Clover Valley Foundation

Clover Valley Foundation and Sierra Club filed a "Notice of Appeal" to petition the 3rd District Court of Appeals for a rehearing of the recent lower court decision. After thorough deliberation and research, both organizations are convinced that February's Superior Court decision is erroneous, that the proposed project does indeed violate the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and that therefore it is subject to challenge.

Clover Valley Foundation and Sierra Club contend that the lower court decisions are seriously flawed in these areas: (1) encroachment into required stream setback buffers, (2) evaluation of significant growth-inducing impacts for "oversized" sewer line expansion, (3) impacts to all oak trees and removal at the project site, (4) reliance on unfinished federal review processes with regard to the historic and prehistoric sites, and (5) deferred mitigation for a threatened species found on the site.

CLOVER VALLEY FEDERAL PROCESSES CHALLENGED

Clover Valley Coalition volunteers recently spent hundreds of hours reviewing and researching the federal permit processes in order to meet an April comment deadline. Various organizations and individuals submitted convincing arguments to the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) regarding the propriety of issuing permits and approvals (specifically Section 106-Historic Properties Management and Treatment Plans). The comment letters insist that regulations must be enforced, especially when violations have occurred, and that preparation of a new, more thorough cultural report is justified.

Currently, we await a response from the ACOE as well as other state and federal agencies.

WIN-WIN-WIN OPTIONS

Clover Valley is the perfect location for a magnificent historic nature preserve. Secluded by steep slopes, yet surrounded on two sides by Rocklin and Lincoln urban growth; large, but not too unwieldy, its 622 acres would be ideal for educational opportunities with surrounding schools and colleges, interpretive centers, passive recreation, wildlife refuge and viewing stations, as well as providing a sanctuary for quiet human repose.

Economic benefits include tourist dollars to surrounding communities and reasonable profits to willing-seller owners. The entire region benefits from conserving an ecologically fragile and diverse area along with its unique cultural sites. It can happen with your help and visionary community leaders.

On Friday, February 6, 2009, Judge Lloyd Connelly, Sacramento Superior Court, ruled against plaintiffs, Clover Valley Foundation (CVF), Sierra Club, and the town of Loomis, in their Clover Valley lawsuits. Their petitions were denied, thus favoring the defendants. CVF, Sierra Club, and Loomis have the combined expertise of five excellent environmental attorneys; the lawsuits had great merit with compelling arguments proving that CEQA was violated, but this round was lost.

Although the ruling is a setback, CVF has been preparing for this turn of events. The ten-year grassroots effort with regional support to save this most precious ecological gem known as Clover Valley will not be abandoned. All legal options are being reviewed. Additionally, work to build a consortium of buyers to purchase the property is being pursued.

Clover Valley is a magnificent gift from nature. It must be protected against development destruction and have its destiny secured as a historic nature preserve. It's not over yet—stay tuned!

Just in time for the holidays, with over 200 great recipes collected from cooks throughout the region, Suzanne Kizer of Rocklin has created a gem of a cookbook, filled with unique dishes to inspire culinary creativity and delight taste buds. This marvelous book (5.5 x 8.5 inches) with recipes, tips, terms and other helpful information will grace any kitchen and make wonderful stocking stuffers (all for a good cause to boot!). Order now from Clover Valley Foundation, P.O. Box 713, Loomis, CA 95650, for $15 (add $3 for shipping). For more information, please call 916-652-7005.

Governor's Award recognizes Save Clover Valley's preservation effort as lawsuit progresses.

Lawsuit Proceeds and Outreach Continues.

Our nine-year battle to Save Clover Valley is now focused primarily on a multitude of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) violations. Our lawsuit against the city of Rocklin and the development was filed by co-plaintiffs, Clover Valley Foundation and the Sierra Club. Having been reviewed by expert legal teams, we are confident our case has great merit. As our legal brief proceeds through the courts, the Town of Loomis has also filed its own legal action.

