• The area is already protected by measures currently in place such as existing zoning and the Williamson Act agricultural preserve.
• Current programs and policies are not solely effective in protecting natural resources in the face of mounting development & population pressure.
• Existing tools are available to landowners to allow them to continue conservation efforts.
• Development pressures are very high near the urban limit line, resulting in adjacent lands going up in value creating a demand to develop moving up the coast inch by inch.
• Development pressure and urban sprawl are not threats in this area.
• Current programs will not permanently protect the coast from sprawl.
• Private property rights may be affected, including possible devaluation of private property in and around the area.
• Landowners have not been adequately involved in the study process.
• Because land values are high on the Gaviota Coast, the local / state authorities do not have sufficient fiscal resources to achieve adequate conservation.
• Government policy conflicts with running long-term agricultural operations.
• Recreational opportunities already exist in the area.
• Increased tourism and recreation could result in increased traffic congestion, resource damage, and an economic shift from current high-paying jobs in the high-tech sector to low-paying jobs in the tourist service sector.
• NPS would interfere with missions on Vandenberg AFB.

• Natural and cultural resources have been well preserved on the Gaviota Coast because of restricted access and good land stewardship by landowners.
• Visitor access should be low impact, low intensity.
• Trails should avoid sensitive resources and/or agricultural areas.
• Manage access by limiting it to scheduled tours with trained docents or naturalists and carefully planning for the scale, location, and design of visitor facilities.
• Develop a management structure with a long-term commitment to protection of the resources in order to balance resource protection and recreation.
• Not all portions of the study area are appropriate for public access.
• Establish a biological research and monitoring program in coordination with local organizations and the University of California, Santa Barbara, in order to ensure that recreational use is compatible with protecting sensitive resources.
• Sustain and improve wildlife corridors.
• Protect the study area on a watershed basis.
• Restore wetlands.
• Restore salmon and steelhead populations to coastal streams.

• Preserve Chumash archeological sites / ancestral burial sites along the coast through participation of local bands of Chumash.
• Existing policies ensure that Chumash sites are secure and protected, and the Chumash have full access to them for traditional and ceremonial purposes.
• More opportunities for Chumash education, interpretation and access to ancestral sites should be included in a recommended alternative for the study area.
• A Chumash homeland should be recognized.

• Additional conservation programs, including NPS designation, are necessary to adequately protect the coast from the pressures of development, especially between Goleta and Gaviota State Park.
• NPS designation would cause tourism-related development along the coast.
• Increased recreation and tourism will negatively impact resources.

• Implement the section of the California Coastal Trail from Pt. Sal to Coal Oil Point.
• Develop trails that connect the mountains to the coast in various locations including existing parks and preserves such as Arroyo Hondo and Gaviota State Park. Types of trails suggested: paved bicycle trails, hiking trails, equestrian trails.
• Constructing trails and trailheads will disrupt the ecosystem by human impact pollution from vehicles, trash, noise and trampling of small plants and insects.
• Access and protection of resources are compatible if trails and access points are limited and carefully designed to avoid impacting sensitive resources and agricultural lands.
• Trails through private lands should be created only with permission and cooperation of the local landowners.
• Existing public access is adequate.
• Public access and agriculture are not compatible.
• Provide visitor centers, camping, and lodging in appropriate locations.

• Farmers and ranchers have played an important stewardship role in preserving the Gaviota coast.
• Streamline regulations so that agricultural and conservation lands are treated differently.
• Require voter approval for lot size changes.
• Establish a regional council under County mandate. With a regional council local, state and federal members would work together to determine if development proposals would impact the study area.
• Establish a Resource Conservation District with direct participation by landowners and agriculturists to regulate activities and raise funds to help farmers and ranchers improve the health of their land.

Transfer of development rights:

• Develop a transfer of development rights (TDR) program to help address growth and development at the urban edge.
• A TDR program would work well for landowners who want to sell since it could be done at market value and on a private basis.
• A TDR program would put economic and ecological pressure on cities that are experiencing growth at a rapid rate.

Easements:

• Pursue conservation and agricultural easement programs either as a primary means of land conservation or as a tool to be used in conjunction with any NPS designation.
• Target easements to lands most threatened by development to make the best use of funding.
• Easements can benefit private land conservation by providing funds for efforts such as fencing to keep cows out of streams, retirement of grazing lands, and offering limited public access on a voluntary basis.

