OVLC seeks largest open space purchase
by Bret Bradigan

Rolling away from Ojai's west and north flanks in rippling valleys of green and gold, Ojai's largest remaining privately owned open space will remain open space "in perpetuity," it was announced Monday.
The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, after seven months of negotiations and 16 years of planning, has entered into a purchase agreement with Intell Management and Investment Company for 1,416 acres with an additional 150 acres protected with conservation easements.
The land is the site of the contentious Farmont development, which included plans for an 18-hole golf course, as well as housing. Intell Management purchased the entire 2,000-plus acres in June 1998; the remaining 500 acres - zoned for 80-acre residences - is being sold to a private party.
"We have a fundamental desire to do what we thought was in the best interest of Ojai," said Sue Ault, Intell's executive vice president. While she could not identify the purchaser of the other 500 acres, or plans for the property, she said a golf course development was not likely. "That pursuit has probably ended."
The OVLC's purchase price was pegged at $3 million, with the OVLC seeking to raise another $1 million for an endowment fund to protect and care for the historic ranch property, which would include trail building and signs.
Much of the money is expected to come from outside sources, such as Proposition 40 bond funds, which were passed in March, and will be sought with the aid of the California State Coastal Conservancy. But much local fund raising remains to be done, as Jim Engel, OVLC's executive director, made clear at a gathering of 48 people on a knoll set below Wills Canyon and above the Ventura River. According to terms of escrow, the Land Conservancy has until June, 2003 to raise the money.
The property contains three miles of Ventura River, four miles of intermittent tributary streams, five perennial springs, and 12 miles of potential hiking, horse and biking trails. Engel, who has hiked much of the property, described it as full of wonders and discoveries, including disturbingly fresh black bear tracks and rare, 5-foot high ferns surrounding a natural spring. "There is so much to see up here," he said, gesturing to the oak woodlands and meadows behind him.
Engel said the partnership with the Coastal Conservancy requires a commitment on the part of the OVLC to raise necessary money locally to preserve and protect the property. The Coastal Conservancy has already invested $1.5 million in the watershed, with projects at Matilija Dam and Robles Fish Diversion Ladder.
Jim Jackson, OVLC president, praised the vision and persistence of previous board members and directors Phil Moncharsh, Manny Sprague, Ellen Hall, John Broesamle and Rich Handley, who laid the groundwork for the purchase. "Sometimes when you plant a seed, it takes a long time to grow," he said.
On Friday, Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett plans to fly the length of the Ventura River from the Pacific Ocean to Matilija Dam with officials from the U.S. Corps of Engineers and the Interior Department. He said this purchase gives much more credibility to the effort to bring down the dam and restore the river. "This gives them a lot more confidence to see the watershed on both sides of the river being protected," he said.
Bennett told the crowd it was to Ojai's credit, unlike many areas around the county, that this much land remained undeveloped in the first place.
"We were faced with the prospect that all of this would be lost," he said. "There's so much energy in the Ojai Valley that we could tap into to make sure that didn't happen."
Former OVLC president Manny Sprague said the Land Conservancy was very close to closing a deal with the previous owner when the man passed away.
"This will be a treasure for the citizens of Ojai and Southern California forever."

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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