From Terry Corwin...

February 26, 2010

The Devil in the Details
Next steps towards creating an open space district

            One of my staff keeps reminding me that no open space district has been created and funded in California since two-thirds voter approval was required.  In other words, it's hard to do what we're trying to do. 

            We knew this when we began our push to create the kind of local funding for conservation that has proven so successful in neighboring counties like San Mateo and Sonoma.  During the past five years, we've been reminded, time and time again how challenging this task is – and, step by step, we feel we are getting closer and closer to success.

            This week the Land Trust decided to drop state legislation (SB 211) that would have allowed the County to put a measure on the ballot to create such a district.  While this seems like, and sometimes feels like, a setback, I also feel it is a step forward.  By withdrawing the proposed legislation, we are able to go back to the drawing board and rethink our way forward.

            Let me explain why I feel this way.  We saw the authorizing state legislation as a first step towards creating an open space district.  This first step would have led to a robust public process to design a district that would fit our County's unique needs.  It has become clear over the past year that we put the cart before the horse.  There was a desire among many in our County to design the district before getting authorization to create it.

            That's what withdrawing SB 211 allows us to do and that's why withdrawing the bill is a step forward. In the coming months the Land Trust will be working with a wide spectrum of community members to develop a process that will put the horse before the cart.

            As we go back to the drawing board we are not jettisoning the work of the past five years.  We've had extensive conversations over the past several years and have found widespread support for an open space district that would permanently protect scenic lands, water supply, and productive farms and forests – as well as support existing and new urban parks.
 
            What we envision isn't your standard open space district.  Even the name, "open space district," creates the misconception that this is all about buying land.  Our vision is far broader than that. 
            I have talked to hundreds of people over the past few years about this vision.  Most are enthusiastic supporters, some will never be, and others – the key group in obtaining two-thirds support – say something like, "the devil's in the details."  They are right.  And that's what we will be working on in the months ahead:  finding the common ground on the details. 

Terry Corwin
Executive Director

Land Trust of Santa Cruz County

 

Read the press release:
The Land Trust has pulled the plug on state open space district bill. Plans a fresh start...

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