Financing land protection in rural communities : assessing the feasibility of an open space district in Humboldt County, California.

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Natural Resources, Planning and Interpretation, 2007As communities in the western United States with high amenity values experience rapid population growth, the conservation and protection of resource lands has become increasingly important. Humboldt County is experiencing the effects of a growing population in California, as more and more local resource lands are converted to other uses such as housing and hobby farms. Budget or funding cuts in funding from state and federal governments have left counties with few options with which to address threats to resource lands. In response, other communities in the Western United States have decided to fund open space protection by placing bonds or tax increases on the ballot. These local conservation tax measures have been successful at generating money for agricultural preservation, trails, and habitat protection. \ud \ud My research first investigated the success and failure of conservation ballot measure campaigns in four rural western counties. Secondly, qualitative interviews were used to assess whether or not the citizens of Humboldt County, California, a non-metropolitan western county with high amenity values, are willing to support the creation of an open space district. Thirdly, a statistical analysis of voting data from prior environmental ballot measures was performed to assess the likelihood of a measure succeeding at the polls. \ud \ud Results indicate that for the formation of an open space district to be successful, proponents need to form a broad non-partisan coalition, find a tax measure that is fair, and have enabling legislation passed by the State of California. Currently, such a coalition is not present in Humboldt County and a number of concerns exist which could prevent its formation. Analysis of voting on previous environmental ballot measures suggests that that there may be more support for a district in areas such as Arcata than in the rest of the county. Attitudes for and against the establishment of an open space district are also examined, and recommendations are made for how to start down the path towards creating an open space district