HomeMy Public PortalAbout20070509 - Agenda Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 07-10 Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Meeting 07-10
REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
330 Distel Circle, Los Altos, California
Please Note: 6:30 p.m. Special Meeting Closed Session Start Time
7:30 p.m. Regular Meeting Start Time
AGENDA*
6:30 ROLL CALL
CLOSED SESSION
The Special Meeting Closed Session will begin at 6:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m.,the Board will convene the Regular
Meeting, and,at the conclusion of the Regular Meeting,the Board may reconvene the Closed Session.
1. Public Employment—Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION—GENERAL MANAGER
7:30 REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
ROLL('ALI,
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS—Public
ADOPTION OF AGENDA—K. Nitz
ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR—K.Nitz
BOARD BUSINESS
7:40* 1 San Francisquito Creek Watershed Road and Trail Erosion Inventory Informational Report. No Action is
Needed as this is an Informational Presentation of San Francisquito Creek Watershed Road and Trail
Erosion Inventory as Presented by Staff.
8:10* 2 San Gregorio Creek Watershed Fisheries Assessment Informational Report. No Action is Requested as this
is an Informational Presentation of the San Gregorio Creek Watershed Fisheries Assessment.
8:40* 3 Program Evaluation for the 2006-2007 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Comment On and Accept Staff s Program Evaluation Report.
9:10* 4 Approval of Agreement with City of Mountain View to Provide District Radio Dispatch Services;Authorize
the General Manager to Execute a New 6-year Agreement with the City of Mountain View to Provide
District 24-Hour Radio Dispatch Services;Authorize the General Manager to Approve Expenditures for
District Radio Dispatch Services in Amount Not to Exceed$80K in Fiscal Year 2007-2008;Approve a 6-
Year Funding Plan for District Dispatch Services from 2007 to 2013 for Total Amount of$737,740,
Contingent Upon Future Approval of Budget Expenditures After Fiscal Year 2007-2008;Authorize the
General Manager to Make Necessary or Appropriate Revisions to the Agreement, Subject to Approval of
the General Counsel, Provided there are No Material Changes to the Terms and Conditions of the
Agreement.
Melting07-10 Page 2
REVISED CLAIMS
9:20* INFORMATIONAL REPORTS—Reports on compensable meetings attended. Brief Reports or announcements
concerning activities of District Directors and Staff;opportunity to refer public or Board questions to staff
for factual information;request staff to report back to the Board on matter at a future meeting;or direct staff
to place a matter on a future agenda.
9:30* ADJOURNMENT
"Mimes are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed.Agenda is subject to change of order.
TO ADDRESS rim HoARD: The Chair will invite public comment on agenda items at the time each item is considered by the Board of Directors. You
may address the Board concerning other matters during Oral Communications. Each speaker will ordinarily be limited to three minutes. Alternately,
You may comment to the Board by a written communication,which the Board appreciates.
All items on the consent calendar may be approved without discussion by one motion. Board members,the General Manager,and members of the
public may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar during consideration of the Consent Calendar.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,if you need assistance to participate in this meeting,please contact the District Clerk at(650)
691-1200. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the District to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
R-07-47
Meeting 07-09
May 9, 2007
AGENDA ITEM 1
AGENDA ITEM
San Francisquito Creek Watershed Road and Trail Erosion 1 Informational Report
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIONS
No action is needed as this is an informational presentation of San Francisquito Creek Watershed Road
and Trail Erosion Inventory as presented by staff.
DISCUSSION
A key project in the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Planning Department Action Plan was the development of a
comprehensive Road and Trail Erosion Inventory for the San Francisquito Creek Watershed, which
includes Teague Hill, Thornewood, Windy Hill,Coal Creek, and Los Trancos Open Space Preserves. This
work is consistent with the effort to build and maintain a comprehensive inventory of road and trail
conditions on land owned and managed by the District, and to establish priorities for sediment reduction
and maintenance projects.
In 2006, staff contracted with Timothy C. Best, Certified Engineering Geologist, in the amount of$43,360
to perform a detailed road and trail erosion inventory for each of these five Preserves. The recently
completed project resulted in a comprehensive inventory of 33 miles of roads and trails within
approximately 2,582 acres of land. This inventory brings the District's current total inventoried area to
approximately 146 miles of roads and trails within 31,900 acres in ten Preserves.
Staff has consistently been very pleased with Tim Best's superior quality work, responsiveness, and
continual improvements to his products in response to staff requests. Tim's work enables staff to
streamline the permitting process because he tailors his products to align with requirements of resource
agencies and county and city planning departments.
Comprehensive road and trail erosion inventories are extremely useful to staff to establish priorities for
restoration and maintenance work required to reduce sedimentation to the aquatic environment and to
provide public and staff access within the Preserves. These inventories have been valuable to inform
master planning efforts, habitat restoration projects, Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs), and grant
applications, among others. Inventory reports and data are available to staff electronically,by hardcopy,
and in the District's Geographic Information System(GIS).
Staff will provide a brief summary and introduce Tim Best, who will give a short presentation and will be
available to answer questions from the Board.
Prepared by:
Meredith Manning, Open Space Planner 11
Contact person:
Same as above
Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
R-07-59
Meeting 07-09
May 9, 2007
AGENDA ITEM 2
AGENDA ITEM
San Gregorio Creek Watershed Fisheries Assessment In 7rmationW Report
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOM ION
No action requested as this is an informational presentation of the San Gregorio Creek
Watershed Fisheries Assessment.
DISCUSSION
The following Informational Report highlights the fisheries assessment work that was completed
this past year within the San Gregorio Creek Watershed.
An important project in the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Planning Department Action Plan was the
initiation of stream habitat assessments within the San Gregorio Creek Watershed. At the
meeting of March 22, 2006, the Board approved the $20,000 budget for this project (Report R-
06-40). The purpose of this project was to conduct fisheries assessments in support of
developing the La Honda Creek Master Plan. These assessments are valuable in order to
document existing creek conditions as well as to focus management priorities to protect and
restore high quality fisheries habitat. The fish species of particular concern within the La Honda
Creek Open Space Preserve are steelhead rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus inj4iss) and coho salmon
(Oncorh.ynchus kisutch). These species are known to occur in the immediate vicinity or within
the ["reserve. Stcelhead are federally listed as a threatened species, and coho salmon are listed by
the State and Federal agencies as endangered. The factors that have contributed to population
declines of these species are primarily due to habitat loss from human-disturbed watersheds
resulting in streambed sedimentation, and from water diversions.
Staff worked with the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Fisheries Biologist for the
region in coordinating the assessments. The DFG Fisheries Biologist had trained and used two
members of the California Conservation Corps (CCC) for completing stream assessments.
DFG recommended utilizing a specially trained CCC crew to conduct the stream assessments in
order to maintain consistency with the other work that DFG had been conducting within the area.
The District was able to contract with the CCC and complete the assessments in La Honda Creek
Open Space Preserve and the newly acquired POST (Driscoll Ranch) addition to the Preserve.
Following the assessment, the DFG Fisheries Biologist participated in field checking the
assessments, and in reviewing the draft reports and data, as a courtesy to the District.
R-07-59 Page 2
The stream habitat assessments were completed utilizing the protocol established in the DFG
('(iliti)rniaStilttionidSti-eciin Habitat Restoration Manual for consistency within the region and
throughout the State.
Stream assessments include the collection of substantial amount of specific data such as:
stream channel gradient, bank height, stream entrenchment, substrate size and embedment
(particularly spawning gravels), understory and overstory vegetation, quantity of wood in
channel, fish habitat cover, adjacent floodplain of overflow channels, tributary confluences,
presence offish and size/age estimate, presence of other species of interest, potential barriers to
fish migration, stream temperature, flow volume, and various width and depth measurements.
The stream being assessed is broken down into one of 24 habitat unit types, per the DFG
protocol, consisting of variety of pools, riffles and flat-water habitat. A subset of these units is
intensively evaluated, per the DFG manual protocol, to produce a statistically valid sample of the
stream that produces a ratio between the various stream habitat types. The ratios of these stream
habitat types, together with the other specific information collected, provide insight into the
general habitat quality of the stream. The assessments help identify what stream elements are
working well for salmonids and can also help identify potential limiting factors for fish
production (such as levels of silt, lack of spawning gravel, lack of pool rearing habitat, etc.).
This information will be used by District staff to prioritize resource management strategies and
goals for the preservation and restoration of the fish resources at the Preserve.
The assessments were completed on Bogess, I larrington, and La I londa Creeks within the
Preserve. There were short excursions onto neighboring properties on Bogess and La Honda
Creeks. MROSD staff contacted neighbors in advance, and obtained permission to conduct the
assessments through their properties.
A total of7A miles of creek habitat was surveyed and assessed, consisting of 2.3 miles on
Harrington Creek, 3.1 miles on Bogess Creek, and 2 miles on La Florida Creek. In addition to
the stream mileage noted above, large tributaries of these creeks were also assessed for fish
passage, spawning and rearing opportunities. A total ofI,I 84 habitat units were identified for
the 7.4 miles assessed, an average of 160 habitat units per mile.
In general, the three creeks surveyed within the Preserve all are important streams for the natural
production of salmonids. Young-of-the-year steelhead were observed in all three creeks,
indicating successful spawning the previous winter. All streams have additional restoration
potential that would enhance habitat including: the reduction of sediment within the watershed,
the management of large wood for fish passage and to maintain or improve habitat complexity,
and riparian plantings to restore denuded areas.
The DFG has expressed an interest in continuing to work with the District to further assess the
fisheries resources within the Preserve. In fact, they have added additional assessments to their
work program for the coming summer that includes the upstream reaches of Bogess Creek. This
would establish the upper limits of anadromy and assess fish habitat conditions in the headwaters
ol'the watershed. DFG has also scheduled fish population sampling for these three streams for
R-07-59 Page 3
this summer. This will add extremely valuable fish population, age, and species information to
the stream habitat data that was collected through the habitat assessments.
Staff has also been in contact with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries (NOAA Fisheries) staff that has been working within the San Gregorio Creek
watershed. NOAA Fisheries is the federal agency responsible for Endangered Species Act
listings and recovery actions for steelhead trout and coho salmon. Population and
presence/absence studies specific to coho, salmon have been ongoing over the past two years, and
are projected to continue for the next two years within the San Gregorio Watershed.
The goal of the contacts with DFG and NOAA Fisheries is to coordinate and disseminate data
collected from within the watershed, and to foster a dialogue between these resource agencies
and the District. These agencies are aware of the District's significant ownership within the
watershed, and understand the important preservation/restoration potential to enhance existing
habitat. Additionally, the District provides access opportunities for the continuing studies within
the watershed undertaken by these agencies. In short, the District has an important opportunity
for further collaboration with these agencies, and can play a significant roll in the study,
preservation and recovery of Steelhead trout and Coho salmon.
Staff has prepared a short presentation for the Board, and a representative from the DFG has
been invited.
Prepared by:
Matt Baldzikowski, Resource Planner I
Contact person:
Matt Freeman, Planning Manager
Regional Open Space ......— ------------------
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
R-07-61
Meeting 07-09
May 9, 2007
AGENDA ITEM 3
AGENDA ITEM
Program Evaluation for the 2006-2007 Action Plan for the I "lementation of the Basic Policy of
the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECONIM DATION
I
Comment on and accept staff s program evaluation report.
DISCUSSION
The attached program evaluation report covers the 2006-2007 fiscal year from April 1, 2006 to
March 31, 2007. Staff will brief you on the status of key projects, plus additional projects and
activities not specifically included in the Action Plan that required significant staff effort. Some
other projects or activities may be highlighted which represented major accomplishments, staff
resources and/or updates.
You adopted the new Action Plan for the 2007-2008 fiscal year at your March 28, 2007 meeting
(Report R-07-48). Copies of both Action Plans are available at the District office for public
inspection.
