COASTAL CONSERVANCY. Staff Recommendation October 18, 2012 MOUNT MADONNA COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION

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1 COASTAL CONSERVANCY Staff Recommendation October 18, 2012 MOUNT MADONNA COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION Project No Project Manager: Jeff Melby RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorization to disburse up to $750,000 to the Peninsula Open Space Trust for acquisition of the 490-acre Mount Madonna County Park Area property in Santa Clara County. LOCATION: West of the City of Gilroy and adjacent to Mount Madonna County Park in unincorporated Santa Clara County. PROGRAM CATEGORY: San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy EXHIBITS Exhibit 1: Project Location and Site Maps Exhibit 2: Project Photographs Exhibit 3: Conservation Lands Network Analysis Exhibit 4: Project Letters RESOLUTION AND FINDINGS: Staff recommends that the State Coastal Conservancy adopt the following resolution pursuant to Sections of the Public Resources Code: The State Coastal Conservancy hereby authorizes the disbursement of up to $750,000 (seven hundred fifty thousand dollars) to Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) for acquisition of the 490-acre Mount Madonna County Park Area property (Santa Clara County Assessor s Parcel Numbers , , , , and ), more particularly described in Exhibit 1, attached to the accompanying staff recommendation, for the purposes of preserving open space, scenic resources, plant and wildlife communities, and other natural resources; protecting watersheds; and enabling natural resource-compatible public access. This authorization is subject to the following conditions: 1. Prior to disbursement of any Conservancy funds, POST shall submit for review and approval by the Executive Officer of the Conservancy ( the Executive Officer ): a. All relevant acquisition documents including but not limited to the appraisal, environmental assessments, agreement of purchase and sale, easements, escrow Page 1 of 8

2 MOUNT MADONNA COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION instructions, title reports and documents of title necessary for the purchase of the property. b. Evidence that there is legal access to the property from a public road. c. Evidence that POST possesses sufficient funds to complete the acquisition. d. A stewardship plan, budget, and schedule describing the actions that POST will take, prior to the anticipated future transfer of the property to Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department (County Parks), to monitor and maintain existing natural resources on the property, any natural resource-compatible public access, and any grazing proposed for the property. e. A plan showing the design and placement of signs acknowledging Conservancy funding for the acquisition. 2. POST shall pay no more than fair market value for the property, as established in an appraisal approved by the Executive Officer. 3. POST shall permanently dedicate the property for the purposes of preserving open space, scenic resources, plant and wildlife communities, and other natural resources; protecting watersheds, and enabling natural resource-compatible public access in an instrument acceptable to the Executive Officer, consistent with Public Resources Code Section 31116(b). 4. POST shall submit a written monitoring report to the Executive Officer before close of escrow for the property acquisition, and at five-year intervals thereafter for as long as it holds a property interest. The report shall state the existing property conditions with respect to preserving open space, scenic resources, plant and wildlife communities, and other natural resources, protecting watersheds, and enabling natural resource-compatible public access. Staff further recommends that the Conservancy adopt the following findings: Based on the accompanying staff report and attached exhibits, the State Coastal Conservancy hereby finds that: 1. The proposed project is consistent with the current Project Selection Criteria and Guidelines. 2. The proposed authorization is consistent with the purposes and objectives of Chapter 4.5 of Division 21 of the Public Resources Code, regarding the San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program. 3. POST is a nonprofit organization existing under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, and whose purposes are consistent with Division 21 of the Public Resources Code. PROJECT SUMMARY: Staff is recommending that the Conservancy authorize the disbursement of up to $750,000 (seven hundred fifty thousand dollars) to POST for acquisition of the 490-acre Mount Madonna County Park Area property in Santa Clara County (the Property) (see Exhibit 1), for the purposes of preserving open space, scenic resources, plant and wildlife communities, and other natural Page 2 of 8

