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Caspar, 29 May 2000
Great News! Last Thursday the California Coastal Conservancy unanimously approved granting $1.5 million to the Mendocino Land Trust for the first installment of the Caspar Headlands and Riparian purchase. It's official, and WE DID IT!
You'll remember this particular chunk of money as part of the $3 million your emails and letters helped to secure from the legislature in 1999. Without Caspar's efforts, and yours, there is little doubt that this money would not have been forthcoming. Part of the balance went toward a precious bit of Navarro Headlands and the remainder to the Westport Village Society to purchase the Westport Headlands. Our strategy of working for the whole Mendocino Coast works.
The good news continues: we are reliably informed that, due to your letters and the efforts of our conservation partners The Trust for Public Land and the Coastal Conservancy, Governor Davis has included $500,000 in his proposed budget, and the California Transportation Commission has awarded $1.5 million, both specifically for the Caspar Headlands purchase. If all goes as planned, the land will be secured by October.
Of course there are multitudinous impediments to be handled. But for the first time we are confident that the land is safe.
We'd like to give credit to Reed Holderman, Sonia Jacques, Leah Gastman, and Corey Brown at The Trust for Public Land; to Bill Ahern, Julia McIver, and the Board of the California Coastal Conservancy; to Roger Sternberg and the staff and Board of The Mendocino Land Trust; and to Assemblywoman Virginia Strom-Martin, Senator Wes Chesbro, and Representative Mike Thompson for working on our behalf. All worked hard and harmoniously to make this dream come true for Caspar, and we are forever in their debt.
There is little doubt in anyone's mind, however, that credit also goes to you, the fanatical letter writers on Caspar's behalf, and the steady, patient work of the Caspar Community Board. Thank you, EVERYONE. WELL DONE!
When all the glitches have been flattened and the purchase is complete, we hope you'll all gather for a potluck celebration on the headlands, date to be announced. Meanwhile, if you'd like to join us in a smaller, somewhat premature celebration, we're all sitting down to dinner at the Mendo Bistro on Tuesday evening, June 7th, at 6pm. Since seating is limited, and we need to let Nick know how many places to set, please let us know if you plan to come. Tickets may be purchased from Caspar Community Board members, or you may bespeak your place by emailing me, or leaving a message on the Caspar Community phone at 964-4997. We're asking for a $40 donation for the dinner to help us finance the next steps of our work.
-- Michael ;>
for the Caspar Community Board
written by Michael Potts for the Caspar email list, 29 May 2000
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