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DATE: January 16, 2002
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002
(AB 1602 (Keeley))

SUMMARY:
Legislation vital to the quality of life of County of San Diego residents will be on the March 2002 ballot. AB 1602 (Keeley) "California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002", if approved by the voters in March of 2002, will provide $2.6 billion to finance a program for the acquisition, development, restoration, protection, rehabilitation, stabilization, reconstruction, preservation, and interpretation of park, coastal, agricultural land, air, and historical resources. On February 8, 2000, the Board of Supervisors adopted a similar resolution proposed by Chairwoman Jacob and Supervisor Cox in support of Propositions 12 and 13. All of the proceeds from Propositions 12 and 13 approved by the voters in March, 2000 have been committed. Successful passage of AB 1602 will provide funding for new projects and enable completion of
others. Several projects in the unincorporated area of San Diego County will benefit.

Recommendations
SUPERVISORS DIANNE JACOB & GREG COX : Adopt a Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Diego expressing Support for California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (AB 1602 (Keeley)). Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to add the County of San Diego to the list of supporters of the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (AB 1602 (Keeley)). Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to provide members of the Board of Supervisors with factual information materials describing the County programs and projects that may benefit from passage of the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (AB 1602 (Keeley)). Pending approval of the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (AB 1602 (Keeley)) by the voters, direct the Chief Administrative
Officer and the County's Sacramento representatives to work with the San Diego County legislative delegation and other interested parties to ensure County of San Diego projects and programs are designated as funding priorities in the appropriations process.

Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact related to this proposal, however, if approved by the voters in March 2002, the bond act includes funding opportunities for a number of County projects and programs that can be used to improve the quality of life for the residents of the County of San Diego.

Business Impact Statement
None with this action.

Advisory Board Statement
None

BACKGROUND:
Legislation vital to the quality of life of County of San Diego residents will be on the March 2002 ballot. AB 1602 (Keeley) "California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002", if approved by the voters in March of 2002, will provide $2.6 billion to finance a program for the acquisition, development, restoration, protection, rehabilitation, stabilization, reconstruction, preservation, and interpretation of park, coastal, agricultural land, air, and historical resources. On February 8, 2000, the Board of Supervisors adopted a similar resolution proposed by Chairwoman Jacob and Supervisor Cox in support of Propositions 12 and 13. All of the proceeds from Propositions 12 and 13 approved by the voters in March, 2000 have been committed. Successful passage of AB 1602 will provide funding for new projects and enable completion of others. Several projects in the unincorporated area of San Diego County will benefit:

$225 million to State Parks State Parks can use 50% of the funds for acquisition of property. State Parks could use some of its acquisition dollars to purchase properties from willing sellers in the unincorporated area that have been designated as high-priority areas by the State to be preserved as open space.

$832.5 million for local assistance grants and urban, special needs park programs. The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation continues to pursue expansion and improvement of its regional park
system. The regional parks generate 50% of the Department's revenue. Projects include the development of Sweetwater and Otay Regional Parks, additional campsites at Sweetwater, Lake Morena and Potrero and
improvements to Guajome Adobe and other county parks. The County Parks and Recreation Department has embarked on an effort to facilitate collaboration in the unincorporated areas to provide after-school, summer, and camping activities for youth at risk that may qualify for this funding. In response to community requests, the Department will broaden community participation and offer a wider variety of activities.

$1.275 billion is included for Land, Air and Water Conservation purposes.

$300 million is committed to the State Wildlife Conservation Board for grants for acquisition of open space. This is a major funding source for Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) acquisitions. The Board of Supervisors adopted the County's MSCP in October, 1997. $8,219,755 has been provided through grants from the Wildlife Conservation Board for acquisition of 1,461.54 acres of open space including land in Hollenbeck Canyon, Lusardi Creek, San Vicente corridor, Lakeside area, Tijuana River Valley, Alpine and Otay Valley.

$200 million to State Coastal Conservancy that funds coastal projects including San Elijo Lagoon restoration and oversees the Wetlands Recovery Project. The 2001-2002 Work Plan for the Wetlands Recovery Project includes efforts in northern and southern San Diego County totaling $11,440,000 including: the Tijuana River Valley, Otay Mesa Vernal Pools, Famosa Slough, Rose Creek, Los Penasquitos and San Elijo Lagoons and Escondido and Buena Vista Creeks.