Funding:

• Existing land conservation efforts by the Trust for Public Land and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County are adequate to protect the study area.
• Additional funding is necessary for easements.
• Funding sources could include the establishment of a State Land Conservancy or Open Space District with a parcel tax or other revenue.
• Open Space District / State Land Conservancy:
• Do not establish such districts because of the additional layer of bureaucracy.
• A State Land Conservancy would duplicate the current efforts of existing land trusts that have the expertise and capacity to carry out effective transactions.
• The State lacks the resources to support funding for an Open Space District or Land Conservancy.
• A State Gaviota Coast Land Conservancy and County Open Space District can be effective entities to partially fund the necessary acquisitions of easements and in-fee title.

• Focus land acquisition efforts on private lands that are poised for development.
• Focus land acquisition efforts on areas where opportunities exist to enhance scenic, cultural, natural, and recreation resources.
• Expand the existing state and county park system to provide more land for open space and recreation.
• Land should only be purchased from willing sellers.

• Include the entire study area in a National Seashore designation.
• NPS designation would negatively impact surrounding communities with demands associated from increased tourism.
• A National Seashore designation would protect endangered species, provide an intact ecosystem where other species will thrive as well as providing for recreational activities, and allow for permanent protection of the resources.
• NPS provides expertise in visitor management and interpretation.
• Focus NPS designation or acquisition along the coast; use easements or other private and local land conservation tools for upland areas.
• Lands adjacent to areas already protected by land trusts, state or county parks should be a high priority for protection.
• The “Continue Current Programs and Policies” alternative is preferred. NPS involvement is not wanted.
• The proposed Preserve alternative would work best because this approach emphasizes watershed protection.
• The proposed Reserve is the best option since this would include the establishment of a congressionally-chartered local board of directors offering an effective way of ensuring balanced representation of public and private stakeholders.
• NPS designation will bring excess regulation of private landowners, interference with Vandenberg Air Force Base missions.
• The National Park Service does not have the ability to provide adequate funding for a new park unit.
• NPS participation would qualify this effort for federal grants and other funding.
• The feasibility study process should be stopped.

• Establish a Gaviota Coast Marine Sanctuary or Marine Reserve that would tie in with the Channel Islands National Park.
• Return existing public lands to private ownership.
• Allow more housing to be built on the Gaviota Coast.

• Goleta Urban Area (Bacara Resort to Coal Oil Point)
• Gaviota State Park to Goleta Urban Area
• Jalama Beach to Hollister Ranch (including Bixby Ranch and Point Conception)
• Vandenberg Air Force Base (including Point Sal

Goleta Urban Area (Bacara Resort to Coal Oil Point)      

Comments About Current Programs and Policies:

• Ellwood: the City of Goleta, the developer, the State, and the Trust for Public Land are involved in a coordinated effort to relocate development away from the sensitive areas and purchase as much land as possible for public ownership.
• A component of the park expansion would be the Ellwood Shores proposal to create a combination park and preserve encompassing the UCSB Devereux Reserve, the monarch butterfly preserve and the extensive bluff lands and beach at the edge of the urban area. This would provide extensive additional beach access and recreational facilities at the edge of the urban area where such facilities are most likely to be heavily utilized.

• Develop coastal trail and trailheads. Provide public access to beach.
• Develop a trail along northern boundary of Los Padres National Forest down near Winchester Canyon.
• Provide public access and a parking lot at Coal Oil Point for community access to Sands Beach.
•  Property in this area has potential for development and needs to be protected; there is potential for recreational and natural resource protection from the beach inland.

• Conservation efforts and funding for land acquisition and procurement of agricultural & conservation easements should be focused here.

• NPS could provide assistance with (1) TPL transaction (2) design plans for low profile visitor facilities, and methods for controlling visitor impacts and (3) funding and consultations with local agencies on restoration of coastal habitat.

Gaviota State Park to Goleta Urban Area    

Comments About Current Programs:

• Keep State parks under current management.
• Development pressures are very high near the urban limit line.

• Have a visitor center to depict & interpret natural resources, the historical & cultural aspect of Gaviota Pass, its significance as transportation corridor, wildlife significance, riparian corridors. Include education experience.
• Protect historic/cultural resources related to agriculture and cattle grazing and agricultural landscape.
• Protect wildlife habitat.
• Protect upland viewshed of Brinkman property for coastal trail users; preserve/restore wildlife habitat.
• Preserve and restore natural areas on Las Varas Ranch.

• Build cultural center for Chumash.
• Protect burial sites at Dos Pueblos.

