, I-80, Hwy 50 and Hwy 49), access to high speed internet, and facilities for Conservancy Board meetings and other meetings. The new home must also be conveniently located for employees to access schools, affordable housing, alternative transportation and other services.
"This is a great partnership that we hope to create between the Conservancy and a community," Branham said. "This is also a fantastic opportunity for the Conservancy to contribute to the economic well-being of the community."
The deadline for proposal submission by a municipality is Jan. 9, 2006. Between Jan. 12 and Feb. 1, site visits and evaluation will take place. A decision on the community that will be selected as the first home for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy is expected at the Feb. 23 Conservancy Board meeting.
The mission of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy is to collaborate and cooperate with local governments and interested parties to preserve and protect the environment and economies in the Sierra Nevada.
Other criteria, specifics relating to the process and additional information are available at http://www.sierranevada.ca.gov (click on the Headquarters Search link). Interested parties may also contact Patrick Foster at DGS at (916) 375-4188.