COASTAL CONSERVANCY. Staff Recommendation October 18, 2012 UVAS RESERVOIR COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION

COASTAL CONSERVANCY Staff Recommendation October 18, 2012 UVAS RESERVOIR COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION Project No. 12-032-01 Project Manager: Jeff Melby RECOMMENDED ACTION: Authorization to disburse up to $250,000 to the Peninsula Open Space Trust for acquisition of the 358-acre Uvas Reservoir County Park Area property near the City of Morgan Hill in unincorporated Santa Clara County. LOCATION: Southwest of the City of Morgan Hill and adjacent to Uvas Reservoir County Park in southern 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 31160-31165 of the Public Resources Code: The State Coastal Conservancy hereby authorizes the disbursement of up to $250,000 (two hundred fifty thousand dollars) to Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) for acquisition of the approximately 358-acre property commonly known as the Uvas Reservoir County Park Area property, Santa Clara County Assessor s Parcel Numbers 776-08-004, 776-08-005, and 776-08- 017 (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 resourcecompatible 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

UVAS RESERVOIR 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 $250,000 (two hundred fifty thousand dollars) to POST for acquisition of the 358-acre Uvas Reservoir 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

UVAS RESERVOIR 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 the viewshed, is biologically rich and diverse, and is anticipated to become an important addition to Uvas Reservoir County Park (County Park) (see Exhibit 1). Conservation of the Property is important from both a natural resources and watershed perspective. The Property contains numerous native plants and wildlife, and a portion of it drains directly into the Uvas Reservoir. The Property also contains 0.5 miles of a seasonal tributary to Uvas Creek, one of the most prominent streams for steelhead trout in Santa Clara County. The Property is located along a proposed north-south corridor within the Santa Cruz Mountains that has the potential to link over 40,000 acres of protected lands for wildlife and sensitive habitats. (The County Park is only three property ownerships away from the 3,882-acre Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, which connects to nine parks totaling over 31,000 acres along San Jose s southern edge.) Linkage of these protected areas would play a critical role in maintaining connectivity for species that require vast home ranges, like the mountain lion. In addition, the County Parks Master Trails Plan identifies a 1.85-mile route through the Property for potential trail development as a connection to Uvas Reservoir County Park and other regional parklands. 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 (GIS) database and analytical tools of the CLN indicates that 232 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 Coastal scrub, California Bay Forest, and Blue Oak-Foothill Pine Woodland (Exhibit 3). Santa Clara County Countywide Trails Master Plan: The Master Plan identified a 1.85-mile route through the Property for potential trail development as a connection to Uvas Reservoir County Park, and ultimately to other regional parkland in the area. The Master Plan contains data on existing, partially completed, and proposed trails throughout both protected and not yet protected lands throughout the entire 826,000-acre county. 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. Additionally, the Property contains habitat for up to ten of the twenty-one total plant and animal species covered by the HCP. This project advances the Conservancy s goals by protecting 358 acres of uplands wildlife habitat, connecting corridors and scenic areas of regional significance. This acquisition is an Page 3 of 8

UVAS RESERVOIR COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION 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. In September 2010, POST entered into a three-year option with the landowner to purchase the Property for its appraised value of $1,075,000, or approximately $3,000/acre. Since signing the option agreement, POST has initiated discussions with staff members of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (SCCOSA), County Parks, the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), and the Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) about potential funding and management opportunities for the Property. (The County Park adjacent to the Property is owned in fee by the SCVWD, but managed by County Parks.) The RLF recently approved a grant of $268,750 (one quarter of the total acquisition cost) for the purchase of the Property. The Board of the SCCOSA has approved a grant of $268,750 toward the acquisition. In order to complete the acquisition by early 2013, with funding from the Conservancy, POST would cover the remaining portion of the acquisition costs ($287,500) until County Parks is in a position to acquire the Property and prepare it for future public access. 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 type of 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 three contiguous parcels of hillside land located adjacent to the County Park in an unincorporated area in southern Santa Clara County near the City of Morgan Hill. Its current and historic use is open space and private recreation and there are no habitable structures on the Property. The Property is highly visible from the County Park as well as from Uvas Road, a County-designated Scenic Road. It affords terrific views of Uvas Reservoir and of the undeveloped hillsides to the east and south, past the Cities of Morgan Hill and Gilroy, and into the Diablo Range. In July 2011, WRA Environmental Consultants completed a Rapid Biological Resources Assessment of the Property, providing a basic overview of its natural resources. The report identifies a number of native plants and wildlife located on the Property, including red-tailed hawks, California whiptail, variable checkerspot, coast live oak, and a number of other species. In addition, a number of special status plant and wildlife species have been identified within a 5- mile radius of the Property, including California red-legged frog, bay checkerspot butterfly, California tiger salamander, and steelhead trout. It is also highly suitable mountain lion habitat, given its upland terrain and its location among a chain of large, undeveloped private properties and public open spaces. Page 4 of 8

