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Board reopens Nature Conservancy hearing after questions over grant requirement to dedicate water rights
Summary
The Board of Supervisors reopened and continued a hearing on a Nature Conservancy acquisition after learning a Wildlife Conservation Board grant condition may require dedication of a substantial portion of the property's water rights to in‑stream flows.
The board reopened and continued the Nature Conservancy's application for a separate Williamson Act contract for the Park Creek Ranch (560 acres) after supervisors pressed staff for the grant and title documents that describe a condition requiring dedication of water rights.
Bernadette Sisson, associate planner, explained the Nature Conservancy recently acquired the Park Creek Ranch and filed for a separate contract because the existing preserve contains noncontiguous parcels. During questions, supervisors asked whether the Wildlife Conservation Board acquisition required the grantee to permanently dedicate water rights for enhanced in‑stream flows. Sisson said the Nature Conservancy's questionnaire indicated 408 acres of the property are irrigated and 152 acres are dry pasture.
A supervisor stated that the grant document (contained in the title report backup) includes language that within six years the grantee "shall be seeking permanently to permanently dedicate a significant portion of the property water rights for the enhanced in‑stream flow," and raised concerns that dedicating water rights could remove irrigated acreage from future agricultural production and remove property from the local tax rolls.
Natalie Reed, county counsel, confirmed the document referenced is part of the file and advised the board that the title/grant document would need to be made part of the record if the board intends to consider it in its decision. The board directed staff to reopen the hearing, include the title/grant document in the supplemental staff report, and return with two options for board action: approve or deny/reissue the contract. The board continued the matter to November 18, 2025.
No final decision was made on the Nature Conservancy application. The continuation gives the board time to review the grant requirement and for staff to present a supplemental report with the title/grant document and the two decision pathways requested by supervisors.
