Gaviota Coast and Point Conception, looking northwest. Much of the land in the lower half of the photo is on the old Hollister Ranch. Photo via Creative Commons by Doc Searls
In summary
Hollister Ranch legislation: Pro: Jerry Brown has an opportunity to make good on that promise of ensuring equitable access to our public lands for all Californians, especially those who are least able to do so. Con: In an era where public confidence in politics and politicians is eroding, signing Assembly Bill 2534, would be short-sighted and dangerous. No policy outcome is worth undermining our democratic institutions and process of governing.
By José González
José González is the founder of Latino Outdoors, a Latino-led organization working to create leaders in conservation and outdoor education and connecting families to nature, josegagonzalez@gmail.com. He wrote this commentary for CALmatters.
Access to the outdoors and nature ought to be a birthright for all Californians. Many of us are fortunate and privileged that we have been to, or can easily access, places that are the envy of the world.
We enjoy the migratory birds nesting in the remaining wetlands and grasslands of the great Central Valley. We admire the spectacularly quirky Joshua trees and native plants in the almost magical desolation of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. We hike through majestic groves of giant sequoias and redwoods and are entranced by the crash of waves along our iconic coast at sunset.
But it is easy to overlook the hard-fought battles to preserve these places and, more importantly, make them accessible to everyone. A truism within the conservation community is that a willingness to preserve is inextricably tied to witnessing nature first hand and experiencing its awe and benefits.
This is why we at Latino Outdoors and Azul fought for Assembly Bill 2534 by Assemblywoman Monique Limón, a Democrat from Santa Barbara. We urge Gov. Jerry Brown to sign it. The bill would:
Establish the Outdoor Equity Grant Funding Program to increase equitable access to outdoor environmental education experiences at our public lands for low-income and at-risk youth, and
Create two accounts that will be a repository for funding to facilitate the Coastal Access Program for Hollister Ranch, which was passed by the Legislature and signed by Brown in 1982 but never implemented.
These two issues are part and parcel to the objective of providing equitable access to the outdoors for all Californians.
Thanks to the wisdom and foresight of the California voters who approved the Coastal Initiative in 1972, followed by the enactment of the Coastal Act signed by Brown in 1976, California’s Constitution expressly protects the right of all Californians to access all of its beaches and waterways.
But the reality is that the birthright I mentioned earlier does not apply to all of California’s natural lands. Hollister Ranch in Santa Barbara County, Opal Cliffs in Santa Cruz County, and Martins Beach in San Mateo County are current examples of how the wealthy intentionally block access to the coast.
We care deeply about the protection of public lands and understand the importance of policy-making in the public interest to achieve these goals. We were intentional in being involved in the process.
Legislators approved Assembly Bill 2534 without any rule waivers, within the regular legislative deadlines, and allowed for sufficient time for public review. There was a policy committee hearing where provisions were discussed at length. The bill does not interfere with the litigation.
Gov. Brown first signed legislation 36 years to provide access to the 8.5 mile stretch of the coast at Hollister Ranch. Now, by signing AB 2534, Brown has an opportunity to make good on that promise of ensuring equitable access to our public lands for all Californians, especially those who are least able to do so.By Monte Ward
Monte Ward is president of the Hollister Ranch Homeowners Association, mward.associates@gmail.com. He wrote this commentary for CALmatters.
Sometimes in its end-of-session rush, the Legislature does things that just don’t seem right. Assemblywoman Monique Limón’s Assembly Bill 2534 is one of those things.
Right up until the last week of the session, AB 2534 was a laudable proposal to establish an Outdoor Equity Grants Program, enabling underserved and at-risk kids to participate in outdoor educational experiences at state parks and other public lands. A broad array of conservation and government groups supported it.
But in the final days of the legislative session, the bill was amended to add provisions related to public access to the coast at Hollister Ranch, a 14,500-acre cattle ranch and rural community in Santa Barbara County.
Hollister Ranch homeowners were given no advance notice of the amendments, and the bill was quickly moved through the Legislature and sent to Gov. Jerry Brown. The process was all but hidden from the public.
Why the rush? The bill’s author claims it is because of pressure from constituents. But a more insidious and accurate reason is readily apparent.
A hard-fought lawsuit had been underway since 2013 between the Hollister Ranch and the state. Ranch residents challenged the state’s claim that it owns an easement for public access over our property. As the trial approached in 2017, the two sides worked hard to settle the dispute and succeeded last December.
However, a small group of Santa Barbara coastal trail advocates challenged the state’s decision to settle, claiming the Coastal Commission, the Coastal Conservancy and the Attorney General had done a poor job of representing the public interest.
Their argument cites two sections of the Coastal Act that they claim prohibit the settlement. Lo and behold, AB 2534 amends those same two provisions in a way designed to directly interfere with the settlement.
Gov. Brown should veto AB 2534 for two compelling reasons:
The bill is a corrosive example of a backroom deal rushed through with the clear intent of hiding what is going on from those most likely to be affected.
The Legislature seeks to place its finger on the scales of justice, interfering with pending litigation. That erodes public confidence in the legislative process and the courts.
