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Board pauses Williamson Act contract changes and requests white paper after Nature Conservancy raises water‑rights concerns
Summary
Planning staff recommended a six‑month moratorium on Williamson Act contract nonrenewals and rescissions while staff prepares a white paper; The Nature Conservancy and Parks Creek Ranch managers described conservation measures, water‑use commitments and investments, and warned that unenrolling could reduce the property’s attractiveness to agricultural buyers.
Haley Link, planning director, told the board staff is preparing a white paper to address novel issues that have arisen in recent Williamson Act contract discussions, especially questions about dedication of water rights to in‑stream flow and how that could affect adjudicated downstream rights. Link recommended a six‑month moratorium on processing nonrenewals and rescissions of Williamson Act contracts so staff can analyze these issues and propose consistent policy or guideline updates.
Supervisors expressed concern about the potential effects of in‑stream dedication on downstream users and said they wanted clarity on adjudication and precedent. One supervisor noted he had not been aware that a recent contract required a substantial portion of a water right to be dedicated to in‑stream flow.
The board agreed to close the public hearing for now and to have staff return with a white paper and any recommended rule changes; the clerk recorded 'no action taken' on immediate contract changes.
With the hearing reopened for public comment, Amy Campbell, senior project director with The Nature Conservancy, described management of Parks Creek Ranch (staff corrected transcript variations to a consistent name) and said TNC remains committed to agricultural use while pursuing measures to improve stream flows. Campbell said TNC plans to put a conservation easement on the property when it is sold and has given itself a 10‑year window to complete that process.
Molly Brightman, manager of Parks Creek Ranch, summarized investments intended to sustain ranching and watershed health: $60,000 spent on dwelling upgrades completed by a local contractor, secured funding for three new stock‑water wells, installation of virtual fencing, upgraded flow measurement and real‑time monitoring, and cooperation with local water districts and ditch companies. Brightman said keeping the ranch enrolled under the Williamson Act would make it more attractive to future agricultural buyers.
Because staff will draft a white paper and potentially revised guidelines, the board took no formal action on contract cancellations at this meeting but directed staff to return with analysis.