3 MOUNT MADONNA COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION resources; protecting watersheds; and enabling public access that is compatible with those purposes. Acquisition of the Property is a priority for Conservancy assistance because the Property is prominent in a County Scenic Road viewshed, is biologically rich and diverse, and is anticipated to become an important addition to Mount Madonna County Park (County Park)(see Exhibit 1). The Property is located along a proposed north-south corridor within the southern end of the Santa Cruz Mountains that has the potential to link more than 24,000 acres of properties that are already protected, or anticipated for future protection, for wildlife and sensitive habitats. It is located adjacent to the major protected land within that area, the 3,688-acre Mount Madonna County Park. Linking large privately-owned properties in the area such as the Property to protected areas like Mount Madonna County Park will play a critical role in maintaining connectivity for species that require vast home ranges, like mountain lions, especially as the adjacent area continues to face pressures from large-scale residential development. The Property is regionally significant from both a recreational and natural resource standpoint. Its location adjacent to the County Park creates an opportunity to link and expand the recreational trail network. The site possesses an abundance of natural resources, consisting of a mix of montane hardwoods, coast live oak woodlands, redwood/conifer forest and grassland (including serpentine grassland and wildflowers at higher elevations). Of additional importance is the presence of 0.5 miles of Little Arthur Creek, a perennial creek that flows into Uvas Creek and ultimately the Pajaro River and is one of the most productive spawning streams in Santa Clara County for steelhead trout, a federally threatened species. Protection of the Property would protect this habitat, along with other plant and animal species that depend on these lands for survival. The project will help implement open space and watershed protection goals and objectives of the Conservancy s Strategic Plan, further the Conservancy s long-standing efforts to assist with open space protection, and implement State and regional plans as follows: Bay Area Conservation Lands Network (CLN; also known as Upland Habitat Goals): The CLN is a science-based assessment tool created by multiple agencies, and used to identify priorities for conservation of large blocks of lands needed to preserve biodiversity in the Bay Area. The Conservancy helped fund creation of the CLN by the Bay Area Open Space Council. Applying the geographic information systems database and analytical tools of the CLN indicates that 477 acres of the Property is designated in the CLN as an area Essential to Conservation Goals, which is the highest priority for conservation. Among the vegetation conservation targets that protection of the Property would help accomplish are those for regionally important serpentine hardwoods and montane hardwoods (Exhibit 3). Santa Clara County Countywide Trails Master Plan: This plan identified a 0.5-mile route through the Property that would connect to the trails in Mount Madonna County Park, and ultimately to other regional parkland in the area. Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (Draft) (HCP/NCCP): The HCP/NCCP is a regional partnership among six local partners and three wildlife agencies that looks at habitat resources on a large scale basis and identifies mitigation measures to protect sensitive habitat, while allowing for orderly development and public agency activities. The HCP, which will be finalized soon, covers approximately 520,000 acres, encompassing all of southern Santa Clara County, including the area where the Property is located. The Property is identified as part of the County s Preferred Reserve Strategy within Page 3 of 8

