Since January 2000, when the National Park Service (NPS) initiated the Gaviota Coast Feasibility Study, the study team has been listening to the community's visions for the future of the Gaviota Coast. One common thread is a widespread desire for the Gaviota Coast to remain a stunning coastal landscape where people live, ranch and farm, enjoy the scenery, hike, bicycle, surf, and walk along uncrowded beaches. Differences of opinion exist, however, about how best to achieve that shared vision, ranging from "everything is fine as it is" to "extensive public acquisition is needed to ensure protection."

As part of the study process, as directed by Congress, the NPS must evaluate alternative management strategies for the area, including strategies that do not involve the National Park Service. This worksheet offers a broad array of potential management strategies. Its purpose is to solicit your suggestions and workable mixes of strategies to better inform and focus the study alternatives.

Be as general or specific as you want in your comments. Focus on the entire study area or the portions you know best or feel most strongly about. Focus on constructive responses. This is not a voting or popularity contest. Each suggestion will be weighed on its merit and practicality. Thank you in advance for your interest, time, and expertise.

The National Park Service Gaviota Coast Feasibility Study, requested by Congress, has been underway since January 2000. The study is evaluating a range of alternatives for protection of significant resources.

The next major milestone in the study process is preparation and release of the draft study report and environmental impact statement. This release is now slated for summer and will be followed by a 90-day public review period and at least three local public meetings.

The National Park Service has determined that the study area contains nationally significant natural, cultural, scenic and recreation resources. The natural resource array is especially rich due to the convergence of the south coast and the central coast bioregions along the crest of the east-west Santa Ynez Mountain Range. The south coast bioregion is one of five places in the world in which the rare Mediterranean Ecosystem/Floristic Province occurs. Off of Point Conception, two major ocean currents meet, creating a nutrient-rich upwelling that supports a diverse and rich system of habitats and species. The many creeks and rivers in the area support some of the richest riparian habitats in the southwest. Fourteen hundred species have been documented along the Gaviota Coast, including 140 species endemic to the region, 13 listed threatened or endangered species and 54 species of concern. The area's cultural significance is underscored by the density and integrity of Chumash archeological sites going back 9,000 years. Historic sites represent the periods of Spanish settlement and Mexican ranchos. Cold War and space launch sites on Vandenberg AFB represent significant technological and political milestones in US history. The expansive coastal scenic vistas and outdoor recreation opportunities round out the area's significance.

Agricultural uses evolved from pre-European contact to present day cattle grazing and avocado and citrus groves in the eastern valleys and hillsides of the study area. These agricultural uses have helped define the cultural landscapes that are part of the identity of the Gaviota Coast.

Looking at a variety of indicators, the eastern portion of the study area, from Gaviota State Park to Goleta, appears to be facing development pressure.  Indicators of this development pressure include: non-renewal of Williamson Act conservation contracts; the amount of acreage currently for sale; the amount of land owned by real estate interests; recent development proposals; a lawsuit brought by certain owners against the county on lot line adjustment restrictions; and the market for large home estates. A recent article in the Santa Barbara News Press cited population growth projections for the Santa Barbara County and the likelihood that the county would need to absorb this growth with housing development. Land use regulation and Williamson Act 10-year agricultural contracts can be effective in near term land use protection but are vulnerable in the long term.

The NPS finds that, in the face of mounting economic and growth pressures and high land values, the status quo in land use regulation is not adequate to protect the resources and landscape of the Gaviota Coast into the future. An array of additional protection strategies and financial sources is needed to provide timely and permanent protection of the Gaviota Coast's significant resources.

The NPS is considering and evaluating five alternative approaches to increased land protection for the Gaviota Coast, as indicated below.

This is the "no action" alternative required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in all Environmental Impact Statements. Current programs and policies would continue. The current mix of federal, state and county agencies and non-profit conservation organizations would continue on their present course. Existing funding mechanisms, funding levels and incentives for private land conservation would continue near their current levels.

In this alternative, the state and county would establish additional programs and more effectively focus existing programs to contribute to the conservation of the Gaviota Coast's resources, maintain the viability of family farms and ranches in the area, create additional public access along the coast and create trail connectors from the coast to the Los Padres National Forest. The National Park Service would have no land acquisition or land management authority in any part of the study area. The NPS would offer educational and recreational programs on Vandenberg Air Force Base in close coordination with the base commander.

