A Clear vision for the coast

Fortunately, early conservation leaders turned this vision around. The coast is now notable for its agricultural and ranching heritage, free-flowing streams that still support winter steelhead runs, and natural bluffs and hillsides - a welcome respite from urban hassles.

The good news today is that, thanks to strict zoning protections that give priority to agricultural uses, the San Mateo County coast's rural agricultural land base is not being paved over.

But simply keeping land in agriculture through zoning is not enough; farmers face many challenges. One is the need to innovate and change to meet foreign competition. These innovations can require large capital investments. And inheritance taxes can still force farm families to sell their land for development.

Now, a new phenomenon is threatening production agriculture on the coast and in other parts of California. Large parcels of farmland are being purchased as estates by people who pay huge prices and replace country farmhouses with mega-mansions. The pricing of land at speculative, rather than agricultural, value can make it impossible for new farmers to purchase or lease productive land in the future. These economic pressures will, over time, tip the balance away from agriculture entirely.

Often, owners of these mega-homes have a romanticized view of living in a working agricultural area. There can be conflicts with adjacent agricultural operations as new owners complain about chemical sprays, noise and dust.

What's the solution? The simplest long-term solution is to buy threatened lands outright or purchase agricultural easements, which keeps property in private ownership while removing the speculative development value. Purchase of easements can give farmers the needed capital for investing in crops, equipment or technology as they see fit.

Who can do this? Recently, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD) received approval from the San Mateo County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) to expand its boundaries to include the coastside. The MROSD will be able to buy land or easements from willing sellers only on the coast.

This unique agency can foster the continuation of agriculture, protect streams and habitats and allow compatible low-intensity uses such as hiking, biking and equestrian trails. The MROSD has no say over what private owners can do with private land; the district can manage only land it has purchased.

The MROSD has signed agreements with the La Honda-Pescadero School District and San Mateo County fire services to offset any possible economic impact on these agencies; none of the special districts on the coast have opposed the expansion.

The approval of the coastal expansion is subject to a protest process that ended June 11. If there are enough valid signatures on the protest, an election will be held in November to ask voters whether to confirm LAFCo's decision.

This vision for the coast is clear. Expansion of the Open Space District is the best way we have today to help ensure that the coastside's productive farm fields and open space vistas continue far into the future.

Lennie Roberts is the legislative advocate for the Committee for Green Foothills.