OC open space to be managed by private conservancies!!

[Schecky]

[SIZE=4]Supervisors OK parks plan[/SIZE]

[SIZE=3]Advocates angered by county plan they say will allow private landowners to manage open space.[/SIZE]

By PEGGY LOWE
The Orange County Register

SANTA ANA – The Orange County Board of Supervisors today approved a long-range plan for the county's parks system, angering advocates who say it will allow private landowners like the Irvine Co. to manage open space, wild habitat and waterways.
Ignoring a proposal created over the past two years by dozens of volunteers after 20 public meetings, the board changed the name of the parks management agency to "OC Parks" and decided to keep it under a larger county department that typically deals with developing land.
Advocates – which include interest groups such as equestrians, habitat specialists, mountain bikers, hikers, paleontologists and native plants enthusiasts – were angry.
"Our park plan was shanghaied," said Denny Dean of Fullerton.
With the vote, the board also opens the door for partnerships with private conservancies – such as one run by the Irvine Co. – to manage county open space.
Supervisor Chris Norby, chairman of the board, said he understands that many people may be suspicious of a deal that involves the Irvine Co., the county's largest private landowner, but he believes it could benefit people in the long run by opening up more acreage for the public to enjoy.
"There's no intention that we legally could subsidize private conservancies," he said.
Norby also said he likes the new name because the acronym for Harbors, Beaches and Parks, HBP, was confusing and often mistaken for Huntington Beach Police.
Supervisor Bill Campbell supported the plan, he said, because the county still faces the reality that parks funds are being used to pay off the 1994 bankruptcy.
"There are limited dollars," he said, adding that two cities have already contracted with the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve to help manage their parks.
Jean Watt, a leader of the Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks, offered a compromise, saying the five-chapter plan needed more work.
"We believe there's a need for another chapter to make the strategic plan truly strategic," she said.
The board also ignored a grand jury report that suggested Harbors, Beaches and Parks be moved out from under the Resources and Development Management Department. Those who wrote the original strategic plan, as well as the grand jury, said RDMD was lax at enforcing requirements for trails and open space for developers. Advocates were also angered when the department recently fired a popular parks director.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/parks...-board-private




PS-I realize that much good work has been done by JamR and others at the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve. However, this decision has larger repercussions and needs to be looked at closely.

[granny ring]

Jean did bring this up at the last meeting, letting people know that the vote was coming at the tues morning meeting to fly under the radar. She said it was pretty much a done deal and from the looks of the vote I guess she was right.

[ocrider]

It still may not happen. THere are organizations that are threatening and are ready to sue. Because alot of the positions are and should filled by elections. But if the IRLT takes over they will be over appoineted by the Irvine Company. But then againt it might not make too much of a difference..... you can't run for office in OC with out the Irvine Co.'s "unofficial permission"

[RustyIron]

What's the problem with the Irvine Company managing the parks?

After all, they've donated a LOT of park land to the county and they effectively manage a LOT of property.

On the other hand, the county is one big bureaucracy. A particular thorn in my side is a parcel of parkland, formerly Irvine Company land that was donated and now managed by the county. The county had big plans for it, spent big bucks moving on some historical buildings and then lost focus. Now the land and the buildings sit, deteriorating, surrounded by chain link fence. It's a travesty for the preservation of history, for the citizens who would use the park, and for the taxpayes whose money was wasted.

I don't have an opinion on this parks management issue, other than my observation that private enterprise can accomplish things, while government wastes resources.

So really, what specifically is the problem with Irvine Company management?

[CalEpic]

This is almost comical. I can hardly wait to have my hand held while I enjoy open space my tax dollars support.

I'm being sarcastic and will try to keep an open mind but on the surface, this is bullsh1t.

C