• Provide trail connectors from the coast to the Los Padres National Forest at West Camino Cielo Road through the county-owned property at Baron Ranch near Tajiguas, from Ferren Road near Ellwood. These trails are designated Proposed Recreation Trails by the County of Santa Barbara and are part of Goleta Valley Community Plan. Provide trailhead parking areas for each of the trail connectors. Provide other connector trails from El Capitan Ranch, which was recently acquired by State Parks, Arroyo Hondo, El Capitan State Beach, and the Dos Pueblos Assoc. proposed golf course area. Provide trails along northern study boundary down to Refugio State Beach.
• Public access from the highway corridor and beach to the national forest should be opened somewhere in Goleta corridor (on public lands in a public corridor or through the lands of only willing participants). Expansion of public recreation must be on lands acquired from willing sellers and not located on narrow easements forced through private land.
• Develop the California Coastal Trail, provide connections, and visually enhance it; develop public access to the beach where possible; preserve/restore natural areas. Develop a new section of the trail at Las Varas Ranch, for public access to beach. There is potential for trail development from beach to crest of mountains.
• An existing bikeway connects El Capitan & Refugio State Beaches on the ocean side of Hwy 101. The county opened a 1.5-mile stretch on El Capitan Ranch. Horse trail can continue along the access road. Trail should continue on north side as the railroad is too close to the cliffs. There are possibilities for segments of hiking trails.
• Develop a trail alongside existing railroad tracks. Develop an upper high-tide trail section when the beach trail is impassable.
• Extend the bike trail from UCSB to Gaviota State Park and possibly Vandenberg to keep bicycles off of 101 and provide scenic coastal trail.
• Develop a trail in the mountains on the Brinkman property.
• Develop equestrian trails from Gaviota State Park through Los Padres NF down through Arroyo Hondo and Arroyo Quemado accessing coast and from Gaviota State Park down the coast to Arroyo Quemado.
• NPS could partner in facilitating the construction and maintenance of potential new trails at the County’s Baron Ranch, Arroyo Hondo Preserve, and Dos Vistas Ranch.
• Provide beach access and public parking at Naples.
• Opportunities for additional coastal access exist at the old Arco site (not owned by Dos Pueblos Assoc.), at Las Varas Ranch (for sale), and Eagle Canyon.
• Protect viewshed in agricultural lands for beach or upland coastal trail users.
• Provide surfing access between Gaviota State Park and the Tajiguas landfill.
• Develop wilderness camps by existing springs in the Santa Ynez Mountains at Rock gardens and “the squat” (south of Gaviota Peak).
• Gaviota State Park provides a wide land connection between the beach and the national forest. It also presents an opportunity for increased camping. The campground is located on a flood plain and has encroached into a wetland. The campground should be removed and relocated into a more appropriate location within the canyon, which would also be protected from the strong prevailing winds which blow out of the canyon. The wetland and flood plain should then be restored.

• Acquisition through non-government conservation strategies (conservation easements, self-governed ag/conservation districts, state chartered open space district, Save Our Agricultural Resources initiative). Focus on Eagle Canyon (public access, habitat preservation, wildlife corridor from mountains to the sea), Dos Pueblos Assoc., Naples (some public acquisition is expected to be part of the negotiations with developer), and Las Varas Ranch (coastal access, scenic values, coastal sage habitat restoration).
• Agricultural and cattle ranching lands could continue in that use through transfer of development rights.

