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August 18, 2014
AUG 1 9 2014
San Luis Obispo City Council MORRO COAST
990 Palm Street AUDUB
SOCIETY
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Re: Funding Request from the land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County.
Dear Mayor Jan Howell Marx,
AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE
Date' - 1c/ Item# L l
The Morro Coast Audubon Society, MCAS, appreciates this opportunity to comment on the
proposed Pismo Preserve public open space. This project complements our Mission Statement,
"to promote the appreciation, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems focusing on the
biological diversity of birds, other wildlife and their habitats, particularly in San Luis Obispo
County."
MCAS, representing over 1,200 members across San Luis Obispo County, strongly supports the
creation of the Pismo Preserve and encourages the San Luis Obispo City Council to allocate the
requested funding of $100,000 to assist the Land Conservancy in the purchase of this unique,
and much needed, open space preserve.
The benefits of this project are clear. Creating the Pismo Preserve will:
Boost the region's economy by creating a new attraction for the tourism industry.
- Preserve scenic viewsheds.
Support healthy, active lifestyles.
- Safeguard precious drinking water.
Provide accessible outdoor recreation opportunities for South County residents.
These benefits will have a positive and direct benefit to the residents of the City of San Luis
Obispo — as it will provide an additional premier open space that will be accessible to City
residents.
MCAS agrees with the Council Agenda Report, that the qualitative benefits received from the
Pismo Preserve may be difficult to assign a monetary value upon, however, these benefits
based on quality may be more important than the immediate financial quantitative benefits —
For we believe the quality based benefits that the Pismo Preserve offers are priceless.
P.(). BOX 1 507 MORRO BAY, CA 93443 80 772 -1991
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The numerous benefits of the Pismo Preserve, coupled with the fact that this project is
consistent with the City's Conservation and Open Space Element of the City's General Plan
should be noted.
Although the Pismo Preserve may not be immediately connected to the City's Greenbelt — it is
ecologically connected, as vegetation and wildlife do not recognize boundaries placed on them.
A regional open space system with a continuous wildlife corridor connecting the Guidetti Ranch
via Williamson Act land would benefit the City's conservation objectives by assuring a regional
connectivity of open space.
Another goal of the City's Open Space Element is to protect open space resources, and allow
passive recreation where it will not degrade or impact open space resources. Participating in
the Pismo Preserve acquisition may reduce resource protection issues at existing, high use,
open space areas such as Johnson Ranch and Bishop Peak by relieving some of the pressure
they receive.
Lastly, from the City's Open Space Element — If the City is to protect open space resources by
encouraging individuals, organizations, and other agencies to take similar actions. And If the
City is to improve interagency cooperation for open space acquisition by coordinating with
other agencies and organizations having interest or expertise in resource protection. If the City
is to establish mutually respectful, long -term relationships with conservation and
environmental organizations.
If the above open space policies are supported, the City should put its support where its values
are, and join the County, and cities of Pismo Beach, Arroyo Grande, and Grover Beach, local
businesses and individual donors by allocating the full funding request to help the Land
Conservancy make this project a reality. This small investment by the City of San Luis Obispo
will provide huge dividends for the City's residents and visitors.
Thank you for your consideration of the proposed Pismo Preserve.
Respectively submitted,
10m w.1"aW
Douglas Tait, Conservation Chair
Morro Coast Audubon Society.
P.O. BOX 1507 a M(.:)RRO BAY, CA 93443 ft 305- 772 -1991
www .rruori"oco(Ast(:iudubar).org