Orange County supervisors took a big step Tuesday toward accepting the Irvine Co.’s offer of 20,000 acres of new parkland, approving a ‘letter of intent’ that will kick off a six-month period of analysis and preparation.

“This is a gift horse, and I’ve looked it in the eyes and mouth and I like what I see,” supervisor Chris Norby said just before the unanimous 5-0 vote.

Members of the county’s environmental community had urged the supervisors to hold off on approving the letter, saying they wanted more time to explore the idea, though most said they were excited about the possibility.

“We’re worried about the money,” said Jean Watt of the Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks. “The universal reaction from all these folks, and many others, is, ‘How does this pencil out financially?’”

The land covers rugged canyons mainly in north-central Orange County, including Weir, Fremont, Santiago, Gypsum and Limestone, and would include creation of the brand-new, 2,000-acre Black Star Canyon Regional Park. It also includes Laguna Laurel.

The northern canyons, visible on both sides of the 241 tollway as it approaches the 91 Freeway,  are a realm of oak woodlands, mule deer and mountain lions, as well as imposing rock formations and other features. It is now mostly closed to the public except for docent-led tours.

County ownership could broaden public access, although that decision has yet to be made.

Supervisor Bill Campbell, who asked OC Parks officials to return to the board with a proposal by March 31, 2010 if possible,  said he hopes the transfer would result in increased public access.

“I”m not for restricting public access,” he said. “If you come back with that, this is one supervisor who isn’t going to be very happy with that.”

But environmental activists also worried about too much human intrusion in an area now almost exclusively the domain of wildlife.

“We need areas that are no-people areas,” said Elisabeth Brown, president of Laguna Greenbelt.

Others wondered why the transfer is being proposed now, and what, if anything, the Irvine Co. stands to gain.

Gary Delsohn, a spokesman for Irvine Co., said the company was not motivated by financial gain.

“We have long said our plan is to eventually convey that land to the public for permanent protection and stewardship,” Delsohn said.

The letter does raise the possibility of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy continuing to manage the land for no more than three years at $1.5 million a year. If the land were transferred under such an arrangement, that cost would be picked up by the county, said OC Parks director Mark Denny.

Delsohn said it was unclear whether any tax benefit would result from the transfer.

He said reports that two buildings owned by the Irvine Co. in the La Jolla area could be facing mortgage default was unrelated to the decision to transfer the land.

“This has been in the works for about 10 years,” Delsohn said of the proposed transfer.

What portion of the $50 million pledge made by the Donald Bren Foundation for maintenance and management of all Irvine Co. ranch lands would remain available is uncertain. But some will likely continue to be used for the land even after it is transferred.

“That pledge isn’t going to change simply because land ownership changes,” said Mike O’Connell, executive director of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

Denny said county officials approached the Irvine Co. earlier this year to begin a conversation about a possible transfer, realizing they were at last in a financial position to manage the new parkland.

“They said, ‘Yeah, we’re willing to talk,’” Denny said. “We’ve been talking awhile.”

(Photo of Limestone Canyon courtesy Irvine Co.)

Related posts:

• New parkland: a thumbs-up vote, then back-country tour
• Irvine Co. to donate 20,000 acres to OC Parks

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