Roughly a thousand acres south of Placerville
— oak woodland, ponderosa pine, grasslands, riparian habitat along Weber Creek —
could be protected permanently.

What is the First Step?

To be clear about what that step is: the agreement is expressly preliminary and non-binding. It does not obligate EID to sell, nor ARC to purchase the property. This is an opportunity to explore options and seek community feedback. Furthermore, it does not commit the EID Board to any particular course of action.

It allows both organizations to explore land conservation concepts, conduct due diligence, pursue grant funding (state dollars, not user rates), and engage the public. Any sale would require final consideration and approval.

Acting now enables ARC to pursue funding via California State Park’s Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program ahead of the December 17 application deadline. If that funding is secured, the parties would negotiate a separate Purchase and Sale Agreement setting price and other binding terms. That agreement would return to the EID Board with any related California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documentation.

Why is the Land in Play?

EID acquired Texas Hill intending to build a water supply reservoir, an idea first studied in the 1960s and revisited periodically since.

Recent planning analysis determined that a reservoir there is not a feasible or cost-effective way to meet the EID’s future water supply needs.

That left a real question: then what?

EID has held this ground in public trust for more than fifty years. The plan for it changed.

“Our job is to be honest about two things at once: a reservoir at Texas Hill isn’t a cost-effective way to serve our customers, and this property is a real asset that belongs to our ratepayers. We owe them a thoughtful answer about its future. The American River Conservancy has been a capable partner of ours since 2001, and grant funding means the land conservation option doesn’t come out of anyone’s water bill.”

— Pravani Vandeyar, General Manager, El Dorado Irrigation District

Texas Hill at a Glance

• Size: Roughly 1,000 acres of undeveloped land.
• Location: Along Weber Creek, south of Placerville.
• Habitat: Montane hardwood (a combination of oak and pine), grasslands, and riparian habitat along Weber Creek running through the bottom of the property.
• Owner: El Dorado Irrigation District.
• Potential conservation purposes: Wildlife habitat, watershed protection, scenic open space, and recreation.
• Funding approach: ARC is pursuing a combination of grant funding and community support, beginning with an application to the Statewide Park Program (deadline December 17). Acquisition is only the first step though. A property of this scale needs diligent, ongoing management, and a source of long-term operational funding has not yet been identified. It is a critical part of this project. ARC wants to be sure it can meet its responsibilities, both as a landowner and as a neighbor to the surrounding communities, before it commits to taking on the property.

What’s at Stake?

Opportunities to conserve a property of this size, so close to so many communities, don’t come around often. Texas Hill sits within reach of the people who live, work, and recreate throughout the area. Land like this is rare, and once it’s gone, it can’t be replaced.

Conservation isn’t the only path for Texas Hill. If the property were sold to the highest bidder, it could be developed or put to other extractive uses that may be problematic for existing residents, including added traffic, strain on water resources, loss of open space, and changes to the character of the surrounding area. A sale like that would be permanent, and the public would have little say in it.

ARC sees another possibility: a multi-use open space preserve that balances habitat protection with community benefit. That vision includes safeguarding wildlife habitat and the health of Weber Creek, creating opportunities for recreation, and supporting wildfire risk reduction, all on land that stays open and protected for the long term.

The future of Texas Hill should be shaped by the public, not the highest bidder. This land has been held in public trust for more than fifty years, and the people who live nearby deserve a real voice and a real stake in what comes next. That’s why public involvement is built into the next steps, and why we want to hear from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the American River Conservancy (ARC)?

Since 1989, ARC has served our community as an non-profit environmental organization based in Coloma that has preserved over 31,000 acres of open land in perpetuity and created over 42 miles of trails. Through land conservation, stewardship, and public education programs, ARC works to safeguard healthy ecosystems across the upper American River and upper Cosumnes River watersheds.

Who owns the property?

Texas Hill is owned by the El Dorado Irrigation District. EID acquired it intending to build a water supply reservoir which is no longer feasible.

Has the EID Board decided to sell?

No. The EID Board authorized a preliminary, non-binding agreement. It does not obligate EID to sell, nor ARC to purchase, and does not commit the EID Board to any particular course of action. Any sale would come back to the EID Board.

What does the agreement allow?

It allows EID and ARC to explore land conservation concepts, conduct due diligence, pursue grant funding, and engage the public.

Why is the Board acting now?

Acting now enables ARC to pursue Statewide Park Program funding ahead of the December 17 application deadline.

What happens if grant funding is secured?

ARC and EID would negotiate a separate Purchase and Sale Agreement setting price and other binding terms. That agreement would return to the EID Board with any related California Environmental Quality Act documentation.

Why is the land no longer needed for a reservoir?

EID acquired Texas Hill intending to build a water supply reservoir, an idea first studied in the 1960s and revisited periodically since. Recent planning analysis determined a reservoir there is not a feasible or cost-effective way to meet the District’s future water supply needs.

Will this affect my water rates?

The conservation option is being pursued through grant funding, so it doesn’t come out of anyone’s water bill.

What types of habitats are on the property?

The property is primarily montane hardwood, which is a combination of oak and pine species, along with, grasslands, and riparian habitat associated with Weber Creek.

What are the long-term plans for the property?

No decisions have been made. The immediate next steps are property evaluation, developing the conservation concept, engaging partners, involving the public, and preparing the grant application.

If ARC acquires the property, caring for it over the long term will be one of its most important responsibilities. A property of this size needs ongoing stewardship, and securing funding to acquire the land is only the first step. A source of long-term operational funding has not yet been identified, and ARC will need to put adequate funding in place to ensure proper management. ARC is exploring several concepts for how this could be addressed and will share more as the project moves forward.

Will there be public access?

Yes. Public access is a core part of the vision for Texas Hill, but the extent and type of access have not been determined. They will be shaped by what ARC learns from the community, along with what the property can support. Public input will help guide decisions about where people can go, how they can enjoy the land, and how access is balanced with habitat protection.

You can share your thoughts by taking the community survey (link below). You can also attend a community meeting (dates, times, and locations below).

Will there be anything done to address wildfire risk?

Yes. Reducing wildfire risk is a key part of the vision for Texas Hill. The property sits within CAL FIRE’s South Placerville Vegetation Management Program (VMP) area, and ARC’s purchase of the property would not prevent continued involvement in the VMP.

ARC also has experience with this work. ARC is currently managing a $3 million grant, the SOFAR project, to complete fuel reduction on ARC-owned lands. If ARC acquires Texas Hill, that experience would inform how the property is managed to reduce wildfire risk while protecting habitat and the health of Weber Creek.

Has there been engagement with tribes on this concept?

ARC will engage and meet with local tribes as this opportunity unfolds.

How can I share my feedback?

You can share your thoughts by taking the community survey (link below). You can also attend a community meeting (dates, times, and locations below).

Tell Us What You Think

We want to hear from you as we explore what comes next.

Share your feedback: Complete ARC’s Texas Hill Survey

Attend a public meeting:

10/20 – 6-7:30pm @ El Dorado High School Library

10/21 – 6-7:30pm @ Union Mine High School Library

10/29 – 4-5:30pm @ The Bookery – backyard

11/5 – 12-1:30pm @ EDC Library – Placerville Branch

11/18 – 2-3:30pm @ EDC Library – Placerville Branch

More Information and Resources

• Read ARC’s Press Release HERE
• Read EID’s Press Release HERE
• For more information about ARC visit ARConservancy.org

Please share your thoughts, attend an upcoming meeting, and share this story.

Contact

Phone: 530-621-1224

Email: [email protected]

Mailing Address: PO Box 562, Coloma, CA 95613