The litigation between the state and Hollister Ranch should be allowed to proceed without interference from the Legislature. The meritorious and obviously popular original provisions of the bill can be reintroduced and enacted next year.
Doing otherwise sends the bad message that last minute shenanigans are rewarded. In an era where public confidence in politics and politicians is eroding, signing this bill into law would be short-sighted and dangerous. No policy outcome is worth undermining our democratic institutions and process of governing.
Gov. Brown is deciding Hollister Ranch legislation
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In summary
Hollister Ranch legislation: Pro: Jerry Brown has an opportunity to make good on that promise of ensuring equitable access to our public lands for all Californians, especially those who are least able to do so. Con: In an era where public confidence in politics and politicians is eroding, signing Assembly Bill 2534, would be short-sighted and dangerous. No policy outcome is worth undermining our democratic institutions and process of governing.
By José González
José González is the founder of Latino Outdoors, a Latino-led organization working to create leaders in conservation and outdoor education and connecting families to nature, josegagonzalez@gmail.com. He wrote this commentary for CALmatters.
Access to the outdoors and nature ought to be a birthright for all Californians. Many of us are fortunate and privileged that we have been to, or can easily access, places that are the envy of the world.
We enjoy the migratory birds nesting in the remaining wetlands and grasslands of the great Central Valley. We admire the spectacularly quirky Joshua trees and native plants in the almost magical desolation of the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. We hike through majestic groves of giant sequoias and redwoods and are entranced by the crash of waves along our iconic coast at sunset.
But it is easy to overlook the hard-fought battles to preserve these places and, more importantly, make them accessible to everyone. A truism within the conservation community is that a willingness to preserve is inextricably tied to witnessing nature first hand and experiencing its awe and benefits.
This is why we at Latino Outdoors and Azul fought for Assembly Bill 2534 by Assemblywoman Monique Limón, a Democrat from Santa Barbara. We urge Gov. Jerry Brown to sign it. The bill would:
These two issues are part and parcel to the objective of providing equitable access to the outdoors for all Californians.
Thanks to the wisdom and foresight of the California voters who approved the Coastal Initiative in 1972, followed by the enactment of the Coastal Act signed by Brown in 1976, California’s Constitution expressly protects the right of all Californians to access all of its beaches and waterways.
But the reality is that the birthright I mentioned earlier does not apply to all of California’s natural lands. Hollister Ranch in Santa Barbara County, Opal Cliffs in Santa Cruz County, and Martins Beach in San Mateo County are current examples of how the wealthy intentionally block access to the coast.
We care deeply about the protection of public lands and understand the importance of policy-making in the public interest to achieve these goals. We were intentional in being involved in the process.
Legislators approved Assembly Bill 2534 without any rule waivers, within the regular legislative deadlines, and allowed for sufficient time for public review. There was a policy committee hearing where provisions were discussed at length. The bill does not interfere with the litigation.
Gov. Brown first signed legislation 36 years to provide access to the 8.5 mile stretch of the coast at Hollister Ranch. Now, by signing AB 2534, Brown has an opportunity to make good on that promise of ensuring equitable access to our public lands for all Californians, especially those who are least able to do so.By Monte Ward
Monte Ward is president of the Hollister Ranch Homeowners Association, mward.associates@gmail.com. He wrote this commentary for CALmatters.
Sometimes in its end-of-session rush, the Legislature does things that just don’t seem right. Assemblywoman Monique Limón’s Assembly Bill 2534 is one of those things.
Right up until the last week of the session, AB 2534 was a laudable proposal to establish an Outdoor Equity Grants Program, enabling underserved and at-risk kids to participate in outdoor educational experiences at state parks and other public lands. A broad array of conservation and government groups supported it.
But in the final days of the legislative session, the bill was amended to add provisions related to public access to the coast at Hollister Ranch, a 14,500-acre cattle ranch and rural community in Santa Barbara County.
Hollister Ranch homeowners were given no advance notice of the amendments, and the bill was quickly moved through the Legislature and sent to Gov. Jerry Brown. The process was all but hidden from the public.
Why the rush? The bill’s author claims it is because of pressure from constituents. But a more insidious and accurate reason is readily apparent.
A hard-fought lawsuit had been underway since 2013 between the Hollister Ranch and the state. Ranch residents challenged the state’s claim that it owns an easement for public access over our property. As the trial approached in 2017, the two sides worked hard to settle the dispute and succeeded last December.
However, a small group of Santa Barbara coastal trail advocates challenged the state’s decision to settle, claiming the Coastal Commission, the Coastal Conservancy and the Attorney General had done a poor job of representing the public interest.
Their argument cites two sections of the Coastal Act that they claim prohibit the settlement. Lo and behold, AB 2534 amends those same two provisions in a way designed to directly interfere with the settlement.
Gov. Brown should veto AB 2534 for two compelling reasons:
The litigation between the state and Hollister Ranch should be allowed to proceed without interference from the Legislature. The meritorious and obviously popular original provisions of the bill can be reintroduced and enacted next year.
Doing otherwise sends the bad message that last minute shenanigans are rewarded. In an era where public confidence in politics and politicians is eroding, signing this bill into law would be short-sighted and dangerous. No policy outcome is worth undermining our democratic institutions and process of governing.
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