In this interview, Sarah Newkirk, Executive Director of The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County explains why her organization is championing Santa Cruz County Measure Q, the Water and Wildfire Protection measure, and what it would accomplish in terms of climate resiliency and environmental stewardship. The measure, up for a vote this November 5th in Santa Cruz, is supported by most elected officials and environmental groups. It is opposed by the Fire Chief’s Association, and recently, the Santa Cruz Sentinel’s editorial board recommended a “no” vote, saying they thought it was too broad.
Here is the ballot language:
Arguments and replies are the opinions of the authors. We print them exactly as submitted, including errors.
Argument for Measure Q Rebuttal argument for Measure Q
Vote YES on Measure Q to Protect Santa Cruz
County’s Natural Water Sources – and Protect our
Communities and Local Forests from Wildfire!
In the past few years, our communities have been
threatened by more and more extreme wildfires. Drought
and pollution are growing threats to our local natural
water sources – the rivers, creeks and streams that
provide our groundwater reserves.
Vote YES on Measure Q:
• Protect Water Quality: Safeguard natural water
sources, including rivers, creeks, and streams and the
surrounding areas, to reduce pollution, trash, plastics,
and toxic chemicals.
• Protect Natural Water Sources: Protect areas
where rainfall replenishes our natural water supply to
secure clean water reserves for future droughts.
• Reduce Wildfire Risks: Reduce catastrophic wildfire
risks by removing hazardous overgrown brush,
conducting prescribed burns, and creating critical
shaded fire breaks – and help our forests recover
from recent fires.
• Keep Beaches Clean and Protect Marine
Life: Prevent pollution and trash from reaching our
local beaches and the ocean.
• Preserve Wildlife Habitats: Safeguard local forests,
wetlands, and wildlife habitats, ensuring these
ecosystems remain vibrant and healthy amidst
threats like droughts and climate change.
Fiscal Accountability and Local Control:
• Local Funds for Local Needs: All money raised will
stay in Santa Cruz County and cannot be taken by the
State.
• Independent Transparent Oversight: Dedicated
citizens’ oversight, public spending disclosures, and
annual audits will ensure funds are spent responsibly
and only on voter-approved purposes.
• Leverage State Matching Funds: Measure Q will
allow Santa Cruz County to qualify for state and
federal grants, expanding our local ability to protect
our communities against wildfires and our water
sources from pollution, at no additional cost to local
taxpayers.
Vote YES on Measure Q for Water and Wildfire
Protection!
John Ricker, Retired Water Resource Manager
David Hopper, Fire Captain, Local Firefighter
John Laird, State Senator, 17th District
Nancy B Macy*, Chair, Valley Women’s Club
Environmental Committee
Ana V. Hurtado-Aldana*, Treasurer, Friends of
Watsonville Parks and Community Services
Vote NO on Measure Q
Now coined the “Water and Wildfire Measure” in their
media displays, this play on your emotions – it is
misleading and irresponsible branding.
These funds are managed by County Departments,
approved by County Supervisors, with an advisory board
appointed by the County Supervisors and Cities – its not
“independent transparent oversight.”
There is no guarantee any funds will be spent to reduce
wildfire risks, or distributed to Fire Agencies best suited as
subject matter experts to conduct wildfire resilience and
fuel reduction projects.
There is no way to prevent the County, charged with
managing the revenues, from supplanting ongoing County
Operating Expenses with Measure Q funding.
This measure funds programs that do not focus on clean
water or wildfires – funds can be used for park
construction, litter clean up, after school programs, visitor
services, and trail head facilities (toilets).
There is no advocate for the unincorporated areas of our
County residing in Independent Fire Districts. You will pay
and yet may see no benefit .