This alternative's emphasis would be on acquisition of coastal lands and connectors. Within a national seashore boundary, NPS would have authority to: acquire land in fee or easements from willing sellers; manage acquired land for resource protection and/or controlled public access; and work in partnership with other land managing agencies and organizations on coordinated visitor access, education and resource management programs. Acquisition and protection emphasis would be on protection of nationally significant resources, coastal access and coast-to-crest trail connectors where other protection mechanisms were inadequate or unavailable. The NPS would not have control over private land within the boundary. A mix of state or local land acquisition or land protection mechanisms would be encouraged both within and outside the seashore boundary. The NPS would offer educational and recreational programs on Vandenberg Air Force Base in close coordination with the base commander.

The NPS would be a partner in resource protection and public education with other public and quasi-public land managers, including California State Parks, Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County Parks and Recreation, the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County, the University of California at Santa Barbara, other schools, California Department of Fish and Game and Vandenberg AFB. Each organization would continue to manage their own land and programs. NPS would work with these partners and the public to define an overall resource protection vision; to seek compatible roles and responsibilities among organizations; to provide a range of recreational and educational opportunities; to provide opportunities for appreciation of the area's unique resources; and to provide the public with the best possible service, continuity across jurisdictions, and efficient use of resources.

This alternative would focus more broadly on coastal watersheds. A "greenline" boundary would define an area of special concern for protection within which the NPS would have authority to: acquire priority parcels of land as willing seller opportunities and funding became available; enter into partnership arrangements with other agencies and organizations as in Alternative III; and conduct resource management and educational programs. The NPS would offer educational and recreational programs on Vandenberg Air Force Base in close coordination with the base commander. The NPS would make no attempts to acquire all, or even most, of the land within the boundary. The NPS would not have control over private land within the boundary. This greenline boundary approach is used at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

This alternative's emphasis would be on protection of landscapes and resource values through purchase of easements and development rights, while most of the land would remain in private ownership. A reserve would be managed by a Congressionally-chartered local board of directors. NPS would work with the local board and assist in the purchase of protective easements. NPS would assist in coordinating limited fee purchase of land for public access. NPS would offer educational and recreational programs on Vandenberg AFB in close coordination with the base commander and on other lands as appropriate. Collaboration on area-wide resource protection, agricultural conservation, public access and education with all partners would also be pursued as discussed above in Alternatives III and IV.

The following basic assumptions are ground rules adopted by the NPS study team in defining alternatives and drafting the study report:

• Private land would continue to be under the control of private landowners and subject to state and county land use regulation.  The NPS does not have regulatory authority over privately-owned land within or outside of park boundaries.
• The NPS would acquire land only if authorized to do so by Congress, and only from owners who choose to sell to the NPS. The NPS supports legislative language restricting NPS to acquisition from willing sellers only. Any land purchased by NPS would be purchased for fair market value plus relocation costs.
• No public access would be allowed on private land within or outside of park boundaries, except as authorized by the landowner or required by state and local agencies as a condition of development.  The NPS generally seeks to deter trespass from public land onto neighboring private lands through education, location and design of public access points and trails, fencing, and landscaping.
• Other parks and protected lands (state and county parks, land trust lands and easements) would continue in their current management and current land uses, even if included within a NPS unit boundary, unless the current management entities request NPS involvement in management of their lands.
• On lands acquired by the NPS, natural and cultural resource protection would have the highest priority. Public access would be designed and managed for recreation, education and avoidance of use conflicts. Access would be managed within carrying capacity limits. Legislation directs that when there is a conflict between resource protection and visitor use, resource protection and conservation come first. More specific decisions regarding resource protection and use would be made through a general management plan/environmental impact statement process.
• Hollister Ranch is recommended to continue in its current status in all alternatives based on its existing development limitations and land use protection covenants.
• The National Marine Sanctuary Program and the Marine Life Protection Areas program will continue with separate planning processes to recommend and establish their own boundaries and protected areas along the Gaviota Coast. Both of these programs can contribute to the protection of important offshore and nearshore marine resources of the Gaviota Coast. Decisions regarding these programs will be made through separate processes independent of this NPS study.

