More Time for Open Space District Bill

For Immediate Release, sent 8/26/09
Contact: Terry Corwin, Executive Director or Stephen Slade, Deputy Director
(831) 429-6116

            Santa Cruz County interests will get more time to work out the details of a state bill that could lead to the creation of an Open Space District.  The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, sponsors of the measure, have  asked State Senator Joe Simitian to give them more time to craft legislation that will pave the way for the creation of an open space district perhaps as early as 2010.   Senator Simitian is the author of Senate Bill 211, which would enables the County Board of Supervisors to place a measure on the ballot creating an open space district.              Land Trust Executive Director Terry Corwin said that while there is considerable  local support for the bill, the Land Trust needs more time to address concerns raised by conservation groups outside the County.  Corwin said the Land Trust and its local supporters would continue to work towards the creation of an open space district.  "We have significant local support," Corwin said.  "We now need to address a narrow, but legitimate concern raised by  the statewide conservation community."
            The measure had gained support from the County Board of Supervisors and the City Councils of Santa Cruz and Capitola.  The City of Watsonville withdrew its opposition after the bill was amended.  The amendments created an advisory board, an elected seven-member Board, and gave the city veto power over acquisitions by a future district within its Measure U growth boundaries.
            This "Watsonville amendment" was opposed by some conservation organizations outside the County, led by the California Council of Land Trusts.  Corwin said that there was concern in the conservation community that the Watsonville Amendment would set a precedent for other potential open space districts.  "Many groups asked us to take more time to find a way to address these concerns and Watsonville's legitimate interests," she said.
            Corwin said that the Land Trust would work closely in the coming months with Watsonville, the agricultural community, and its conservation partners on revising the bill.  "We will work to achieve deeper and broader support,"  Corwin said.  "I think we can find common ground."

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