Cleveland National Forest

Land Adjustments - Fact Sheet

Rutherford Ranch VII - A recent lands adjustment project.

Objectives

Cleveland National Forest was created in 1908 when President Theodore Roosevelt combined the Trabuco Canyon and San Jacinto Forest Reserves. The boundaries and acreage have varied over the decades, but in the ensuing 90 years, the Goals of the Forest Land Adjustment program have been to :

Make adjustments as needed to consolidate ownerships and/or provide for more efficient management of Forest lands.

Acquire road and trail rights-of-way in order provide for public access to National Forest land.

Land ownership has changed significantly throughout the years as the Forest Service continues to manage the public's real estate assets. Land is a precious commodity in today's world.

"Land is so valuable today because it's not being made anymore"- Will Rogers.

Acquiring Lands

The following avenues are available for acquiring and consolidating National Forest System lands:

Exchanges

Property rights may be exchanged between the Forest Service and private landowners, states, and local governments. The most common type is land-for-land exchange. Land-for-timber and partial interest exchanges can also be pursued. Exchanges must be of equal value on both sides, or equalized with cash.

An example of this type of adjustment is the exchange completed in 1996 between the Cleveland National Forest and the Sweetwater Authority. Sweetwater Authority purchased a portion of Samataguma Ranch, a private in-holding within the boundaries of the Forest, and exchanged these lands to the Forest. In return, Sweetwater authority acquired parcels of equal value around Loveland Resevoir.

Sweetwater Authority benefited because they were able to consolidate holdings around Loveland Reservoir. The public benefited because National Forest System lands were consolidated, irregular boundaries eliminated, a fishing and trail easement to Loveland Reservoir was retained, and improved trail parking was constructed so that the trail access to the reservoir can be used.

Purchases

Real property rights may be acquired by means of a cash payment. There are two primary sources of federal funds used for land acquisition on the Cleveland National Forest. These are Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF) and the San Diego County Receipts Act monies.

The Forest has been very successful in competing for LWCF appropriations in recent years. Robert's Ranch, a 714 acre parcel at the intersection of I-8 and Japatual Road, was purchased between 1993 and 1995 with LWCF appropriations. 1371 acres of the Rutherford Ranch on the Palomar Ranger District were purchased with LWCF funds starting in 1996.

In both 1996 and 1997 Receipts Act money was used to match funds raised by the Cleveland National Forest Foundation to purchase nearly all of the Ellis Ranch in Descanso.

Donations

Occasionally, landowners are willing to donate real property rights to the government for inclusion in the National Forest System. These gifts may provide certain tax benefits to the donors.

For additional information or questions, contact the Cleveland National Forest Supervisor's Office.

USDA Forest Service - Cleveland National Forest
Last Modified: Wednesday, 17 August 2005 at 19:10:25 EDT