Vandenberg AFB is a unique part of the study area in that it has a highly significant long term military mission that is supplemented by civilian and commercial space launch uses.

• Vandenberg AFB has been an excellent steward of the natural and cultural resources under their care. NPS involvement on VAFB, if authorized, would focus on enhanced opportunities for public appreciation and understanding of these significant resources.
• The NPS study team believes that there may be additional opportunities for limited and controlled public access, to enhance the public's understanding of the significant natural and cultural resources of VAFB, and to contribute to the stewardship of these resources, without compromising VAFB's operations.
• The military, civilian and commercial space launch missions and base safety and security requirements would take priority over any park or visitor use. Any NPS program activities on Vandenberg AFB would require the approval of VAFB. The VAFB Commander would retain control over access to all base acreage and facilities.
• The NPS would encourage authorizing legislation to provide a "reverter clause" for the transfer to the NPS of those portions of VAFB which meet NPS significance standards, if and only if such lands are ever declared excess to the Air Force. The intent of the reverter clause would be to ensure that nationally significant natural, cultural and recreational resources on VAFB are protected for the public in perpetuity. The reverter clause authorization language could also specify that the Air Force would have the right to re-occupy portions of the former base for military purposes in the event of a national emergency requiring military action.

The National Park Service is offering an additional public comment opportunity to the Gaviota Coast community. The NPS is interested in your input into the development and refinement of alternatives for the Gaviota Coast Feasibility Study. Your specific ideas about which protection strategies are appropriate for different portions of the study area will provide valuable guidance to NPS in preparation of the draft feasibility study report.

The NPS is aware that the Common Ground initiative and others are working on locally-based protection strategies. We welcome proposals from those groups, along with the rest of the public. Your ideas may be informative to those local efforts and can be shared with them as well.

You may wish to consider the following topics:

Below is a menu of strategies for resource protection, agricultural conservation, and managed public access. These strategies offer ways to ensure that values on the Gaviota Coast can be stabilized and protected for present and future generations. Each strategy has a letter code that you can use, on either or both of the two maps, to indicate which strategies should be applied to which portions of the study area.

Print out the maps , draw a circle around the portion(s) of the study area where you believe the strategy should be applied and indicate the letter code within that circle. It's okay to include several strategies in the same area or to indicate the same strategy(ies) in multiple locations. For trail corridors that might be acquired in fee or easement simply draw where you think the corridor should go. Do the same to suggest public access points. You may wish to use colored pens or pencils to make your suggestions clearer. Also, we encourage you to add notes on the maps or on attachments to give more specific information or supporting rationales for your recommendations. Written descriptions without maps are also okay.

Below are the codes to use in marking up your maps. If you want to suggest additional strategies, feel free to create additional codes.

CP - Continue Current Programs and Policies

Existing federal, state and county agencies and non-profit conservation organizations would continue on their current course. Development would continue to be regulated by existing agencies and policies, including the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, and the California Coastal Commission. Ongoing land acquisition, visitor services, and resource protection programs of governmental and private organizations would continue at current levels. Vandenberg AFB would continue its resource management programs and provide minimal visitor access, education and interpretation of the base's natural and cultural resources.

LC - Establish a State-Legislated Gaviota Coast Land Conservancy

A state conservancy is an independent state agency established to acquire land for protection within an authorized region. Examples include the California Coastal Conservancy, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the San Joaquin River Conservancy. Most state conservancies acquire land or provide grants to preserve open space or habitat, enable low-impact recreational or educational uses, or other similar purposes. Some conservancies also manage land. State conservancies are generally governed by a regional board, and funded by the state legislature and other public and private sources.  State appropriations and park bond issues provide acquisition funds. A state conservancy could bring additional state funds to the Gaviota Coast for land protection, management, and program coordination.

ALT - Establish a Gaviota Coast Agricultural Land Trust

A locally-based agricultural land trust would provide a voluntary means of keeping agricultural land permanently in agricultural production, while allowing farmers and ranchers to convert some of their land value (often 50-70%) into cash. This trust would be directed by a local board with strong representation from local ranchers and farmers who know the realities of sustainable agriculture in this area. Funding for land trust operation and acquisition could come from a mix of local, state, federal, and private sources. Farmers and ranchers could sell their development rights to the land trust and the land would be permanently conserved for agricultural use.

