Application for Consideration of Appointment to the Coastal Advisory Committee (CAC)
Thank you for your interest in being appointed to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Coastal Advisory Committee. The CAC's job will be to review, discuss, and recommend revisions to specified District policies related to the San Mateo County coastal area under consideration for annexation by the District, and will include the responsibility of gathering input from a wide range of community and special interest groups on the Coastside. The District policies to be reviewed include those concerning eminent domain, land acquisition, and agricultural land use.
Please answer the following questions, which will help the existing members of the CAC to select representatives for the three "at large" seats available. The intent of appointing such individuals is to ensure that there is adequate representation for Coastside interests which are otherwise un-represented, or under-represented, on the CAC. "At large" members must live within the area under consideration for annexation. Please limit your answers to the space provided. Please write legibly. This form must be returned to the District office, 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 (fax: 650-691-0485) by 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, 1999.
1) Briefly describe your reasons for wanting to participate on the CAC.
My reason for wanting to participate on the CAC is that I support and believe in the conservation of the Rural Coastal Lands by protecting the natural, scenic and invaluable open space of the rural San Mateo County Coast. I want to help preserve and sustain the ecological integrity of the region and the plant and wildlife dependent on it.
2) Please describe your personal or professional interest in and knowledge of Coastside land use and land conservation issues, and what expertise or experience you will bring to the CAC.
I have been involved with marine and watershed issues for over twenty five years. I'm a retired professional diver and award winning marine photographer. I am the founder (1994) of the rural Coastal Family Alliance. I am the acting secretary for the Higgins Canyon Homeowners Association established in 1983. I founded the Half Moon Bay chapter of the Surfrider Foundation in 1995. I am the founder and executive director of Save Our Bay. SOB is San Mateo County's most active private sector participant in NOAA's sponsored Water Quality Protection Program. Save Our Bay is an active participant in the "STOPPP" San Mateo Countywide Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program. Save Our Bay launched it's three year campaign "Clean Water for Bay and Community" program for the urban Mid-Coast in the spring of 1998. I am the Conservation Director for the newly formed Rural Coast Open Space Trust. The trust was incorporated in February 1999 and will specialize in "conservation easements" and open space lands management located in rural agricultural areas.
3) What is the Coastside interest which you feel is un-represented or under-represented on the CAC, and what are your qualifications to represent those interests?
The Rural Lands voters rejected Measure F by a 57% to 43% vote margin. The CAC does not have any No on Measure F representatives on their committee. And since it is the policy that MROSD does Not acquire lands in Urban Areas, the Urban Mid-Coast or City of Half Moon Bay are not an "affected territory" as defined by Section 57075 of the Cortese Knox Act. Therefore, the only "affected territory" for land acquisition by MROSD through eminent domain is entirely located within the San Mateo County Rural Coastal Zone. The MROSD does not have any experience in managing agricultural or coastal resources. I supported the No on F campaign. I own farm land and reside in the affected territory. I am a conservationist, a manager of agricultural land and very familiar with the conservation and protection needs of coastal resources.
4) Do you own property in the coastal area under consideration for annexation? If so, please briefly describe its location, size, and use. (It is important for the CAC to be aware of any potential conflicts of interest that may arise that might be relevant to its deliberations.)
Yes, I own 70 acres approximately. It is zone RM/CZ and it is presently in oat-hay production.
5) What clubs, organizations, or interest groups do you belong to or are you affiliated with?
See question and answer #2.
6) Please provide a brief description of your desired outcome of the work of the CAC.
It is my desire that the CAC will recommend to MROSD not to annex the Rural Coastal Lands against the will of the rural voters and property owners. We belief (sic) in local control of our rural community. We support the Rural Coast Open Space Trust and do not want an outside Special District taking tax dollars out of our community. We do not believe in acquiring open space lands with the power of eminent domain. MROSD is not wanted or needed in the Rural Coastal Zone.
Oscar Braun
1589 Higgins Canyon Road
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Voice: (650) 726-3307 FAX: (650)726-2799
email: oscar@oscarknows.com