•  Acquire Brinkman land from willing seller at fair market value. This environment would provide an enhanced and unique trail experience for those accessing it, and could potentially be considered a “spur-trail” section of the California Coastal Trail. The land would create a contiguous public wildland area of almost 13,000 acres. In combination with Arroyo Hondo Preserve and the conservation easement on Dos Vistas Ranch there is a coastal wildland of 15,000 acres.
• Acquire land at fair market value when available or offer to buy it. Land has potential for development; potential for recreational and natural resource protection from the beach and/or inland; provide wildlife corridor and habitat. Eagle Canyon Ranch could be an example of a developable property that, if protected, would not only preserve scenic values but also potentially provide access to the beach and inland both for people in terms of recreation and wildlife as a corridor inland towards the mountains and for habitat.
• Acquire the coastal strip for public ownership between Coal Oil Point and Gaviota State Park, from Hwy 101 to the ocean. Approximately 10 miles of this 20-mile coastline is already within the Santa Barbara Coast State Seashore. This would help protect significant scenic and biological resources and coastal access.
• Acquire Las Varas Ranch at fair market value when available or offer to buy it. This property apparently has potential for development and needs to be protected to preserve the Gaviota Coast; potential for recreational use and natural resource protection from the beach to the mountains.
• Willing seller of property (owned by a group) south of 101 by El Rancho Tajiguas because they have had no access to their property for 30+ years. Suggests that the state or NPS should purchase the property & expand Refugio State Park.
• Eagle Canyon is currently cattle grazing land. This should be a high priority acquisition or conservation easement. Development pressures are very high near the urban limit line. Locking in zoning & land acquisition is very important to stop the current trend of urban sprawl.
• Expand Refugio & El Capitan State Beaches (for increased public use) only with adjacent properties acquired from willing sellers.
• The planned expansion of El Capitan State Beach with the significant acquisition of the bulk of the El Capitan Canyon watershed connecting the beach part to the national forest will provide for a wide land bridge between the national forest and the beach.
• Gaviota Marine Terminal: Once the Gaviota Oil and Gas Facility shuts down and is removed, the marine terminal which is dependent on the gas plant will no longer be able to operate. This would create an opportunity for public acquisition of lower Alcatraz Canyon. This area has freeway off and on ramps, overpass, infrastructure for a public campground, and beach access. Clean-up/restore land, develop public access to beach, develop a campground and/or interpretive/cultural center (Chumash Indians and/or related to the oil industry and its history along the coast); visually enhance the California Coastal Trail.

• The National Park Service already has experience in protecting similar cultural and landscape values through their National Heritage Area program by providing technical and financial assistance for a limited period. However, in this case, since the potential for development of these landscapes will continue to be a threat, unless a transfer of development rights, conservation easements or acquisition of these land occurs, the National Park Service would need to continue to be involved to achieve the ultimate goal of protection of these existing cultural resources.

• Eliminate the Tajiguas Landfill, the Gaviota Oil and Gas Facility, and the Las Flores facility; restore land.

Jalama Beach County Park, Bixby Ranch, Point Conception and Hollister Ranch    

Comments About Current Programs and Policies:

• Hollister Ranch owners have never permitted the public on their property, and that should continue.
• Conservancy program that has been in effect at Hollister Ranch for many years has been designed to preserve and protect the land at no cost to taxpayers.
• Hollister Ranch, even with the recent development, has been able to keep its beaches pristine, its arroyos alive with nature and its Chumash heritage intact.
• Ranch owners should not develop hotels or expensive residences. Ranch owners should continue ranching.
• Santa Barbara County zoning prohibits any further subdivision of Hollister Ranch parcels and would continue to permit agricultural and residential use only of property at Hollister Ranch.
• Public access is limited to occasional planned outings for prearranged groups hosted by the Hollister Ranch Conservancy. Access is permitted for approved scientific field research.

• Develop interpretative opportunities related to this sacred site of the Chumash Indians.

• Develop a coastal trail and provide public access: from Jalama Beach County Park to the Pt. Conception lighthouse, from Jalama Beach to Coal Oil Point, from Jalama State Beach to Point Conception along the bluff tops
• Develop bike & pedestrian trails connecting inland areas to the coast.
• Jalama Beach County Park should remain in recreational use & perhaps expanded, if resource protection can be ensured & access constraints can be adequately addressed.
• Provide access to Point Conception:  Controlled public access.  Develop a primitive walking trail & a primitive camp. No cars or bikes.  Preserve/enhance lighthouse and its outbuildings for interpretation/ potential accommodations; i.e. a youth hostel/bed and breakfast.
• Limit public access to the stretch of coastline between Jalama Beach County Park and Point Conception. Inland of the railroad tracks, place the balance of Cojo Ranch under agricultural conservation easements. Locate a public access point in the Jalama Beach County Park and administer access through a permit system designed to protect the fragile resources and not adversely affect the agricultural operations on Bixby Ranch.
• If Bixby Ranch is sold to a conservancy, develop it as open space for multiple recreational use for the public. Develop roads to access beaches west of Hollister Ranch and north to Jalama County Beach and hiking trails on both sides of Jalama Road and perhaps convert one of the ranches into an environmental or regular campground in a foothill/mountain type setting.

• Use conservation and trail easements to address concerns about ownership and control by landowners.
• Bixby Ranch:  Preserve and manage Cojo Ranch for scientific and agricultural use through agricultural and conservation easements. Use agricultural land trust and conservation easements. Develop stewardship plans for farming operations.
• Since Bixby Ranch area is undeveloped, Bixby Ranch Co. should be prevented from any kind of development projects.
• Buy development rights in these areas permanently.
• Conservation efforts & funding for land acquisition and procurement of agricultural & conservation easements should be focused on Hollister Ranch, at least in the near-term.

