On June 5th, California voters will decide on Proposition 68, The Clean Water and Safe Parks Act. It’s a statewide measure that if approved by voters will authorize $4 billion in investments in habitat restoration, climate resilience, parks, water quality and flood protection throughout the state.
Part of my work here at POST is to follow state, local and national issues that affect our ability to advance our mission. It’s been a long time since we’ve had an opportunity like Prop 68, which would bring critically needed funds to protect our local water, parks and natural resources.
As you may know, POST works really closely with our public agency partners –like San Mateo and Santa Clara County Parks, open space districts in both counties, and the state Coastal Conservancy among others– to conserve open space, restore wildlife habitats, and provide sustainable public access. Funding from this bond measure will directly support our public partners as they work to maintain and steward many of the places we have protected.
Here’s how funds will be allocated from the proposition that immediately impact us here in the Bay Area:
- Over $1 billion to prepare California’s communities for drought, wildfires and other threats that we face as the climate changes. It will also provide clean drinking water to communities in need.
- Over $200 million to the Bay Area to support clean water, habitat restoration and accessible parks here in our communities. $20 million of this is targeted towards the restoration of San Francisco Bay wetlands and bayshore habitats funding projects similar to our work at Bair Island.
- $3 million towards the protection and restoration of Los Gatos Creek and the Guadalupe River watershed in San Jose – one of the largest and most important watersheds in the South Bay.
- $725 million available to fund neighborhood parks in park-poor areas, creating safe and accessible open spaces in our most underserved communities.
In addition to the direct funding, the Bay Area is eligible for $2 billion through competitive grant programs in areas ranging from drought preparedness and climate resiliency to coastal forest and wildlife linkages conservation.
Prop 68 was placed on the ballot by a bipartisan majority of the California State Legislature and was signed into law by Governor Brown. It now needs to be approved by California voters. While it is a statewide initiative, there is a lot in it for us in Northern California.
POST believes in Proposition 68 and we hope you will add your support.
For more information on Prop 68, please read the recent editorials in the San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle or the op-ed from POST’s President Walter T. Moore here.
Don’t forget to vote on June 5!
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Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since its founding in 1977, POST has been responsible for saving more than 87,000 acres as permanently protected land in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. Learn more