Rancho Seco - A Recreational Dream


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As one travels to southeastern Sacramento County, in the vicinity between highway 16 (Jackson Highway) and Highway 99, they may approach a large landmark, which dates from the late 1960s and 1970s, when Sacramento began to test its patience with Nuclear Energy.

Rancho Seco was a project Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) embarked upon in 1966, when SMUD acquired 2,100 acres to build the nuclear power plant, which was hoped would service Sacramento County customers for many years.

SMUD, a community owned utility, operated the power plant from April 1975 to June 1989.  Because of numerous costly malfunctions of the plant, and electric rates which rapidly increased because of the maintenance costs, public sentiment soured in regard to Rancho Seco.  It was closed by public vote on June 7th 1989. 

However there is really good news about Rancho Seco.  After the closure in 1989, the grounds were converted into a public park.  SMUD assumed operation of the area in 1992, and revenues generated, fund all park-related costs of operation.  There are wonderful recreational opportunities in the area, which operates as a large recreational complex.  There are lakes, ponds, fishing, RV and tent camping.  In addition to numerous picnic tables and sites.  In one area there is a small beach where swimming is available.

SMUD also uses a portion of the land for massive solar installations and recently added a natural gas-fired plant.

SMUD has also teamed up with the Sacramento Valley Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy to set aside approximately 1,200 acres for a nature preserve on the southeastern portion of  SMUD's Rancho Seco property.

SMUD received the second-highest score in the nation for commercial customer satisfaction in 2010.  And is the nation's sixth-largest public utility.

A portion of Rancho Seco grounds, are leased to PAWS, an animal sanctuary which The Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge operates.  The refuge is dedicated to the welfare of captive-bred animals rescued by the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), from the illegal trade of exotic animals.  The refuge is named after Amanda Blake, the late actress and wildlife advocate, who portrayed "Miss Kitty" in the TV series, "Gunsmoke."

In recent years, much of the surrounding ranch land to Rancho Seco, has been planted with grapes, which will enhance the California Wine industry.

For more information about facilities, amenities, user fees, hours of operation, you can visit the SMUD-Rancho Seco website.


Rancho Seco - A Recreational Dream
Written by: Myrl Jeffcoat - 8/29/2010
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