Sen. Blakespear Introduces Legislation to Protect Habitat Conservation Fund
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, and Sen. Henry Stern, D-Los Angeles, on Tuesday jointly introduced legislation to indefinitely protect state funding to acquire, restore and enhance wildlife habitats across the state.
SB 427 would remove the July 1, 2030, sunset date for the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF), which was established under Proposition 117, the California Wildlife Protection Act passed by voters in June 1990. To date, the fund has protected more than 1.2 million acres of wildlife habitat throughout California.
“The value of the Habitat Conservation Fund has been demonstrated over and over again,” Sen. Blakespear said. “We’ve seen how consequential this funding is to safeguard open spaces, restore habitat and protect vital wildlife refuges. SB 427 will ensure that this important fund continues for decades to come.”
The program has funded hundreds of projects. They include the world’s largest wildlife crossing over Highway 101 in Agoura Hills, a new trails gateway into Redwood National and State Parks and an ancestral land-return project in San Bernardino County.
The Wildlife Conservation Board has allocated $13.9 million in HCF money in Senate District 38 for projects since 1990, including $1.9 million for habitat linkages along Lusardi Creek in San Diego County, $2.2 million for the acquisition of 134 acres along Buena Vista Creek in Carlsbad and Oceanside and $1.3 million for the Trabuco Creek Fish Passage Project in south Orange County. Cities, counties and any regional park or open-space district are eligible to apply for these funds.
Prop 117 directed $30 million to be transferred annually from the state’s General Fund into the conservation fund until 2020. In 2019, the Legislature and Governor extended the fund until 2030. The money is distributed by the Wildlife Conservation Board.
In recent years, however, state budgetary pressures have led lawmakers to consider discontinuing the fund. Last year, the Governor initially recommended ending the General Fund transfers to the HCF six years early, but Sen. Blakespear fought the proposal and helped keep the fund intact.
The legislation is co-sponsored by Audubon California and the National Wildlife Federation, and supported by the Planning and Conservation League.
“The Habitat Conservation Fund is absolutely critical for the protection of California’s wildlife habitats – from our beloved forests to threatened wetlands – and for the preservation of our state’s incredible biodiversity,” said Mike Lynes, Director of Public Policy for Audubon California. "Audubon California thanks Senator Blakespear for her leadership on this issue and is proud to co-sponsor this important bill to ensure the continuation of such an essential program. We call on all legislators to support the conservation of our state's natural treasures and the expansion of outdoor access for everyone in California."
“California voters in 1990 had no way of knowing just how prescient their support for creation of the Habitat Conservation Fund was when they voted yes on Prop 117,” said Beth Pratt, Regional Executive Director for the National Wildlife Federation. “Since that time, more than a billion dollars has been invested to protect more than 1.2 million acres of wildlife habitat, restoring critical ecosystems, open spaces, wildlife corridors, as well as improving public access to more than 350 local and regional parks projects across California. The Habitat Conservation Fund has a proven track record and should be made permanent. We are grateful to Senator Blakespear for her commitment to pursuing that and are proud to stand with her to make it happen.”
Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and part of southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.