AgdaPkt 2003-06-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

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98/ REPORT June 2, 2003 To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From Council Members Howard and Pierce Subject Endorsement of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Proposed Extension of Boundaries to Include a Portion of the San Mateo County Coastline Recommendation Approve the attached resolution endorsing the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's proposal to extend its boundaries to include a portion of the San Mateo County coast in order for it to participate in preservation and management of coastside open space, preservation of coastside agricultural activity, and provision of low- intensity public recreational access to open space lands in that region. Background The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an independent single - purpose special district, funded through a small portion of property tax as approved by the voters within its jurisdiction. Since its inception in 1972 (and expansion into southern San Mateo County in 1976) the District has permanently protected nearly 50,000 acres of rural open space lands throughout the San Francisco peninsula, providing approximately 220 miles of public trails within its 26 open space preserves. The District works to preserve the sensitive habitats of a variety of species of endangered plants and animals, maintain historic structures and facilities on its land, and provide an environmental education program and volunteer opportunities. The District's boundaries currently encompass an area from approximately Skyline Boulevard in the west to the bay shoreline in the east, and from the City of San Carlos in the north to the Town of Los Gatos in the south. Its jurisdiction does not include any ocean coastline. The District was asked by the Half Moon Bay City Council and the Midcoast Community Council to consider participating in coastside open space and agricultural preservation and management. Subsequently, in a public opinion survey 90% of San Mateo County respondents said that preservation of open space west of Skyline Boulevard was important. Other agencies have only limited capacity to provide agricultural conservation and open space management services, and have acknowledged the need for a local organization to provide these services. These factors indicate a clear desire and need for the District's participation in San Mateo County coastal preservation. In order to respond to this expressed need, the District is proposing to extend its boundaries to encompass the San Mateo County coastal area from the south end of Pacifica to the San Mateo /Santa Cruz county line, and from the Pacific Ocean to Skyline Boulevard.