HomeMy Public PortalAbout19961030 - Agendas Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 96-22 Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 96-22
WORKSHOP '
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AGENDA
7:00 p.m. 330 Distel Circle
Wednesday Los Altos, CA
October 30, 1996
(7:00) ROLL CALL
PUBLIC WORKSHOP FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL OPEN
SPACE PLAN:
(7:05) 1. Review Background and Objectives of Regional Open Space Plan Project
(7:15) 2. Review of Proposed Mission Statement
(7:45) 3. Review of Proposed Revisions in Basic Policy of the Mid
neninsula
Regional n Space District
(8:45) 4. Determine/Confirm Next Steps
(9:00) ADJOURNMENT
Members of the public will have the opportunity to address the Board concerning the
development of the Regional Open Space Plan.
Refreshments will be provided.
330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 . Phone:415-691-1200 . FAX:415-691-0485 E-mail:mrosd@netcom.com
Board ofDlrectors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey, Teena Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit
General Manager:L.Craig Britton
Distributed at October 30 , 1996 Special
Meeting by B. Crowder
F O R U M
Dispellino the Myth
Many believe the Park Service must balance two
incompatible missions: to protect resources and to
provide public access.
BY ROBIN WINKS
OR YFARS, advocates for and em- in such manner and by such means as lators who served on the committees.
ployees of the National Park Service will leave them unimpaired for the en- and thus one must obtain access m and
have complained that Congress,and joyment of future generations. examine the private papers of' those
through Congress the American Though the mandate contains no committee members.
people, created a contradictory reference to recreation, those who The act refers to enjoyment by fu-
mandate for the national parks. The favor large-scale access to the national ture generations,which arguably intro-
contradiction comes, they claim, from parks and who wish to promote out- duces an expectation of'changing defi-
requiring the Park Service to balance door recreational agendas invariably nitions of enjoyment by reference to
two incompatible missions: to preserve argue that the second charge in some the future. At no point is enjoyment
the resources placed in its charge equated with recreation, and it is
and to provide public access—and clearly circumscribed by "unim-
by extension, opportunities for out- \ 1 ' paired." The private papers of the
door recreation—throughout the - members of the Committee on
National Park System. Public Lands and of other relevant
Almost always, friends and critics committees make it clear that the
of the Park Service point to the Or- i two goals to which the act of 1916
ganic Act of 1916 as the source of I NATIONAL PARK ! ° refers were listed in order of im-
MAtJDAlr
the contradictory mandate.This ar CONSERVE NAvEPicNicS; portance. Further, the prevailing
II LAND & uFF C rules of rhetorical style, at which
gument is false on three grounds.
The act of 19 16 did not provide for 1 several members of the committees
two opposing goals; it is not the I ( �r ��� ; 1 G' were past masters, called for listing
only legislation by which the goals W f- _ _ desirable goals in a descending
of the Park Service were defined; j order of significance unless there
and it did not refer to public out- were many goals, in which case the
door recreation as a goal of the Na- most important would be placed
tional Park System. ""+ �J first and the second most important
The Organic Act established the �� % c might be used in conclusion.
I °r The first substantive discussion
nation's first professional park ser- �_ Y tl"
vice to promote and regulate the use of the purposes of a National Park
of federal areas known as "national A.I.TOOs Service took place in the House of
parks, monuments, and reservations" manner overrides the first. To test Representatives during hearings in
The service was to conserve the scenery whether this was the intent of Con- April 1912. Representatives discussed
and the natural and historic objects and gress, in the act of 1916 or in subse- how national parks would differ from
the wildlife within these units and to quent generic acts,requires a legislative national forests,whether all 12 existing
provide for the enjoyment of the same history. Such a history attempts to un- national parks were truly of national
derstand the intent of Congress by ex- significance, and whether duplication
ROBIN W. wINKS, a member of amining the act in question, all previ- of "scientific exhibits"was permissible
NPCA's board, is professor of history ous bills (including drafts where ob- or desirable in a genuinely systemic
and chairman of studies in the envi- tainable), all House and Senate debate, park system. Throughout testimom,
ronment at Yale University. He is all committee hearings, and any other members of Congress demonstrated "
completing a book,The Rise of printed records of the U.S.Congress by desire to see lands administered b� a
the National Ethic, that traces the which the act became law. One must park service as unique, nationally si-
distinctive nature of the park system. also understand the intent of the legis- nificant,and forming a coherent whc I
52 JUtY/ AUGUST 1996
�r
ratiher than a mere accumulation of ics added) for the enjoyment of future fence," that it was listing priorities for
more-or-less desirable land forms.Rep- generations." During hearings on this management in the order of their im-
resentatives also discussed the "auto- bill, many references were made to ac- portance,with no contradictory intent.
