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Coastside Protection

La Honda Creek Preserve (Frances Freyburg)
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In the 1990s, as development pressure threatened the Coastside’s scenic beauty, rural character and agricultural heritage, Coastsiders expressed their support for extending the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District boundaries to include the San Mateo County Coastside. In 2004, the coast to ridgeline, from Montara to the San Mateo Santa Cruz county line, officially became Midpen’s Coastside Protection Area. Our Coastside Protection Area Service Plan, which we spent more than seven years developing in collaboration with Coastside residents and agricultural community, guides our work in the region.

Since our boundaries expanded to include the San Mateo County Coast in 2004, Midpen has protected more than 11,000 acres of natural and agricultural lands that contribute to the area’s rural identity, natural beauty and quality of life.

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Land Preservation
Natural Resources Protection and Restoration
Natural Resources
Agriculture
Agriculture
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Coastside

Goals

Midpen worked with multiple stakeholders to develop the Coastside Protection Area Service Plan. Through the plan, Midpen is committed to:

  • Protecting watershed integrity and water quality
  • Protecting sensitive resources such as habitats for special-status species
  • Providing key links to existing Midpen and other public open space and park lands
  • Providing opportunities for low-intensity recreation 
  • Supporting development of an integrated regional trail system coordinated with the San Mateo County Trails Plan
  • Providing opportunities for scientific research, resource conservation demonstration projects, outdoor environmental education programs, and interpretive programs
  • Preserving existing and potential agricultural operations in order to keep the maximum amount of prime agricultural land and other lands suitable for agriculture in agricultural production

Midpen Coastside Mission

To acquire and preserve in perpetuity open space land and agricultural land of regional significance, protect and restore the natural environment, preserve rural character, encourage viable agricultural use of land resources, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.

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Measure AA

To date, more than $16 million in Measure AA funding has been invested in Coastside open space and agricultural preservation, restoration and public access projects. These include:

  • Funding habitat restoration, watershed protection and conservation grazing projects at Purisima Creek Redwoods, La Honda Creek and Miramontes Ridge preserves.
  • Supporting local ranching and farming families in viable agriculture including approximately 9,000 acres in conservation grazing (6,500 of which is accessible to cattle), 12 acres of row crops and 55 acres of dry-farmed land. 
  • Offering environmental education programs at local schools.
  • Opening La Honda Creek Preserve to public access in 2018, and improving public access at Purisima Creek Redwoods.

Current and Future Projects

  • Planning the Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail to connect Skyline Boulevard to Cowell Ranch State Beach.
  • Removing abandoned oil facilities at the newly purchased Purisima Creek Uplands property
  • Expanding the trail system at La Honda Creek Preserve to provide new loop opportunities
  • Restoring Mindego Pond in Russian Ridge Preserve to support sensitive aquatic wildlife and grazing livestock at Mindego Ranch.

Funded by Measure AA 2014 Open Space Bond

Measure AA Funding

In 2014, voters passed Measure AA, a 30-year, $300 million bond funding open space projects in Midpen’s community-supported Vision Plan, including dozens of Coastside preservation, restoration and public access projects. Coastside property tax payers contribute to Measure AA. Midpen’s remaining funding comes from a small share of property tax on ridgeline and bayside properties within our service area.
Learn more about Measure AA

Related Documents

Coastside Protection Service Plan

Adopted June 2003

Welcome to Your Coastside Open Space

Brochure

Good Neighbor Policy Brochure

San Mateo Coastal Annexation

Final Environmental Impact Report