4 MOUNT MADONNA COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION the HCP area and is noted in the HCP for containing nine to ten habitat types out of the total twenty-one total species covered under the HCP. This project advances the Conservancy s goals by protecting 490 acres of uplands wildlife habitat, connecting corridors and scenic areas of regional significance. This acquisition is an important step in realizing the vision of a contiguous north-south wildlife corridor and regional trail system within the western hills of Santa Clara County from Coyote Valley to the Pajaro River. Consistent with a signed letter of intent setting forth the agreed upon $3.85 million purchase price and other key terms for this transaction, POST entered into an option agreement with the landowner on June 27, Under this agreement, POST has two exclusive options, exercised separately, allowing further time to line up funding sources and an agency partner (anticipated to be County Parks) to whom to transfer ownership of the Property. The first option (Phase I) must be exercised by mid-september 2012, and will allow POST to acquire the three western parcels of the Property s five total parcels (see Exhibit 1), totaling 260 acres, by November 13, 2012 for $2 million. POST will then have 18 months from that date to acquire the remaining two parcels, totaling 230 acres, for $1.85 million (Phase II). County Parks has expressed interest in contributing funding to POST s acquisition of this property for some time, and had even attempted negotiation directly with the landowner to acquire the Property prior to POST s involvement, given its adjacency to Mount Madonna County Park and inclusion in the County s Master Trails Plan. Recently, County Parks staff stated their interest in approaching its Board to seek funding for up to half of the total purchase price. Additionally, the Resources Legacy Fund has expressed interest in funding 25% of the first option through the Living Landscapes Initiative Grant Program, and also potentially 25% of the second option (thus, $500,000 for Phase 1 and $462,500 for Phase II, respectively). POST is also approaching the Wildlife Conservation Board to seek a funding contribution, given the property s high level of importance within the Department of Fish and Game s regional planning priorities. During POST s ownership of the Property, County Parks would likely assume all management responsibilities until it is able to purchase the Property from POST for permanent protection and management. POST has successfully implemented this acquisition partnership structure on two other acquisitions in Santa Clara County (Rancho San Vicente adjacent to Calero County Parks and Clark Canyon Ranch adjacent to Mount Madonna County Park). The Conservancy has worked with POST on numerous projects in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Given POST s staff capabilities and track record, POST is well-suited to take on this large, complex acquisition. Further, POST is uniquely willing to take on the risk of acquiring the Property, in part with its own capital funds, in order to accommodate the anticipated but by no means guaranteed future purchase by County Parks. Site Description: The Property consists of five contiguous parcels of hillside land located adjacent to Mount Madonna County Park. The Property s abundance of natural resources makes it a high priority for conservation. It is a mix of montane hardwood forest and coast live oak woodland, and also contains grasslands and some soils and wildflowers at higher elevations. Specifically, it contains 42 acres of serpentine hardwoods, 229 acres of montane hardwoods and Page 4 of 8

5 MOUNT MADONNA COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION 205 acres of coast live oak forest. There are also a number of significant redwood forest tracts on the Property. The Property contains 0.5 miles of Little Arthur Creek, a perennial creek that is one of the most productive spawning streams for the federally threatened steelhead trout in Santa Clara County. Wildlife on the Property include deer, raccoons, possums, coyote, foxes, bobcats and mountain lions, as well as doves, quail, and smaller birds of prey and an occasional Golden Eagle. Migratory birds include band-tail pigeons, which roost in the redwood trees on the summit. With over 0.5 mile of frontage along Redwood Retreat Road, a County Scenic Road, the Property has a high scenic value. Since the upland portion of the Property is close to the boundary of the County Park, nearly 1,000 acres of the County Park lie within a one-mile radius of the Property s high point. Project History: The current landowner purchased the Property in 1973 with several partners, and acquired sole ownership in He does not live on the Property, and its current and historic use is open space and private recreation. Santa Clara County Parks has expressed interest to POST in the Property for some time, given the Property s adjacency to the County Park and inclusion in the County s Trails Master Plan, as well as its abundant natural resources. County Parks purchased 17 acres of frontage on Redwood Retreat Road from the landowner several decades ago. The County began negotiations with the landowner in the early 2000s to purchase the 490-acre Property, but was not successful and in 2009, asked POST to step in. After numerous discussions and negotiations regarding price, POST and the landowner came to an agreement in late April 2012 on a purchase price for the Property of $3,850,000, as embodied in a letter of intent. Consistent with the letter of intent, POST then entered into an option agreement with the landowner on June 27, In 2008, with assistance from POST, the Conservancy provided a $4,340,000 grant, partly reimburseable, to the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority to acquire the 865-acre Blair Ranch, adjacent to the Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, in the general vicinity of the Property. The Blair Ranch property is now part of that Preserve, and beyond it a complex of connected preserves that will facilitate a proposed trail and wildlife corridor connecting Calero, Almaden Quicksilver, Uvas Reservoir, and Uvas Canyon county parks, as well as Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve PROJECT FINANCING Coastal Conservancy $750, Resources Legacy Fund 962, Santa Clara County Parks 1,387, Wildlife Conservation Board 750, Total Project Costs $3,850, The anticipated source of Conservancy funds is the FY 2008 appropriation to the Conservancy from the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Page 5 of 8