mobile question,"and the park point of cess, good roads, "national play- To be sure, the act of 1916 does list
ti-iew was to manage so as "not to de- grounds," and recreation, but none of two duties. The-Park Service has al-
stroy die scenic effect." these references is in the bill,and all are lowed them to become contradictory
Although the hill introduced in contradicted by the actual language of practice, Congress has confused itself
1912 never made it out of committee, the act. and the public as to the purpose of the
Congress would consider legislation to Congressman William Kent of Cali- national parks, and both Congress and
establish a park service in each of the fornia had introduced the Organic Act, the service appear to have forgotten the
next four years and his understanding of the purposes original intent,so that units that do not
During the 1914 discussion, repre- of national parks is quite clear from his attain genuine national significance
sentatives suggested the purpose of the private papers, his diaries, his manu- have been created to help with tourist
parks was to protect scenery.They dis- script autobiography, and his many development or to offer recreational
cussed what constitues"scenery,"draw- public statements. In 1915, in speaking opportunities. But these are mistaken
ing clearly on the accepted definitions management decisions -not in ketping
of the word as used in the Century Dictto- with the intent of the act. Directors of
nary and Cyclopedia, the favored reference i the Park Service have interpreted the act
of Congress at the time.This discussion from time to time, and Congress has
put considerable distance between the amended its intent, as expressed in
goals of the U.S. Forest Service and the 1916, in other omnibus hills involving
proposed Park Service. Even Chief The the park system, rnost especially in
Forester Henry S. Graves testified that act refers to en o ment 1970. 1976,and 1980.The act of 1970
national parks should be held to higher l y remarked upon the "increased national
standards of protection and scenic val- by future generations. idignity" both "individually and collec-
ues than any other public lands.He also At no point is enjoy- Lively" that the national parks enjoyed,
testified that they must be of clear na- so that an infringement upon one was
tional significance and that areas of"a ment equated with an infringement upon all. Congress
special scenic character"might begin as recreation, and it is may have muddied the waters some-
national monuments within the De- what, but the intent of the original act
partment ofAgriculture and then, upon ! Clearly circumscribed remains quite clear.
further study, become parks.The intent Recently the National Parks and
quite clearly was to provide a far more by unimpaired. Conservation Association has undertak-
stringent form of protection to any area en the compilation of all the acts by
that would be administered by a park in the House in favor of Rocky Moun- which each of the 369 units of the Na-
service. tain National Park, and in 1913, when tional Park System was created. Park su-
During the 1916 hearings, the proposing a Redwood National Park, perintendents who profess to be con-
phrase"national park system"was used he declared the preservation of scenery fused as to their mandate, who find it
for the first time, evoking the image of to be a "most valuable purpose,"draw- difficult to make management deci-
a systematic inventory of the nation's ing a distinction among national sions (whether to pave a road, to build
grandest scenic landscapes and natural forests, national monuments, and na- a new visitor center, to approve the use
and scientific curiosities. For the first tional parks,asserting that the last must in a national park of some shiny new
time, the notion of the parks as great be held"in a state of nature"where an- toy, whether snowmobile or powered
educational enterprises, places to imal life must be "forever free from boat), have two documents to which
which the public could come to learn molestation."Had Kent intended recre- they should turn and on which they
about nature, geology, fossils, and sedi- ational purposes for the parks, he sure- should base their decision.The hill by
mentation, was also discussed. In the ly would have said so, for he was a vice which an individual unit is created in-
end, this bill prevailed. It contained a president of the Playground and Recre- variably states the primary resource that
preamble framed by Frederick Law ation Association of America. the Park Service has been charged with
Olmsted, Jr. Olmsted's draft language In 1922 Kent commended the state- protecting. The act of 1916 makes it
was unequivocal: "The fundamental ob- ment that national parks must be main- clear that protection overrides all else.
