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Board approves two agricultural‑preserve contracts covering roughly 200 acres in Freshwater and Ferndale areas
Summary
Supervisors approved Williamson Act/land conservation contracts for two family properties (approx. 157 acres in Freshwater and 145 acres in Ferndale) intended to preserve grazing and irrigated farmland; both actions passed 5-0 after staff noted tax effects and conservation work on the sites.
The Board of Supervisors approved two agricultural preserve and land‑conservation contracts March 11, accepting county staff recommendations to preserve working agricultural land under the California Land Conservation (Williamson Act) framework.
Freshwater property: 02/2015 O’Day family trust Planning staff recommended, and the board approved, a Class A prime land preservation contract for about 157 acres near Freshwater Road; staff said land uses are grazing and that the county expects a roughly 50% reduction in annual property tax assessments attributable to Williamson Act valuation for this site (from about $11,000 annually to roughly $5,500, per staff estimate). The applicant described river and creek restoration work and collaboration with NRCS and other partners to construct fish-rearing ponds and improve water quality.
Ferndale property The board also approved an agricultural preserve contract for a Ferndale-area parcel where the applicant has invested in an irrigation pivot and corral infrastructure; staff said those investments support continued agricultural production and water-quality improvements. Both actions were recommended by the Planning Commission (5‑0) and were adopted by the board by unanimous votes.
Why it matters Williamson Act contracts are long‑standing county tools to keep large parcels in agriculture and reduce pressure to subdivide into residential lots. Staff noted the county’s foregone property-tax revenue on preserved land but said the public benefit includes retained working landscapes, reduced long‑term service costs associated with development, and environmental benefits from active stewardship.
Next steps County staff will finalize contracts and coordinate with the county assessor’s office to record the valuation changes. Supervisors praised the applicants for investments in conservation and agricultural operations.