6 MOUNT MADONNA COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION Protection Bond Act of 2006 ( Proposition 84, Public Resources Code Sections et seq.). Proposition 84 funds are available for all San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program projects that protect and restore natural habitat values of coastal watershed lands, including projects that protect land through acquisition (Public Resources Code sections 75005(m) and 75060(c)). Acquisition of the Property by POST will protect the natural habitat values of the Property, which is in the Pajaro River/Monterey Bay watershed. Proposition 84 also requires that, for acquisition projects that protect natural resources, the Conservancy give priority to projects that meet at least one of the criteria specified in Section The proposed acquisition satisfies four of the five specific criteria because the project will: link protected habitat areas of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains, facilitating wildlife movement and resulting in a more sustainable combined acreage (Section 75071(a)); contribute to long-term protection of the water quality of Little Arthur Creek which is in the priority watershed of the Pajaro River/Monterey Bay in the Central Coast, a major biological region of the state (Section 75071(b)); support a relatively large area of under-protected major habitat types (Section (c)); and include non-state matching contributions toward the acquisition (Section (e)). See PROJECT SUMMARY and Site Description above for information related to these criteria. As mandated by Section 75071(f), Conservancy staff has submitted to the Resources Agency, and posted on the Conservancy s website, an explanation of how the proposed acquisition meets the criteria established in Section for use of Proposition 84 funding. CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY S ENABLING LEGISLATION: The proposed project is consistent with the provisions of Chapter 4.5 of Division 21 of the Public Resources Code, Sections , which state that the Conservancy may award grants in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area to help achieve stated goals. Consistent with Section 31162(b), the proposed project will help to protect natural habitats and connecting corridors, watersheds, scenic areas, and other open-space resources of regional importance. The Property acquisition will result in the protection of Coast live oak woodland, serpentine hardwoods, montane hardwoods, and redwood forest plant communities on the Property and of the wildlife corridors that it provides. Because the Property is part of the watershed of the Pajaro River and the Monterey Bay, the project also protects watershed land. Consistent with Section 31162(d), the proposed project will provide open space and natural areas that are accessible to urban populations for recreational purposes. Section 31163(a) provides that any acquisition of real property by the Conservancy pursuant to this chapter shall be from willing sellers. Consistent with this section, the seller of the Property has willingly entered into an option agreement with POST. The Property acquisition satisfies the criteria for determining project priority under Section 31163(c), as the project has the following characteristics: (1) it is supported by regional plans, including the Santa Clara Countywide Trails Master Plan, the Conservation Lands Network, and the Santa Clara County HCP/NCCP (draft); (2) it serves a regional constituency in that the project will help preserve sensitive natural communities and also provides scenic resources and potential trail connections; (3) it can be implemented in a timely way because the first portion of it will be completed within approximately 1 month; (4) unless the acquisition closes by Page 6 of 8

7 MOUNT MADONNA COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION November 2012, the benefits of a conservation acquisition of the Property could be lost; and (5) it includes substantial matching funds. CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY S 2007 STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL(S) & OBJECTIVE(S): Consistent with Goal 10, Objective D of the Conservancy s 2007 Strategic Plan, the proposed project would protect 490 acres of uplands, wildlife habitat, connecting corridors, scenic areas, and other open-space resources of regional significance in the Bay Area. Consistent with Goal 11, Objective C the proposed project will increase the amount of land accessible to the public and provide a corridor for trails. CONSISTENCY WITH CONSERVANCY S PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA & GUIDELINES: The proposed project is consistent with the Conservancy s Project Selection Criteria and Guidelines, last updated on November 10, 2011, in the following respects: Required Criteria 1. Promotion of the Conservancy s statutory programs and purposes: See the Consistency with Conservancy s Enabling Legislation section above. 2. Consistency with purposes of the funding source: See the Project Financing section above. 3. Support of the public: The proposed project has broad support from the public, as demonstrated by the project letters attached as Exhibit 4 to this staff recommendation. 4. Location: The project is located in Santa Clara County, within the jurisdiction of the ninecounty San Francisco Bay Area Conservancy Program. 5. Need: If POST does not secure the appropriate funding, it might lose the opportunity to exercise its option agreement with the landowner and provide permanent protection for this unique landscape. Given the existence of five parcels, and over 0.5 miles of frontage on Redwood Retreat Road, which is considered very desirable for luxury homes, a buyer could build out the Property fairly significantly. Indeed, the Property has been listed for sale on the market for more than two years, and there have been a number of prospective buyers who have expressed interest. The initial offer price was within the range of prices for luxury home development occurring in the immediate vicinity. Protection of this property might be the last opportunity to save this land which is near considerable development. 6. Greater-than-local interest: The proposed project would protect wildlife habitat that is of state and federal significance, preserve scenic open space, and enable connection of trails in the County Park and contribute to a proposed north-south corridor within the Santa Cruz Mountains that has the potential to link over 24,000 acres of protected lands for wildlife and Page 7 of 8

