Ranch Owner Ready to Quit?

After insisting for years that it would not sell Ahmanson Ranch, Washington Mutual has confirmed discussions with top state officials to possibly transfer the rolling cattle ranch to a parks agency while abandoning plans for a 3,050-home golf course development.

California Resources Agency Secretary Mary Nichols initiated talks several weeks ago for possible purchase of the 2,800-acre ranch in east Ventura County, Washington Mutual spokesman Adrian Rodriguez said.

But no agreement has been reached, he said, cautioning that the talks may end without a deal.

"The secretary of resources asked us to consider whether we'd be willing to adjust our plans for the remaining 2,800 acres of the ranch," he said. "Informal discussions have been going on between members of the Ahmanson Ranch project team and members of the secretary's office for the last several weeks.

"But there is no guarantee anything will result from these discussions," he said. "We continue to be focused on completing the [development] entitlement process."

Nichols could not be reached for comment late Monday. And Stanley Young, communications director for the Resources Agency, said he knew nothing of the discussions.

The $2-billion project, first approved in 1992 by Ventura County supervisors, has been blocked ever since by more than a dozen lawsuits, studies of a rare frog and endangered wildflower and then, last year, by a costly, high-profile campaign led by Hollywood celebrities.

The project is still tied up in court in a lawsuit filed by several Los Angeles County jurisdictions after Ventura County gave the project the green light again in December -- approving a new environmental study.

Acquisition of the ranch would put in public hands the largest privately owned parcel in the mountains surrounding the San Fernando Valley.

"We've always said that we'd be willing to listen to any reasonable request or input regarding the project," Rodriguez said.

But the recent discussions represent the first time Washington Mutual has engaged in discussions aimed at the possible sale of the ranch, which it acquired in a 1998 purchase of H.F. Ahmanson Co.

State parks officials have said repeatedly that they think a deal can be reached if Seattle-based Washington Mutual were a willing seller. But some of those same officials said Monday that they don't think a deal is close.