Prepared by:
M. Williams, Real Property Manager
M. Freeman, Planning Manager
J. Maciel, Operations Manager
R. Jurgensen, Public Affairs Manager
C. Britton, General Manager
S. Rice, Assistant General Manager
S. Schectman, General Counsel
Contact person:
C. Britton, General Manager
Page 1
it
ACTION PLAN
FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
BASIC POLICY OF THE
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
FOR THE 2006-2007 FISCAL YEAR
I. REAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
A. Land Purchase, Funding and Negotiation
B. Property Management
C. Land Protection
H. OPEN SPACE PLANNING DEPARTMENT
A. Planning and Geographic Information
B. Public Access Improvements and Staff Facilities
III. OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
A. Field Operations
B. Resource Management
IV. PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
A. Public Information and Outreach
B. Legislative, Funding and Organizational Relations
C. Community Programs
V. ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
A. Administration
B. Human Resources
C. Legal Services
REAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
Prop,rams
A. Land Purchase, Funding, and Negotiation
B. Property Management
C. Land Protection
To Implement the
BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE:
The District seeks to purchase interest in the maximum feasible area of strategic open space land
within the District planning areas, including bay lands and foothills. The District seeks to link its
open space lands with federal, state, county, and city parklands and watershed lands.
General Department Emphasis for 2006-2007
The Department's emphasis will be to purchase lands funded under the District's Financing
Authority that are critical to fill-in and complete the open space greenbelt. Other open space
land purchases will be pursued through available grant funding, bargain sales, gifts and long-
term options. The District will continue to work diligently with Peninsula Open Space Trust
(POST) to purchase land and to further the District's overall open space land purchase goals.
The Property Management Program will focus on maximizing rental income consistent with
Open Space Management policies, working with Operations and Planning Departments to
implement grazing and agricultural leases, and maintaining and improving District rental
structures as needed. The Land Protection Program will focus on conducting comprehensive
land purchase studies, monitoring land use planning activities where interests in land may be
enhanced, and protecting District interests in land by resolving conflicts arising from casement
and encroachment issues. The Department will continue to work on improving communications
with other Departments to enhance the District's work environment. As a result of the approval
of the Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Bond Act of
2002 (Proposition 40), the District will continue to apply for Per-Capita and competitive grants
to maximize available grant funding.
Staff Resources
(Regular, full-time positions, unless otherwise indicated)
Real Property Manager
Senior Real Property Planner
Land Protection Specialist
Real Property Specialist
Administrative Assistant
Real Property/page 1
F
2006-2007
Land Purchase Funding and Negotiation
Objective
To provide for the purchase of all real property fights necessary to secure an open space
greenbelt in the foothills and bay lands, including rounding out and improving public access to
existing preserves and connecting District preserves with other public lands.
Key Projects
1. New Land Commitments—Convert the budgeted funds in the New Land Commitments
budget category into open space lands at desirable prices, focusing on properties which are
critical to protecting the greenbelt, including rounding out and improving public access to
existing preserves, connecting to other preserves and to other public lands, protecting the
natural habitat and resources, and furthering the completion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail and
the San Francisco Bay Trail. Pursue properties adjacent to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve
that provide potential for staging areas and staff facilities. Balance the desirability of
potential purchases with the availability of budgeted funds, including, if possible, private
financing with favorable terms.
Progress:
Purchased 5,006 acres of new open space land, including:
• The 3,681 acre POST (Driscoll Ranch) property addition to La Honda Creek Open
Space Preserve.
• The 183-acre POST (Forde) property and 53-acre Peery property additions to
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
• The 238-acre POST(Stevens Creek Ranch) addition to Saratoga Gap Open Space
Preserve.
• The 708-acre POST(Tunitas Creek Ranch) property creating the Tunitas Creek
Open Space Preserve.
• The 54-acre BDS Capital property, the 23-acre Interiano property, and 34% of the
Bachman interest (equivalent to 55 acres) in the 161.52-acre former Wells and
Cutten property additions to Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.
• The 8.7 acre Smith property addition to the Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.
2. Land Purchase Grant Projects—To augment land purchase funds, explore new grant
opportunities, focusing on highly competitive land purchase projects for specific grant
programs. Seek new grant funds through existing grant programs such as Land and Water
Conservation Fund, Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF), Coastal Conservancy's regular and
San Francisco Bay Area Programs, Recreational Trails Program, Wildlife Conservation
Board, and Bay Area Ridge Trail grants. Complete the Habitat Conservation Fund grant
projects for property additions to Purisima Creek Redwoods and El Corte de Madera Open
Space Preserves. Pursue grant opportunities with the Santa Clara Valley Water District for
property additions to Saratoga Gap and Sierra Azul Open Space Preserves. Implement
Proposition 40 Bond Act Per Capita and Roberti-Z'Berg Grant projects and apply for related
block grants and competitive grants as they become available.
Real Property/page 2
Progress:
Completed land purchase grants totaling 15,877,818, including:
• A total of$3,340,318 for the purchase of the POST(Stevens Canyon Ranch)
property addition to Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve, consisting of a $1,600,000
contribution from the Santa Clara Valley Water District for protection of watershed
and riparian habitat, $1,240,318 from the Roberti-Z'Berg Harris Block Grant
Program under Proposition 40 Bond Act of 2002 and $500,000 from the California
Coastal Conservancy San Francisco Bay Conservancy Program.
• A total of$1,750,000 for the purchase of the 183-acre POST(Forde) property
addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, consisting of
$1,250,000 from the Per Capitia Grant Program under Proposition 40 Bond Act of
2002, and a $500,000 grant from the Habitat Conservation Fund administered by
the State Department of Parks and Recreation.
• A $325,000 grant for the purchase of the 53-acre Peery property addition to
Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, also from the Habitat
Conservation Fund.
• $462,500 for the purchase of the 708-acre POST(Tunitas Creek Ranch) property
creating the Tunitas Creek Open Space Preserve, also from the Habitat
Conservation Fund.
3. Gifts, Bargain Sales and Joint Land Purchases—Augment land purchase funds, explore
bargain sales and/or gifts where possible. Complete joint land purchase projects with Santa
Clara County Parks in Stevens Creek Canyon and the Moody Gulch property as an addition
to Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Work closely with POST to complete
purchase of the Stevens Creek Canyon property as an addition to Saratoga Gap Open Space
Preserve. Continue to pursue gifts or purchase of delinquent property tax sales of the"paper
subdivision" lots in the Redwood Park subdivision to round out the Purisima Creek
Redwoods Open Space Preserve and lots in the Hacienda Park subdivision to round out
Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.
Progress:
• Purchased the 3,671-acre POST (Driscoll Ranch) addition to the La Honda Creek
Open Space Preserve on a bargain sale price of$9,000,000 and a gift component of
$16,455,000 based upon the property's fair market appraised value of$25,455,000.
• Purchased the 53-acre Peery property addition to the Purisima Creek Redwoods
Open Space Preserve on a bargain sale price of$650,000 utilizing a habitat
Conservation Fund grant of$325,000 and a gift component of$150,000 based upon
the property's fair market appraised value of$800,000.
• Purchased the 8.7 acre Smith property addition to Monte Bello Open Space
Preserve for a bargain sale (50 percent) purchase price of$375,000 based upon the
property's fair market appraised value of$750,000.
• Received gifts of Redwood Park"paper" subdivision parcels from the Gilmartin,
Grinsfelder, Supka and Alexan der-Green sides families as additions to Purisima
Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
4. Alternative Land Purchase Methods—Obtain Board approval of appropriate options, at
market prices or less, to purchase desirable properties that might be affordable through grant
Real Property/page 3
applications in future years. Explore various alternative terms of purchase (installment
purchases, defeasable fee, exchange of agricultural easements to preserve open space lands,
etc.) to offer advantages and incentives to landowners, as well as cost savings to the District.
Complete fee and easement exchange on lands adjacent to Monte Bello, Rancho San
Antonio, Bear Creek Redwoods and Fremont Older Open Space Preserves.
Progress:
• Entered into an Exchange Agreement with Hanson Permanente Cement for 107
acres of scenic open space lands consisting of a 46-acre addition to Monte Bello
Open Space Preserve and a 61- acre addition to Rancho San Antonio Open Space
Preserve,which includes a public trail easement along the existing PG&E trail. In
exchange,the District will convey a 20-acre property to Hanson, which resolves a
historic encroachment by the quarry. The District will reserve a conservation
easement over the 20-acre property protecting the scenic ridgeline.
• Completed the Exchange Agreement with Starlink Logistics Inc. at Ravenswood
Open Space Preserve for a trail easement as part of the Bay Trail in exchange for a
storm drainage easement. The trail easement was subsequently transferred to the
City of Palo Alto to build and manage this section of the Bay Trail.
• Prepared draft environmental review documentation for fee and easement exchange
project adjacent to Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.
Other Projects and Activities
1. Maintain a multi-year spending plan for open space land purchases that optimizes use of cash
and borrowed funds to accomplish land purchase goals within budget constraints.
2. Work closely with Legal Program to draft purchase agreements and related real estate
documents to clear and perfect title on District open space lands.
3. Assist Planning, Administration and Public Affairs Departments, where appropriate, with
policy development review as a result of the approved Coastal Protection Program.
4. Inventory and review Land Conservation Contracts (Williamson Act) on District lands not in
agricultural use, and prepare policy suggestions.
5. Explore additional methods to protect open space lands for less than the total cost of fee land
purchases (open space easements, purchase of development rights, development dedication,
exchange or sale of development rights, cooperation with private individuals, land trusts,
groups, etc.).
6. Encourage other agencies to purchase through various means, including grants, park and
open space lands that are consistent with their goals and which compliment the District's
greenbelt program.
7. Initiate and maintain contacts with landowners, real estate appraisers and brokers,
developers, architects, engineers, zoning and planning officials, and financial institutions.
Real Property/page 4
8. Maintain a relocation assistance program utilizing staff and consultants as necessary.
9. Compile current information on real estate market activity, including ordering preliminary
title reports on a timely basis for research into potentially available properties.
10. Catalog information of special interest, such as deed restrictions, encumbrances, financing
and tax considerations. This activity includes the establishment and continuation of a
working relationship with title companies and other information sources.
11. Review and organize District funding measure files and complete necessary documentation
required for past public refinancings.
12. Continue working with Legal Services and the Planning Department to pursue global
solutions to streamline the purchasing and planning processes, including: A Memorandum
of Agreement with Santa Clara County to identify land purchases that are exempt from the
requirements of the Subdivision Map Act, and a Memorandum of Agreement with San
Mateo County clarifying the consistency of land purchases with County planning
requirements.
13. Work with Legal Services to oversee the operation and management of the Guadalupe Land
Co. in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, and investigate options for dissolving the
corporation.
14. Purchase the final two sections of the Bay Trail between Palo Alto Baylands and the
Ravenswood Open Space Preserve.
15. Work with Public Affairs and other Departments on District mailing list database project.
16. Participate with the District Web Team and post all department-related items to the web site
in compliance with the Webmaster protocols.
Real Property/page 5
2006-2007
Property Management Program
Objective
To manage all of the District's revenue-producing activities in such a way as to maximize income
from property management accounts consistent with open space management policies,
incorporating compatible new programs when possible.
Key Projects
1. Property Management Accounts—Administer rental accounts, communication and
agricultural leases, consistent with open space management policies, maintain and enhance
revenue stream through competitive and current rate structure, effective maintenance
programs, and communication with tenants.
Progress:
• All Property Management accounts continue in good standing with no rental
delinquencies.
• Completed phase two of drain line replacement for Administrative Office, including
re-carpeting of Bear Creek Redwoods meeting room and removing the redwood
trees whose roots had blocked drains under the building.
2. Rental Structures—Carry out maintenance and improvements to rental houses to keep
buildings and grounds in a safe, sanitary, and attractive condition and to increase net rental
income. Continue annual inspection of District rental and employee residences in
conjunction with Operations Department. Administer long-term and recurring maintenance
priorities on rental properties.
Progress:
• Real Property and Operations staff inspected all rental residences. Maintenance
priorities and safety concerns were identified and addressed.
• Replaced or repaired roofs on three residences at Monte Bello, Rancho San Antonio
and El Sereno Open Space Preserves.
• Worked with Operations to complete road repairs and restoration of rental
residence at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve.
• Completed the structural and deck repairs to the employee residence at El Sereno
Open Space Preserve.
3. Historic Leases—Oversee lease compliance and renovation requirements at the historic
Picchetti Winery, Thornewood estate, and Fremont Older house. Negotiate lease extension
with the lessee or advertise a request for proposals at the historic Picchetti Winery.
Progress:
• Entered into a Letter of Intent for a new long-term lease arrangement with the
Lessee at the Historic Picchetti Ranch, and worked with Legal, Planning,
Operations and Public Affairs to draft new lease agreement.