8 MOUNT MADONNA COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION sensitive habitats extending from nearly the boundary of the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park to the Pajaro River, which forms the boundary between Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey counties. 7. Sea level rise vulnerability: The Property is not vulnerable to rising sea level, as it is not close to a shoreline and lies between 400 and 1,000 feet above sea level. Wide elevation gradients on the Property will further protect the land from potential flood risks, and provide refuge for species seeking higher ground in the event of a flood. Additional Criteria 8. Urgency: See Need above in Required Criteria. 9. Leverage: See the Project Financing section above. 10. Readiness: With significant interest in the project expressed by the Resources Legacy Fund and Santa Clara County Parks, and the proposed Conservancy funding authorization, POST will provide the additional funds needed to complete Phase I of the acquisition of the Property during the agreed upon escrow period, and to prepare for County Parks funding of a large portion of the second phase of the acquisition. 11. Realization of prior Conservancy goals: See Project History above. 12. Vulnerability from climate change impacts other than sea level rise: Protection of this property will help advance the 2009 California Climate Adaptation Strategy given that the Property is a "healthy, resilient ecosystem with a rich plant and animal biodiversity, critical to the health, safety, and welfare of human populations." Additionally, its protection will add to a network of reserve areas that provides areas of refuge and aids the movement of species as they adjust to changing conditions associated with climate change. Protection of this property would directly help advance this strategy as it includes the following features: climatic and elevational gradients, microclimates, and low fragmentation. COMPLIANCE WITH CEQA: Land acquisition for the purpose of preserving the land in its natural condition and providing public access is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), under 14 California Code of Regulations Section 15313, as an acquisition of lands for preservation of fish and wildlife habitat; Section 15325, as a transfer of an interest in land to preserve open space and habitat, and in particular, preservation of the existing natural conditions, including plant and animal habitats; and Section 15316, as an acquisition of land to establish a park where the land is in natural condition and a management plan for the park has not yet been created. Staff will file a Notice of Exemption following Conservancy authorization. Page 8 of 8

9 Project Location Exhibit 1: Project Location and Site Maps

10 Exhibit 1: Project Location and Site Maps evard Rancho Cañada del Oro OSP Calero County Park Cochrane Road Property Protected Land County Line Santa Clara County Trails Master Plan Existing Partially Completed Proposed Blair Ranch Chesbro Reservoir County Park Oak Glen Avenue Morgan Hill 01 1 Croy Road Llag Uvas Canyon County Park Uvas County Park Reservoir Watsonville Road Santa Clara County Uvas Road Summit Road D Santa Cruz County Mount Madonna County Park Clark Canyon Ranch Created: 6/12, NS Scale: 1:90,000 Sources: USGS, Santa Clara County, Derived from data that is Copyright 2011, Santa Clara County, all rights reserved Miles

11 Exhibit 1: Project Location and Site Maps Property Protected Land Major Roads Santa Clara County Trails Master Plan Existing Partially Completed Proposed Redwood R e treat Rd Little Art hur Creek Mount Madonna County Park Created: 6/12, NS Scale: 1:12,000 Sources: USGS, Santa Clara County, Derived from data that is Copyright 2011, Santa Clara County, all rights reserved Miles