ject of these aforesaid parks, monu- rained in a natural state "and not be Where access may be provided, where
ments, and reservations is to conserve marred by artificiality of any avoidable an enriched interpretation may he of-
the scenery and the natural and histori- kind." The act of 1916 was debated fered, without darnage to the resource,
cal objects therein and to provide for fully in the House, only briefly in the it rnay—indeed, perhaps should—be
the enjoyment of said scenery and ob- Senate, and an abundance of evidence provided: but never at the cost of risk to
jects by the public in any manner and by exists that Congress understood, in its the resource for which the unit was
any means that will lemr them unimpaired (ital- endorsement of the "governing sen- created. at
NATIONAL PARKS 53
RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED IT STAPP
Hoard President Acknowledge/Respond
Director Acknowledge/Respond
Staff Acknowledge/Respond
• Draft Response Attached
Linda V. Elkind Staff to ba Directed Co Prepare Draft
14 Hawk View Response far board Consideration par
Hoard Directives)
Portola Valley, CA 94028 No Response Necessary
October 23, 1996
Board President, Nonette Hanko and Members of the Board
MROSD
330 Distel Drive
Los Altos, CA 94022
Dear Board President, Nonette Hanko, and Members of the Board,
I am writing some comments as my way of participating in the October 30
workshop on district policy revisions. Due to a conflict I will not be able to attend
the workshop. However, I have reviewed the document which outlines the
existing policies and revision language which is to be considered.
Basic Policies Brochure: Introduction.
I recommend adoption of The language sited as from (Open Space
Acquisition Policies, pg. 3. ) It is in the left hand column. My reasons are:
1. It is concise, specific and comprehensive.
2. It states the concept of low-intensity recreation and nature
appreciation up front.
Mission Statement. I totally support the mission expressed in the mission
statement.
I recommend version 2, from staff workshops 4/9 and 4117. My reason is:
It is the most concise, specific and comprehensive.
Objectives. I recommend adoption of the existing language which is in the left
hand column of the document. This is preferable because it states the regional
greenbelt intent of MROSD's program.
Policies/District Purpose: I recommend adoption of the paragraph on the left
hand side of the page. I believe that this is more consistent with the mission
and clearly states an important concern of the MROSD to avoid high intensity
use recreation.
Strategic Emphasis: I recommend keeping the existing language. In particular,
it is important to reiterate that the goal is to acquire lands. The alternate
language is weaker when it says the "primary thrust of District policy..."
Open Space Acquisition(Eminent Domain): The paragraph on the right side of
the page is clear. However, I urge that you change the wording as follows:
"The power of eminent domain will be used only in those instances
where all reasonable attempts at voluntary negotiations fail and the
parcel in question is necessary to the open space program of the
District."
Resource Management. I strongly recommend readopting the existing
(Resource Management Mission Statement) which appears in the left hand
column. I think that the newly proposed language under public access, cost
constraints is much weaker than the original statements.
It is important to make a strong, concise and clear statement about access and
constraints. The original language does that very well and is extremely
important because, the demand for increased recreation facilities will sky rocket
with the population growth in our region. Land acquisition and preservation will
continue to be more difficult. Maintenance of existing facilities will consume
ever greater amounts of the districts funds.
Recreational Use and Improvements. Paragraph d. Please adopt the language
in the left hand column. Do not make the statement that * initial development
will be primarily for low-intensity recreation..." This is too weak and suggests,
may even be interpreted, as an invitation to expand the districts responsibilities
to provide more recreation. To state that the improvements should be limited to
5% of the District's income in the first 10 years will siphon away acquisition
money.
In addition, I advice against leasing or selling land and facilities to other
agencies. The track record of land management by other agencies is poor.
Often the other agency is not sufficiently dedicated to preserving the natural
resource values of the land or lacks the funds to do so. Meanwhile, the district
will have to oversee the lease and may not have the leverage and resources to
do so. The land and the people lose. There are numerous egregious examples
of misused County Park land along Coyote Creek, for example. These lands
were delegated to San Jose for park and recreation purposes.
In conclusion: please adopt language which uncompromisingly supports open
space acquisition and preservation with limited passive recreation and minimal
or no facilities.
Sincerely,
1
RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF
Board President Acknowledge/Respond
3Kain, 0$ :0 6 A1K l O j2 g`9 6, 12egionaZ�pen Space Director Acknowledge/Respond
Staff Aeknowledge/Respond
Date : Tue, 29 Oct 96 08 : 06 : 29 PST Draft Response Attached
From: "BKain" <bkain@mdyn. com> Staff to be Directed to Prepare Draft
R capon s• for Board Consideration per
To : mrosd@openspace .org
Board Directive(a)
Subject : Regional Open Space Plan No Response Necessary
Dear Board of Directors,
ROMP wanted to pass on a few comments in light of the upcoming public
meeting, on the development of a "Regional Open Space Plan" .