Real Property/page 6
4. Grazing and Agricultural Leases—Work with Operations and Planning Departments to
monitor Grazing Lease at the POST(Driscoll Ranch) property addition to La Honda Creek
Open Space Preserve, and implement Grazing Lease at Alpine Road area of Skyline Ridge
Open Space Preserve in accordance with the use and management process. Negotiate long-
term Agricultural Lease for chestnut orchard at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Progress:
• As part of the Tunitas Creek Ranch property purchase, the District received
assignment of a grazing lease with a local rancher. The District is working with the
grazing tenant, the District's grazing consultant and Operations, Planning and
Resource Management to prepare a grazing plan and longer-term lease agreement.
• Real Property assisted Planning with the draft Grazing Management Policy.
• Real Property is working with Planning, Operations and Resource Management on
the monitoring of the Driscoll Ranch grazing operation at La Honda Creek Open
Space Preserve, and in preparing a grazing plan and lease for the former Big
Dipper Ranch and Silva properties at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Other Projects and Activities
I. Prepare annual rental surveys on District rental houses and Ranger residences. Work with
Operations and Planning Departments to maintain and improve employee residence
structures.
2. Maximize communication lease income at existing PG&E tower at Pulgas Ridge Open Space
Preserve and at Black Mountain in Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve.
3. Incorporate the Residential Lease Agreement included as part of the Board approved POST
(Driscoll Ranch) purchase into the Property Management rental accounts.
4. Investigate new property management proposals as initiated by other groups or individuals
that would be compatible with District goals and objectives.
5. Administer lease of additional office space at 330 Distel Circle. Work with Administration
and Planning Departments to re-roof the District-occupied portion of building.
6. Complete Lease Amendment to the Agricultural Lease for Christmas Tree Farms at Skyline
Ridge and Monte Bello Open Space Preserves.
7. Work with Planning and Administration Departments to begin evaluating future staff office-
space needs for the tenant-occupied portion of the Distel office building.
8. Work with Operations, Planning and District consultants to evaluate and repair the access
roads to the former Quam residence at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve and the Saratoga
Gap cabins at Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve.
9. As part of the Bear Creek Redwoods Master Plan process,work with Planning and
Operations to evaluate long-term horse stable lease proposal.
Real Property/page 7
2006-2007
Land Protection Program
Objective
To preserve and protect District open space lands by conducting land purchasing planning
activities to identify purchasing priorities and, once purchased, to further protect these public
lands from incompatible and encroaching land use activities.
Key Proiects
I. Land Conservation Planning—Provide comprehensive land conservation planning to guide
the land purchase program, including reviewing and updating purchase priorities. Conduct
subregional planning studies in the areas surrounding Mills Creek, La Honda Creek,
Purisima Creek Redwoods, Monte Bello, Teague Hill, and El Corte de Madera Open Space
Preserves, including portions of the planned Bay Area Ridge Trail and Stevens Creek Trail.
Progress:
• Performed pre-acquisition use and management assessments for potential property
additions to Mills Creek (Madonna Creek), Purisima Creek Redwoods (Perry), Monte
Bello (Smith), and the new Tunitas Creek Open Space Preserves.
• Conducted subregional analysis of potential San Francisco Bay Trail connections in the
vicinity of Ravenswood OSP in coordination with the Planning Department.
• Investigated potential Bay Area Ridge Trail connections in the vicinity of El Sereno
Open Space Preserve.
2. Property Rights Protection and Encroachment Resolution —Protect open space lands
from encroachments and preserve District real property rights. Resolve encroachment issues
through a variety of means, including abatement compliance, obtaining restoration or
mitigation of damaged or affected areas, exchanging land or other property interests, and
boundary line adjustments in order to maximize open space protection. Negotiate resolution
of encroachments at Bear Creek Redwoods, Coal Creek, Monte Bello, Long Ridge and Sierra
Azul Open Space Preserves. Coordinate closely with Operations and Legal Services to
defend the District's interests in property rights disputes.
Progress:
• Resolved a conflict involving a District Conservation Easement and property rights
dispute at Coal Creek OSP through legal settlemen, including acquiring fee title to
easement-encumbered property, and acquiring a development restriction to additional
lands (Fogarty).
• Legal action taken and currently in progress to secure District's access rights across
neighboring property to Monte Bello OSP.
• Grading violation within a District and Town of Los Gatos jointly held conservation
easement at Sierra Azul OSP being resolved through coordination with Town of Los
Gatos. Landowner will be responsible for restoring affected lands.
• Resolved encroachment at Sierra Azul OSP by obtaining compliance from adjacent
landowner in removing water tanks from District lands.
Real Property/page 8
• Extinguished road and parking lot construction easements across St. Joseph's Hill OSP
that have been held by a landowner adjacent to the Preserve since it was first acquired
by the District in 1982, thereby eliminating this potential encroachment threat.
3. Conservation Easement Monitoring Program—Manage and enforce District conservation
and open space easements. Oversee the District's conservation easement monitoring
program, and prepare baseline reports for new conservation easements, utilizing volunteers
as appropriate. Incorporate any newly-purchased conservation easements into the
monitoring program.
Progress:
• Conducted volunteer recruitment to reconstitute easement monitoring teams.
• Performed annual site inspections with volunteer teams for 7 of 15 conservation
easements, and scheduled the remaining inspections to take place during the upcoming
fiscal year.
Other Projects and Activities
I. Update land purchase and site dedication information. Implement the Real Property
Database linking the historic and current Assessor's Parcel Numbers in Santa Clara, San
Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties with the Planning Department's GIS database.
2. Provide site-planning information to assist in developing terms and conditions for negotiating
land purchases.
3. Prepare Board reports for property purchases, and conduct due diligence investigations as
necessary. Collaborate with Planning and Operations Departments to facilitate incorporation
of newly purchased land into the District greenbelt, including resolving property line
disputes.
4. Notify County Recorder of District-held open space and conservation easement rights in
compliance with Section 27255 of Government Code.
5. Assist the Operations and Planning Departments in preparing"conservation grazing plans"
for proposed grazing operations within Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, as well as for
any new land purchases where grazing is a desirable land management tool
6. Work with Operations Department in negotiating road agreements with adjoining property
owners to ensure District's real property rights are protected and to minimize the District's
maintenance responsibilities as appropriate.
7. Assist Planning Department in monitoring proposed land development or land use changes
that could negatively impact public or private open space lands in and around the District
preserves. Participate in the local development review process to encourage dedications,
exchanges, or purchases of land or easements for open space purposes where there is a
relationship to the District's land protection interests.
8. Develop encroachment procedural guide to assist staff in resolving encroachment issues on
Real Property/page 9
District land.
j 9. Work with Public Affairs Department in revising Good Neighbor Policy to increase public
awareness of the Land Protection Program, particularly as it pertains to defending District
property rights and open space interests.
10. Work with Planning and Legal Program to update Use and Management Planning Process.
f
Real Property/page 10
F
OPEN SPACE PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Prop-rams
A. Planning and Geographic Information
B. Public Access Improvements and Staff Facilities
To Implement the
BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVES:
The District follows management policies that ensure proper care of the land, provide
public access appropriate to the nature of the land, and that are consistent with ecological
values and public safety.
The District works with, and encourages, public and private agencies to preserve,
maintain and enhance open space.
The District protects and restores the natural diversity and integrity of its resources for
their value to the environment and the public, and provides for the use of the preserves
consistent with resource protection.
General Department Emphasis for 2006-2007
The Open Space Planning Department will take a broad-based approach to planning and
project implementation that emphasizes resource management. Planning efforts will
focus on providing new public access opportunities while preserving and protecting the
diversity and integrity of the District's environmental and cultural resources. The work
program will focus on completing a number of significant public access improvements
including the new trail at Pulgas Ridge, seismic upgrades at the Picchetti Winery, and
year three of the El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Program. Key
planning efforts will be directed toward establishing a regional trail connection between
Palo Alto's Foothill's Park and the District's Los Trancos Open Space Preserve,
completing the master plan for Sierra Azul/Bear Creek Redwoods, integrating the
Driscoll Ranch property into the La Honda Creek master plan, and initiating the
Thornewood Open Space Preserve Use and Management planning process. Planning will
also focus on the Regional Resource Inventory and the Resource Management Strategic
Plan.
Staff Resources
Planning Manager [temporarily filled by Senior Planner]
Senior Planner(1)
Open Space Planner 11 (2)
Resource Planner(1)
Open Space Planner 1 (2)
Planning Technician (2)
Administrative Assistant(1)
GIS Intern (1/2)
Planning/Page 1
2006-2007
Planninp, and Geographic Information
Objective
To formulate plans, policies and procedures for the management and development of
open space preserves. Facilitate resource inventories and other scientific study of the
District's lands. In conjunction with the Resource Management Specialist, prepare
environmental restoration, habitat enhancement and resource management plans.
Develop and maintain Geographic Information System (GIS) data sets necessary to
support projects throughout the District.
Key Projects
I. Coastside Protection Program— Work with Board and stakeholders to amend
elements of the District's Basic Policies in accordance with the Service Plan
conditions of approval. Begin scoping the District-wide Master Plan and Regional
Open Space Study update. Work with agricultural community representatives to
complete grazing policies.
Progress: Conducted extensive outreach to Coastside agricultural community and
formed Technical Advisory Committee to assists staff in development of grazing
policy. Board tentatively adopted the grazing policy.
2. Master Plans—Work with stakeholders, Board and staff to prepare 25-year master
plans for the two planning areas. Work with the Public Affairs Department on
community outreach and media relations. Address management and operational
issues with the Operations Department.
• La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve. Incorporate Driscoll Ranch into the
planning process, complete a comprehensive resource inventory, and identify
opportunities and constraints. Complete master plan in fiscal year 2007-2008.
• Sierra AzuVBear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserves. Work with the Real
Property Department to identify properties that provide for potential staging
areas and staff facilities. Incorporate annexation of the south area District
lands into the planning process. Complete master plan and annexation in
fiscal year 2007-2008.
Progress: Completed existing conditions assessments and resource inventories for
both master planning areas. Conducted outreach and stakeholders meetings with
neighbors, agencies, and user group representatives. Analyzed opportunities and
constraints for new public access facilities. Conducted well-attended public
workshops to get input and feedback on project alternatives.
3. Resource Management Strategic Plan — Work with the Operations Department to
implement the fourth year of the Plan:
0 Continue preparing or updating resource management policies.
Planning/Page 2
• Complete or update resource maps incorporating data collected with the
vegetation study, road and trail assessment, and master plan inventories.
• Continue updating geographic information for resource management projects
including mapping non-native invasive plant populations, Sudden Oak Death
occurrences, and feral pig rooting areas.
• Work with consultants and the Resource Management Specialist on a
recurring basis to identify emerging resource problems and prioritize
opportunities to resolve resource issues District-wide.
Progress: Coordinated closely with Operations and Administration Departments to
evaluate District's natural resource planning and management capabilities in
concert with the study conducted by ESA. Implemented new procedures to increase
project coordination between the Departments and to communicate monthly
progress to the Board.
4. Regional Resource Inventory—Continue ongoing studies and data collection to
complete a District-wide resource inventory that supports Resource Management and
Planning activities. Staff anticipates that this project will continue annually.
• District-wide road and trail inventory and assessment. Focus work in the San
Francisquito Creek Watershed (which includes Teague Hill, Thornewood,
Windy Hill, Coal Creek, and Los Trancos Open Space Preserves).
• District-wide vegetation classification. Complete the final phase of the
project by preparing a detailed vegetation classification of the upper San
Francisquito Creek watershed.
• Special-status species surveys and habitat management planning. Assess
habitat for marbled murrelets; Steelhead trout and Coho salmon; and listed
amphibians and reptiles; and prepare habitat management recommendations.
Progress: Completed San Francisquito Creek Watershed roads and trails
assessment, District-wide vegetation classification project, and special-status species
surveys.
5. Water Quality Monitoring and Fisheries Assessment—Continue water quality
monitoring associated with the El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection
in fisheries assessment f Preserves in the
Program. Pursue grant funding to beg ao
San Gregorio Creek watershed.
Progress: Completed annual V* water quality monitoring and initiated additional
flow and suspended sediment transport monitoring effort. Completed anadramous
fish habitat assessment of District preserves within the watershed.
6. Thornewood Open Space Preserve Use and Management Planning—Prepare
resource assessment to support comprehensive Use and Management planning effort.
