Senate committee moves bill to recognize Santa Cruz Mountains as statewide resource

The committee heard SB 949, which would statutorily recognize the Santa Cruz Mountains as a resource of statewide significance and prompt the Natural Resources Agency to prioritize protection, restoration and coordination across county lines. The sponsor accepted an amendment changing the term "landscape" to "resource" in the analysis.

Anna Ruiz, general manager of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and a co-sponsor, described the range as a global biodiversity hotspot that supports rare species and essential ecosystem services, and urged the committee to support coordinated stewardship that includes tribal participation and voluntary incentives for private landowners.

Sarah Barth, executive director of Sempervirens Fund, stressed wildfire resilience following the CZU Lightning Complex fires and said the bill aligns with statewide priorities such as biodiversity protection and the state’s 30x30 goals. Multiple local land trusts, open-space agencies and county supervisors registered me-too support on the record.

Committee members praised the bill but requested further work on definitions and clarity about responsibilities for fire and land management. The committee moved SB 949 as amended to appropriations; the motion was recorded and the bill was left on call per committee practice.