The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County has acquired a new agricultural conservation easement that will permanently protect 150 acres at Turley Vineyard.

The easement helps fulfill agricultural preservation policies in Paso Robles/ Purple Belt Program, said Bob Hill, conservation director for the Land Conservancy.

In a twist on the traditional greenbelt approach, Paso Robles aims to establish a Bpurple beltC to protect vineyards and the agricultural character of the surrounding region, Hill said.

The Turley conservation agreement is the premiere easement that puts that plan into action, he said.

BThe city is excited about the conservation easement because success of the Purple Belt Program is dependent on voluntary efforts of property owners and agriculturalists and their desire to maintain the land in viable agricultural production,C said Ron Whisenand, community development director for Paso Robles.

Located at Vineyard Drive and Winery Road, just one parcel of land separates the historic and scenic Turley vineyard from an adjacent Templeton housing tract, Hill said.

The voluntary conservation of the land will help establish a permanent boundary where BtownC ends and BcountrysideC begins, he said.

Larry and Suzanne Turley said they strongly support local conservation and are sustainability-oriented.

They said by donating the easement, they are maintaining the property for agricultural uses and offering travelers along Highway 46 permanent scenic vistas.

The property contains the historic Pesenti Vineyard, one of the oldest in the entire region, having been planted more than 80 years ago, Hill said.

The gnarled old vines are dry-farmed, organically, and managed using sustainable practices, according to the Turleys. The property also contains a stand of oak woodland and provides homes for a variety of wildlife.

The easement explicitly restricts the building of a new winery, tasting room and other hospitality facilities.

BI am pleased that we were able to agree upon an easement that provides strong conservation protections to keep this landscape intact while at the same time affording the landowners flexibility in their agricultural operations,C Hill said.

For more information about the easement and the Purple Belt Program, visit www.LCSLO.org or call 544-9096.

January 13, 2008