UVAS RESERVOIR COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION The Property is also significant from a watershed perspective, as a portion of it drains directly into the Uvas Reservoir. It also contains 0.5 miles of a seasonal tributary to Uvas Creek, one of the most prominent streams for steelhead trout in Santa Clara County. Project History: The current landowner purchased the Property in 1966 from a developer who had planned 270 units on the Property. The landowner has viewed the Property as a long-term investment and has not pursued subdividing or selling the Property over the last several decades. Now in his early 80s, the landowner planned to put the Property on the market in 2010 or shortly thereafter, prior to being contacted by POST. In the fall of 2010, POST and the landowner commissioned an appraisal of the Property from Hulberg & Associates that determined a value of $1,075,000. This value informed the option agreement purchase price that POST and the landowner signed in September 2010, committing POST to pay $15,000 as an option consideration to the landowner if POST did not exercise the option within three years. The appraisal is expected to be updated by the end of 2012. In 2008, with assistance from POST, the Conservancy provided a $4,340,000 grant, partly reimburseable, to SCCOSA 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 $250,000.00 Peninsula Open Space Trust 287,500.00 Resources Legacy Fund 268,750.00 Santa Clara County Open Space Authority 268,750.00 Total Project Costs $1,075,000.00 The anticipated source of Conservancy funds is the FY 2010 appropriation to the Conservancy from the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 ( Proposition 84, Public Resources Code Sections 75001 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 75071. The proposed acquisition satisfies four of the five specific criteria because the project will: link protected habitat areas of the southern Santa Cruz Mountains, facilitate wildlife movement and result in a more sustainable combined acreage (Section 75071(a)); contribute to long-term protection of the water quality of Uvas Creek which is in the priority watershed of the Page 5 of 8

UVAS RESERVOIR COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION 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 75071 (c)); and include non-state matching contributions toward the acquisition (Section 75071 (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 75071 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 31160-31165, 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 regionally important Coastal scrub, Semi-Desert scrub California Bay Forest, Blue Oak-Foothill Pine Woodland 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/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 it will be completed within approximately 4 months; (4) unless the acquisition closes by September 2013, 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 358 acres of uplands, wildlife habitat, connecting corridors, scenic areas, and other open-space resources of regional significance in the Bay Area. Page 6 of 8

UVAS RESERVOIR COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY ACQUISITION 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: POST is under a three-year option with the landowner to purchase the Property which expires in 2013. We are now in the last year of the option so it is therefore urgent to secure the required funding to protect this property. If POST is unable to secure funding within the three-year period, the option will expire and the opportunity to conserve this critical linkage would be lost. Without funding from the Conservancy, it would not be possible to complete the transaction and the opportunity to leverage other funding sources to protect the Property would be lost. 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 40,000 acres of protected lands for wildlife and sensitive habitats extending northwest all the way to Los Gatos and beyond Highway 17. 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 1,450 feet above sea level. Wide elevation gradients on the Property will further protect the land from potential flood risks, and will 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 the commitments from POST, Resources Legacy Fund, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority, and the proposed Conservancy funding authorization, POST will have the funds needed to complete the acquisition of the Property. Page 7 of 8

UVAS RESERVOIR COUNTY PARK AREA PROPERTY 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

Exhibit 1: Project Location and Site Maps Project Location

Exhibit 1: Project Location and Site Maps Calero County Park Uvas Rd C o n t e x t Property Casa Loma Rd Rancho Cañada del Oro Oak Glen Ave Willow Springs Rd Protected Land Major Roads Santa Clara County Trails Master Plan Existing Partially Completed Proposed Ä 2 8 Æ Blair Ranch Chesbro Reservoir Morgan Hill Uvas Rd Croy Rd Uvas Canyon County Park Uvas Reservoir and County Park Uvas Re s e rvoir Watsonville Rd Red w oo d Retreat Rd Summit Rd Hazel Dell Rd Map Date: 07/12 Scale: 1:65,000 Sources: Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County Derived from data that is Copyright 2011, all rights reserved Mount Madonna County Park ÄÆ 152 Miles 0 0.5 1 2

Exhibit 1: Project Location and Site Maps Sycamore Dr Tohara Way Property Protected Land Roads - Public and Private Santa Clara County Trails Master Plan Proposed Uvas Uvas Reservoir Reservoir and County and Park County Park Lazo Grande Dr Sheila Ave Sheila Av e Hidden Springs Ln Uvas Rd Map Date: 07/12 Scale: 1:11,000 Sources: Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County Derived from data that is Copyright 2011, all rights reserved Mile 0 0.125 0.25 0.5

Exhibit 2: Project Photographs (Above): Looking north from the southern portion of the property. (Above): From the property looking west past Uvas Reservoir.