There are many Mountain Cyclists in the area with diverse needs in
terms of trails and trail locations . Below is a brief summary of the
needs of a Mountain Cyclists .
Provide for a variety of mountain cycling trail experiences and ride
lengths . Some examples are :
1 Trails close to urban area and trails through more rugged and
undeveloped environments
2 Wide double track and narrow twisty single track trails
3 Short loops, long loops, and regional trail connectors
We understand that not every user is a Mountain Cyclists and not every
trail will be open to cycling. We respect the right of other users to
have trails that will provide other types of experiences . That is OK.
We also believe that the majority of trails should be multi-use trails
open to hiking, horseback riding, and mouton biking. We strongly
believe that any policy should include Mountain Cycling as one of the
three main uses of the land and guarantee that all trail decisions
will be made based on objective criteria, in a fair and impartial
manner.
Thank you for your stewardship of some of the best lands in the San
Francisco Bay Area.
Bob Kain
ROMP President
Prin-�ed—for Fig com Smit <mrosopenspace.org>
Draft Basic policy Revision BASIC POLICIES BROCHURE
INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION
"...to try to save for everyone. . . . some Open space is defined as land or water
of the health that flows down across the area that either remains in its natural
green ridges from the Skyline, and some state or is used for agriculture or
of the beauty and refreshment of spirit that otherwise essentially undeveloped.
are still available to any resident of the Open space provides protection for
valley who has a moment. . . . to lift up areas of particular scenic beauty and
his eyes unto the hills." enhances the survival prospects for
endangered plant and animal species.
-Wallace Stegner It enhances public safety through the
minimization of flood erosion,
Open ice: landslide, earthquake, and fire hazards.
It provides room for production of
• Is land area that is allowed to remain food. It can help shape urban growth
in or return to its natural state. Some and thus provide a more livable and
efficient urban environment. In short,
open space lands may be used for
compatible agriculture. open space means "room to breathe".
• Protects areas of scenic beauty and
preserves natural habitats necessary to
sustain plant and animal life, especially
native and endangered species.
• Offers opportunities to the public for
education, recreation, and renewal of
spirit.
• Improves public safety by preventing
development of areas prone to
landslides, earthquake damage,
flooding, and wildland fires.
• Establishes boundaries for urban
growth, provides a respite from urban
living, and enhances regional quality of
life.
In short, open space is "room to breathe."
(An alternative Introduction prepared by a
subconuniuee consisting of Carleen Bruins,
Dennis Danielson, and Craig Beckman.)
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i
Draft Basic Policy Revision 818/96
BASIC POLICIES BROCHUW
INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION
Open space is defined as land area that peen space is defined as land or water
remains in its natural state, is used for compatible agriculture, and, in some area that either remains in its natural cases, developed land that is returned to a otherwise essentially state or is used fora agriculture or
undeveloped.
natural state. Open space provides peen space provides protection r
protection for plant and animal �� of particular scenic beau and
communities, including endangered enhance survival prospects or
species, and for areas of particular scenic P �
beauty. It enhances public safety by endangered plant and animal species.
minimizing flooding, erosion, landslide, It enhances public safety through the
earthquake, and fire hazards. It can help minimization of flood erosion,
guide urban growth and thus provide a landslide, earthquake, and fire hazards.
more liveable and sustainable urban It provides room for production of
environment. It provides opportunities to food. It can help shape urban growth
the public for low-intensity outdoor and thus provide a more livable and
recreation and appreciation of nature. In efficient urban environment. In short,
short, open space means "room to open space means "room to breathe".
breathe." (See Open Space Acquisition
Policies, Pg 3).
MISSION STATEMENT
The District's mission is:
(version 1,from 1127 workshop)
To acquire and protect open space land
in perpetuity; preserve and restore the
integrity of natural resources; and
provide opportunities for public
enjoyment and education consistent with
open space educational values.
(version 2,from staff workshops 419 and
4117)
To acquire and preserve a regional
greenbelt of open space land in
perpetuity; protect and restore the
integrity of the natural environment;
and provide opportunities for public
enjoyment and education, consistent
with ecological values.
