Satellites and radio waves benefit rare plants
Hidden away in the drainages, among the rocks, and nestled under trees are some valuable treasures: rare and endangered plants.
Open space technician David Tharp is able to precisely record the location of special-status plants on OSA lands using the newest global positioning (GPS) technology plus a lot of old-fashioned field work.
The process starts with knowing what to look for. David’s interest in plants started with photography; he will soon complete a degree in environmental science as a biodiversity specialist. To identify the plants he’s tracking, whether it’s Mt. Hamilton thistle, Santa Clara Valley dudleya or Loma Prieta hoita, he has to catch them in the right state, when they’re showing characteristic flowers, fruits or other features.
After finding and identifying one of his target species, David lays out a measured study area and records its GPS coordinates. Then he collects information about the study population and its associated plants that is added to the Authority’s lands database.
This geographic information system (GIS) enables data to be portrayed as maps. Many different layers of information have been assembled through the work of supervising open space technician Derek Neumann. These layers can be overlaid to present a detailed picture of the resources on Authority lands.
OSA staff can then make decisions about a variety of management issues from the location of trails to invasive species control efforts based on a clear understanding of where those plants that merit special protection are growing.
Private hideaway becomes public land
In a transaction that adds up to a big win for all parties, the Open Space Authority has purchased 228 acres donated by an alumnus of San Jose State University. The property is adjacent to Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, now 4,334 acres of woods, chaparral, meadows and creeks that offer trails for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers.
The land is extremely remote; most of the roads in the area are private, one lane and dirt. To achieve the greatest value from such a generous gift took some creativity. After considering several possible uses for the property, San Jose State decided to offer the site to the Open Space Authority. The purchase price was $572,450, which will support the programs and goals of the university.
As open space, the land has significant habitat value for animal species in the area that need room to roam, including deer, bobcats, mountain lions and coyotes. The bay laurel and oak woodlands, as well as stands of chaparral, are a haven for many native plant species. And protection for tributaries that cross the property will aid in maintaining the water quality of Llagas Creek.
In addition, future trail connections from Rancho Cañada del Oro could expand access to the landscapes so many people enjoy. Additional purchases in the area, a mutual goal of several open space and park agencies, could also lead to a regional trail network that includes the property.
The donor, Richard Olin Pea, was born in 1925 in Oklahoma and migrated with his family to the Bay Area to escape the Dust Bowl. In 1954, he graduated from San Jose State College (now SJSU) with a bachelor's in electrical engineering and went on to work for NASA for over three decades, retiring in 1989. He died in May 2009 at age 84.
“Prior to Mr. Pea's passing we spoke several times about the possibility of selling to the Open Space Authority,” said OSA general manager Patrick Congdon. “He wasn't interested, but enjoyed talking about the property and the times he spent there. Looks like he had a much bigger vision in mind, one of giving to others and how it might help an institution that gave much to him and the community.”
November’s election will decide four seats on OSA board
In this year’s general election voters will choose representatives to the OSA board of directors for districts 2, 5, 6 and 7. The candidate filing period is July 12, 2010 through August 6, 2010. The election will be held on November 2, 2010.
Individuals interested in running for a seat on the board of directors must file all nomination documents with the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters by 5:00 p.m., August 6, 2010. Candidates must be at least 18 years of age by the election date and must be residents and registered voters in the district in which they seek nomination. Directors elected in November will serve a four-year term beginning in January 2011.
District 2 represents Milpitas and portions of north San Jose including Berryessa and Alviso. District 5 encompasses the Cambrian Park and Camden areas of San Jose and other neighborhoods along Hwy 85. District 6 represents central and east San Jose. District 7 covers the southern portions of San Jose along US 101 and the Evergreen area. Detailed OSA district maps are available here or from the Registrar of Voters.
Nomination forms and other necessary documents may be obtained from the Registrar of Voters at 1555 Berger Drive, Bldg 2, San Jose. For more information interested individuals may contact the Registrar at registrar@rov.sccgov.org or 408-299-8683. Language assistance is available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Tagalog.
OSA directors adopt a framework for allocating funds
At its meeting on November 12, the Board of Directors voted to establish a framework for allocating funds received from the settlement of litigation regarding Assessment District Two. The framework identified three general program areas: acquisition of open space, public access projects and a financial sustainability reserve.
The assessment district was created in 2001 and accrued more than $57 million, which was held in an account pending the final outcome of a legal challenge to its validity. In July 2008, the California Supreme Court overturned two lower court decisions in the Authority’s favor. The matter was returned to the Santa Clara County Superior Court where OSA and the plaintiffs settled it.
As a condition of the settlement agreement, which was approved by the Superior Court, the portion of the assessment account balance not paid to satisfy refund claims, attorney’s fees and costs, and other authorized expenses will remain with the Authority. In accordance with the agreement, the Authority may use these funds for its purposes, at its discretion, and without restriction.
Currently all OSA activities are supported by an earlier assessment district that raises $4.1 million annually, based on an assessment of $12 per single family home. This assessment, established in 1995, has no adjustment for inflation. The program areas established in the planning framework for the remaining Assessment District Two funds will enable the Authority to further its open space goals and ensure a secure financial base for future service levels.
Acquisitions
Purchase of open space lands in the urban and rural areas within OSA jurisdiction remains a high priority. A number of significant properties are currently being pursued. A portion of Assessment District Two funds will be set aside to complete these purchases and others that may arise in the future. Recommendations on specific properties will be brought to the Board of Directors by the Acquisition Committee and the General Manager.
Public Access
The Authority has developed a plan to expand access on Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve with the addition of parking, staging and additional trails. These improvements have received grant funding for planning and were positively reviewed at several public workshops. Increasing use of Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve indicates an interest in developing more trails on that preserve as well. In addition, the purchase agreement for the Blair Ranch addition requires developing public access to the area within five years. There are also scenic lands currently closed to general public use that could be opened within five to ten years if funding beyond Assessment District One is available.
A portion of Assessment District Two funds will be set aside to complete the planned public access projects. The Use and Management Committee and the General Manager will recommend projects to the Board of Directors for possible funding.
Financial Sustainability Reserve
The purchase of additional properties and the expansion of public facilities will increase the Authority’s operations and management costs. In order to ensure financial stability and preserve operational flexibility, the Board of Directors has approved establishment of a reserve fund. These funds will be invested as permitted by California Government Code and OSA policy; interest accrued will be used to supplement Assessment District One in funding the Authority’s activities.
The Board of Directors may also determine to use the reserve funds to pay future costs associated with additional property acquisition, public access projects, capital asset purchase and maintenance, and land management activities.
Property tax bills will show a reduced OSA assessment
The assessment for the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority that will appear on property owners' next tax bill will be reduced as a result of a recent Supreme Court decision.
The Open Space Authority has had two assessment districts since 2001, District 1 and District 2. Assessments for these districts have generally shown up on property tax bills as a single assessment.
On July 14, 2008, the California Supreme Court found in favor of two taxpayers associations in a lawsuit challenging the Authority’s District 2.
To comply with the court's ruling, District 2 was eliminated and property owners will no longer be assessed under this assessment district. The assessment that will appear on the next property tax bill will be for District 1 only. The disposition of funds collected in prior years pursuant to District 2 will be addressed in further court proceedings.