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ACTIVITIES FROM THE PAST 
CONTACT: Jeff Sutton
June 6, 2005
530/438-2026 ph
530/301-1030 cell 

FWA Opposes Yolo County Efforts to Seize Conaway Ranch

Public ownership of ranch not necessary to protect local water users

Maxwell – Today, the Family Water Alliance announced its opposition to Yolo County’s use of eminent domain to seize Conaway Ranch and challenges the county’s assertion that eminent domain is required to protect agricultural water users. 

While Yolo County has stated that eminent domain is necessary to protect the 17,000 acre ranch’s agriculture, water and natural habitat, Yolo County’s efforts to seize the property’s farm land and water rights are being challenged by local farming and water interests who question county motives. Internal county documents, acquired through a public records request, expose county interests in the ranch’s land, water, natural gas and other assets as revenue generating opportunities for a county with longstanding budget problems. 

“Yolo County has not made a convincing case that the farming interests of Conaway Ranch are best served under public ownership,” said Jeff Sutton, Executive Director of the Family Water Alliance. “The county can preserve the ranch’s farm land and water by simply denying building permits and enforcing strict water ordinances without seizing the ranch from unwilling sellers. Local farming and water interests believe the community’s interests are best served under private ownership.” 

“This unprecedented action by Yolo County will only encourage other local governments throughout California to seize farmland and water rights in the name of preservation,” said Sutton. “The pressure for local government to follow Yolo County’s lead will only grow with the demands of unabated growth in rural communities.” 

The Great Valley Center, a think-tank that tracks development in the Central Valley, reports that the population of the Central Valley is expected to grow 24 percent between 2000 and 2010. California loses nearly 100,000 acres of farmland permanently each year. 

“Yolo County should abandon its eminent domain proceedings now,” said Sutton. “While efforts to maintain the status quo of Conaway Ranch in agricultural is a worthy goal, the use of eminent domain to achieve this end is unnecessary, fiscally irresponsible, and a misuse of governmental power.” 

The Family Water Alliance joins the Yolo County Farm Bureau, the Yolo County Taxpayer Association and People’s Advocate (Ted Costa) in opposition to acquiring Conaway Ranch through eminent domain. For information on Conaway Ranch, visit www.yolotaxpayers.com.

The mission of the Family Water Alliance (FWA) is to educate the people regarding rural issues. FWA is a Yolo County and Sacramento Valley coalition of family farmers and community leaders concerned with the future of agriculture, private property rights, rural communities, and a balance between man and nature. For more information on FWA, visit www.familywateralliance.com.

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