SACRAMENTO -- State Resources Secretary Mary Nichols today issued the following statement regarding the possibility of the sale of the 2,800-acre Ahmanson Ranch to the State of California.

"Up until now, Washington Mutual has been adamantly opposed to the possibility of a sale of their property," said Secretary Nichols. "I am heartened to see that my overtures to them have sparked an interest in a possible sale. If they do agree to sell, the State will carefully analyze the terms to protect the interests of the public."

The land in question, one of the most highly sought after parcels in Southern California, fulfills many of the goals of the State Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board, the entities within the Resources Agency, along with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, that would be involved in funding a possible purchase.

"The Ahmanson Ranch constitutes a key piece in preserving biological diversity - including threatened and endangered species-- in the Santa Monica Mountains," said Secretary Nichols. "It would preserve a crucial wildlife corridor and provide a large new recreation area for the burgeoning population of the San Fernando Valley and Ventura county. "