Collaboration Topics

Analysis of 2010 Goals

What about the 2005-2010 Goals?
In 2005, Ecology Action led a comprehensive process that engaged over 1,000 residents community wide to develop and set new goals for the CAP Natural Environment Chapter. Three focus groups were held in north and south county and San Lorenzo Valley to elicit a broad range of ideas about ways to improve our local natural environment, and goals were prioritized. Additionally an online survey of open-ended questions netted several hundred suggestions as well. A steering committee of local environmental agencies and organizations considered the online and focus group data and developed a short list of 13 goals for community voting. Voting then occurred at Earth Day Santa Cruz, Dia de los Ninos and in local libraries in May 2005 resulting in the following goals.

1. Health of rivers and ocean is improved by reducing erosion and chemical pollution.
(Revised slightly by Sponsor Team Committee to become Goal #1) (427 votes)

2. More high density, "green", and affordable housing units are developed near transit and job centers.
(Revised slightly by Sponsor Team Committee to become Goal #2) (377 votes)

3. Single passenger auto use is reduced by improving safety and miles of bike lanes and increasing bus route frequency. (Goal #3) (320 votes)

Since then the CAP has tracked progress toward these goals. Read on to see how have we done! (Items in parens are page citations for the CAP Year 15 report)

Goal 1: The health of rivers and the ocean is improved by reducing erosion, reducing pollution and increasing summer stream flows.

Successes
Awareness about water availability challenges has increased: When asked “What most concerns you about the natural environment?” the response “Water Availability/Salt Water Intrusion” jumped from its long standing last place in 2007 ( 6% of respondents) to first place in 2009 (20% of respondents). “Water Pollution” dropped from first to second place in this same survey, indicating a continued high awareness and concern (Page 218). Further, more residents report implementing water conservation measures at home (Page 229)

Per connection water use continues to drop: The overall gallons of water delivered by local agencies has continued to drop while number of connections has increased (Page 230-231).

Challenges
Water Pollution Continues: The impairment level (reduction of use of waterways for fishing, swimming, drinking, etc) continues to increase for local waterways (Page 227).

Beach Closures Increasing: Beach postings and closures up (Page 228).

Lack of Indicators
There are no simple indicators for summer stream flow or health of our aquifers, so while water use has continued to drop, agency reports indicate that we are still extracting too much from our streams and aquifers to support fish and wildlife habitat and protect ourselves from saltwater intrusion.

Goal 2: Open space is preserved and increased while the percentage of housing units is increased which are environmentally sound, green, affordable, and near transit & job centers.

Successes
Community is satisfied with Amount of Open Space: Community survey results show that 40% of residents are “very satisfied” (Page 219)

High amount of protected lands: 30% of our County acreage is protected (in parkland or private property with a conservation easement for example) (Page 219)

Some advances in affordable housing: Data shows that while Santa Cruz County is still challenged (low income rents remain higher than the Housing Authority programs will reimburse for) , 30% more residents were able to afford a first time home. (Pages 454-457)

Challenges
Significant affordable housing challenges remain (see above).

Lack of Indicators
Are the right lands protected? While we have 30% of our County acreage in protected lands, are those the key habitats and places we need to protect for our quality of life and ecosystem function? (Note: The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County is developing a Conservation Blueprint with community and scientist input that will perhaps generate new indicators and goals for us after its launch next year www.conservesantacruz.org.

Further, there are no simple indicators that the CAP is able to track about the increase in green housing units or the increase in housing units in walking distance to services and jobs. Further there is no specific group or organization working to promote and track this in Santa Cruz County.

Goal 3: Single-passenger auto use is reduced by improving cyclist safety, increasing miles of bike lanes, and increasing use of public transportation.

Successes
Overall Daily Vehicle Miles traveled for Santa Cruz County is slightly down (Page 237)
Transit Ridership is slightly up although still lower than 2001-2002 (Page 238)
Community survey results show shift in willingness to ride public transit: for the past several years, the top answer to “What would incentivize you to use alternative transportation?” was “Nothing” This year it was “Increased bus frequency” (page239)
Number of bikeway miles increased slightly

Challenges and Lack of Indicators
There are no simple indicators to track number of single occupant vehicle trips, or bike safety. Further, many bikeways are in need of repair for potholes and other safety issues which are not tracked. Finally, we are not assessing whether bikeways are available in key transportation corridors.

Program Contact

Kirsten Liske

Ecology Action
Phone: 831.426.5925 ext. 123
Fax: 831.425.1404
Email