Metallica frontman gives land to preserve

Published 4:00 am Thursday, December 17, 2009

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Metallica frontman James Hetfield is donating 330 acres overlooking California’s Lucas Valley for preservation as farmland.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously accepted the donation Tuesday. It follows Hetfield’s earlier gift to the county of more than 400 acres for open space. Both plots of land are around Hetfield’s home.

Hetfield’s land use consultant, Scott Hochstrasser, says the donations reflect the singer’s desire to maintain privacy and preserve open space.