NOTICE: Final Planning Commission Recommended COSE Available
The Planning Commission has completed their review of the Conservation and Open Space Element. The Commission made changes to all chapters and the Introduction. These revisions have been incorporated into the files below as the “Planning Commission Recommended Draft December 2009.”
The Board of Supervisors shall consider the Planning Commission Recommended Draft December 2009 on February 9, 2010.
Conservation and Open Space Element (COSE) cover letter.
Planning Commission Recommended Draft Conservation and Open Space Element December 2009 (4,293KB) 
Appendices (10,418KB)
For slower internet connections, we have individual files available for download.
Draft Environmental Impact Report.
Final Environmental Impact Report.
Please contact James Caruso at jcaruso@co.slo.ca.us or (805) 781-5702 for more information regarding the COSE and upcoming hearing schedule.
Public Hearing Draft - Response to Public Comments
Conserving and Protecting San Luis Obispo County Resources
Those familiar with San Luis Obispo County are aware of the wide array of natural resources, areas of incomparable ecological value and beauty, and many wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities. These are the defining characteristics of San Luis Obispo County and represent its most significant environmental, social and economic assets. Approximately 700,000 acres of the county’s 2.2 million acres are used for protected open space, forests, and recreation areas. There is also considerable National Forest land, as well as a number of regional parks and open space areas owned by non-profit conservation groups.
Conserving and protecting these assets to benefit future generations is a main goal of the Conservation and Open Space Element. The Open Space Element guides the comprehensive and long-range preservation and conservation of open space land. The Conservation Element provides direction regarding the conservation, development, and utilization of natural resources. It includes new policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that have been linked to global warming, to encourage “green building” design and construction, and to conserve limited and dwindling water supplies.
Background
The COSE updates some polices that haven’t been revised in 34 years, and combines three older documents into a more comprehensive and up-to-date policy guide for the protection of the county’s natural resources into the 21 st century. Policies call for protecting our resources such as air, water, open space, energy, cultural and visual. With the publication of this document, the Planning and Building Department proposes that the County become a leader in:
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions
- reducing vehicle miles traveled and improving air quality
- protecting our limited groundwater supplies.
In all, nine of the most important natural resources in the county are addressed in the COSE:
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Air Resources |
Energy |
Soils |
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Biological Resources |
Minerals |
Visual Resources |
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Cultural/Historic Resources |
Open Space |
Water Resources |
The COSE establishes policies the county must follow when making decisions affecting these resources. Some of these resource issues did not exist when the last Conservation Element was adopted in 1974.
Other important public policy considerations in the COSE include:
- use of solar, wind and other alternative energy sources
- protection of the county’s character-defining landscapes and vistas
- protection of “prime” agricultural soils
- recognition that cultural and archaeological resources are “living resources” and represent a continuing culture.
Other documents
The following COSE related documents were released in the past two years
Raw results of polling of members of the Water Resources Advisory Ccouncil (WRAC) (September 2006)
Results of the public meeting polling (October 2006)
Conservation Element Requests for Proposals (July 2007)
Comments received at the March 2008 Open House
For more information, contact James Caruso at jcaruso@co.slo.ca.us or (805) 781-5702.