 |
KUSP LandWatch
News |
 |
KUSP provides a brief Land Use Report on KUSP Radio. Tune in every weekday at 6:33 or 8:49 am. KUSP is at 88.9 FM in General Coverage, 105.9 FM in Big Sur Valley, 91.3 FM in Palo Colorado Canyon, and 91.7 FM in San Ardo. Archives of past transcripts are available here. Week of October 20, 2003 to October 24, 2003
The following Land Use Reports have been presented on KUSP Radio by Gary Patton, Executive Director of LandWatch Monterey County. The opinions expressed by Mr. Patton are not necessarily those of KUSP Radio, nor of any of its sponsors. Monday,
October 20, 2003 –Agricultural Land Conservancy The Conservancy preserves land by accepting agricultural conservation easements. Sometimes, the Conservancy receives these easements as a gift. Quite often, the Conservancy pays for them with funds obtained from governmental bond acts or foundations. An agricultural conservation easement is a legal agreement. The farmer/landowner retains title to the land, but the conditions of the easement prevent any development or use of the land that would interfere with agriculture. The Conservancy, in other words, is a “land trust” specializing in the protection of commercially productive agricultural land. Find out more by going to the KUSP website, at www.kusp.org. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Tuesday,
October 21, 2003 – Land Trust of Santa Cruz County/Greenspace I’ve already mentioned the Big Sur Land Trust, whose goal is the preservation of the Big Sur Coast, and the Monterey County Agricultural and Historical Land Conservancy, whose priority is to preserve agricultural land. Greenspace, located in Cambria, works at what might be called the “micro” scale. It has established five neighborhood pocket parks and one four-acre forest preserve and trail. Its popular "Fund-A-Bench" program, which raises funds for stewardship and park maintenance, places commemorative benches in those parks. In Santa Cruz County, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County has permanently protected more than 1,250 acres of natural resource lands since it was founded in 1978. If you’re not already supporting a local trust, think about getting involved. But don’t forget those public hearings, either! For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Wednesday,
October 22, 2003 – Inter-Regional Partnership AMBAG, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, is comprised of representatives from the Monterey and Santa Cruz County Boards of Supervisors, and from every city within both Monterey and Santa Cruz County. San Benito County and the cities of Hollister and San Juan Bautista are also involved. Why are all these cities and counties getting together? Partly because state and federal laws say that local governments must cooperate regionally. Mostly, though, because all these local governments face a common challenge, in the form of the “spin off” impacts generated by economic growth in the Silicon Valley. AMBAG is sponsoring a Monterey Bay Area-Silicon Valley Inter-Regional Partnership Study, and the Advisory Group for that study is meeting today in Morgan Hill. You can find out more at www.kusp.org. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton. More Information: AMBAG
Website AMBAG
Membership DRAFT
Inter-Regional Partnership Study (Phase Four) For
more information contact Kate McKenna at AMBAG Thursday,
October 23, 2003 – Elkhorn Slough Foundation This brief outline illustrates some of the organizational complexities that are necessary to help protect key environmental resources. Not yet mentioned is the role that Monterey County plays. Land uses in the Elkhorn Slough watershed are under the jurisdiction of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. The General Plan Update you’ve heard so much about would make significant changes in existing land use designations. The effect of these changes would be to prevent most new subdivisions within the Elkhorn Slough watershed. New development in the watershed does have a major and adverse impact on the biological resources of Elkhorn Slough, but the right kind of governmentally adopted land use policies, coupled with active work by the local land trust, can make all the difference. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Friday,
October 24, 2003 – Upcoming Tours and Outings What about actually getting out into the environment itself, as opposed to attending indoor meetings where we can talk about it? That’s a good idea, too! I’ve been focusing quite a bit of attention on land trusts, and would be remiss not to point out that many of the land trusts that operate in the Central Coast region make it a point to host various tours and outings, so members of the public can see firsthand why it’s so important to preserve and protect the natural environment. If you’ll go to www.kusp.org, and click on the Land Use Report link, you’ll find a set of references to at least some of the tours and outings that are coming up. I also reference the Marine Sanctuary tours you can take under the guidance of Cap’n Steph Dutton. Plus, I’ve provided a link to a list of tours and outings that the Sierra Club leads. There are lots of opportunities to get out in that environment of ours, and to find out how spectacular it really is. Maybe, when you’ve returned, you’ll be inspired to head to one of those local government venues I’m always talking about, to make sure your local officials are taking care to protect the resources you’ve had a chance to experience. For KUSP, this is Gary Patton.
Archives of past transcripts are available here |
Home | About LandWatch | Issues & Actions | LandWatch News
Citzen Resources | Membership | Publications | Calendar
Archives | Search | Links | Contact Us
Site Design and Management by
all materials ©1999