EUNICE M. ULLOA CURTIS BURTON
Mayor CHRISTOPHER FLORES
MARC LUCIO
Council Members
K
AREN C. COMSTOCK DR. LINDA REICH
Mayor Pro Tem City Manager
CITY of CHINO
13220 Central Avenue, Chino, California 91710
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 667, Chino, California 91708-0667 (909) 334-3250 • (909) 334-3720 Fax
Web Site: www.cityofchino.org
M
ay 30, 2024
T
he Honorable Dave Min, Chair
Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee
1021 O Street, Room 3220
Sacramento, CA 95814
R
E: Support for AB 3182 (Lackey) – Land Conservation: California Wildlife, Coastal, and Park Land Conservation Act: County of San Bernardino – As amended April 24, 2024 D
ear Senator Min and Honorable Members of the Committee, O
n behalf of the City of Chino, I write in support of AB 3182 (Lackey), which amends state law regarding the use of Prop 70 land sale proceeds in San Bernardino County. Passage of AB 3182 will allow San Bernardino County to use these land sale proceeds to preserve the region’s agricultural heritage and to improve parks and recreational facilities in the Prado Regional Park.
I
n June 1988, California voters approved Proposition 70, a park bond that provided $776 million for developing conservation lands throughout the State. Prop 70 gave $20 million to San Bernardino County for permanent agricultural preservation. That funding was used by the County to purchase 366.55 acres on nine agricultural properties in the Chino Agricultural Preserve (CAP). However, because the lands were not adjacent to each other, it was difficult for the County to fulfill the intent of Prop 70. In 2010, Prop 70 provisions were amended by Senate Bill 1124 (Negrete -McLeod) to allow San Bernardino County to sell or exchange its Prop 70 properties if replacement property was purchased that would be used for agricultural preservation, community gardens, agricultural heritage projects, agricultural and wildlife education, or wildlife habitat, or for open-space conservation purposes.
A
B 3182 (Lackey) amends existing law by expanding the authorized use of proceeds from Prop 70 land sales to include, in addition to the existing agricultural preservation, agricultural heritage projects, agricultural and wildlife education, and open-space conservation purposes, the new categories of parks and recreational purposes within the former Chino Agricultural Preserve. It would allow San Bernardino County to use the proceeds from Prop 70 for parks and recreational facilities, including cultural and sporting venues, playgrounds, amphitheaters, and infrastructure to expand access and improve amenities. These provisions apply solely to San Bernardino County's unique situation rather than all Prop 70 lands in the State.
The Honorable Dave Min
May 30, 2024
p.2
AB 3182 will facilitate significant park and infrastructure improvements for Prado Regional Park, allowing San Bernardino County to preserve the region’s agricultural heritage, conserve open space, and expand recreational opportunities at Prado Park.
I ask you to support AB 3182 (Lackey). If you have any questions about our position, contact Vivian Castro, Deputy City Manager, at 909-334-3307 or [email protected].
Sincerely,
L
inda Reich
City Manager
cc: T
he Honorable Susan Rubio
The Honorable Kelly Seyarto
Chino City Council Members