The Conservancy’s program for the purchase of environmentally sensitive lands was initially adopted in April 1985. Land acquisition criteria were modified on several occasions - in April 1986, May 1987, July 1988, September 1988, and February 1989 - to encompass significant resource lands and lands necessary to protect the natural environment. In October 1987, the Conservancy authorized the development and implementation of a land coverage program, including the acquisition of parcels under specified criteria containing existing or potential land coverage as a component of the program to acquire lands necessary to protect the natural environment.
In addition to its long term mission to acquire environmentally sensitive lands, the Conservancy has periodically acquired parcels for public access, and stream environment zone and wildlife protection purposes. The Conservancy has also acquired parcels through litigation settlements.
Through its acquisition efforts, the Conservancy owns and manages more than 6,500 acres of land, mostly comprised of small parcels scattered throughout the California side of the Basin. Management itself has thus become important to Conservancy operations, entailing the maintenance and protection of more than 4,890 parcels. In many cases, parcels also require some form of restoration so that they might better serve the purposes for which they were acquired.
Managing the Conservancy’s properties is a complex task. Aside from their sheer numbers and small sizes – most are no bigger than 1/3 of an acre – parcels are often scattered throughout already-developed areas, creating the potential for conflicts between open space and residential uses.
The Conservancy’s Property Management Program was adopted in September 1986 and ongoing activities are reauthorized in July of each year. Management objectives include:
• Manage property in a manner consistent with the purpose(s) for which it was acquired
• Restore and enhance on-site resources where appropriate
• Resolve potential use conflicts
• Coordinate the management of such lands with other public agencies and private entities in order to facilitate more responsive, cost-effective, and/or comprehensive management arrangements
• Continue to develop the Conservancy’s administrative and fiscal capability to manage all types of acquired properties.
The Conservancy initiated the Urban Lot Management Program in 1986 to address management issues on urban lots acquired through its Environmentally Sensitive Lands Program. Management on Conservancy lands is limited to activities that are appropriate for residential areas, with an emphasis on protecting water quality and community open space. The foll...
The Conservancy’s program for the purchase of environmentally sensitive lands was initially adopted in April 1985. Land acquisition criteria were modified on several occasions - in April 1986, May 1987, July 1988, September 1988, and February 1989 - to encompass significant resource lands and lands necessary to protect the natural envi...
Typically, Conservancy lands are purchased for water quality and environmental conservation values. As such, special use requests are infrequently granted. To review the criteria and procedures for a special use request, please see the Conservancy’s Special Use Guide...