Key issues include bridge design at Dennis Martin Road, watershed protection,
parking options, and Schilling Lake restoration options. Integrate slender false brome
eradication efforts into this planning process.
Progress: Completed thorough engineering and resource assessment of potential
trail alignments and options to cross Dennis Martin Creek. Initiated habitat
assessment of Schilling Lake. Secured $200,000 Prop 50 grant to fund restoration
Planning/Page 3
efforts at Thornewood and other preserves within the San Francisquito Creek
watershed.
7. Alpine Road Area of Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve Use and Management
Use and Management Amendment Plan — Incorporate the results of the grazing
study, road and trail assessment and herpetological studies into a grazing-based
Resource Management Plan. Coordinate with Real Property, Operations, and
representatives from the agricultural community to prepare an RFP and select a
grazing tenant. Identify opportunities and constraints for public access.
Progress: District's grazing consultant, Sage Associates, completed draft
conservation grazing plan. Staff contracted with Southwest Fence, Inc., to upgrade
and replace 2.1 miles of perimeter fencing to prepare property for future grazing
activities.
8. Resource Agency Permit Streamlining— Continue working with appropriate
agencies to refine and streamline the environmental review and permitting process for
District projects. Begin preparing a Memorandum of Agreement with the California
Department of Fish & Game for routine maintenance and drainage facility
improvements. Cross-train representatives from the Operations Department in
preparing and obtaining permits for maintenance projects and small improvements
that are not part of the Capital Improvement Program.
Progress: Prepared manual of Best Management Practices for routine maintenance
and restoration activities within jurisdictional waterways. Completed a 5-Year
Agreement with California Department of Fish and Game and submitted it for final
agency review and approval. Initiated meetings with San Mateo County to
streamline the grading permit process for routine maintenance and restoration
activities.
9. Road and Trail Design Improvements— Identify partnership opportunities and seek
grant funding for implementation of priority road and trail improvements in the
Pescadero and San Gregorio Creek Watersheds. Seek grant funding to plan and
design repairs along Old Page Mill Road to provide public access between Skyline
Ridge and Portola State Park.
Progress: With the San Gregorio Environmental Resource Center and other
partners, secured $500,000 Prop 40 grant to prepare a watershed restoration plan.
Secured $55,000 in FEMA funding to repair storm damaged roads at Coal Creek
and Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserves.
Other Projects and Activities
I. GIS Development— Continue to integrate special-status species locations and other
resource information into GIS database. Utilize GIS modeling capabilities to
prioritize locations for SOD-resistant tree studies. Utilize Google Earth and
ArcScene to increase public understanding of District Preserves and potential
property purchases. Prepare GIS mapping standards for use by field staff and
consultants.
Planning/Page 4
2. WEP Implementation —Continue efforts to integrate workplace enhancement
methods into the daily activities of the Planning Department. Emphasize
communication with field staff through Department liaison meetings and increased
use of interdepartmental project teams.
3. Land Purchase Support—Provide Planning support on key land purchase projects as
requested, including property site assessments, interim use recommendations, and
CEQA review. Incorporate land purchases and site dedication information into the
District's GIS.
4. Land Protection Support—Provide Planning support to determine remediation and
restoration of land and resources damaged through encroachments.
5. Work with the Public Affairs Department to support key events including the Special
Parks District Forum in Spring 2006. Assist in the design of interpretive programs at
the Red Barn and Daniels Nature Center/Alpine Pond. Participate in the District Web
Team and post all department-related items to the web site in compliance with the
Webmaster protocols. Participate in the integrated database project, as necessary to
complete this District-wide project.
6. Land Purchase and Planning Processes— Continue working with Legal Services and
Real Property Department to pursue global solutions to streamline the land purchase
and planning processes. Update the Use and Management Planning process, and
work with Counties to streamline the land purchase process.
7. Standard Details and Specifications— Work with the Operations Department to
complete the second phase of a handbook of technical standards and Best
Management Practices (BMPs) for construction, repair, and maintenance of roads,
trails, and other improvements.
8. Permits to Enter—Review alterations to District land or installation of facilities
proposed by other agencies or private parties in conjunction with Real Property
Department. Develop permit conditions to ensure protection, preservation, or
restoration of the affected lands. Work with Operations to monitor activities to
ensure compliance with conditions.
9. Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area Remediation and Restoration — Work
with Legal Services to represent the District's interest in the U.S. Navy's proposed
toxic cleanup of Moffett Air Field Site 25 to a standard permitting restoration of the
District's property to tidal wetlands.
10. Mills Creek/Miramontes Ridge Public Access Plan—Coordinate with Public Affairs
and Operations Departments to implement Docent-led access to Miramontes Ridge.
Prepare resource inventory of property to support future comprehensive Use and
Management Plan for Mills Creek Open Space Preserve.
11. Regional Trail Connections—Prepare plans for Board review and approval to
establish a trail connection between Los Trancos Open Space Preserve and Palo
Planning/Page 5
Alto's Foothills Park. Identify a trail connection between St. Joseph's Hill and Sierra
Azul.
12. Outside Project Review—Review agendas and minutes of Cities, Counties, Special
Districts, and other agencies. Comment on site-specific projects within close
proximity to, or that affects District lands. Review other agencies' policies and
regional planning efforts, and comment as necessary to ensure regional coordination
and implementation of the District's mission.
a Stanford Trail Plan Implementation
• Mid-Coast Local Coastal Program Update
• San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers Authority Activities
• Peninsula Highway Corridor Study
• South Bay Salt Pond Restoration (Former Cargill lands)
• TMDL Process for San Gregorio, Pescadero, Guadalupe and San Francisquito
Creek Watersheds
• San Jose Water Company Timber Harvest Plan
• Huddart/Wunderlich Master Plan
• Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
13. Unanticipated Projects— Provide research and planning for unanticipated projects that
may arise due to new land purchases, resource agency actions, regional planning
efforts, and other activities.
14. Guadalupe Watershed—Work with Legal Services on the completion of the
Guadalupe Watershed NRDA process and establish predator control program at
Ravenswood. Continue participating in the TMDL process and seek grant-funding
for Hicks Flat mercury remediation.
15. Continue working with the Real Property Department to implement the land purchase
database linking the historic and current Assessor's Parcel Numbers in Santa Clara,
San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties with the GIS database.
2006-2007
Public Access Improvements and Staff Facilities
Objectives
To emphasize preservation and enhancement of resources in Use and Management Plans
and in the design of public access improvements. To give the highest priority to resource
protection projects and construct projects funded by grants.
Public Access Improvements Key Prooects
1. El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Program— Complete planning
and design for third-year projects, secure the necessary permits, and initiate
Planning/Page 6
construction. Staff anticipates this project will continue through fiscal year 2007-
2008, and possibly beyond, with Board approval. Year-three projects:
• Realign Giant Salamander Trail and construct new bridge crossing
• Construct three trail bridges on El Corte de Madera Creek Trail and secure
pennits to convert trail from road-width to single-track trail width
• Involve user groups to realign Leaf Trail and other priority trail segments
• Continue water quality monitoring to identify and measure sediment
movement through Preserve
Progress: Secured permits and coordinated with Operations staff to realign the
steep and eroding section of the Giant Salamander Trail. Identified a new location
for the Leaf Trail. Due to bidding and permitting issues, deferred construction the
trail bridges.
2. Pulgas Ridge Staging Area and Trails* — Complete construction of the new
"Dusky-Footed Woodrat Trail" and bridge. Work with Public Affairs to hold a
dedication ceremony.
Progress: Completed trail and bridge construction project.
3. Windy Hill Improvements— Complete deck design (Sausal Pond) and submit plans
to Town of Portola Valley.
Progress: Project deferred until FY2007-08.
4. Picchetti Ranch Winery Building* —Complete seismic upgrade and access
improvements to the winery building.
Progress: Project completed.
5. El Corte de Madera Creek Staging Area* —Complete Use and Management
Amendment planning process and prepare plans and specifications for the staging
area and Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Secure permits and pursue grant funding for
construction.
Progress: Prepared draft staging area plan and conducted extensive traffic studies.
Based on input received at Use and Management Committee meeting, conducted
additional design and traffic analysis to identify the most appropriate driveway
location. Conducted additional review of the preserve frontage along Skyline
Boulevard to confirm overall parking lot location.
6. Pulgas Ridge Soil Investigation —Complete subsurface investigation of potential
soil/groundwater contamination. Work with San Mateo County Environmental Health
Department to prepare and implement a remediation plan.
Progress: Source of underground oil leak was identified and removed. Site was
restored and final closure memo was submitted to San Mateo County for review and
approval.
7. Driscoll Ranch Remediation —Complete site characterization to define more
precisely the extent of contamination. Coordinate with resource agencies to
detennine necessary remediation activities and prepare plan and associated CEQA
documentation.
Progress: Project deferred pending approval of final lease with tenant.
Planning/Page 7
8. Fremont Older Staging Area— Work with Real Property to prepare plan for
relocation of staging area as part of a land exchange agreement and legal settlement.
Progress: Jakaby and Associates initiated an engineering study to determine
feasibility of constructing a new parking facility. Study will be completed in
FY2007-2008.
9. El Sereno Permit Lot—Prepare plan for Board review and approval for a six-car
permit staging area at the end of Overlook Road.
Progress: Prepared preliminary plan for site design and trail use, and held on-site
Use and Management Committee meeting. Based on neighbors' concerns, began
preparing additional background materials and an FAQ to share with preserve
neighbors prior to proceeding with securing Board approval to move forward.
10. Miscellaneous Repair, Restoration and Other Projects
0 Long Ridge Road Repairs—Determine need for vehicle access along School
and Ward Roads. Request engineering proposals to begin preparing plans and
specifications to replace drainage structures and upgrade road segments along
School and Ward Roads.
0 Fremont Older Road Repairs— Prepare plans, specs and permit applications
for repairs to drainage structure along Regnart Road.
0 Russian Ridge Road Repairs—Request engineering proposals to begin
preparing plans and specifications to replace drainage structures and upgrade
Rapley Ranch Road.
* Sierra Azul Roadway Repairs— Install guardrails along portions of Loma
Prieta Road to prevent off-road vehicle damage.
Progress: Initiated planning, design, and engineering studies at Fremont Older and
Russian Ridge Open Space Preserves to upgrade roads and stream crossings.
Conducted cost-benefit analysis of School and Ward Roads at Long Ridge to
determine whether to maintain roads to seasonal or year-round standard.
Completed guardrail installation at Loma Prieta Road and cleaned up extensive
dump site at Sierra Azul.
11. Trailhead Signs - Replace trailhead signs with the new and improved prototype in
conjunction with improvement projects at Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve.
Work with the Public Affairs Department to incorporate GIS data in the District maps
and brochures, including spot elevations at key locations, in conjunction with the new
trailhead signs. Update displays in the new trailhead signboards with improved
graphics.
Progress: Project completed.
Staff Facilities Key Projects
1. Skyline Field Office— Support Operations in preparation of a long-range strategic
plan for the field offices to meet staff, equipment, and storage needs. Replace and
relocate the Skyline Field Office HVAC system.
Progress: HVAC project deferred pending completion of plan to an overall remodel
and expand the Skyline Field Office.
Planning/Page 8
2. Administration Office Improvements and Build-out—Retain architect in
preparation of a plan for office build-out, improvements, and landscaping; determine
feasibility and economic benefit of adding solar panels.
Progress: Project deferred until FY2007-2008 to allow for discussions about 5-year
staffing needs, filing, and storage.
*Denotes grant funded project
I
I
PlanningTage 9
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
Proerams
A. Field Operations
B. Resource Management
To Implement the
BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE:
The District follows management policies that ensure proper care of the land, that provide public
access appropriate to the nature of the land, and that are consistent with ecological values and
public safety.
General Department Emphasis for 2006-2007
Continue to provide responsible stewardship of all District lands by furnishing those public safety,
maintenance, construction, and expanded resource management activities necessary to protect and
enhance the natural resources and ensure safe and appropriate use of District lands.
Implement Board-adopted Resource Management Policies, Trail-Use Policies and Guidelines, and
focus on enhancing field staff safety.
