The Department of Conservation (DOC) held its third Williamson Act stakeholder meeting on April 20, 2017. Members from local government organizations, the farming community, and legislative staff have been brought together by the DOC to discuss possible improvements to the Land Conservation Act (Act).
Topics of discussion include compatible use of contracted lands, public acquisitions, farmland security zone, enforcement of contracts, and subvention payments. The goal of these meetings is to reach consensus on policy changes that will address some of the issues that the DOC has noted, such as compatible use determinations made by local governments that may not meet the intent of the Act. It is anticipated that any policy revisions generated by these discussions will be introduced into legislation early next year, most likely into Williamson Act related bills already moving through the process (Assembly Bill 1564, Assembly Bill 925, and Senate Bill 435). RCRC will continue to be active participants in the process and provide periodic updates.