Anyone who has experienced the valley knows how important it is to save this one last pristine remnant of foothill diversity (wetlands, woodlands, wildlife, creek, scenic ridges, meadows, grasslands, 33 pre-historic sites, rock walls, stone corral, and so much more) all concentrated in one little two-mile stretch. Saving Clover Valley is not easy; it's still expensive and requires constant effort--research, meetings, letter writing, presentations, education, and fundraising. We welcome your ongoing support as we continue to fight in the trenches to save one of the last ecological and cultural gems in the region. Contact us for more information.

Read the latest info--CEQA Litigation and Issues.

Unfortunately, the City of Rocklin's approval of the proposed Clover Valley development has forced Clover Valley Foundation (with Sierra Club as co-plaintiff) to utilize a last resort: the courts. The City's misguided approval of one of the most envirnomentally disastrous projects in the region (despite hundreds of submissions pointing out flaws and CEQA violations and in spite of strong citizen support for saving the valley) necessitated taking legal action.

No lazy days for us: See our Summer newsletter.

For a different take on private property rights that will not dovetail with some public officials' or developers', please visit the website below and click on "From the Chair." Contact us if you have any questions.

We now have a short window of time to review the city's responses to our comments. If you commented, please find your comments, review the city's responses and let us know ASAP if you feel your concerns were not addressed sufficiently--or let the City know ASAP. To read the Final EIR (over 1,000 pages), go to Rocklin's Planning Department and obtain a CD, or visit the website to download it (over 150 MB). Contact us if you have any questions.

By an overwhelming 3-to-1 margin, Rocklin residents oppose the proposed development that will destroy the unique historical, cultural, and ecological features of Clover Valley. Furthermore, if a referendum were held today, voters would soundly defeat the development proposal, according to a recent poll conducted by Capitol Campaigns of Sacramento.

Be sure to check out all the latest news in our Spring 2007 newsletter.

With assistance from the Tomales Bay Institute, the Clover Valley Common Wealth Report "WHO DECIDES THE FATE OF CLOVER VALLEY?" is available to the public. This 15-page report examines concepts of "common wealth" in light of natural and cultural features of a place, and discusses rightful ownership issues. To get the report online:

Ansel Adams found Clover Valley spectacular enough to photograph as evidenced in an exhibit that was displayed at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. Although it was known that Adams had been commissioned by owners of what was then "Spring Valley Ranch" (Rocklin area) to photograph the region for a possible new city (1962), obvious landmarks prove he ventured into Clover Valley to capture its beauty. For Adams to have carried his creative genius into Clover Valley, recogizing its unique beauty, further honors the valley and validates current efforts to save it from development.

We are constantly meeting with public agencies, elected officials, non-government agencies, individuals who may be able to help, and following every lead. We continually submit documents with new information to be included in the Final EIR as we await its release.

We are in a major fundraising mode. Although we are an all-volunteer organization, we do have to hire professionals to do justice with this now going-on-eight-year effort to save Clover Valley. Your tax-deductible donations are greatly appreciated.

Check out the latest addition in the effort to save this Clover Valley from destruction:

The work of directing/producing the film, "Clover Valley: Last of Its Kind," was recognized by the Sierra Club's Mother Lode Chapter with a well-deserved "Environmental Education" award to its creator, Sean Booth. The film documents the more than seven-year effort to save Clover Valley from destruction via a proposed major development. The natural, historical, and cultural values of Clover Valley are wonderfully explored in Sean's film, as he convinces the viewer that this last, unique valley, with its concentration of wetlands, woodlands, wildlife, creek, scenic ridges, meadows, historic/prehistoric sites, to mention a few, must be preserved.

Clover Valley Foundation expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the ECOS Club of Sierra College, Sean Booth, film producer, and all the hard-working volunteers who made the premier showing of "Clover Valley: Last of Its Kind" such a huge success. Thank you one and all!

We are an official non-profit corporation — a 501(c)3. Read newsletters for more.