Staff Resources
Operations Manager
Area Superintendents (2)
Support Services Supervisor
Management Analyst
Resource Management Specialist
Resource Specialist I
Supervising Rangers (4)
Maintenance/Construction Supervisors (2)
Maintenance/Resource Supervisors (2)
Administrative Assistant
Rangers (17)
Equipment Mechanic-Operators (2)
Lead Open Space Technicians (4)
Open Space Technicians (11)
Farm Maintenance Worker
8,500 Seasonal Open Space Technician hours
3,500 Seasonal OST hours for resource management
1,000 hours for Resource Management Intern, (400 hrs)
Temporary Clerk (support for field offices + 2,000 hrs)
Operations/page 1
40 40
2006-2007
Field Operations Program
Key Projects
1. Implement Phase III of the El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Plan. Assist the
Planning Department in implementation of the third phase of the El Corte de Madera Creek
Watershed Protection Plan, as approved by the Board.
Progress: Operations staff worked with Planning staff to complete restoration work on the
Giant Salamander Trail and developed a new trail realignment. Implementation of Phase
IV of the El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Plan is part of the 2007-2008
work plan.
2. Implement improvements recommended by the radio consultant after evaluation of the current
radio system, including needs for coastal area coverage. Review the potential for acquiring
new radio frequencies for District use.
Progress: The Board approved a plan for radio system improvements and a contract with
Macro Radio for the implementation. The plan calls for accelerated implementation over a
three-year period, and funds have been budgeted for the first year implementation.
3. Ensure field staff assistance in implementation of resource management projects as identified
in the Resource Management Plan including, but not limited to: slender false brome removal,
sudden oak death response, pig monitoring, and invasive plant removal.
Progress: Operations staff has embraced resource management work as part of their daily
stewardship responsibilities. Project hours are recorded to quantify the amount of work
completed, and management of each project is based on the individual need for success.
4. Complete the outline for the Maintenance Operations Manual and write the Manual. Best
management practices will be part of outlining work techniques, including timing of
maintenance practices.
Progress: An outline for the Maintenance Manual has been created, and work is underway
to identify relevant existing memoranda and other documents. These documents will be
formatted for the manual and new sections will be identified and written.
5. Work with the consultant to develop the second phase of the land management cost and
effectiveness evaluation system focused on operational issues, which includes elements such
as mapping of enforcement contacts and incidents and analysis of effectiveness and workload.
Progress: The first phase of the Land Management Cost Evaluation and Efficiency Study
has been completed, and the report will be presented to the Board at the May 23, 2007
meeting. Based on Phase One work, the scope and focus of Phase Two is being re-evaluated.
Staff wants to ensure that an appropriate software product is chosen to address core
findings of the Phase One study, and that adequate planning will identify the necessary
budget and computer expertise to implement and manage the selected software.
Operations/page 2
Progress on Other Projects and Activities:
0 All District CPR instructors were upgraded to train the new CPR standards, and
all regular field staff members were trained in these new standards.
0 Operations staff provided extensive support to the Special District's Forum,
which was co-hosted with East Bay Regional Park District, and led by the Public
Affairs department.
0 Enhanced relations with the Palo Alto Fire Department resulted in plans being
made for a controlled burn at Monte Bello preserve. The burn could not be held
due to logistics needs and weather conditions, but plans are being made for a burn
in 2007.
* Field staff worked cooperatively with staff from Public Affairs to host highly
successful recognition events for Docents/Volunteers and for District staff.
0 District field staff was provided training in Incident Command System to begin
the process of compliance with National Incident Management System (NIMS)
standards.
0 Negotiated a new Radio Dispatching contract with the City of Mt. View for five
more years.
Operations/page 3
2006-2007
Resource Management Prop_ram
Objective
Inventory and analyze the state of District natural resources, including the natural resources of
specific preserves to identify needs and priorities. Address immediate and critical resource
management issues utilizing District staff, volunteers, contractors and consultants to maximize the
District's responsiveness. Develop procedures and implement the Resource Management
Strategic Plan to address the resource management needs of District land. Maintain regular
contact and work with other agencies, local authorities, researchers and specialists in the field to
restore or manage the District's natural resources.
Key Projects
1. Resource Management Strategic Plan — Work with the Planning Department to Implement
Fourth Year of the Resource Management Strategic Plan:
a. Continue next phase of eucalyptus, acacia and broom removal at Mills Creek; and
continue implementation of the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Habitat Restoration
Plan by removing additional area of eucalyptus, and controlling broom and other
invasive plants. Notify interested parties and the Board before any large eucalyptus
trees are removed at Pulgas Ridge.
b. Design and begin installation of erosion protection measures in drainages of the
Christmas tree farm at Skyline Ridge Preserve that are no longer part of the farm lease
area.
C. Assist Planning Department with implementation of second phase of pond, amphibian
and rare reptile study.
d. Identify species on new properties in coordination with Planning Department.
Progress:
• Removed 6 eucalyptus trees at Pulgas Ridge after public notification, Board approval
and receipt of County permit; planted 390 native shrubs with volunteers at former
eucalyptus removal areas.
• Consultant prepared erosion control specifications and staff submitted County
grading permit application for Skyline Ridge tree farm; volunteers and staff
continued maintenance of acorns and native plants at restored section of tree farm.
• Consultant surveyed for amphibians at all District ponds with focused surveys at
former Big Dipper property and Driscoll Ranch. Subsequently provided training for
field and office staff on local amphibian and reptile species and habitat protection.
• Surveyed Miramontes Ridge property with new site assessment checklist;consultant
evaluated habitat for special status wildlife at Bear Creek Redwoods to assist in
Master Planning process.
Operations/page 4
2. Sudden Oak Death
In accordance with the Board's direction survey for potentially resistant trees, identify and
treat heritage trees with approved fungicide. Work with other agencies and organizations to
establish a collaborative fund for Sudden Oak Death research relevant to land management
issues.
Continue monitoring Sudden Oak Death, map confirmed and suspected locations, implement
precautionary actions, and educate District visitors about Sudden Oak Death. Participate in
scientific symposiums and research.
Progress: Continued monitoring and mapping new Sudden Oak Death (SOD) locations.
Collected acorns for and funded new SOD research on resistant trees in collaboration with
US Forest Service and university researchers. Assisted additional university researchers in
studying SOD infection of tanoaks in El Corte de Madera. Results from these long-term
research studies are not expected for several years. Sponsored meeting of Conservation
Committee of California Oak Mortality Task Force at District administration office. Drafted
Forest Disease Resource Management Policy with Board input. Attended Third SOD
Science Symposium. Conducted survey of heritage trees in South Skyline area in
preparation for fungicide treatment; however, after extensive discussion with researchers
and applicators, staff decided to delay treatment until more information is available about
long-term effect of annual fungicide treatment on large trees.
3. Slender False Brome
In accordance with the Board's direction complete the following tasks:
a. With the assistance of an integrated pest control consultant, investigate other methods for
control; treat brome several times per year, and develop and implement monitoring
program.
b. Work with the Legal, Public Affairs and Real Property Departments to develop a public
outreach campaign, secure rights-of-entry, and treat brome on neighboring properties.
c. Pursue grant funding to assist adjacent landowners and agencies in mapping and
controlling slender false brome on their lands.
d. Pursue reclassification of slender false brome as noxious weed through California
Department of Food and Agriculture.
e. Map and remove all resprouts of slender false brome at Thornewood, La Honda and El
Corte de Madera Open Space Preserves.
Progress: Continued control of slender false brome on three District preserves including
several newly identified locations. Working with consultant to identify new control methods
and monitoring, and develop a public outreach program. As an early start on the public
outreach program, met or communicated with four committees from the Town of Woodside
and conducted field inspections and mapping on several private properties. Upon the
recommendation of San Mateo County Agriculture Commissioner, Gale Raabe, the
Operations/page 5
California Department of Food & Agriculture reclassified slender false brome as an A-rated
noxious weed, the highest designation for noxious weeds in the State of California. Received
$10, 000 grant from California Department of Food & Agriculture for slender false brome
control.
4. Grazing Plan
Work with the Planning and Real Property Departments to implement a grazing plan at the
Alpine Road area of the Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Progress: Assisted Planning Department and consultants with evaluation of grazing
conditions at various preserves, designing monitoring programs and implementing necessary
facility improvements.
5. Research Resource Management Programs
Based on Board's direction as the result of the Board's Resource Management Workshops;
implement the second phase of research on resource management programs at other land
management agencies to determine options for possible changes at District.
Progress: Conducted study session with Board to discuss Resource Program elements and
consultant report. A committee consisting of staff from all departments reviewed the Board,
staff and consultant recommendations, and assigned responses in two major areas. Some
elements are being currently addressed in ongoing Action Plan projects and during recent
review of Resource Management Policies. Additional elements have been designated for
further consideration under future Resource Management Policies and in the upcoming
Five-Year Resource Management Strategic Plan (2008-2012).
Progress on Other Proiects and Activities
• Developed draft invasive species resource management policy in two Board
workshops. Designed and tested first phase of Weed Management Information
system in GIS and database format. Field staff is updating information on a project-
by-project basis. Weed Management Information system will need to be coordinated
with software program and database development of Land Management Cost
Evaluation and Efficiency Study. Ongoing program of controlling several dozen
species of plants in various preserves.
• Continued grassland management and control of yellow starthistle in Front Meadow
of Rancho San Antonio (a much lower level of work effort is now required). Released
and monitored hairy weevils on yellow starthistle populations in six preserves.
Volunteers and staff pulled yellow starthistle from newly discovered patch of rare
jewelflower at St. Josephs Hill. Implemented restoration techniques at various slides
and trespassing sites in several preserves.
• Four feral pigs were trapped at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. The
South Skyline and Rancho de Guadalupe areas were monitored for pigs, but no
consistent presence of or damage from pigs was detected. Persistent management at
the Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve and monitoring at other locations
Operations/page 6
are controlling the feral pig population and preventing the development of extensive
rooting and erosion.
• Continued annual deer survey, monitoring of bluebird boxes, and tracking reports of
mountain lion sightings and unusual coyote behavior with posting of signs and public
education as needed. Installed new kestrel boxes. Rescued bobcat kitten from
Rancho San Antonio restroom and turned over to wildlife rehabilitation center.
• Attended training: Wildlife and Invasive Plants, War on Weeds (field staff made
presentations on new weeds and techniques), annual meeting of State Weed
Management Areas, California Invasive Plant Council, California Oak Symposium,
Red-Legged Frog Workshop and Grazing for Biological Conservation. Resource
Management Specialist made presentations to Blue Circle Group (associated with the
San Mateo County Resource Conservation District) and a south bay ecological
restoration group regarding the District's invasive species program, and to the
Society for Ecological Restoration regarding Sudden Oak Death.
Issued new research permits for studies on sediment transport in Skyline
Watersheds, water quality of San Gregorio Watershed, erosion history of Sierra
Azul, upstream impacts of dams in small watersheds, several studies of butterflies,
differentiation of gooseberry plants, and turkey foraging in Rancho de Guadalupe.
Met with Jasper Ridge staff at Stanford University several times to review potential
research projects.
Operations/page 7
PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
(Evaluation 2006-2007)
Programs
A. Public Information and Outreach
B. Legislative, Funding and Organizational Relations
C. Community Programs
To Implement the
BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE:
The District educates and makes clearly visible to the public the purposes and actions of
the District, and actively encourages public input and involvement in the District's
decision-making process and other activities.
General Department Emphasis for 2006-2007
Maximize the general public's awareness and understanding of, and involvement with the
District, its goals, and its activities, employing a variety of means and methods to reach
all communities served and other target audiences. Implement the top priorities of the
District's legislative plan and protect the District's funding structure. Continue to offer a
variety of community programs, which enhance visitors' experiences, provide
opportunities to educate, and involve people in the preservation, restoration and
enjoyment of open space. Provide District materials and information to community
members and public officials, to ensure full knowledge and understanding of the District,
its programs and activities.
Staff Resources
(Regular, full-time positions, unless otherwise indicated)
Public Affairs Manager
Community Affairs Supervisor
Public Affairs Specialist
Volunteer Programs Coordinator
Docent Programs Coordinator
Administrative Assistant
Community Programs Aide
Public Affairs/page I
2006-2007
Public Information and Outreach
Objective
To generate additional support among opinion leaders, key policyrnakers, and the general
public for District acquisition, preservation, restoration, and interpretive/education
projects and programs, including coastal protection, by increasing the positive perception
and awareness of the District's mission, objectives, accomplishments, programs, and
effective management of public lands and financial resources.
