Yes on 68 for Rural Protection – by Jeff Darlington
In just a couple weeks on June 5th – or sooner for those who vote by mail – Californians have an opportunity to vote on Proposition 68, a $4.1 billion ballot measure that will protect and enhance our parks, trails, mountains and coast, as well as our water and other natural resources.
I’m voting yes on Prop 68 because I support California taking steps to make sure that our forests and natural lands – particularly those in rural Placer County and up-and-down the Sierra Nevada region – are better prepared for wildfires, drought, a changing snowpack, and extreme weather events. This is how I want California to protect its future, and the future for my kids.
In the Sierra Nevada region alone, Prop 68 would dedicate $142 million into projects that reduce the risk of wildfire and natural disaster, boost forest health, improve water quality, safeguard our water supplies, and protect sensitive wildlife habitat in a region especially susceptible to climate change.
In addition, Prop 68 provides millions more in new funding for outdoor recreation in our area, including major upgrades to California’s outdoor recreation infrastructure. Well over half of Californians participate in some form of outdoor recreation annually, and our outdoor recreation industry generates 691,000 jobs. A lot of that economic activity is right here in beautiful Placer County.
Ask realtors and they’ll tell you how important our beautiful landscapes are to our economic growth and vitality. Ask water agencies and resource managers and they’ll tell you how important meadows and streams are to our water quality and supply. Ask firefighters and they’ll tell you how important healthy forests are to our safety. Ask tourists and they’ll tell you it’s the scenery and outdoor recreation that draws them to Placer County. Ask farmers and ranchers and they’ll tell you how important good land and water are to our food production and agricultural heritage. The list goes on. Simply put, an investment in land conservation pays dividends right now, and for generations to come.
Working for Placer Land Trust for 15+ years on 50+ projects protecting 9500+ acres, I know that voluntary land conservation is very, very expensive. Frankly, we need State funding if we want to keep Placer County from turning into LA or the Bay Area.
Prop 68 funding would enable local groups like Placer Land Trust to leverage their community support to protect more land in our area for current and future generations, including parks and trails, rivers and streams, forests and oak woodlands, nature preserves, even farms and ranches. Prop 68 funding would also enable Placer County to provide new public access to natural lands more quickly, including connecting to the popular Hidden Falls Regional Park through one or more new public access points, and improving recreation in the Auburn State Recreation Area.
This is the first time in 15+ you’ll have an opportunity to approve a Statewide ballot measure to provide funds for water, parks, and natural areas. I hope you’ll take advantage of this unique opportunity and join me in voting Yes on Prop 68 on June 5th.