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OBJECTIVES OBJECTIVES
1. The District will purchase or
1. Open Space Land Preservation: The otherwise acquire interest in the
District will purchase or otherwise maximum feasible amount of
acquire interest in the maximum feasible strategic open space land within the
area of strategic* open space land within
bR Pe Pa Dis
trict, includi
ng ding baylands and
the District, including baylands and foothills.
foothills. The goal is to preserve a
regional greenbelt of open space lands,
linking District lands with federal, state,
county, and city parklands and
watershed lands. * (See Open Space
Acquisition Policies, Pgs. 2 - 6).
Policies Policies
District Purpose District Purpose
a. As an open space agency, the District's a• The District will function as an
open space agency. Its primary
primary purpose will be to preserve open purpose will be to preserve open space;
space; development and operation of use- traditional development of park and
intensive park and recreation facilities will recreation areas will remain within the
remain within the province of the local, province of the cities and the counties.
state, and federal park systems. (See
Master Plan/Open Space Acquisition
Policies, Pg. 3; Land Acquisition Policies,
Pg. 3, Par. F.)
Strategic Emphasis Strategic Emphasis
b. The District will use its available b. The District will use its available
resources primarily to acquire or otherwise resources primarily to acquire open
preserve land outside the Urban Service space outside the Urban Service Area
boundaries of the cities. This policy
Area boundaries of cities that has would allow some acquisition of key
regionally significant open space value and open space within the Urban Service
that might be lost to development if the Area. The District's priority will be to
District fails to act. (See Master use its limited resources to acquire
Plan/Open Space Acquisition Policies, Pg. interest in parcels having high open
6.) space value which might be developed
if the District fails to act.
-2-
The District's goal is to acquire lands The primary thrust of District policy
within its own boundaries and Sphere of will be to acquire lands within its own
Influence. Acquisitions outside the boundaries. The District will consider
District's boundaries will be considered acquisitions outside the District only it
only if exceptional purchase opportunities exceptional purchase opportunities arise
arise that clearly support the District's that clearly would accrue to the benefit
mission. (See Land Acquisition Policies, of the District.
Pg. 3.)
Open Space Acquisition Acquisition in Fee, Development
Rights, Easements, Leaseback, Gifts,
c. The District will acquire land most Grants, Life Estates, Condemnation
often through fee simple interest, (outright
ownership). Options and installment c. The District will acquire direct
purchases will be employed to this end. interest in land, probably most often
To conserve funding for preservation, the through fee interest, that is outright
District will seek to preserve open space ownership. Options and installment
without outright ownership of the land. purchases will be employed to this end,
The District will act as a land bank The District will act as a land bank
through acquisition of less than fee interest through acquisition of less than fee
to accomplish the same results with less interest to accomplish the same results
immediate expenditure of the District's with less immediate expenditure of the
funds. Examples include acquisition of a District's funds. For example,
remainder interest with life tenancy for the acquisition of a remainder interest with
owner; open space, conservation, or scenic life tenancy for the owner will allow
easements; and purchase and leaseback current use of the land to continue with
arrangements. The District will actively no expenditure for land management.
strive to acquire open space through gifts Open space, conservation, or scenic
and matching grants. Gifts of land with easements will be acquired. Where
life tenancy will be encouraged. Other agriculture is at least marginally
creative open space preservation profitable, purchase and leaseback
techniques will be explored and developed arrangements will be used in some
when possible. (See Land Acquisition cases. The District will actively strive
Policies, Pgs. 5 - 10.) to acquire open space through gifts and
matching grants. Gifts of land with
life tenancy will be encouraged. Other
creative open space preservation
techniques will be explored and
developed.
-3-
e
The District desires to acquire open space The power of eminent domain will be
from willing sellers. Eminent domain may used only in those instances where all
be used only within the District's reasonable attempts at voluntary
boundaries and sphere of influence in those negotiations fail and the parcel in
instances where all reasonable attempts at question is central to the open space
voluntary negotiations have failed, the program of the District. Any
property in question is necessary to the contemplated condemnation action will
District's open space program; and where include a full public hearing. As in all
there are no feasible current or prospective condemnation procedures, fair market
alternate acquisitions that would achieve value as decided by a jury and based
the District's objectives. (See Polices on adequate appraisals will be paid by
Regarding Use of Eminent Domain, the District.
Ordinance No. 86-1.)
