Tejon Mountain Village Enters New Phase of Public Process; Will Bring Environmental, Economic, Civic Benefits to Kern County

* Draft Environmental Impact Report Issued by Kern County
* Conservation and Sustainability Central to TMV Plan
* Project Expected to Create Jobs and Stimulate Local Economy

LEBEC, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
The proposed Tejon Mountain Village (TMV) resort community reached an important
milestone Wednesday with Kern County`s release of a Draft Environmental Impact
Report (DEIR). The DEIR was prepared by the County to study the environmental
impacts of the proposed TMV community in compliance with the California
Environmental Quality Act. TMV is located 40 miles south of Bakersfield, east of
the I-5 and the community of Lebec.

The proposed plan would preserve 80% of TMV`s 26,417 acres - a total of 21,335
acres of permanently protected open space - while creating a sensitively planned
mountain resort community on the remaining 20%. The proposal, first introduced
to the community four years ago after years of initial planning, is part of the
Tejon Ranch Company`s long-term vision of conservation, continued ranching and
farming, and limited development.

"Today marks a significant milestone. We`ve studied these lands thoroughly for
nearly a decade and have worked closely with the County, stakeholders and our
neighbors to refine and improve the plan," said Roberta Marshall, vice president
and general manager of TMV. "Now the public has an opportunity to review our
plan and the County`s environmental report and see for themselves the great
level of care that has been taken to ensure that TMV is sensitively planned to
be a good neighbor within the Mountain Communities and make a positive
contribution to Kern County`s economy."

Community Vision

TMV will provide a unique experience set within Tejon Ranch, one of California`s
historic ranchos. A collection of 3,450 homes, ranging from clustered resort
residential homes to large, low density home sites, will offer future residents
an exceptional mountain ranch lifestyle. Resorts as well as community amenities,
including two golf courses, and approximately 75 miles of trails and equestrian
facilities, will make TMV a remarkable place to live and visit. A commercial
center in the community`s Village Mixed Use area along Interstate 5 will also
provide new shopping, dining and business opportunities for local residents.

Economic & Civic Benefits

It`s expected that the community will create approximately 1,500 permanent jobs,
1,600 construction jobs and contribute millions of dollars in annual tax revenue
to Kern County. Additionally, TMV will expand and enhance local public services,
including:

* New and expanded Fire Department facilities and equipment including three
station sites;
* Funding for the expansion or construction of new Sheriff station facilities in
the Mountain Communities;
* Funding for a new Deputy Sheriff for the Lebec area and onsite office space at
the onset of construction;
* Funding for library books and materials; and
* Funding for school classrooms and renovations.

TMV`s planned world-class resort, golf courses and other recreational
opportunities will also offer other benefits to the local economy and to Kern
County. "We believe that TMV will be a catalyst that will bring more tourism and
commerce to the Mountain Communities," said Marshall. "And, TMV will create a
gateway to Kern County, helping to further establish Kern County as an exciting
place to visit with an extraordinary quality of life."

Environmentally & Ecologically Sound

The TMV plan was designed to avoid and protect important natural resources as
its primary means of achieving its conservation goals. As such, the plan
preserves 80%, or 21,335 acres, as permanently protected open space. The TMV
plan also relies on a series of science-based conservation and sustainability
strategies to ensure the community is designed in the most environmentally
responsible manner possible.

* Resource Management Plan - Ensures that biological, hydrological, cultural and
other resources are managed in the most environmentally sensitive manner
possible; provides residents and guests educational opportunities that encourage
the ongoing stewardship of the land;
* Sustainability Plan - Sets a maximum water use limit on homes and businesses;
defines an energy-efficient building program requiring TMV`s homes and
businesses to exceed current Title 24 (2005) standards by at least 25%; and
calls for the establishment of a community fund to benefit local non-profits and
charities;
* Fire Protection Plan - Requires fire sprinklers in all structures; prescribes
customized fuel modification zones for each area of the community along with
measures to ensure compliance; and prohibits the use of highly flammable plants;

* Design Guidelines - Includes measures to enhance the aesthetics of the
community, minimize grading, and limit outdoor lighting to protect dark skies.

In addition, TMV already entered into and has begun implementing a Voluntary
Emissions Reduction Agreement (VERA) with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution
Control District. This voluntary agreement requires that TMV become
emissions-neutral by fully offsetting criteria pollutants identified by the air
district (NOX, ROG and PM10).

TMV also protects local groundwater sources by introducing three new sources of
water to serve the community. Drinking water supplies will be provided by the
California Aqueduct (State Water Project) and water banks in Kern County. When
available, recycled water from a proposed on-site treatment facility will be
used to irrigate TMV`s golf courses. Local groundwater is not proposed as a
source for TMV.

Large-scale Conservation

TMV`s 21,335 acres of open space are included in an agreement between Tejon
Ranch Company and the nation`s leading environmental organizations to preserve
up to 240,000 acres of Tejon Ranch. TMV residents will provide funding to the
Tejon Ranch Conservancy from the sale of each home that will be used to further
conservation efforts and provide controlled public access to this vast open
space. TMV is also part of and is consistent with Tejon Ranch Company`s proposed
142,000 acre Tehachapi Uplands Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan which,
upon approval, would provide protections for 27 species, including the
California condor.

Public Review Process

The County`s DEIR studies a comprehensive list of environmental issues. The
documents are available for a public comment period and can be reviewed at the
County`s website at: www.co.kern.ca.us/planning/.

It is expected that TMV will be considered by the Kern County Planning
Commission for recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for a final decision
later this year.

About Tejon Mountain Village

As a part of the Tejon Ranch Vision of conservation, continued ranching, and
limited development, Tejon Ranch and DMB Associates are carefully planning the
development of Tejon Mountain Village. With approximately 80 percent of its land
preserved as natural open space, Tejon Mountain Village will be a remarkable,
environmentally sensitive mountain resort community.

About DMB Associates

DMB Associates, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a nationally acclaimed real
estate company known for creating sustainable communities that thoughtfully and
responsibly address the environment. DMB's business practices are predicated on
creating truly great places and on creating lasting, mutually beneficial
partnerships with stakeholders, municipalities, landowners and communities.

About Tejon Ranch

Tejon Ranch Co. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TRC.
Tejon Ranch is a diversified real estate development and agribusiness company,
whose principal asset is its 270,000-acre land holding located approximately 60
miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Bakersfield. More information
about Tejon Ranch Co. can be found online at http://www.tejonranch.com.

TMV LLC
Laer Pearce & Associates (PR)
Laer Pearce, 949-599-1212
or
Tejon Ranch Company
Barry Zoeller, V.P., Director of Corporate Communications, 661-663-4212
or
DMB Associates
Lauren Charpio, Director, Corporate Communications, 480-367-7617

Copyright Business Wire 2009