The Open Space Subvention Act

The Open Space Subvention Act (OSSA) was enacted on January 1, 1972, to provide for the partial replacement of local property tax revenue foregone as a result of participation in the California Land Conservation (Williamson) Act and other enforceable open space restriction programs (Government Code §16140 et seq.). Participating local governments receive annual payment on the basis of the quantity (number of acres), quality (soil type and agricultural productivity), and, for Farmland Security Zone contracts, location (proximity to a city) of land enrolled under eligible enforceable open space restrictions.

Open Space Subventions have totaled more than $839 million since 1972, with $38 million in payments in Fiscal Year 2007-08. Statistics are available in Appendix C of the 2006 Williamson Act Status Report.

The FY 2008-09 application for Open Space Subventions is now available (XLS format). 

For more information on the OSSA, visit this page.