Countywide : Park Moves Closer to Acquiring Island

Channel Islands National Park moved one step closer Thursday to completing the acquisition of Santa Cruz Island so that public use of the island can be expanded.

The House of Representatives on Thursday approved $8 million to acquire privately held property on the eastern end of the island. The purchase now goes to the Senate for approval.

“It’s a real positive step in that direction,” said Carol Spears, public information officer for the Channel Islands National Park.

About 90% of Santa Cruz Island is owned by the Nature Conservancy, which allows limited public use. The remainder--about 6,000 acres--is held by members of the Gherini family and the park service, and remains closed to the public.

The $8 million appropriation will be used to purchase the land interests of two family members living in San Francisco. A third, Oxnard lawyer Francis Gherini, has not yet agreed to sell. Spears said she did not know when an agreement with Gherini might be reached.

“We hope it will be within the next year,” said John Frith, spokesman for Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley). Until then, the government will not hold title to the land and public access will not be allowed.

Once the entire eastern parcel is in the hands of the Park Service, park officials have plans to broaden public use of Santa Cruz Island. It is the largest of the Channel Islands, located 18 miles from the Ventura coast.

House members also voted Thursday to spend $14 million to buy more parkland for the Santa Monica Mountains.

The money will be used to acquire about 350 acres near Agoura known as the Paramount Ranch property, where the Renaissance Fair is held, said Joseph Edmiston, executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.