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Upper area grasslands, primarily within the coastal
zone, are interspersed with occasional mixed forests on rolling, hummocky
to steep slopes. Lower area grasslands lie of hummocky, underlain
sliding areas. Present use is primarily as grazing land for cattle.
Lack of water and instability curtail development for agricultural and
residential purposes in many areas.
Forested areas are primarily within the Jenner Gulch
and Russian Gulch (Muniz Ranch)
watersheds, often lying over steep, subsurface landslides, created as a
result of proximity to the San Andreas Fault.
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The rolling slopes and hills of the Rule Ranch can
be viewed from the Pacific via Kenneth Adelman's web site, The
California Coastal Records Project.
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Sonoma Coast Associates (SCA), through the
vehicle of Gualala Redwoods, Incorporated (GRI), has posted on the
GRI web site pages showing implicit intent to develop the Rule Ranch under
the name of The
Jenner Coastal Ranch. Many long time residents of the Jenner
area are strongly opposed to the various concepts in this idea, noting
that water availability throughout the Sonoma County coastal areas has
been and continues to be a problem, one which has curtailed new development
in Jenner for close to one and a half decades. Geologic analysis
of the area shows much instability, with much area, especially the slopes
of The Rule Ranch, underlain by subsurface landsliding.
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Soon after lower Russian River community awareness
of this development scheme was made widely known through both press (Russian
River Monthly, July 1, 2004, Vol 8, Number 7, Page 2) and the internet,
the GRI site became no longer accessable. However, copies of relevant
pages were made, and here downloadable in PDF format.
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Without the basics of water and foundational stability,
any attempt to develop this area into such as golf course, air strip, or
residential area remains an ill-conceived idea, based poorly upon what
this area actually offers. Owners and investors are therefore encouraged
to seek return through land acquisition by a public or private agency or
trust, such as was done in nearby Willow
Creek, in an environmentally sound manner that will insure that
the pristine nature of this juncture of river and ocean is maintained for
all to appreciate. In addition, all owners and investors are encourages
to proactively work in cooperation with both Sonoma County and the town
of Jenner (via the JWCAC) to develop a sound watershed
management plan according the the 1991 agreements recorded with
Sonoma County.
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