Key Projects
1. Outreach to the Coast— Develop new public information materials, and update the
Coastside Protection Program section of the web site and the Open Space Views
mailing list, as needed. Proactively distribute District materials and information to
the San Mateo County coastside and current constituent communities to increase their
knowledge and understanding of the District, its programs and activities. Organize an
event for the public on the coastside.
Progress: Four issues of Open Space Views were mailed to the coastal mailing list
(13,600 addresses). The District also hosted public hiking tours as part of the La
Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Master Plant help familiarize the public with
Driscoll Ranch, its resources,vistas, and roads. Over 40 people participated in two-
hour tours led by volunteer docents on October 13th and 14th. In addition, planned
and completed the first docent-led tour of the Miramontes Ridge property.
2. Community Outreach—Plan and implement activities and presentations to increase
the District's outreach to and involvement with community groups. Participate in
outreach events with emphasis on events held near current master plan project areas;
promote awareness of preserves other than Rancho San Antonio. Listen to
community concerns and improve constituents' knowledge of the District. Host
events and provide activities—such as the Pulgas staging area and trail dedication,
and create activities to commemorate the 1906 earthquake. Seek out partnerships,
and attend meetings with various groups and organizations (such as the Bay Area
Open Space Council). Work with the Operations Department to increase public
awareness of the need to eradicate slender false brome from the Woodside area.
Outreach opportunities and District presentations at community outreach events could
involve managers, Board members, District staff, volunteers and docents. Assist the
Planning Department in their master plan outreach efforts (Sierra Azul and La
Honda).
Progress:
• Staffed outreach booths at Rancho San Antonio and Pulgas Ridge.
Highlighted the 1906 Earthquake Centennial in the spring 2006 issue of Open
Space Views and encouraged the public to attend earthquake activities
Public Affairs/page 2
offered at Los Trancos Preserve during the year. Staffed an outreach booth
at the City of Palo earthquake centennial event in April 2006.
• Featured resource management projects and slender false brome articles in
the fall 2006 (annual report) and winter 2006-07 issues of Open Space Views.
Regularly met with resource staff to ensure information and support is
shared and provided in a timely manner.
• Featured the La Honda Creek Master Plan in the spring 2006 issue of Open
Space Views, featured Sierra Azul in summer 2006, and highlighted both
plans in the winter 2006-2007 issue. Attended the Use and Management
meetings and also provided support at the public workshops. Staff
coordinated with the Planning Department on the design, print, and mailing
of the Master Plan newsletters.
• Partnered with the Ridge Trail Council on the first annual Ridge Trail Cruz
Event and had a booth at the Bay Area Open Space Council annual meeting.
• Created the Bike Access Guidelines and Equestrian Access Guidelines
brochures. Also included special paragraphs in the Thornewood trail
brochure regarding slender false brome and in the Picchetti Ranch trail
brochure regarding the seasonal pond, and safety and protection of natural
resources.
• Created and placed Nature Notes in signboards for both general natural
history outreach and resource management support/education—e.g. Sudden
Oak Death—Fall 2006.
• A pilot Visitor Estimate Survey project was designed and will be
implemented during the summer of 2007.
3. Media— Enhance the District's reputation as a leader among open space districts
locally and statewide. Proactively promote regular media coverage of District
activities and accomplishments and quickly respond to media reports and inquiries.
Build relationships with reporters, conduct editorial board visits and reporter
briefings; place positive feature stories; and work to place editorials, where
appropriate, in order to focus attention on positive work the District is conducting,
especially in resource management. Design and implement spokesperson training for
District staff and the Board.
Progress: Public Affairs distributed a total of 46 press releases in the 2006-07 fiscal
year with a total of seven press releases specifically focusing on resource
management-related issues. Provided a briefing for the new Half Moan Bay Review
reporter. Consistently placed a variety of positive articles in papers from the
Chronicle, and the San Jose Mercury News to the Hat(Moon Bay Review. Met
regularly with Resource Management Specialist on resource issues to provide
Public Affairs/page 3
support and promote District issues in the media and to stay abreast of
regional/national issues.
4. Good Neighbor Policy—Complete the public input process and development of
Good Neighbor policies, and produce a Good Neighbor brochure based upon the
amended policies. Design and provide public education follow-up activities after the
process is complete. Formulate a plan to educate and provide information on the
District's Good Neighbor Policy to constituents.
Progress: Completed the public input process and produced a final draft of the
policy,which the Board reviewed at a public meeting in Half Moon Bay.
5. Special Park Districts Forum —Complete planning efforts and carry out the 2006
Special Districts Forum in partnership with East Bay Regional Park District and all
District departments.
Progress: Event successfully completed.
6. Web Site Management—Continue to use the District web site as a two-way
communication tool to reach out and communicate with the community and support
the administration of the Docent and Volunteer programs. Improve usability of the
site to be an effective outreach tool. Continue to work with e-Nature to refine and
promote the "e-nature" wildlife guides (customizable to District preserves), thus
providing a way for the public to research information on flora and fauna within
District Preserves. Work with other departments to ensure the web site maintenance
and revisions reflect current District messaging, provide consistency, and maintain
functionality and aesthetic integrity. Work with contractor to update and maintain
web site pages. Lead District web team. Work toward enabling communications
with constituents via e-mail.
Progress: Held regular Web team meetings, monitored and reported Web site issues
and needed page revisions. Consistently updated the Web site to be more user-
friendly.
Other Projects and Activities
1. Prepare an RFP to retain a firm to conduct a representative poll of constituents'
opinions on a variety of topics (importance of battling invasive weeds; protecting
endangered species; providing opportunities to recreate; resource management, etc.).
2. Continue to promote the District's guidebook. Work with publisher to monitor and
track sales of the trail guidebook. Evaluate a possible second printing.
3. Continue efforts to integrate the Workplace Enhancement Plan methods into the daily
activities of the Public Affairs Department.
4. Continue to support the Planning Department in: 1) Raising public awareness of the
Watershed Protection Program and the proposed staging area and trail project at El
Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve; 2) Provide media and other support, as
Public Affairs/page 4
needed, to support District efforts to obtain a full clean-up of toxins to tidal
restoration standards at the Moffett/NASA property referred to by the Navy as "Site
25;" and 3) Continue to work with Planning staff to provide media and community
outreach activities, such as docent-led hikes, resource management projects, and web
site updates.
5. In order to successfully build an image library, the Department must first determine
the library's architecture and cost. Evaluate strategies, determine an approach, and
consider outside assistance in creating an implementation and maintenance plan.
6. Assist the Planning and Operations Departments in educating the public regarding
appropriate preserve and trail use, and interacting with wildlife; modify and update
publications to reflect policy or rule changes, as needed, and respond to associated
public and media requests for information.
7. Work with the Planning Department to create new site maps for preserve brochures,
and continue updating, producing, and distributing existing site maps, brochures, and
other collateral materials. Also work with the Planning Department to determine the
feasibility of including GPS coordinates for noteworthy points of interest in the
preserve brochures and adopt a phased approach to implementation.
8. Produce the District's quarterly newsletter, Open Space Views and evaluate
expanding to six pages. Continue to update the mailing list; continue mailing four
issues per year, including annual report, to coastside residents. Publish the District's
2006-2007 Annual Report in the fall.
9. Conduct special events celebrating the completion of the Pulgas Ridge Staging Area,
and trail dedication and the celebration of other noteworthy events.
10. Draft a plan for District merchandising and potentially produce and sell District
merchandise.
11. Revise the "Escape to Your Open Space" brochure and incorporate the new District
boundary. Evaluate need for Equestrian Access Guidelines brochure; brochure could
also be included in "Equestrian Packet" similar to the District's dog, bike, and easy
access map packets.
12. Continue to provide staff support to District Committees such as the sign committee,
policy review committee, and the "Fun" committee.
13. Continue to pursue a plan to estimate the number of visitors to representative District
sites. Data will support media outreach and other uses.
14. Continue to work with Administration and other departments to develop a process to
integrate District databases.
Public Affairs/page 5
15. Demonstrate care for the environment by using recycled materials and soy-based inks
in materials distributed by the District whenever possible.
16. Develop a District Style Guide in order to ensure consistent use of the District's
visual identity.
17. Begin preliminary planning for the District's 35 Ih anniversary.
Progress on Other Projects and Activities
• Prepared an RFP and retained a firm to conduct a representative poll of
constituents' opinions on a variety of topics.
• Drafted a plan and made a board presentation and proposal regarding online
merchandising. Online sales will commence early summer 2007.
2006-2007
Legislative, Funding, and Organizational Relations
Objective
To carry out the high priority elements of the District's legislative plan and to inform
other public agencies and private organizations about the District's activities and goals.
Key Projects
1. State Legislation— Work with the District's legislative advocate and with legislators
and their staff to sponsor and support the Board-approved Legislative Program. Seek
coordination and support from other special districts.
Progress: The District wrote to Assemblyman Leslie in support of AB 84
(establishes a specialty license plate program to fund important state agencies such
as the California Coastal Conservancy); supported Assemblymember Mullin on AB
1679 (subjects the Ano Nuevo hydrologic unit to the jurisdiction of the San
Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board); backed Assemblymember
Wolk on AB 2916, (creates improved system of financial management for the
endowment funds required by the Department of Fish and Game for mitigation
projects); contacted Assemblyman Salinas and Governor Schwarzenegger to
express support for AB 2746 (ensures that nonprofit land trusts are permitted to
hold conservation lands and easements that state or local public agencies may
require in order to mitigate land development in local communities); opposed
Senate Bill 1317 by Sen. Tom Torlakson, relating to the reallocation of property tax
revenues from new utility facilities.
2. Classification of slender false brome—Provide support to those who seek to
reclassify slender false brume as either a Category A or B weed (from the current Q
Public Affairs/page 6
rating) in order to provide the legal and political tools necessary to control the grass
and enlist participation of the San Mateo County Agriculture Commissioner and
CDFA.
Progress: District efforts prompted the State's reclassification of slender false
brome as a Category A weed in November 2006.
3. Seek Regional Funding—Work with the Bay Area Open Space Council to gain
permanent funding for the San Francisco Bay Area Program of the State Coastal
Conservancy. Generate new ideas and corresponding legislation and seek passage.
Progress: Organizations included in the Bay Area Open Space Council have decided
to try and create a special, personalized license plate in order to obtain permanent
funding for the San Francisco Bay Area Program of the State Coastal Conservancy.
4. Seek Local Funding— Support the Santa Clara County Parks Charter on the June
2006 ballot. Support the San Mateo County Parks,for the Future initiative to increase
the local sales tax by 1/8 Ih cent on a future ballot.
Progress: The District actively supported the initiative, but Measure A lost during
the November 2006 election.
5. Federal Legislation —Work with members of Congress and State and local agency
leaders to develop and implement a strategy to carry out the Board-approved
legislative program including to seek Federal legislative assistance in securing
funding for the cleanup of the former Almaden Air Force Station at Mt. Umunhum in
the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, which is a"Formerly Used Defense Site," or
FUDS.
Progress: A Washington, D.C. lobbyist was hired and the backgrounder with a
chronology of work regarding efforts to clean up Mt. Umunhurn was updated.
Other Proiects and Activities
I. Continually review and, working with legal counsel, analyze legislation, determine
recommended District positions on bills, and take appropriate action, if any, on bills.
2. Work with legislators, legislative committees, state and federal administrators, other
agencies, private organizations, and interested citizens to provide information and to
lobby regarding state legislation and specific local issues.
3. Support federal, state, or local legislation that will benefit the District.
4. Provide support and services for specific District projects requiring legislative
support, such as grant applications and regional and state awards. Obtain letters of
support for grant applications, such as Habitat Conservation Fund and Wildlife
Conservation Board grants.
5. Plan and conduct a "VIP." tour of District preserves for elected officials and
representatives, as needed.
Public Affairs/page 7
6. Maintain contact, and exchange information with other organizations and agencies.
Cooperate on special projects with organizations such as the regional Bay Area Open
j Space Council, and participate in special events, such as conferences and seminars, to
keep District staff and the Board informed of current issues.
7. Continue to provide staff support to the Legislative, Funding, and Public Affairs
Committee, and work as needed to develop District positions on and involvement in
statewide open space issues.
f 8. Provide a District presence in key legislative activities, meetings, and conferences in
Sacramento, directly and/or with the District's legislative advocate.