$375 million is included for beaches and water quality and watershed programs. This funding will be instrumental for successful completion and implementation of the watershed management plans being initiated by the County of San Diego in the Santa Margarita, San Diego, Otay and Tijuana River Valleys.

The newly adopted Municipal Storm Water Permit (MSWP) and Federal Clean Water Act Section 404(b) place substantial requirements on jurisdictional agencies to mobilize and implement a myriad of programs, technologies, and resources aimed at addressing runoff issues to be completed by February 22, 2002. This funding will assist the County in its successful implementation of the new MSWP requirements.

The County of San Diego adopted Project Clean Water to develop and implement a regional strategy for clean water through a stakeholder driven process. During Phase I, the County developed a regional Clean Water Strategic Plan. Additional funding will enable the County to reach its next step (Phase II) to implement the goals, objectives and action items in the Strategic Plan.

$75 million is included for agricultural preservation programs. As the County moves forward with the planning activities for the North County MSCP Subarea Plan, financial incentives are needed to gain support of
the agricultural community. In addition, the Board of Supervisors took action in August to develop a County program to purchase open space easements on agricultural lands from interested, willing property owners. This legislation will provide a possible funding mechanism for this program.

$267.5 million for Historical and Cultural Resources. This funding is to be made available through appropriations by the Legislature and grants for the acquisition, development, preservation and interpretation of buildings, structures, sites, paces and artifacts that preserve and demonstrate culturally significant aspects of California's history. The County of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department is manager of many historic sites which could benefit from additional funding for restoration, management, maintenance and education programs including:

  • Derby/Pendleton House (Old Town)
  • Campo Stone Store (Campo)
  • Guajome Adobe (Vista)
  • Heritage Park (Old Town)
  • Julian Park and Museum (Julian)
  • Mount Helix Park (La Mesa)
  • Los Peñasquitos Adobe (San Diego)
  • Vallecito Stage Station (Anza-Borrego Desert)
  • Whaley House (Old Town)

Appropriations Process

After the passage of Propositions 12 and 13, it became clear that the State appropriations process was key to obtaining funding allocations for local projects. Therefore, in anticipation of this reoccurring, we are recommending that pending passage of the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 (AB 1602 (Keeley)) by the voters, that the Chief Administrative Officer and the County's Sacramento representatives work with the County's state legislators and other interested parties to ensure County of San Diego projects and programs are designated as funding priorities in the appropriations process.

Propositions 12 and 13 funding has been committed, therefore, additional financial support is vital for the continued success of these programs. Voter support for this bill in March 2002 is critical. Continued funding of these important projects will enable our region to continue its efforts to provide adequate parks, open space, clean beaches and overall positive quality of life for its citizens.

Respectfully submitted,

DIANNE JACOB
Supervisor, Second District

GREG COX
Supervisor, First District

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE CALIFORNIA CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, AND COASTAL PROTECTION ACT OF 2002 (AB 1602 (KEELEY))


WHEREAS, the "California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002", if approved by the voters in March of 2002, will provide $2.6 billion to finance a program for the acquisition, development, restoration, protection, rehabilitation, stabilization, reconstruction, preservation, and interpretation of park, coastal, agricultural land, air, and historical resources.

WHEREAS, the County of San Diego has many projects and programs that will benefit if, the "California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002", is passed by the voters including: expansion and improvement of its regional park system; Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP) acquisitions from willing sellers, as well as management and monitoring projects; wetland restoration projects in the Tijuana River Valley, Otay Mesa Vernal Pools, Los Penasquitos and San Elijo Lagoons and Escondido and Buena Vista Creeks; beaches and water quality and watershed programs; successful implementation of the new Municipal Stormwater Permit requirements; implementation of the goals, objectives and action items of Project Clean Water; agricultural programs; and cultural and historic resource restoration, management, maintenance and education programs at County sites including: Derby/Pendleton House (Old Town), Campo Stone Store (Campo), Guajome Adobe (Vista), Heritage Park (Old Town), Julian Park and Museum (Julian), Mount Helix Park (La Mesa), Los Peñasquitos Adobe (San Diego), Vallecito Stage Station (Anza-Borrego Desert) and the Whaley House (Old Town).

WHEREAS, Propositions 12 and 13 funding approved by the voters in March 2002, has been committed, therefore, additional financial support is vital for the continued success of these programs;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors supports the "California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002."