12 Exhibit 2: Project Photographs Page 1 of 3

13 Exhibit 2: Project Photographs Page 2 of 3

14 Exhibit 2: Project Photographs Page 3 of 3

15 Exhibit 3: Conservation Lands Network Analysis This is the Biodiversity Portfolio Report for the area that you defined. The following information is intended to give you a better understanding of the biodiversity values of the specified area and how it contributes to the regional biodiversity goals. Click on blue titles for more information about that category. Landscape Unit: Sierra Azul Defined Area Size: 479 Acres, 193 Hectares Conservation Lands Network Category: Areas Essential to the Conservation Goals: 477 acres Converted Lands: Rural residential acres: 3 Conservation Suitability: 190 (Highly Suitable for Conservation) more info Protected Land Within Selected Area: None km to closest protected area Nitrogen Deposition: 7.4 Kg/H/Yr (High) Climate Index Averages: January Min Temp - - deg. C July Max Temp deg. C Annual Precipitation mm/year Cloud Cover - 21% of days Jul to Sept , cover at 10:30am Elevation (derived from a 10m DEM): Range = meters Mean = 245 meters % Slope (derived from a 10m DEM): Range = 0-83 % Mean = 38 % CONSERVATION TARGETS Coarse Filter Vegetation Targets: VEGETATION TYPE CONSERVATION TARGET RARITY RANK TOTAL ACREAGE SELECTED AREA PROTECTED ACREAGE ACREAGE TOWARD LANDSCAPE UNIT GOAL LANDSCAPE UNIT LANDSCAPE UNIT GOAL ACREAGE TO MEET GOALS Serpentine Hardwoods - Sierra Azul ,125 1,267 Montane Hardwoods - Sierra Azul ,540 6,315 Coast Live Oak Forest / Woodland - Sierra Azul ,000 5,403 Cultivated - Sierra Azul Fine Filter Targets: CONSERVATION TARGET - AREAS smooth lessingia - Sierra Azul (Lessingia micradenia var. glabrata) RARITY RANK TOTAL ACREAGE SELECTED AREA PROTECTED ACREAGE ACREAGE TOWARD LANDSCAPE UNIT GOAL LANDSCAPE UNIT LANDSCAPE UNIT GOAL ACREAGE TO MEET GOALS Stream Conservation Targets: 0.1 km of Priority 2 Stream 0.70 km of Priority 3 Stream STREAM NAME PRIORITY REGION WATERSHED DRAINS LENGTH FISH SPECIES* Little Arthur Creek 2 Pajaro River Watershed * Some non-fish species listed * (A) = anadramous, (R) = resident, (A,R) = both (LL) = land locked Santa Cruz Mountains Pajaro River 0.1 km rainbow trout (A) This report was created on February 16, 2012 using the Conservation Lands Network Explorer. Copyright 2011 Bay Area Open Space Council. Page 1 of 3

16 Exhibit 3: Conservation Lands Network Analysis Page 2 of 3 This is the Biodiversity Portfolio Report for the area that you defined. The following information is intended to give you a better understanding of the biodiversity values of the specified area and how it contributes to the regional biodiversity goals. Click on blue titles for more information about that category. This report was created on February 16, 2012 using the Conservation Lands Network Explorer. Copyright 2011 Bay Area Open Space Council.

17 Exhibit 3: Conservation Lands Network Analysis Uvas Rd Calero County Park Property Casa Loma Rd Rancho Cañada del Oro Uvas Rd Oak Glen Ave Willow Springs Rd Protected Land Major Roads Santa Clara County Trails Master Plan Existing Partially Completed Proposed Chesbro Reservoir Morgan Hill Croy Rd Uvas Canyon County Park Uvas Reservoir and County Park Uvas Re s e rvoir Watsonville Rd Summit Rd Hazel Dell Rd Conservation Lands Network Essential Important Fragmented Page 3 of 3 Mount Madonna County Park Map Date: 06/12 Scale: 1:65,000 Sources: Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County Derived from data that is Copyright 2011, all rights reserved Miles