9. Work with the District's legislative delegation and the Sacramento-based lobbyist to
maintain and protect the District's current percentage share of the local property tax
funding.
2006-2007
Community Programs
Obiective
To engage and involve a diverse range of community members and District staff in
meeting the community needs of enjoying and understanding open space, and supporting
District staff in achieving the District's objectives by providing high quality, ecologically
sensitive public programs that involve community members as volunteers, inspire
stewardship of open space, and support the acquisition, preservation, and restoration
objectives of the District.
Key Projects
1. Expand Community Programs—Take the input gathered from Board members,
staff and the community to re-evaluate the Community Programs' needs. Continue to
monitor and assess the potential for new or expanded volunteer and docent programs
to incorporate and attract new District constituents on the coast. Work with the
Operations Department to investigate the possibility of introducing geocaching on
District preserves.
Progress: Created a new task force to explore a pilot plan to enable volunteers to
perform resource management tasks without direct District field staff supervision.
Worked with local geocaching leaders to enable geocaching on District Preserves
and conducted a large-scale area cleanup volunteer project with the local
geocaching group at Sierra Azul-Bald Mountain. Several new thematic activities
have been offered since summer 2006 by the new Outdoor Activity Docents (class of
2006)—Nordic Walking,Painting in Open Space, Early Morning Workouts, Nature
Through a Lens; there is been an approximately 20% increase in the number of
activities offered since the class graduated.
i
Public Affairs/page 8
2. Docent and Volunteer Training—Implement new and improved Outdoor Activity
Docent training model as a pilot project. Additionally, recruit and train new Crew
Leaders, Trail Patrol, Outdoor Education Leaders, Nature Center Hosts, Community
Outreach Volunteers and Conservation Easement Monitors. Introduce and use the
new Volunteer Handbook at these training programs.
Progress: Volunteer Program—Recruited and conducted training programs for
over 40 new Trail Patrol, Crew Leader, and Conservation Easement Monitor
volunteers. Docent Program—The new training model for Outdoor Activity
Docents produced 20 engaged and enthusiastic new docents (completed training in
June 2006). Four new Nature Center Hosts were trained—summer 2006.
3. Encourage participation and increase awareness of Outdoor Activities and other
Community Programs —Evaluate publicity and media outreach on Outdoor
Activities. Increase District staff s awareness and enthusiasm of Outdoor Activities
to encourage their participation as an enrichment opportunity and an opportunity for
the public to interact with staff.
Progress: Six administrative staff members were involved in projects/events.
Outdoor Activities were listed in at least five media sources—some new online
posting opportunities were evaluated.
4. Partnership and Events—Explore joint project partnership with Bay Area Ridge
Trail (National Trail Days) event. Leverage partnership with POST to support the
Daniels Nature Center. Participate in 1906 centennial Earthquake activities.
Progress: Coordinated and conducted the 2007 Ridge Trail Cruz event along the
Skyline corridor and a pre-event volunteer project with the Bay Area Ridge Trail
Council. Worked closely with POST in restarting the District's Conservations
Easement Monitoring volunteer program, and Walter Moore became a District
Docent and participated in the Outdoor Service Projects Lunchtime Guest Speaker
program.
5. Special Public Access— Support public access to grant-funded properties such as
Miramontes Ridge, and provide docent-led hikes and volunteer projects to support
master-planning efforts.
Progress: Project completed.
Docent Program Key Projects
1. Recruit, screen and train Outdoor Education Leaders,Nature Center Hosts and
Outdoor Activity Docents. Provide enrichment opportunities for active docents.
Progress: The new format/training model for Outdoor Activity Docents produced 20
very engaged and enthusiastic new docents (completed training June 2006). Four
new Nature Center Hosts were trained—summer 2006.
2. Offer a broad range of public interpretive outdoor activities on open space preserves,
encouraging docents to conduct new engaging activities at less-utilized preserves.
Public Affairs/page 9
Progress: Several new thematic activities have been offered since summer 2006 by
the new Outdoor Activity Docents (class of 2006)—Nordic Walking, Painting in Open
Space. Early Morning Workouts,Nature Through a Lens; there has been a 20%
increase in the number of activities offered since class graduated.
3. Maintain and operate the David C. Daniels Nature Center with docent involvement.
Continue to implement the District's Spaces and Species environmental education
program and explore how new constituent groups can gain access to the center.
Progress: Fall 2006 - Spaces & Species field trips were offered to targeted schools
that had never before participated (emphasis on coastside schools). A new
reservation process was implemented. Ten field trips took place (three quarters
were coastal). Spring 2007—offered and filled 20 field trips.
4. Arrange, publicize, reserve spaces for, and work with field staff to support the
Fremont Older House and Garden Tours (Spring 2006), and quarterly Outdoor
Activities.
Progress: Project completed.
5. Provide for public request activities, including soliciting and scheduling docents and
coordinating with the Operations Department, as needed, for permits.
Progress: Project completed. Provided over 30 request activities.
Volunteer Program Key Projects
1. Continue to provide volunteer support for resource management projects by working
with staff to schedule, conduct, and evaluate a sustainable number of resource
management volunteer projects. Identify and recruit individuals and/or groups that
can become involved with the District as new Preserve Partner volunteers.
Progress: Coordinated 44 Resource Management Volunteer Projects with
Operations, including two new large-scale thistle removal projects at Skyline Ridge
and Los Trancos. Coordinated volunteer efforts to assist with a time sensitive
special SODS Study/Tan Oak Acorn training, search, and collection program with
the Resource Management Team.
2. Coordinate safe, educational, and productive volunteer service projects-throughout
the year at various open space preserves.
Progress: Planned, coordinated, and recruited volunteers for 60 outdoor service
projects ranging from trail construction and maintenance, habitat restoration, area
cleanup, and fence construction and restoration projects.
3. Recruit, screen, and train new Trail Patrol, Crew Leader, Community Outreach and
Special Field Project volunteers to assist staff in maintaining and protecting District
preserves. Offer enrichment opportunities for active volunteers.
Progress: Recruited and conducted training programs for over 36 new Trail Patrol,
Crew Leader, and Special Project volunteers. Coordinated enrichment trainings
using District staff and docents, and representatives from other agencies.
4. Provide public information about volunteer programs, projects, and accomplishments
i
Public Affairs/page 10
by producing four issues of Volunteer News. Explore expanding newsletter to
combine both the District volunteer and community programs.
Progress: Expanded Volunteer News to include both District volunteer and docent
information, created new cover page and template, and sent first combined edition
in fall 2006.
5. Conduct individual evaluation hikes and rides for Trail Patrol members. Use pre-
evaluation surveys utilizing the District's new online survey system to increase
efficiency of the time spent on the evaluation hike or ride.
Progress: Created new online survey which successfully increased the
value/efficiency of time spent during the hike/ride.
6. Organize lunchtime enrichment presentations for volunteers during outdoor service
projects. Identify appropriate speakers such as Board members, and District docents.
Coordinate logistics, and schedule a number of trial presentations.
Progress: Very successful new feature of the outdoor service projects program.
Participants appreciate and enjoy the enrichment effort.
7. Volunteer Leadership/Management Training for Staff- Conduct formal training
sessions for staff on working with volunteers and leading volunteer projects. Also
provide general orientation to the different volunteer programs.
Progress: Conducted mandatory annual training for field staff on 1/31/07- Real
Property representatives also attended. Conducted Volunteer Program
Presentation for Planning Staff and discussed ways in which their team can get
involved
8. Trail Patrol Special Assignment—Explore various ways that trail patrol volunteers
can assist in monitoring illegal trail use and construction, and implement a system
where volunteers and staff work together to form organized group patrols.
Community Programs Projects and Activities
I. Conduct an annual Volunteer Recognition Event, and assess other recognition
activities for docents and volunteers that demonstrate the District's appreciation for
the efforts and contribution of volunteers and docents.
2. Sustain effective communication between Community Programs staff, field staff and
other departments involved with Community Programs.
3. Conduct"Earth Day" (April 22) and California Trail Day events that provide
appropriate ways for the community to be involved in projects or outdoor activities
that celebrate the environment and our natural resources during the period of time
prior to and shortly after "Earth Day."
4. Evaluate training programs and events by using on-line surveys utilizing the District's
new survey account. Develop a self-evaluation instrument for the docent program.
5. Distribute and update the District's Volunteer Handbook as needed.
Public Affairs/page I 1
6. Work with the Operations Department to fill requests for occasional District outreach
appearances at local schools by interested District rangers.
7. Plan and begin developing an interpretive project/display for the Red Barn at La
Honda Creek Preserve and for a self-guided interpretive "nature discovery"trail
around Alpine Pond at Skyline Ridge Preserve.
Progress on Other Proiects and Activities
• Coordinated and conducted a successful volunteer recognition event in
September. Over 180 people attended the "Mingle & Mangia" event at
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.
• Coordinated large-scale meeting with Public Affairs and Operations
department Area Superintendents, Supervisors, and Volunteer Liaisons to
discuss Outdoor Service Project 2007 goals, new ideas, and the creation of a
task force to enable work by non-supervised resource management
volunteers on District lands. Created and gave a Volunteer Program
presentation to the Planning department.
Public Affairs/page 12
ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
Programs
A. Administration
B. Human Resources
C. Legal Services
To Implement the
BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE:
Efficiently and effectively administer the affairs of the District on behalf of the public so
as to maximize accomplishment of the goals and objectives of the District within existing
financial, legal and other constraints.
General Program Emphasis for 2006-2007
Continue to support the District-wide efforts for improving supervisory, leadership, and
communication skills among all staff, including opportunities for employee input, in
order to enhance employee morale and the District's work environment. Foster staff
participation in carrying out the District's short and long-term goals and objectives.
Maintain the District's viability as an open space acquisition and management agency,
and support the Coastal Protection Program implementation.
Staff Resources
(Regular, full-time positions unless otherwise indicated)
General Manager
Assistant General Manager
General Counsel
Controller(25% time)
Assistant General Counsel
Management Analyst—Human Resources
Management Analyst— Administration
Senior Administrative Assistant
Senior Accounting Specialist
Administrative Assistant
Receptionist
Network Specialist
Accounting Clerk
Administration/page I
i
2006-2007
Administration Program
Objective
To provide overall coordination, direction and administrative foundation for all District
activities so as to maximize the accomplishment of the Board's policies and directives, to
implement the Action Plan, and to maintain the District's viability as an open space land
purchase and management agency.
Key Projects
I Coastal Protection Program—Coordinate the efforts of the Board, consultants,
and staff to complete the Coastal Protection Program implementation. Support
completion of Good Neighbor Policy rewrites. Provide administrative support in
reporting land purchases to La Honda Pescadero Unified School District,
calculating the service fees due to the School District and San Mateo County Fire
and tracking the long term financial impacts of additional land purchases on the
coast.
Progress: Service fees paid and financial analysis of the Coastal Protection Program
provided to the budget committee.
2. District Funding—Continue to provide multi-year information/scenarios on
District's long-term finances, including bonded indebtedness and cash flow.
Continue to monitor the availability of grant funds for major land purchase and
development projects. Continue to pursue alternate sources of additional funding
for land purchases throughout the District, including the newly annexed Coastside
Protection Area and open space management needs.
Progress: Refinanced almost $60 million of District debt to improve interest rate
and smooth financing,with a present value savings of$6 million.
3. Co-Hosting of Park District Forum— Provide lead participation in the event, as
planned by Public Affairs Department.
Progress: Event completed very successfully
4. Risk Management—Complete policy development as recommended by the
CAJPIA including Violence in the Workplace Policy, Hazard Communication
Policy and ADA Grievance Policy.
Progress: All recommended policies written and in place.
5. Resource Management—Continue the management of the project with ESA to
analyze the resource management programs review of other land management
agencies and use this information to assist the Board and District staff in revising
the District's resource management policies. Provide recommendations on
organizational structure and staffing for increased resource management efforts.
Administration/page 2
Progress: Led District Management Team and Resource staff meetings regarding
growth of the Resource Management program.
6. Elections—Work with
o t Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties on the election
process for Wards 1, 2, 5 and 6 for November 2006.
Progress: Responded to all public inquiries and completed all election processes
required. Also conducted process for Board to Appoint a new Director upon the
vacancy of the Ward 4 Director.
