Wilson Plays a Greater Role in Preserving Mountain Parkland : Environment: Governor is working to maintain open space and increase recreational opportunities along the Santa Monica range. His actions set him apart from Deukmejian.

If Gov. Pete Wilson could find the time on a visit to Los Angeles just to take off and go for a hike, chances are he would head for the Santa Monica Mountains.

In his first four months in office, Wilson has shown a special interest in the mountains, coming forth to champion the oasis of green slopes rising from Los Angeles.

He has touted the mountains as one of California’s natural wonders; proposed giving the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy $48 million in bonds to buy parkland; promoted a controversial land swap to acquire property owned by entertainer Bob Hope, and tapped a former conservancy lawyer, Ed Heidig, to be his conservation director.

If the governor’s schedule allowed, “he’d love to escape into . . . the Santa Monica Mountains,” said Wilson’s press secretary, Bill Livingstone.

Richard P. Sybert, director of the governor’s office of planning and research, said Wilson’s support for the mountains is part of his effort “to make sure that we maintain open space and ensure recreational opportunities for all these millions of people in our cities.”

This focus on the mountains is one of the most visible signs in the Los Angeles area that the Republican governor, unlike former Gov. George Deukmejian, is making the environment a top priority.

As a U.S. senator for eight years, aides said, Wilson helped obtain funds for open space in the mountains and in 1989, he urged Deukmejian to sign legislation extending the conservancy’s life.

Now, Wilson can play a much greater role as a guardian of the outdoors. Last month, he proposed a sweeping environmental program, including a $628-million bond measure called the Heritage Lands Act that would allow the purchase of parklands. In announcing his plans on Earth Day, Wilson included the Santa Monicas with some of the state’s better-known natural wonders.

Wilson said: “Our natural treasures--the majestic Sierra, the austere canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, the ancient forests of the North Coast--have shaped the California character. If we lose them, we lose not only part of our heritage, but part of ourselves.”

So far, the governor’s statements appear to be paying dividends for him, even with Democrats.

Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Los Angeles), whose district includes part of the mountains, said the Wilson Administration “recognizes the Santa Monica Mountains are a significant California resource and are making them a priority for acquisition and preservation.”

Friedman said this represents “a near 180-degree change” from the attitudes expressed by the Deukmejian Administration.

Even though the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy bought most of its land while he was governor, Deukmejian is faulted by environmentalists for failing to initiate or encourage land acquisitions. They note that during part of his tenure, the conservancy and Deukmejian Administration were at odds over the appropriation of funds to buy parkland.

Since 1980, the conservancy has spent $70.6 million to buy 17,000 acres. Various public agencies would like to purchase at least an additional 35,000 acres, according to a conservancy official.

Wilson, a strong supporter of the conservancy concept, has proposed establishing a similar agency to restore California’s sensitive riparian habitats, including rivers in coastal Southern California.

In Wilson, conservancy officials see an ally, while acknowledging that this year’s massive budget deficit may trigger cuts in some conservancy programs. Joseph Edmiston, conservancy executive director, said that though Wilson has looked favorably on his agency, he does not expect to be spared from the budget fallout. “It doesn’t mean we go up there (Sacramento) braggadocio,” he said.

If voters next year approve Wilson’s $628-million bond proposal, $48 million would be earmarked for the conservancy. Among the areas with a priority for purchase are key parcels in the Santa Susana Mountains around a proposed Santa Clarita Woodlands park and the Runkle Ranch owned by Hope, as well as areas around Rustic, Sullivan and Upper Mission canyons in the Santa Monicas.

The purchase of the Runkle Ranch property just north of the Simi Valley Freeway hinges on the outcome of a complex land exchange between the conservancy and Hope. It is designed to allow the entertainer to develop his 2,308-acre Jordan Ranch property in Ventura County while preserving mountain land for parks.

Wilson has expressed the hope that an agreement could be reached to permit “a very significant acquisition” in the mountains.

So close to the swap has Wilson become that he has been accused of meddling by officials representing Ventura County. Assemblyman Tom McClintock (R-Thousand Oaks) called the governor’s participation “unprecedented intervention” in a local land use matter.

McClintock also defended Deukmejian’s record on the conservancy, maintaining that the former governor approved a number of acquisition projects. The legislator criticized fellow Republican Wilson for two parts of his environmental initiative: the bond proposal and a call to allow local voters to approve park projects by a majority vote, instead of two-thirds.

When it comes to the conservancy, McClintock said: “The difference between them is that Deukmejian was cool to tax increases and borrowing and Pete Wilson has gone hog wild.”

The growing state budget deficit may force the conservancy to reduce a public service it performs: sponsoring trips to the mountains for inner-city residents, Edmiston said.

A Look at the Santa Monicas

WHAT: The Santa Monica Mountains stretch from Hollywood to Point Mugu on the Ventura County coast.

OWNERSHIP: Split among federal, state and local agencies, as well as private parties.

AGENCIES: Several have been set up to preserve open space in the mountains. They include:

* The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, a state agency, established by the Legislature to acquire parkland in the mountains.

* The National Park Service, a federal agency that oversees the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. A variety of activities are offered, including hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and camping.

RECREATION AREA FEATURES:

* 150,000 acres, including at least 65,000 acres set aside for parkland.

* 570 miles of hiking trails.

* 870 species of plants.

* 262 species of birds. Many depend upon the mountains for breeding, nesting and stopovers along the Pacific Flyway.

* Highest point is Sandstone Peak at 3,111 feet.

SOURCE: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area