• Jalama Beach should be expanded under the proposal recently made by the Bixby Ranch Company to donate an additional 70 acres to the park so that the campground can be expanded and the recreational activities in that area increased.
• If the Coast Guard reservation is ever deemed excess property, the land and buildings at Point Conception should be acquired to preserve scenic values, lighthouse culture and history, and provide continued opportunities for compatible public recreation.
• Land acquisition should be an option for the northern portion of Bixby Ranch with management by existing and nonprofit landowners.
• NPS land acquisition from willing sellers should be an option for the southern portion of Bixby Ranch.

• NPS could provide expertise in visitor and resource management; benefits with federal agencies working cooperatively; cooperative partnership will allow responsible access.

• Create a national marine reserve along coast closed to sport, commercial fishing—use as “rookery” for adjacent areas beach/shore zone out 3 miles along Bixby and Hollister Ranch coastlines.

Vandenberg Air Force Base Area (From Pt. Sal to Jalama Beach)  

Comments About Current Programs and Policies

• Because of security needs, Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) has not been significantly impacted by humans other than in areas where military operations occur.
• Public access to Vandenberg AFB should not be allowed or even considered due to the current national & international political situation.
• All nationally significant natural, cultural and recreational resources on VAFB are currently protected for the public into perpetuity. The Air Force should continue to occupy the entire base for military purposes, for program development, training or a national emergency requiring military action, like we currently have.
• The Cold War and space launch sites on VAFB represent some significant technological and political milestones in US history and should not be considered for NPS activity. Other examples are preserved and offered for public access elsewhere.
• Establishing a national seashore that includes Vandenberg AFB will invite excessive regulation of ballistic and space launch operations.

• Protect/restore wildlife habitat on VAFB.
• Restore salmon / steelhead in Santa Ynez River
• Establish an open space district at Vandenberg.

• Preserve sacred sites on VAFB.

• Develop a coastal trail and trailheads: from Jalama through the entire base, from Point Arguello to Jalama Beach County Park, from Ocean Beach County Park to Jalama Beach County Park. No pets & have fences around snowy plover nesting area.
• Develop bikeways, equestrian and hiking trails: coast to Tranquillian Peak, a trail to access Ocean Beach County Park through Vandenberg, a recreational trail alongside existing rail lines.
• Improve public beach access:  From Brown Road to Pt. Sal State Beach and County owned lands at Pt. Sal, 2 miles along Ocean Beach, Hondo Canyon Creek, Tranquillian Peak for an observatory, the original coast highway area for bikes and vehicles, the old lighthouse area for history interpretation, Point Arguello from Jalama Road, Jalama County Park through the southern portion of the base, and the boathouse.
• Vandenberg should develop limited opportunities for visitor status according to the regulations of the base. Develop a land use plan that allows for base operations and public access to coexist. Have limited guided tours.
• Need public road to the “Boathouse” subject to security closure where private boats can be launched for fishing and diving, and where road access would allow fishing from the land.
• Provide rustic campsites on VAFB; a “hiker-only” camp at Ocean Beach County Park could be established to make it feasible for a long-distance backpacker/hiker to travel the coastline.
• Turn Point Sal into a state park with public restrooms, beach access stairs, and camping.

• The military, civilian and commercial space launch missions and base safety and security requirements should take priority over any park or visitor use. Any NPS program activities on Vandenberg AFB would require the approval of VAFB. The VAFB Commander should retain control over access to all base acreage and facilities.
• NPS could augment the existing resource management program on the base through visitor management and interpretation and help meet the growing demand for public access to non-sensitive areas of Vandenberg.
• A reverter agreement with Vandenberg AFB must be implemented to provide perpetual, protective stewardship of their lands whenever military purposes permit. Develop a plan that provides for continued protection of the base should the base be excessed. If the base is ever decommissioned, land should be acquired to preserve scenic values, wildlife habitat, military history, and provide relatively unrestricted access for compatible public recreation.

• NPS acquisition for northern portion (Point Sal area) and southern portion from below Ocean Beach County Park to Jalama Beach County Park.
• Vandenberg should continue to assist in management of any land that could be acquired by the state.

• Concentrated NW winds on southern portion of Vandenberg make this an ideal place for renewable energy.
• Increase agricultural land using agricultural land trust as a means to prevent other developments on VAFB.