Open Space

GOAL 1. Preserve natural open-space resources which contribute to the general welfare and quality of life for residents and visitors in Mono County and to the maintenance of the county's tourism economy.

Objective 1.A.

Preserve existing open space.

Policy 1.A.1. Concentrate development in existing communities in order to preserve large expanses of open space.

Action 1.A.1.a. Implement policies in the Land Use Element that promote development in existing communities.

Policy 1.A.2. Outside existing communities, cluster development in order to maximize open space.

Action 1.A.2.a. Implement policies in the Land Use Element that limit development outside existing communities.

Policy 1.A.3. Protect agricultural uses to maintain the open-space character of the county.

Action 1.A.3.a. Maintain large lot sizes in agricultural areas in order to protect agricultural uses.

Action 1.A.3.b. Avoid conversion of lands currently used for agricultural production to non-agricultural use, unless such a conversion could enhance other critical resource values.

Action 1.A.3.c. Support the Land Conservation Act of 1965 (the Williamson Act) to preserve open space and agricultural uses of land within the fiscal means of the County and as directed by the Board of Supervisors.

Action 1.A.3.d. Upon full restoration of subvention payments from the State, consider approving new Williamson Act contracts.

Policy 1.A.4. Continue to designate undeveloped lands owned by out of county agencies such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), and the Walker River Irrigation District (WRID), or by utility entities such as Liberty Utilities, and Southern California Edison (SCE) as "Open Space" ("OS") in the Land Use Element. Exceptions to this policy may include lands adjacent to community areas needed for community uses, or lands outside community areas needed for public purposes.

Policy 1.A.5. Restrict development in areas constrained by natural hazards, including but not limited to, flood, geologic hazards and avalanche hazards.

Action 1.A.5.a. Implement policies contained in the Safety Element.

Policy 1.A.6. Coordinate policies in the county General Plan with policies in the USFS's Land and Resource Management Plans for the Inyo and Humboldt-Toiyabe national forests and the BLM's Resource Management Plan in order to coordinate open-space programs.

Policy 1.A.7. Implement policies in other sections of the General Plan relating to preservation of open space.

Policy 1.A.8. Work with appropriate agencies, organizations, and individuals to preserve open space permanently for wildlife habitat, viewshed values, recreational uses, or other resource protection purposes.

Action 1.A.8.a. Keep current on land acquisition and disposal plans and activities of federal and state land management agencies and the LADWP in order to achieve a coordinated effort to preserve and maintain open space for purposes such as natural resource protection, scenic views and recreation.

Action 1.A.8.b. During the Specific Plan and subdivision processes, consider conditions of approval such as the use of open space, conservation, and scenic easements; the dedication of open space by project sponsors; the use of deed restrictions that require setbacks and the preservation of natural vegetation and wildlife habitat, cultural resources and recreational values; or other provisions that preserve the open-space values of an area.

Action 1.A.8.c. Consider full fee acquisition by the County or other agencies through purchase at fair market value.

Action 1.A.8.d. Evaluate available methods to encourage the acquisition of key open-space areas for resource values, including the use of taxes, tax-incentives, state and federal funding, grants, and other programs.

Action 1.A.8.e. Consider the use of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) or Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) to preserve additional open space.

Action 1.A.8.f. Investigate private funding, including conservation groups such as the Eastern Sierra Land Trust, Nature Conservancy or Trust for Public Lands.

Action 1.A.8.g. Continue supporting local land conservation organizations, such as the Eastern Sierra Land Trust.

Action 1.A.8.h. Outside community areas, consider land trades involving private lands in Mono County and federal lands elsewhere.

Objective 1.B.

Improve the health, resilience and carbon sequestration capacity of the natural and agricultural landscape.            

Policy 1.B.1. Maintain and manage open space to protect from fire and erosion.

Action 1.B.1.a. Proactively manage the county’s current parks, open space, recreational facilities, and other natural areas owned or operated by the County to ensure the long-term health and viability of trees and other vegetation.

Action 1.B.1.b. Evaluate future opportunities to convert closed landfills to open space.

Policy 1.B.2. Encourage other programs that protect natural areas.

Action 1.B.2.a. Promote biomass heat/energy utilization projects meeting environmental standards as a means to incentivize fuel reduction projects for healthy forests by creating an economic market for woody biomass.

Policy 1.B.3. Provide open space in support of the mission of military installations; e.g., the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC).

Action 1.B.3.a. Implement policies in the Land Use Element to prevent incompatible land uses and provide for military activities.