18 Exhibit 4: Project Letters STATE CAPITOL P.O. BOX SACRAMENTO, CA (916) FAX (916) DISTRICT OFFICE 5050 EL CAMINO REAL, SUITE LOS ALTOS, CA (650) FAX (650) RICHARD S. GORDON ASSEMBLYMEMBER, TWENTY-FIRST DISTRICT September 18, 2012 Douglas Bosco, Chairman, Public Member California State Coastal Conservancy Board of Directors 1330 Broadway, 13 th Floor Oakland, CA Dear Chairman Bosco: I am writing to urge your strong support for the Mount Madonna County Park Area Property Acquisition (Mount Madonna Area property) and the Uvas Reservoir County Park Area Property Acquisition (Uvas Area property), scheduled to be heard at the California Coastal Conservancy Board meeting on October 18 th, The proposed projects would provide a $750,000 grant for the 490-acre Mount Madonna Area property, and a $250,000 grant for the 358-acre Uvas Area property to Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) to acquire and preserve these critical lands in Santa Clara County. Protection of these lands will provide important benefits to the entire Bay Area region. Both properties abut public parkland and are identified in Santa Clara County Park s Master Trails Plan, providing an outstanding opportunity for recreational trails expansion. From a natural resource perspective, beyond the numerous native plant and wildlife species found on these lands, both contain highly productive spawning streams for steelhead trout, a federally endangered species. Protection of the Uvas Area property is also important to the health of the community since a portion of the property drains directly into the Uvas Reservoir, which provides an important supply of water for local consumption. These projects advance many of the State of California s natural resource protection goals by protecting a combined 848 acres of uplands wildlife habitat, connecting scenic corridors and scenic areas of regional significance. In order to preserve these recreational opportunities, protect the property s rich habitat, and improve the overall health of the land, I urge the Coastal Conservancy Board of Directors to support POST in their effort to protect these lands through timely approval of grant funds. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, Richard S. Gordon Assemblyman, Twenty-First District CC: Jeff Melby, Project Manager

19 Exhibit 4: Project Letters

20 CAPITOL OFFICE STATE CAPITOL SACRAMENTO, CA (916) Fax (916) Exhibit 4: Project Letters California State Senate SENATOR S. JOSEPH SIMITIAN ELEVENTH SENATE DISTRICT DISTRICT OFFICE 160 Town & Country Village Palo Alto, CA (650) Fax (650) SATELLITE OFFICE 701 Ocean Street, Room 318A Santa Cruz, CA (831) Fax (831) September 28, 2012 Douglas Bosco, Chairman, Public Member California State Coastal Conservancy Board of Directors 1330 Broadway, 13 th Floor Oakland, CA Dear Chairman Bosco: I am writing to express my support for the Mount Madonna County Park Area Property Acquisition (Mount Madonna Area property) and the Uvas Reservoir County Park Area Property Acquisition (Uvas Area property), scheduled to be heard at the California Coastal Conservancy Board meeting on October 18 th, The proposed projects would provide a $750,000 grant for the 490-acre Mount Madonna Area property, and a $250,000 grant for the 358-acre Uvas Area property to Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) to acquire and preserve these critical lands in Santa Clara County. The benefits of protecting these lands are many. Both properties abut public parkland and are identified in Santa Clara County Park s Master Trails Plan, providing an outstanding opportunity for recreational trails expansion. From a natural resource perspective, beyond the numerous native plant and wildlife species found on these lands, both contain highly productive spawning streams for steelhead trout, a federally endangered species. Protection of the Uvas Area property is also important to the health of the community, as a portion of the property drains directly into the Uvas Reservoir, which provides an important supply of water for local consumption. These projects advance many of the State of California s natural resource protection goals by protecting a combined 848 acres of uplands wildlife habitat, connecting scenic

21 Exhibit 4: Project Letters corridors and scenic areas of regional significance. Funding the POST proposal would preserve these recreational opportunities, protect the rich habitat on these properties, and improve the overall health of the land. I hope that you will give these proposals from the Peninsula Open Space Trust every favorable consideration. Sincerely, S. Joseph Simitian State Senator, Eleventh District CC: Jeff Melby, Project Manager