Priority funding given to:
• Agencies with matching funds – the County is best
positioned for matching funds
• Programs with multiple benefits – the County is best
positioned to supplant funds to create multiple
benefits
• Invest in disadvantaged communities – transferring
local tax dollars to other parts of the County for non-
wildfire programs
Measure Q employs a broad brushstroke to address a vast
array of 17 environmental concerns without providing
specific solutions, details, or accountability. Its bad policy
and legislation designed to fund the County!
Join us in VOTING NO ON MEASURE Q!
Mark Bingham*, President, Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs
Association
Local ballot measure: Q
Arguments and replies are the opinions of the authors. We print them exactly as submitted, including errors.
Argument against Measure Q Rebuttal argument against Measure Q
Your Santa Cruz County Fire Chiefs’ Association does not
support this measure because it does not directly
contribute to wildfire risk reduction nor directly fund all
local fire agencies that are responsible for wildfire risk
reduction.
The Fire Chiefs struggle with:
• The governance structure places decision-making in
the hands of Santa Cruz County departments who
themselves will be competing for funding.
• Direct fiscal apportionment to the County and cities
but nothing to fire agencies best positioned to
provide wildfire risk reduction in the unincorporated
areas of the county.
• The advisory board serves 4 years terms, and no more
than two terms. but can be extended indefinitely by
the appointing agency.
• How this tax will apply to every non-exempt parcel in
the County regarless of income capacity.
The measure as written over 16 pages identifies 17 areas
of focus; wildfire risk reduction is just one of the areas
competing for these funds. in light of the CZU wildfire
experience, we believe funding should be prioritized, not
minimized, to protect our communities and for it to be
placed in those best positioned to protect them.
Mark Bingham*, President and Fire Chief, Santa Cruz
County Fire Chiefs Association
Stacie Brownlee*, Treasurer and Fire Chief, Santa Cruz
County Fire Chiefs Association
Rob Oatey*, Secretary and Fire Chief, Santa Cruz County
Fire Chiefs Association
Jason Nee*, Vice President and Fire Chief, Santa Cruz
County Fire Chiefs Association
We all share responsibility for minimizing wildfire risk and
supporting recovery, and we want well-funded local fire
departments to respond in the moment.
We also need to fund smart preparation that protects our
homes, businesses, and natural areas.
Measure Q supports both.
Measure Q provides dedicated funding for wildfire
risk reduction:
• Removing hazardous overgrown brush
• Clearing debris from emergency access roads for first
responders
• Creating open-space buffers to protect homes and
businesses
• Proactively managing land and forests to prevent
spread of wildfires
• Safely conducting prescribed burns
Local fire departments are eligible for Measure Q’s
largest financial grants. These funds will help buy
wildland fire engines, lifesaving equipment, and more.
Measure Q also protects water quality, clean beaches,
and wildlife habitat. Measure Q isn’t only about wildfires:
we must also protect our natural water sources,
groundwater, beaches, marine and wildlife habitat,
wetlands, forests, parks, and open space from growing
threats of climate change, extreme weather, pollution, and
drought.
Vote YES on Measure Q:
• Protect Water Quality
• Protect Natural Water Sources
• Reduce Wildfire Risks
• Protect Forests
• Keep Beaches Clean
• Protect Marine Life
• Preserve Wildlife Habitats
Measure Q will also attract millions in state and federal
matching funds. All funds are subject to local control and
independent oversight.
Firefighters, the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz
County, the Central Coast Prescribed Burn
Association, and hundreds more agree – Vote YES on
Measure Q for Water and Wildfire Protection!
Learn more: www.VoteYesOnQ.com
Joe Christy, Founding Member and Former President, Fire
Safe Council of Santa Cruz County
Barb Satink Wolfson*, Fire Advisor, Central Coast
Prescribed Burn Association
Mariah Roberts, Executive Director, County Park Friends;
Co-Founder, LEO’s Haven at Chanticleer Park
Laurie Egan*, Executive Director, Coastal Watershed
Council
Gary Griggs, Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences;
Chair, Ocean Science Trust
https://votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov/Portals/16/nov24/Measure%20Q.pdf