Master Plan, Regional Open Space Plan Master Plan
d. To guide the District's open space d. As a guide to appropriate land
preservation efforts, the District will acquisition, the District will develop a
publish a master plan and a regional open master plan, which will be published.
space plan. The master plan sets forth the This plan will set forth the District's
District's acquisition policies and shows acquisition policies and priorities and
the relative priorities for potential open will be subject to periodic review and
space land acquisitions. The regional open modification by the Board of Directors
space plan shows the general configuration after public hearings. The master plan
and features of the completed greenbelt. will be submitted to the counties and
Both plans will be subject to periodic cities for review and comment in order
review and modification by the Board of to assure compatibility with their
Directors after public hearings. Both plans General Plans.
will be submitted to the counties, cities,
and other conservation-oriented local,
state, and federal agencies and
organizations for review and comment in
order to encourage consistency with their
plans.
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i
2. Inter-Agency Relationships: The ''
District will work with and encourage
private and other public agencies to 2• The District will work with and
preserve, maintain, and enhance open encourage private and other public
agencies to preserve, maintain, and
space. enhance open space.
Policies Policies
Cooperation Cooperation
a. The District will promote and a. The District will promote
encourage cooperation between cooperation with and encourage
governmental agencies, private governmental agencies, privateorganizations, and individuals to
organizations, individuals, and the District preserve open space.
to preserve open space. (See Open Space
Acquisition Policies, Pgs. 9, 10.) Participation
Participation b. The District will participate in the
formulation of land use plans of other
b. The District will participate in the agencies that affect the District.
formulation of land use plans of other
agencies that affect the District. Joint Actions
Joint Projects C. The District will explore and
engage in joint actions in order to
maximize the opportunities for
C. The District will explore and engage in preservation of open space. For
projects joint 'ects to maximize the
P
example, in some cases the counties or
opportunities for reservation of o
ppo P pen other governmental agencies may have
space. Examples include interagency land resources available to commit to land
management agreements, joint planning or management or to park development
research studies, and joint acquisition, but not to acquisition, and the District
improvement, or resource management may acquire the affected land or water
projects. area. In other instances, the District
will support joint studies that appear to
Advocacy afford the most economical means of
. d. The District will encourage and gathering data needed to make an
acquisition decision.
advocate preservation of open space by
other governmental agencies, such as the Advocacy
cities and the counties which, unlike the
District, have zoning powers to aid in this d. The District will propose and urge
protection. Serving as an advocate for the preservation of open space to other
protection of the area's natural governmental agencies, such as the
environmental resources, the District will cities and the counties which, unlike
support and encourage community groups, the District, have zoning powers to aid
non-profits and other conservation oriented in this protection. It will also serve as
groups in their efforts to urge other an advocate for the protection of the
agencies to take actions consistent with the area's natural environmental resources,
goals of the District. The District will lend support to those
groups which are urging other agencies
to take actions consistent with the goals
of the District.
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v►
3. The District will follow a land
3. Open Space Management: The management policy that provides
District will follow an the management proper care of open space land,
policy that ensures proper care of the allowing public access appropriate to
land, that provides public access the nature of the land and consistent
appropriate to the nature of the land with ecological values.
and consistent with ecological values,
and public safety. (See Resource Policies
Management Policies)
Preservation
Policies a. Careful planning and great care will
be taken to protect the natural beauty
Resource Management and ecological balance of the lands of
the District.
a. The District will protect and restore the Good Neighbor Policy
diversity and integrity of its resources for
their value to the environment, and to b. The District will make every effort
people, and will provide for the use of the to be a "good neighbor" to other
preserves consistent with resource property owners. Adequate patrol,
protection. (Resource Management maintenance, and public education will
Mission Statement) be provided to minimize fire hazards,
litter, noise, erosion, unsound use of
Public Access and Constraints the land, disturbance of wildlife and
b. The District will provide public access vegetation, and trespassing.
to the open space lands for low-intensity Public Access Cost Constraints
recreational uses. The District's highest Environmental Constraints, Other
priority is preserving land to complete the Constraints, Permitted Access
greenbelt, the development of facilities to
meet the demands of increased public use c. With certain limitations, the District
will require funding that would otherwise will allow public access to its lands.
be available for acquisition. (See Resource Because no agency in this area has
Management Policies) contemplated acquiring open space in
such quantity so close to urban areas,
the financial resources required for
maintenance of acquired lands will be
an important consideration. It is clear
that the more funds are expended in
development of facilities and
supervision of public access, the less
will be available for acquisition. This
constraint will necessitate limited types
and quantity of access on at least some
of the lands of the District. Some
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Developing facilities and managing public lands will be banked for a period of
use activities while protecting natural time prior to opening to public use.
