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.
Our family lives and owns property in Pescadero. We plan on being here for the rest of our lives and hopefully for generations to come. We consider this to be the best place t live in the entire country. It would be an understatement to say that the future character of the coastside is important to us. As the MROSD could have a significant future impact, I would like to be involved now.
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 a working knowledge of watershed management and a great deal of experience working with regulatory agencies concerned with the environment. I have positive relationships with agency personnel, large land owners, and environmentalists. I have a professional history of mediation of conflicts between regulatory agencies and private land owners. I get things done. I am a primary emergency contact person for flooding and creek problems, and am trusted by local home owners, farmers, ranchers and timber companies. My environmental credentials are considerable. I have taken the time to get to know the people and issues in my community in order to work side by side to improve our situation.
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?
In my opinion, the entire southern rural coastside area is under represented on the CAC. This is the area with the most land that could be impacted by MROSD purchases. I have very good communication with the large land owners and am trusted by them and the community in general. Also, see answers 2 and 5.
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.)
We own four adjacent one-acre lots. Our family home is on one of them and the rest have a variety of structures including a retail shop, nursery, small greenhouse and a restaurant. We are currently purchasing two additional lots adjoining our property totaling roughly three acres. It is our intention to utilize these three acres to compliment a State project in Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve to create additional fresh water marsh and to relieve flooding of Pescadero Road and our property as well.
5) What clubs, organizations, or interest groups do you belong to or are you affiliated with?
In 1988 I founded the Natural Heritage Foundation, Inc. The NHF currently protects and manages tens of thousands of acres, including land containing the highest concentration of rare, threatened and endangered plants and animals in the continental United States. Locally I am head of the Pescadero Municipal Advisory Council's Butano Creek Hydrology and Flooding subcommittee. I have close relationship with the Resource Conservation District of San Mateo County, and have volunteered for the Coastal Watershed Council, the Farm Bureau, and local CRMP as well.
6) Please provide a brief description of your desired outcome of the work of the CAC.
To develop a positive and productive relationship between the southern rural coastside and the MROSD, and to assist in the future protection and preservation of the rural coastside lifestyle and resources.
William "Bill" Cook
(650)879-9616