An agricultural land trust could provide alternatives to selling land for development, provide a financially viable means of transferring large properties to the next generation of farmers/ranchers, make it possible for new or young farmers/ranchers to buy land for farming/ranching, and help maintain a critical mass of farms/ranches to maintain the viability of their operations. An agricultural land trust could also help build coalitions to affect public policy in support of local agriculture. An existing local agricultural land trust that could serve as a model is the Marin Agricultural Land Trust in Marin County, CA.

The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has negotiated several agricultural easements in the study area and there are existing statewide agricultural land trusts that also serve this purpose.

OSD - Establish a Santa Barbara County Open Space District

A Santa Barbara County open space district would provide a dedicated funding source for the purchase of open space lands in fee or easement. The open space district would have a tax base to generate acquisition and operating funds. Some open space districts also provide managed visitor access on specific properties. Good examples are Mid-Peninsula OSD and Sonoma County OSD.

CT - Develop a Coastal Trail

A coastal hiking/biking/equestrian trail, including lateral beach access where possible and frequent vertical access to beaches, could provide improved and managed public access to the Gaviota Coast. The Santa Barbara County coastal trail has been in the planning stages for over 20 years. Several portions of the trail have been opened. Depending on topography, land ownership, land use and sensitive resources the trail route could meander from the coastal bluffs to the Highway 101 corridor.

A coastal trail could offer access to scenic vistas and beaches, an opportunity to experience, appreciate and understand the Gaviota Coast resources in greater depth and an opportunity to trace the route of explorer Juan Bautista de Anza on the Anza National Historic Trail.

T - Trails and Trail Connectors

Trail corridors could be acquired through purchase of corridors in fee or easement to connect points along the coast to the crest of the Santa Ynez along ridgelines or through canyons, provide loop trails, etc. Trails could be developed for shared use or single purpose use by hikers, equestrians and/or mountain bikers.

PA - Public Access Points and Trailheads

Sites could be acquired for public parking or shuttles at trailheads, beach access or park facilities and points of interest. Access points and trailheads are designed for the number of intended vehicles/visitors, and usually offer trash/recycling collection, and restrooms.

EPL - Additional Land Acquisition and Management by Existing Public and Non Profit Landowners

The Los Padres National Forest could acquire key inholdings and fill in gaps within their authorized boundary to protect recreational and wildlife corridors. California State Parks, Santa Barbara County Parks, non-profit land trusts and other conservation organizations could continue to acquire land, provide visitor services, and protect resources along the Gaviota Coast.

CE - Conservation Easements

Private landowners could donate or sell conservation easements to protect the natural and scenic values of their land. Landowners who choose this option would sell or donate certain rights to develop their land (an "easement"), as negotiated with the purchaser/recipient of the easement. In exchange the landowner could obtain financial, tax or public relations benefits, and ensure that their land is conserved for the long term. The easement could be held by a non-profit land conservation group or by NPS or another agency. Conservation easements offer land use protection but generally not public access.

NPSA - NPS Acquisition of Land From Willing Sellers

If authorized and funded, the NPS could acquire land from willing sellers. NPS could acquire land for resource protection where other protection mechanisms were unavailable or inadequate, and for public access where appropriate and desirable. NPS land acquisition could focus on relatively intact watersheds, wildlife and trail corridors, coast to crest connectors, coastal access, significant cultural sites, and key sites for public education.

CHU - Chumash Interpretive and Ceremonial Sites

Four bands of Chumash Indians have lived within the study area since before European contact. There may be opportunities for traditional use sites, ceremonial purposes, and active cultural education and interpretation centers, while ensuring that sacred sites and burial sites and other sensitive sites are properly secured and protected from abuse. Some of the Chumash bands are also interested in establishing a land base.

TDR - Transfer of Devlopment Rights

Development rights on lands to be protected could be sold by willing sellers to enable a developer to build at higher density in an area already approved for development. The seller of the development rights would be paid the value of the development rights by the developer. If the seller is under one zoning jurisdiction (eg. County) and the developer under another (eg. City), inter-jurisdictional approval of the TDR would be needed. If development rights from the Gaviota Coast are sold, areas would need to be designated to receive these rights in the form of additional building density.

O - Other Strategy(ies)

Please suggest any other appropriate protection or public access strategy you believe would be appropriate in the study area.