resources and providing for public safety Areas found to be vital wildlife or
may require limits on access to some open plant habitats will be designated as
space lands. In addition to protection of refuge areas, and in these areas access
sensitive natural resources, factors that will be severely restricted. Safety
may delay or limit access include the factors such as dangerous physical
carrying capacity of the land, restoration conditions will necessitate limited
efforts, the ability to plan and implement access in some areas. Agricultural
trails, parking, restrooms, mapboards and land will also require restricted public
signs, and identification and mitigation of use. In some cases use will be
potential safety hazards. regulated by a permit system. In
general, access will be allowed
Agricultural, residential, and other according to the availability of facilities
enterprise (revenue producing) uses of the and supervision essential to the
land may limit public access in certain intended use, and according to the
areas. Where appropriate, access may be carrying capacity of the land. Use will
provided on a permit basis. be open to everyone regardless of place
of residence.
The District will strive to provide public
access to its lands to everyone, regardless
of place of residence, physical abilities, or
economic status. (See Access Plan for
Persons with Disabilities)
Public Safety
c. The District will monitor and manage
its preserves to provide a safe environment
for visitors and neighbors. (See Good
Neighbor Policy, District Land Use
Regulations.)
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Recreational Use and Improvements Recreation, Cost Limits, Cooperative
Efforts
d. Improvements on District lands will
generally be limited to facilities (ie: d. Initial development will be
parking areas, trails and patrol roads, primarily for low-intensity recreation
restrooms, mapboards, and signs) for low- such as hiking, riding, grass
intensity recreational uses. Low-intensity picnicking, photography, and nature
recreation includes hiking, horseback study. Because of the commitment to
riding, bicycling, informal picnicking, maximum acquisition efforts, initial
photography, and nature study. Low- expenditures on recreational
intensity recreation avoids concentration of improvements will be limited to not
use or designation of areas exclusively for more than 5% of the District's income
one use, significant alteration of the land, in the first 14 years. The District will
and significant impact on the natural seek arrangements with other
resources or on the appreciation of nature. governmental agencies whereby the
(See Resource Management Policies) other agencies will provide some or all
development of facilities and
Special use facilities, (i.e. nature centers, supervision of public access. This can
historic structures, picnic tables, or include making land available to other
backpack camps), and special use activities agencies by long term lease, sale, or
(i.e. large recreation events, hang gliding, similar arrangement. The District will
or off-leash dog areas), will be considered insure that such development will
on a case by case basis. These types of protect important natural values of the
uses may be allowed when they do not open space.
monopolize significant areas of natural
land, do not significantly impact natural or
aesthetic resources, and provide benefits
such as environmental education, heritage
resource protection, or public enjoyment
and appreciation of nature. The cost of
management of these types of facilities and
activities will be a factor in deciding
whether to permit them on District lands.
Because of the District's commitment to
maximum open space preservation efforts,
expenditure guidelines will be established
for the amount of funding available for
recreational improvement projects and
restoration activities.
The District will work cooperatively with
other governmental agencies and
organizations to facilitate development and
management of recreation facilities and of
public use. The District will ensure that
such development is consistent with
protection of important natural values of
the open space.
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Cultural Resources
e. Historic structures and sites will be
protected by the District where they are
associated with lands acquired for overall
open space values. Due to the high cost of
evaluating, managing, and restoring such
facilities, the District will depend on grant
assistance, public-private partnerships, and
outside assistance to support these
activities. Sites will be evaluated for
archaeological resources prior to any new
use or improvement which might impact
the site. Archaeological resources will be
evaluated, protected, and made known to
the public as appropriate to ensure their
preservation. (See Resource Management
Policies)
Agriculture and Enterprise Use Agriculture
f. Agricultural use of District land, such e. Where feasible, agricultural use
as grazing, timber harvest, orchards, and will be sustained and encouraged.
vineyards may be allowed when it does not
utilize significant areas of natural land,
does not significantly impact natural or
aesthetic resources, does not unreasonably
restrict public access, and provides
benefits such as heritage resource
protection, fire hazard reduction, or
income to the District. Limited enterprise
(revenue-producing) use of District land,
such as rental residences, communications
antennas, or special commercial use such
as filming, will be allowed when it meets
the above standards. (See Resource
Management Policies, Goals 10 and 11.)
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Research
g. The District will support the
development of scientific knowledge about
natural and cultural resources and
management techniques through
cooperative arrangements with educational
and scientific institutions, and by
supporting research on which to base its
management and improvement decisions.
