House Approves $400,000 for Seabiscuit's Ridgewood Ranch

The House of Representatives last week approved $400,000 in Forest Legacy funding for Ridgewood Ranch, the onetime home of Seabiscuit. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-North Coast) requested the funding as part of the fiscal year 2005 Interior Appropriations Bill. Last month the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Ridgewood Ranch one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Seabiscuit, the racehorse who inspired Americans during the Great Depression, arrived at Ridgewood in 1939 and recuperated from injuries on the ranch before his heroic win at Santa Anita. “The Ridgewood Ranch is a treasure for Mendocino County. It combines pristine forests and farmlands with celebrated historic sites,” Thompson said. “These funds will be critical in the overall effort to conserve its open spaces and preserve its historic sites.” The funds will be used to purchase a Conservation Easement to permanently conserve the ranch's productive forestlands and portions of its wildlife habitat and watersheds. The ranch spans 5,000 acres of land including 2,250 acres of oak woodlands, 2,000 acres of rangeland and 5 miles of steelhead creeks. The House of Representatives passed the bill late last week. The House and Senate will need to reconcile the bill before the final version is sent to the President for approval. ###