Exhibit Exhbit 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: 351 Acres, 142 Hectares Conservation Lands Network Category: Areas Essential to the Conservation Goals: 232 acres Converted Lands: Rural residential acres: 4 Conservation Suitability: 205 (Highly Suitable for Conservation) more info Protected Land Within Selected Area: 2 acres Nitrogen Deposition: 6.6 Kg/H/Yr (High) Climate Index Averages: January Min Temp - - deg. C July Max Temp - 28-29 deg. C Annual Precipitation - 590-607 mm/year Cloud Cover - 20% of days Jul to Sept 2000-2006, cover at 10:30am Elevation (derived from a 10m DEM): Range = 119-444 meters Mean = 260 meters % Slope (derived from a 10m DEM): Range = 2-86 % Mean = 49 % 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 Chamise Chaparral - Sierra Azul 3 219 2 217 7,617 1,123 Coast Live Oak Forest / Woodland - Sierra Azul 3 130 0 130 13,000 5,403 349 2 347 Critical Linkages, Bay Area and Beyond Detailed information on linkages will be available in this report in 2012. See http://bayarealands.org/next-steps/linkages.php for more information on the project. Important Note Users of the Conservation Lands Network Explorer are strongly encouraged to verify the information provided in this report with site visits and biological surveys. This report was created on July 16, 2012 using the Conservation Lands Network Explorer. Copyright 2012 Bay Area Open Space Council. http://www.openspacecouncil.org/ Page 1 of 23

Exhibit Exhbit 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. This report was created on July 16, 2012 using the Conservation Lands Network Explorer. Copyright 2012 Bay Area Open Space Council. http://www.openspacecouncil.org/ Page 2 of 23

Uvas Rd Exhibit 3: Conservation Lands Network Analysis 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: CPAD, BAOSC, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County Derived from data that is Copyright 2011, all rights reserved 0 0.5 1 2 Miles

Exhibit 4: Project Letters STATE CAPITOL P.O. BOX 942849 SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-0021 (916) 319-2021 FAX (916) 319-2121 DISTRICT OFFICE 5050 EL CAMINO REAL, SUITE LOS ALTOS, CA 94022 (650) 691-2121 FAX (650) 691-2120 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 94612-2530 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, 2012. 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

CAPITOL OFFICE STATE CAPITOL SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 (916) 651-4011 Fax (916) 323-4529 Senator.Simitian@sen.ca.gov www.senatorsimitian.com Exhibit 4: Project Letters California State Senate SENATOR S. JOSEPH SIMITIAN ELEVENTH SENATE DISTRICT DISTRICT OFFICE 160 Town & Country Village Palo Alto, CA 94301 (650) 688-6384 Fax (650) 688-6370 SATELLITE OFFICE 701 Ocean Street, Room 318A Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (831) 425-0401 Fax (831) 425-5124 September 28, 2012 Douglas Bosco, Chairman, Public Member California State Coastal Conservancy Board of Directors 1330 Broadway, 13 th Floor Oakland, CA 94612-2530 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, 2012. 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

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

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 www.assembly.ca.gov/monning October 3, 2012 Douglas Bosco, Chairman Board of Directors California State Coastal Conservancy 1330 Broadway, 13th Floor Oakland, CA 94612-2530 WILLIAM W. MONNING ASSEMBLYMEMBER, TWENTY-SEVENTH DISTRICT STATE CAPITOL P.O. BOX 942849 SACRAMENTO, CA 94249-0027 (916) 319-2027 FAX (916) 319-2127 DISTRICT OFFICES 701 OCEAN STREET ROOM 318B SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060 (831) 425-1503 FAX (831) 425-2570 99 PACIFIC STREET SUITE 555D MONTEREY, CA 93940 (831) 649-2832 FAX (831) 649-2935 SANTA CLARA COUNTY DIRECT LINE (408) 782-0647 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

Exhibit 4: Project Letters

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 94612-2530 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, 2012. 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.

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 650.968.7243 PHONE info@greenfoothills.org Palo Alto, CA 94303 650.968.8431 FAX www.greenfoothills.org