Such studies shall not unreasonably restrict
public access or significantly impact the
environment.
Neighbor Relations
h. In both the day-today conduct of its
business and in the long-range planning for
public open space preserves, the District
shall make every effort to cooperate with
preserve neighbors, to take into account
their perspectives, to fully address their
concerns, and to engage and involve them
in the process of making decisions
regarding the preserves of which they are
neighbors. Active management, patrol,
maintenance, and public education will be
provided to minimize threats to public
safety, fire hazards, litter, noise, erosion,
unsound use of the land, disturbance of
wildlife and vegetation, and trespassing.
(See Good Neighbor Policy, Public
Notification Policies, District Land Use
Regulations)
4. The District will educate and
4. Public Involvement: The District make clearly visible to the public the
will educate and make clearly visible to purposes and actions of the District,
the public the purposes and actions of and will actively encourage public
the District, and will actively encourage communication and involvement in
public input and involvement in the District activities.
District's decision-making process and
other activities. (See Rules of Procedure,
Notification Policies, Land Acquisition
Policies, Pgs. 15, 16)
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Policies
Public Information Information Dissemination
a. The District will work through a a. The District will work through a
variety of means and media to inform the variety of avenues, including
public of the District's goals and newspapers and other mass
objectives, its short and long-term plans, communications media, brochures,
the critical need for open space speakers, and the schools, to inform
preservation, and the appropriate use of the public of the critical need for open
District lands. This information shall be space preservation and the appropriate
disseminated to the widest possible use of District lands as they open to
constituency throughout the District. the public. Landowners and potential
Land-owners and potential donors will be donors will be adequately informed of
adequately informed of the District's the District's purpose and goals, and of
purpose and goals, and of the possible the possible methods of preserving land
methods of preserving land as open space. as open space.
Meeting Procedures visibility
b. The District will diligently follow the b. The District will work in the open,
provisions of the Ralph M. Brown Act making its actions and motives clearly
regarding open meeting procedures, and visible to its constituency. In order tu:
will be guided by its enabling legislation insure fair prices to the public and
under the state Public Resources Code, maintain the confidentiality the owner
Article 3, Division 5, Chapter 3, Section requires, the District will often have to
5500. The District will encourage and wait until proposed terms of sale have
welcome public participation at its been negotiated before announcing its
meetings and make its actions, intents, and interest in acquiring a particular parcel.
decisions clearly visible to its constituency. Then the Board of Directors will ask
for public comment before finally
Public Input deciding to purchase specific proper
c. The District will encourage and Communication
welcome communication from the public
by being as accessible to the public as c. The District will encourage
possible and by regularly soliciting public communication from the public in three
comments about what the District should principal areas. First, the staff and
be accomplishing and how it should Board will strive to be as accessible
proceed. (See Public Notification and the public as possible. Second, public
Goad Neighbor policies.) comments about what the District
should be accomplishing and how it
should proceed will be encouraged.
And third, the District will seek frorr,
the public at large information
concerning specific parcels of land to
aid in making acquisition decisions.
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Participation Participation
d. The District will seek to involve the d. The District will seek to involve
public in the operation and decision- the public in the operation of the
making of the District and in general District and in general planning for
planning for acquisition and future use of acquisition and future use of open
open space lands through special space lands.
workshops, committees and task forces,
and public outreach activities. Through
staff and volunteer programs, the District 5. The staff will administer the
will provide environmental education and affairs of the District in behalf of the
foster public appreciation of open space public so as to maximize
values. accomplishment of the goals of the
District within existing financial
constraints.
5. Administration: The staff will
administer the affairs of the District on
behalf of the public so as to maximize Policies
accomplishment of the goals of the
District within existing financial Cost Constraints
constraints.
a. Because the District is committed
to maximum acquisition effort, it will
Policies keep administrative expenses low by
operating with a limited staff and by
Cost Constraints utilizing the help of already existing
governmental and private agencies and
a. Because the District is committed to contractual services.
maximum preservation effort, it will limit
administrative expense growth by Professional Organization
following an average annual operating
expenses growth guideline, and by b. The District will employ a highly
utilizing the help of other governmental capable and professional staff and
agencies, private entities, contractual provide them with the facilities and
services, and volunteers. resources needed to run an efficient
and responsible organization.
Professional Organization
1
i
b. The District employs a highly capable p
Ado ted March 27, 1974
and professional staff and provides them
with the facilities and resources needed to Revised May 1, 1980
run an efficient and responsible
organization.
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