STATE OF CALIFORNIA­THE RESOURCES AGENCY …

STATE OF CALIFORNIA­THE RESOURCES AGENCY                                       ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor

SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY
LOS ANGELES RIVER CENTER AND GARDENS
570 WEST AVENUE TWENTY-SIX, SUITE 100
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90065
PHONE (323) 221-8900 FAX (323) 221-9001



For Immediate Release                                                           Contact: Dash Stolarz
June 7, 2007                                                                     (323) 221-9944 x198
                                                                                  (310) 985-5147 cell


       Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Endorses Local Open Space Measure

        Santa Clarita Preservation District will protect some of the most ecologically
              significant open space in rapidly expanding Santa Clarita Valley.


         Santa Clarita--The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy announced its complete
         support today for the City of Santa Clarita Open Space Preservation District.


         "Santa Clarita contains some of the State's most beautiful and diverse natural areas,"
         said Joseph T. Edmiston, Executive Director of the Santa Monica Mountains
         Conservancy. "The funds generated by this local measure will leverage State dollars to
         preserve and protect much of the area's remaining open space from development. This
         will have a direct and lasting effect on the ecological health of the community for
         generations to come."


         All property owners in the City of Santa Clarita were mailed ballots asking if they would
         be willing to pay $25.00 annually to acquire open space, wildlife areas and natural lands
         in the Santa Clara River Watershed in and around the City. The Preservation District
         would secure a greenbelt around the City and protect important habitat and wildlife
         corridors, while creating additional parkland and trails.


         A similar measure passed by property owners in the Santa Monica Mountains in 2002,
         resulted in the preservation and protection of almost 2,000 acres of open space, while



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providing public accountability in a transparent process. Proceeds generated by this
preservation district provided matching funds for State bond funds to create even more
parkland.


"This measure builds upon what was done by property owners in the Santa Monica
Mountains," continued Edmiston.        "There are numerous safeguards in place, and
opportunities for citizen involvement to assure that the money raised will be spent as
intended, and in the most efficient manner. Preserving undeveloped land as public open
space is the best investment the public can make to maintain the quality of life in the
Santa Clarita Valley."


Property owners have until July 10, 2007 to return their ballots.


The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is a State agency dedicated to the
preservation and creation of parkland within the Santa Monica Mountains, and the Rim
of the Valley Corridor including the Santa Clarita, San Fernando, La Crescenta, Simi
and Conejo Valleys.


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