Another major step has been taking toward developing more recreational opportunities near South Yuba River State Park. The Bear Yuba Land Trust has received a 312-thousand dollar state grant for the 27-hundred acre Rice’s Crossing Preserve. Executive Director Marty Coleman-Hunt says they HAVE opened the south end this year, after opening the north end last year…

click to listen to Marty Coleman-Hunt

Amenities that will be phased in over the next 2 years include new parking areas for cars and horse trailers, picnic ramadas, and restrooms. But Hunt says informational kiosks will be an important educational feature. That includes background on acquatic habitat, such as salmon spawning, among other things..

click to listen to Marty Coleman-Hunt

Hunt says the improvements will make about 1500 acres of the preserve more available to the public. She says the next focus will be on preserving habitat on about half that acreage. The land was acquired by Bear Yuba Land Trust, through voter-approved state bond money, in 2014. It’s located in both Nevada and Yuba Counties, between Bullards Bar Reservoir and South Yuba River State Park at Bridgeport…and Englebright Reservoir.