For years, one of the best, most cost-effective tools that California had at its disposal to prevent agricultural land and open space from being developed was the Williamson Act, which allowed landowners to contract with counties to keep land as farms or open space in exchange for lower property taxes. With a stroke of his pen, Gov. Schwarzenegger cut the $28 million that supported the program last month, and local counties are struggling over whether to continue funding their programs. Their decisions in the next few months could have dramatic repercussions for birds that rely on habitats on private agricultural properties and open lands.