Constrained Policies

OPEN SPACE AND HABITATHOW OPEN SPACEPOLICES PRODUCEMULTIPLE BENEFITSEnvironmental Justice: SouthernCalifornia may be regarded as thecar capital of the world, but forthe working poor and other peoplewith limited or no access to acar who depend on public transit,it can be almost impossible toget to work, school, the market,parks, forests, beaches, doctors,or many other basic needs of life.Access to public transportationis also important to increase accessto our natural lands and publicspaces. A very good exampleis access to Southern California’sfour national forests. Accordingto a study by USC Departmentof Geography, there is virtuallyno good way to reach the fourforests of Southern California bypublic transportation.TABLE 3.2 ORGANIC FARMLANDS IN THE SCAG REGION - 2005County Organic Acres a Total Farmland b Percent ShareabRiverside 3,200 466,467 0.7Orange 143 13,481 1.1San Bernardino 244 34,673 0.07Los Angeles 108 44,050 0.3Ventura 4,712 297,074 1.6Imperial N/A 545,611 N/AAcreage based on annual Agricultural Commissioners Reports for each countyBased on California Department of Conservation 2005 estimates, excludes rangelands/grazing landsof soil and water to enhance environmental quality for futuregenerations. Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a USDAaccredited certifier inspects the farm where the food is grownto make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary tomeet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle orprocess organic food before it gets to the local supermarketor restaurant must be certified and inspected also. Table 3.2shows the acres of organic farming in the region. ImperialCounty does not keep estimates of organic farming.Open Space and Habitat–Agricultural LandsGoals Preserve the productivity and viability of the region’s agriculturallands while supporting a sustainable economyand region by:Maintaining a viable level of agriculture tosupport economic and food supply needsfor the region while supporting sustainableenergy, air quality and transportationpolicies;Promote and support a strong locally-grownfood system by encouraging communityfarming and developing cooperative farminginitiates that use sustainable farmingpractices.Open Space and Habitat–Agricultural LandsOutcomes Develop a new regional farmland conservation strategyand enroll at least 6,500 12 acres of prime farmland in thefirst four years. No net loss of farmlands enrolled in the regional programthrough 2035.43