HomeMy WebLinkAboutWild Cherry Canyon Acquisition - City of SLO - Support Letter for Grant ApplicationCity of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114,
slocity.org
September 2, 2026
Mr. Doug Bosco, Chair
State Coastal Conservancy
1515 Clay Street, 10th Floor
Oakland, Ca 94612
Re: Wild Cherry Canyon Acquisition, Diablo Canyon Lands, San Luis Obispo County
Dear Chair Bosco,
I am writing in support of the proposed Coastal Conservancy grant of up to $40,000,000 to
the Wildlands Conservancy to acquire the 2,400-acre Wild Cherry Canyon property within
the Diablo Canyon lands San Luis Obispo County. This acquisition represents a once-in-a-
generation opportunity to permanently protect significant natural and cultural resources
while advancing public access and habitat conservation.
The City of San Luis Obispo has long recognized the importance of protecting the natural
resources and open spaces associated with the Diablo Canyon lands. The proposed Wild
Cherry Canyon acquisition is consistent with the City’s adopted policies, including the City’s
Legislative Action Platform, which supports efforts to advance open-space and community
benefit outcomes for lands associated with the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, as well as state
and federal investments that protect and preserve natural resources, coastal resources, and
open space.
The protection of Wild Cherry Canyon has been a longstanding priority for the San Luis
Obispo County community. The local Diablo Resources Advisory Measure (“DREAM
Initiative”) demonstrated strong public support in 2000, with nearly 75% of County voters
supporting the protection of Wild Cherry Canyon and surrounding Diablo Canyon lands for
habitat preservation, public use, and agricultural purposes. The Coastal Conservancy’s prior
efforts in 2009 to support acquisition of this property further demonstrate the longstanding
regional commitment to preserving this important landscape.
The City of San Luis Obispo respectfully urges the Coastal Conservancy Board to approve the
proposed grant and support this transformational investment in conservation, public access,
and the long-term benefit of the Central Coast community. The Diablo Canyon lands hold
deep cultural significance for multiple historically and culturally affiliated Tribal
communities, including federally recognized and non-federally recognized Tribes. We
applaud The Wildlands Conservancy and the State Coastal Conservancy’s efforts to work
collaboratively with these Tribal communities and encourage continued, inclusive, and
meaningful engagement throughout the project. Thank you for your continued leadership
and commitment to protecting California’s treasured coastal and natural and cultural
resources.
Sincerely,
Erica A. Stewart
Mayor
City of San Luis Obispo
CC: City of San Luis Obispo Council Members
County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors
Senator John Laird
Assemblymember Dawn Addis