22 Exhibit 4: Project Letters COMMITTEES CHAIR, HEALTH ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, SPORTS, TOURISM & INTERNET MEDIA BUDGET BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEE NO. 1 ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES JOINT LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE JUDICIARY NATURAL RESOURCES WEBSITE October 3, 2012 Douglas Bosco, Chairman Board of Directors California State Coastal Conservancy 1330 Broadway, 13th Floor Oakland, CA WILLIAM W. MONNING ASSEMBLYMEMBER, TWENTY-SEVENTH DISTRICT STATE CAPITOL P.O. BOX SACRAMENTO, CA (916) FAX (916) DISTRICT OFFICES 701 OCEAN STREET ROOM 318B SANTA CRUZ, CA (831) FAX (831) PACIFIC STREET SUITE 555D MONTEREY, CA (831) FAX (831) SANTA CLARA COUNTY DIRECT LINE (408) Dear Chairman Bosco: This letter is to express my support for the Peninsula Open Space Trust s (POST s) request for $750,000 to acquire 490 acres for the Mount Madonna County Park Area Property (Mount Madonna Area property) and $250,000 to acquire 358 acres for the Uvas Reservoir County Park Area Property (Uvas Area property) from Coastal Conservancy grant funds. Located in Santa Clara County, the preservation of the Mount Madonna Area property and the Uvas Area property will benefit the greater Bay Area region. Both properties border public parkland and are identified in the Santa Clara County Park Master Trails Plan as providing an expansion to the current recreational trail system. Additionally, both projects advance the state s natural resource protection goals by safeguarding 848 acres of uplands wildlife habitat, connecting scenic corridors of regional significance, and providing public access to a wildlife area minutes away from one of the largest urban corridors in the nation. We need to continue our work in protecting and maintaining the state s natural ecosystem, while also providing access to these resources to all who are interested in enjoying its majestic grandeur. The Peninsula Open Space Trust has a history of being a good steward of California s native environment, and I urge your favorable consideration of its request for a grant from the California State Coastal Conservancy. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely, WILLIAM W. MONNING Assemblymember, 27th District WWM:nc cc: Jeff Melby, Project Manager

23 Exhibit 4: Project Letters

24 Exhibit 4: Project Letters September 19, 2012 Douglas Bosco, Chairman, Public Member California State Coastal Conservancy Board of Directors 1330 Broadway, 13 th Floor Oakland, CA RE: Mount Madonna County Park Area Property Acquisition and the Uvas Reservoir County Park Area Property Acquisition Dear Chairman Bosco: On behalf of Committee for Green Foothills, a regional conservation organization working to protect the natural open space areas of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties for the past 50 years, I write in strong support of the Mount Madonna County Park Area Property Acquisition (Mount Madonna Area property) and the Uvas Reservoir County Park Area Property Acquisition (Uvas Area property), scheduled to be heard at the California Coastal Conservancy Board meeting on October 18 th, The proposed projects would provide a $750,000 grant for the 490-acre Mount Madonna Area property, and a $250,000 grant for the 358-acre Uvas Area property to Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) for the acquisition and preservation of these critical lands in Santa Clara County. Protection of these lands will provide important benefits to Santa Clara County, and to the entire Bay Area region. Both properties abut public parkland and are identified in Santa Clara County Park s Master Trails Plan, providing an outstanding opportunity for recreational trails expansion. From a natural resource perspective, beyond the numerous native plant and wildlife species found on these lands, both contain highly productive spawning streams for steelhead trout, a federally endangered species. In addition, protection of the Uvas Area property is important to the health of the community since a portion of the property drains directly into the Uvas Reservoir, providing a valuable supply of water for local consumption. These projects advance many of the State of California s natural resource protection goals by protecting a combined 848 acres of uplands wildlife habitat, connecting scenic corridors and scenic areas of regional significance. In order to preserve these recreational opportunities, protect the property s rich habitat, and improve the overall health of the land, CGF urges the Coastal Conservancy Board of Directors to support POST in their effort to protect these lands through timely approval of grant funds.

25 Exhibit 4: Project Letters Thank you for your consideration of this request. Sincerely, Julie Hutcheson Environmental Advocate, Santa Clara County cc Jeff Melby, Project Manager, POST 3921 E. Bayshore Road PHONE Palo Alto, CA FAX