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On Tuesday, October 27th LandWatch, the Cattleman’s Association, the Ventana Wildlife Society, the Farm Bureau, and the Salinas Valley Agriculture Land Trust stood together with Supervisors Lou Calcagno, Jane Parker, and Simone Salinas to urge Governor Schwarzenegger to reinstate funding for Williamson Act contracts. The California Land Conservation Act of 1965--commonly referred to as the Williamson Act--enables local governments to enter into contracts with private landowners to restrict specific parcels of land to agricultural or related open space use. In return, landowners receive property tax assessments which are much lower than normal because they are based upon farming and open space uses as opposed to full market value. Local governments receive an annual subvention of forgone property tax revenues from the state via the Open Space Subvention Act of 1971.
This past summer, in an attempt to balance the state budget, Governor Schwarzenegger eliminated funding to the counties for Williamson Act properties. This program is an essential tool to help keep the area’s agriculture industry viable. Monterey County currently has 541 active contracts totaling 3,200 parcels of more than 750,000 acres. If these contracts are eliminated, large swaths of Monterey County would go unprotected. It is LandWatch’s hope that the state restore funding for this crucial program that supports the both the county’s agriculture industry and open space. LandWatch will continue to watch the developments surrounding Williamson Act properties in Monterey County.
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Amy White, Director of LandWatch speaking about the importance of maintaining Williamson Act contracts in Monterey County |
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Bob Perkins, Director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau speaking in favor of the contracts to preserve farmland. To his right are Supervisors Lou Calcagno, Simon Salinas, and Jane Parker. |
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Kelly Sorenson, Director of the Ventana Wildlife Society speaking of the importance of the Williamson Act lands for the survival of the California Condor species. |
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Williamson Act supporters: Salinas Valley Ag Land Trust, LandWatch, Ventana Wildlife Society, Supervisor Parker, Supervisor Salinas, Supervisor Calcagno, Monterey County Farm Bureau, Cattlemans’ Association, and Bill Monning. |
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11.02.09
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