Policy A-7
Promote Sustainable Growth and Development.
Creation of new job opportunities, higher levels of pay, stronger and more balanced economic expansion will change the way in which population growth will occur in Mariposa County. The Mariposa County EDC feels that this growth is inevitable given state-wide growth trends and the growth pressures of the new UC campus near Lake Yosemite in Merced.

The challenge is to assimilate this growing population into a county and an environment which will be unfamiliar to most of the newcomers. Sustainable growth must begin with the attitudes and knowledge of our residents. Concepts of “land stewardship” vs. “land ownership” must be cultivated if we are to minimize the impact of population growth on Mariposa. Knowledge of the Mariposa/Yosemite region’s ecology is essential if people are expected to act responsibly with our resources on an individual day-to-day basis. The Mariposa County EDC recognizes that in order to achieve sustainable economic growth, its programs and efforts must reach beyond the business sector and industry and involve the entire community.
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Quantifiable Objective: By the Year 2000, the Mariposa County EDC’s objective is to develop a survey instrument which measures community attitudes on key factors known to reflect the quality of life in a community which can be used to measure changes over five year time spans. Factors should encompass:

• Environmental Health,
• Economic Prosperity,
• Social Equity,
• Conservation/Biodiversity,
• Stewardship,
• Sustainable Communities,
• Civic Engagement, and
• Education
The Mariposa County EDC may work with the Sierra Business Council in surveying for this information.

Implementing Programs & Actions
A-7a Environmental Health: Promote community education programs focusing on human health and the environment.
The Mariposa County EDC, in cooperation with State and County health agencies, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Air Resources Control Board and others, should formulate a program to provide the public with information regarding environmental standards and human health. The program should focus on addressing real present concerns and dispelling myths regarding pollution and contamination. The topics should also address environmental contamination at the individual household level. Programs could include written material, public workshops on current concerns as well as a guest speaker program with local service and social clubs.

A-7b Economic Prosperity: Promote community development and investment activities which are likely to result in prosperity for residents of Mariposa County.
The Mariposa County EDC shall advocate public and private investment in activities that will enhance the economic climate in Mariposa County as opposed to investments that provide only a limited service function and narrow band of community benefit. The EDC will work closely with government and civic organizations to develop a list of critical infrastructure and community level improvements needed to promote economic development and direct our community’s investments into areas which enhance the long-term economic viability of the county.

A-7c Social Equity: Provide access to educational, capital and other business resources to all residents of Mariposa County.
The future of economic health of the community will most likely depend on strong and diverse small business enterprises. The Mariposa County EDC, through its educational resource programs, capital formation and business advocacy programs will support the establishment and expansion of small business ventures by local residents regardless of gender, race, age, religion or other demographic variable. In this regard, it is the Mariposa EDC’s philosophy to direct its efforts to promote social equity and economic access towards the youth population of the community. The Mariposa County EDC also recognizes that through expanding job opportunities and increasing family incomes, public resources can be redirected into more productive areas than crime control and welfare.

A-7d Conservation/Biodiversity: Promote development of information and techniques for successful co-existence with our region’s natural resources.
Working closely with the Soil Conservation Service, Audubon Club, Sierra Club, Yosemite Association Wilderness Society, local Indian organizations, biologists from BLM, US Forest Service, National Park Service and others, the Mariposa County EDC will develop information and guidance for residents, businesses and visitors on how to minimize our impacts on the region’s wildlife and ecosystem. The program may identify harmful activities or practices as well as develop techniques for enhancing our natural resources.

A-7e Stewardship & Responsibility: Promote programs that encourage individual and institutional responsibility, as opposed to governmental regulation, in the maintenance of our natural resources.
The Mariposa County EDC will develop programs and activities that focus on developing concepts of stewardship as an alternative to existing environmental rules and regulations which have limited application or effectiveness in rural areas like Mariposa County. In a similar vein, the Mariposa EDC will actively promote alternative approaches to regulation which focus on encouraging individual and institutional responsibility in the areas of clean air, waste generation, pollution, etc.

A-7f Sustainable Communities: Promote programs which conserve resources and encourage community recycling and other conservation efforts.
The Mariposa County EDC should promote concepts of energy conservation and the use of renewable energy resources. The EDC should support the implementation of the County’s recycling goals and assist the County in developing businesses and enterprises which utilize, package or process recycled materials. The Mariposa County EDC shall also work closely with local agencies, businesses and others in the development of transportation systems which minimize the need to use private automobiles as a primary source of transportation in Mariposa County and Yosemite National Park. The Mariposa County EDC will work to support business development and location which is compatible with public transit service. The Mariposa County EDC will work with existing businesses in the community to adjust to changes resulting from increased reliance on non-automobile modes of transportation.

A-7g Civic Engagement: Promote governmental accountability at all levels of government operating in Mariposa County.
The Mariposa County EDC will engage the public in the process of establishing its economic development goals, policies and programs. The EDC will work closely with governmental agencies to promote maximum public access and information regarding activities and actions that impact residents and businesses. The Mariposa EDC will evaluate significant governmental actions in the context of Mariposa County EDC goals and policies and provide the public with an analysis and position statements as appropriate. An annual progress report on the organization’s accomplishments (and failures) will be prepared and made available to the public.

A-7h Education: Promote and enhance life-long learning programs.
Working cooperatively with various educational institutions, the Mariposa County Cooperative Extension Office, the Mariposa County Library system, private individuals and groups, the EDC will expand educational programs and resources available to residents of the County. Programs should be designed to encourage social interaction, discussion and broad-based involvement. They may or may not be linked to formal educational degree programs but should encompass some form of recognition of achievement.
(Notes: Many of the Actions listed above are supported by, or complement, other action listed in this plan.)