Morgan Hill
– Whether striking agreements with private property owners to
protect farmland or increasing public access to lush natural
habitats, the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority claims many
accomplishments in its recently released annual report for the
2005-2006 fiscal year.
Morgan Hill – Whether striking agreements with private property owners to protect farmland or increasing public access to lush natural habitats, the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority claims many accomplishments in its recently released annual report for the 2005-2006 fiscal year.
The report states the Open Space Authority protected 624 acres of land in Santa Clara County at a net cost of $1.4 million. The actions included purchasing a 54-acre trail easement in the foothills east of San Jose, preserving the historic 38-acre Jackson Ranch on Dunne Avenue east of U.S. 101 and joining with state and federal agencies to protect 510 acres of farmland along the Pajaro River in South County.
Additionally, the Open Space Authority added 40 acres to 1,105 acres of existing Authority lands in the upper Uvas Creek watershed.
“We own a lot of land and we’re trying to get it open to the public,” said Alex Kennett, who represents South County on the Open Space Authority’s Board of Directors. “To me, that’s the most important thing.”
A notable achievement for South County residents was the June 2006 purchase of Jackson Ranch and its resale to Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation for the full price of $1.1 million. The agency served as the intermediary for the purchase of the ranch, which is located on the east side of Anderson Reservoir. The county plans to restore the buildings and open them to the public.
The Open Space Authority also helped secure an agricultural easement – by contributing $500,000 toward purchasing development rights – for 510 acres of farmland southeast of Gilroy. The easement will be held by the Silicon Valley Land Conservancy and the land will continue to be used for agricultural production.
“It’s a great way for the farmer to get some cash and keep farming,” Kennett said.
This year, the agency is focussed on purchasing lands in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo foothills, Kennett said.
The mission of the Open Space Authority is to protect and manage open land through purchases and easements and promote outdoor recreation and farming. The organization has protected more than 10,000 acres since it was established in 1993. The agency is governed by a board of seven directors elected to four-year terms.
During 2005-2006, the Open Space Authority pulled $4.4 million in revenues and spent $5.3 million in operating costs. The transfer-sale of the Jackson Ranch property was recorded in the fiscal year that started July 1, 2006.
Every year, the agency issues an annual report listing its accomplishments. The latest report was mailed last week, more than six months after the 2005-2006 fiscal year ended on June 30, 2006. Kennett said the agency is limited by its small size in getting the report out quicker.
“When you only have an administrative staff of six people, you have to prioritize,” he said.
The agency’s full staff includes 12 employees, including technicians who work in the field.
Volunteers and interns continue to play a role, donating more than 1,700 hours of service in the last budget cycle. Five students from West Valley College in Saratoga served internships helping on construction and maintenance projects such as water-system improvements and parking lot railings, the annual report showed.
