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Comments Sought on Hood Mountain Regional Park & Preserve Lawson Expansion Study

Published:  September 11, 2017

Regional Parks is seeking public input on a proposed mitigated negative declaration/initial study for the Hood Mountain Regional Park & Preserve Expansion Master Plan. Comments on the adequacy of the study’s environmental analysis will be accepted through October 11, 2017.

Regional Parks is expanding the park’s master plan to include trails and natural resource management for the 247-acre Lawson property recently added to the park. The property features oak woodlands, grasslands, mixed evergreen forest, and riparian chaparral/Sargent cypress woodland. A prominent ridgeline offers views of the Sonoma Valley and beyond. The property includes several special-status plants and significant cultural resources.

The property’s rugged backcountry provides an opportunity for new multi-use trails and greater connectivity to existing trails within the park. Other recreational opportunities might include picnicking, fishing, nature observation, and hike-in stays by permit-only. The property provides abundant opportunities to learn about natural and culture history.

The District holds a conservation easement and a recreation covenant on the property, protecting in perpetuity the scenic and natural values and requiring the land be open for low-intensity recreation and education uses.

The draft master plan was developed with community input and calls for approximately 4 miles of new trails, camping and bunkhouse facilities. Most trails will be multi-use trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Natural resource management includes over 100 acres not developed for recreation minimizing human disturbance, removal of remnant debris, and restorative planting of native vegetation for neighbor screening and wildlife enhancement and to slow the spread of invasive species. The environmental study of the master plan finds no significant adverse impacts.

Public comments can be submitted in writing by 3 p.m. October 11 to Planner Karen Davis-Brown, 2300 County Center Drive, Suite 120A, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 or karen.davis-brown@sonoma-county.org. The Board of Supervisors’ final determination on the project is tentatively scheduled for December 2017. 

Notice of Intent 
(PDF: 4.2 MB)

Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration 
(PDF: 5.2 MB)

Draft Master Plan
(PDF: 19.2 MB)