Other Projects and Activities
1. State Budget— Continue to monitor state budget activities, post Proposition IA.
2. Ombudsperson—Facilitate communication and staff assistance as needed to
support the Ombudsperson program and renew the existing contract or recruit for
a new Ombudsperson as necessary.
3. District-wide Database Program —Fund and oversee the completion of the
integrated database program.
4. Records Management— Research various automated programs, via a consultant,
for more efficient records retention, including reduction and search capabilities of
hard copy files.
5. Administrative Office Expansion—Work with the Planning Department on office
space expansion plans.
6. Web Site—Participate as an active member of the web team and regularly post
Board meetings and minutes.
7. Continue to foster a management team approach for overall management of the
District's activities.
8. Provide financial management and accounting services, including investment of
temporarily idle funds and compliance with new Government Accounting
Standards. Assure compliance with Purchasing Policies through review of all
purchases and ongoing education of staff. Prepare materials for annual audit.
q. Perform administrative and legal obligations as required by State law.
10. Oversee coordination of equipment/infrastructure needs at the main office.
11. Action Plan development and coordination of the program evaluation process.
12. Prepare, monitor, and revise annual budget, as necessary. Coordinate
Administration and Budget Committee meetings.
Administration/page 3
13. Coordinate preparation and distribution of all materials for the Board's regular and
special meetings.
14. Involve Board of Directors in the planning of annual special Board meeting(s)to
be held as part of Board's Good Neighbor Policy; including coastal meetings.
15. Provide training and other proactive risk prevention processes in conjunction with
the CAJPIA.
16. Continue upgrades of the District's network computer system as needed to
increase efficiency and reliability; provide day-to-day technical support to both
field offices; and continue to assess system, develop resources and manage
Y p g
technological change and improvements. Provide ongoing computer training to
staff at all three offices.
17. Work with other departments to implement and fully utilize database elements
that contain information that is shared by multiple departments per consultant
recommendations.
18. Maintain Board and staff policy and procedure manuals.
19. Continue to use recycled products, whenever feasible, in accordance with the
purchasing policy.
20. Continue uploads of all Administrative Department documents, such as Board
Meetings, Agendas, Minutes and Reports to the web site.
21. Continue records management activities (permanent storage, record retention
and/or destruction) as required by law and designated by the District's Record's
Management Plan. Maintain the records management database.
22. Update the procedure manual for all administrative processes related to the
District Clerk responsibilities.
23. Coordinate and perform all activities required for operational and maintenance of
the Guadalupe Land Co.
Progress on Other Proieets and Activities
• Provided Agenda packets for 25 Regular and Special meetings.
• Completed all scheduled upgrades of hardware and software; moved the
main servers into more secure space and purchased and installed a ceiling
i
mounted projector in the Board Meeting room.
Administration/page 4
I�
• Completed the Mid-Year budget review including discussions on the Coastal
Protection Program budget to be including in the future Operating Growth
Guideline; completed the 07/08 budget process including five ABC meetings
and further discussion and analysis of the Operating Growth Guideline.
2006-2007
Human Resources Program
Objective
To provide coordination and direction for human resources activities so as to enhance the
overall quality and effectiveness of the District's work environment for all employees of
the District.
Key Protects
I Workplace Enhancement Plan — Continue to coordinate, monitor, and support
the Workplace Enhancement Plan activities. The Plan consists of methods for
improving communication among all employees and management staff;
increasing employee input; enhancing management, supervisory, leadership, and
communication skills; and establishing a greater emphasis on people management
versus task management.
Progress: Conducted regular one-on-one meetings with direct reports, regular staff
meetings (at least monthly) and numerous memos to all staff to keep employees well
informed and provide for two-way communication.
2. Performance Standards—Assist all departments with timely and equitable
evaluations. Complete meetings with staff and implement new performance
evaluation forms, including training of all supervisors.
Progress: Give regular feedback and ongoing training on performance evaluations
to supervisors with review of each evaluation. Final draft of new performance
evaluation form completed and reviewed by Managers and Area Superintendents.
3. Labor Relations—Implement any new contract provisions.
Progress: Completed negotiations for a new five-year contract with the represented
employees. Implemented all contract provisions including new PERS retirement
formula, the new Retiree Health Savings Account, new carriers for Life Insurance,
Long Term Disability Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Insurance for all employees of the District.
4. Repetitive Motion Injury Control Program—Per CAJPIA recommendations,
write and implement this program.
Progress: Determined that such a program not required.
Administration/page 5
5. Job Analysis —Conduct and add job analysis to all field class specifications in
accordance with CAJPIA recommendation.
Progress: Completed
Other Projects and Activities
1. Plan and conduct recruitment processes for all position vacancies in order to fill
vacant positions as soon as possible. Ensure consistency in hiring procedures.
Provide a comprehensive new employee orientation for all new employees.
2. Administer compensation and benefit programs for all employees.
3. Provide human resources support and employee or labor relations services to all
departments. Maintain positive and productive working relationships with
represented and non-represented employees.
4. Assess training needs, identify training resources and schedule in-house training
programs as needed to develop and improve leadership, management, supervisory,
communications skills and risk management skills.
5. Coordinate, plan, and organize the annual staff recognition event on behalf of the
Board. Oversee the staff activities ("Fun") committee. Coordinate and plan other
staff events as needed.
6. Promote and oversee the District's safety program including facilitating a Safety Fair.
7. Continue expanded utilization of the new HRIS database system with applicable
payroll functions to eliminate duplicate processes.
S. Conduct Meet and Confer(s), as necessary, on Personnel Rules and various
Administrative Policies.
9. Write or revise Administrative Policies and Procedures as needed, including
employee input as part of the process.
10. Continue to provide leadership in the Toastmaster's employee development program.
Progress on Other Proiects and Activities
• Conducted 14 recruitments, including seasonal and promotional and filled 19
positions.
• Provided Substance Abuse and Driver Awareness training to all staff.
Administration/page 6
� II
• Held the springtime Family Event, and daytime Staff Recognition Event and
a Holiday Party.
• Completed draft policy language for new Personnel Policy Manual, provided
manager review, Policy Review Committee review, and legal review for
General Provisions,Job Classifications, Recruitment and Selection, Terms of
Employment, Compensation, Benefits, Discipline, Catastrophic Leave and
Family Medical Leave.
2006-2007
Le alServices Pro ram
Objective
To provide timely legal services to the Board and to all District Departments; to advise
and assist the Board and staff in developing and implementing District policies,
regulations and ordinances, and in accomplishing District projects in accordance with
law.
Key Proiects
I. Real Property—Provide legal advice concerning District real property matters,
including real property purchases, disposition, management, title and encroachment
issues, easement issues, leases, licenses, and permits to enter District land.
Anticipated major projects include:
0 Litigation —Continue and complete litigation to resolve property rights issues at
Fremont Older Open Space Preserve, Saratoga Country Club v. MROSD; and at
Coal Creek Open Space Preserve, Fogarty v. MROSD.
Progress: Both lawsuits have been dismissed as a result of successful settlement
negotiations. The Fogarty settlement resulted in the District's ability to purchase an
addition to Coal Creek Open Space Preserve and additional restrictions on adjacent
development. The District is nearing completion of a joint feasibility study with the
Saratoga Country Club to determine whether there is a mutually acceptable
solution to staging area issues at Fremont Older Open Space Preserve.
• Encroachment and Property Rights Claims—Assist Real Property Department
in resolving encroachments at Bear Creek Redwoods, Montebello, Long Ridge,
Sierra Azul and Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserves; assist in resolution
of access easement claims at Coal Creek, Bear Creek Redwoods and Sierra Azul
Open Space Preserves; assist in preparation of new lease or request for proposals
for Picchetti Winery. Continue working with the Real Property and Operations
Departments identifying and resolving property rights issues on District land.
Administration/page 7
Progress: The encroachment at Monte Bello and Rancho San Antonio Preserves
'Hanson Quarry,has been resolved by a fee and easement exchange. An
encroachment at Sierra Azul OSP (Richardson Conservation Easement) is in
process of resolution by a proposed joint settlement agreement between Los Gatos,
the District, and the landowner. A boundary line dispute at Bear Creek Redwoods
OSP is being resolved by a proposed easement exchange (Presentation Center). The
access easement claim at Coal Creek OSP was satisfactorily resolved by settlement
of the Fogarty litigation. The access easement issue at Monte Bello OSP is in
litigation with settlement potential(MROSD v. Lysons). A new lease has been
prepared for Picchetti Winery and negotiations with the current tenant regarding
the lease are ongoing; this project will be completed in Fiscal Year 2007-2008 prior
to expiration of the current lease.
• Land Purchase— Assist Real Property Department in connection with District
ongoing operation and management of Guadalupe Land Co. property as a
corporate asset and investigate options for dissolving the corporation (Sierra Azul
Open Space Preserve); assist in transactional documents to accomplish easement
exchanges (Monte Bello, Bear Creek Redwoods, Fremont Older and Rancho San
Antonio Open Space Preserves).
Progress: An easement exchange is being completed at Monte Bello/Rancho San
Antonio Open Space Preserves (Hanson Quarry), and one is being proposed at Bear
Creek Redwoods (Presentation Center). The potential of an easement or fee
exchange at Fremont Older is being studied as part of the staging area feasibility
study. Assisted Real Property in major land purchases including Driscoll Ranch
(La Honda OSP), Stevens Canyon Ranch and an associated riparian easement to
obtain $1.6 Million in funding from the Santa Clara Valley Water District(Saratoga
Gap OSP); Tunitas Creek property (Tunitas Creek OSP); Forde and Peery
property (Purisima Creek Redwoods OSP); BDS Capital property ((Sierra Azul
OSP); and Smith property (Monte Bello OSP).
Other Proiects
1. Continue working with Real Property and Planning Departments to pursue global
solutions to streamline the acquisition, planning and permitting processes, including a
Memorandum of Agreement with Santa Clara County to identify acquisitions that are
exempt from the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act, and Memorandum of
Agreement with San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties clarifying the consistency of
acquisitions with County planning requirements.
2. Work with Real Property to assess legal options for District operations within lands
subject to Williamson Act contracts.
3. Work with Real Property on drafting grazing and agricultural leases (La Honda Creek
and Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserves).
Administration/page 8
4. Risk Management—Provide advice and monitor current claims and litigation against
the District; represent the District's interests in insurance and CAJPIA coverage
matters; provide oversight of matters handled by outside counsel; investigate and
maximize insurance coverage for claims filed against the District; obtain appropriate
pollution liability insurance coverage for property purchase where applicable.
5. Human Resources—Assist in carrying out labor relations functions; provide legal
advice on personnel matters. Anticipated major projects: Continue to advise on
update of District's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual; continue to assist in
implementing the legal aspects of the Workplace Enhancement Plan; assist in labor
negotiations in Fiscal Year 2006-2007 as needed.
6. Coastal Protection Program—Anticipated major projects: Continue to provide
advice concerning legal requirements applicable to implementing the Coastal
Protection Program and LAFCo's Conditions of Approval; draft and review necessary
Program documents, including coastal planning policies and Good Neighbor Policy;
and assist in litigation challenging LAFCo's approval of the Program, Citizens for
Responsible Open Space v. MROSD, in the event of post-trial proceedings.
7. Operations--Continue to assist in the development of Cooperation Agreements for
provision of law enforcement and emergency services with sister agencies; work with
Operations
erations in resolving Jurisdiction issues to assist in deve
loping in such agreements.
Work with Operations to clarify the issue of peace officer jurisdiction outside of
District lands, including seeking an opinion from the Attorney General or via the
legislative process, if needed. Provide legal support to Resource Management
Program, including obtaining permits to enter adjacent lands to conduct necessary
resource management projects.
8. Planning—Advise on the Navy remediation project at Site 25 (Stevens Creek Nature
Study Area); provide advice concerning resolution of mercury NRDA, TMDL and
remediation issues at the Rancho de Guadalupe property(Sierra Azul Open Space
Preserve) and implementing a predator control program at Ravenswood Open Space
Preserve.
I
Progress on Other Proiects
• Prepared proposed amendment to grazing lease at La Honda OSP (Driscoll
Ranch); prepared draft grazing license at Big Dipper Ranch (Skyline Ridge
OS P).
• Obtained appropriate pollution liability insurance for Driscoll Ranch
purchase; submitted a variety of title insurance and liability insurance claims
Administration/page 9
on behalf of the District seeking to obtain maximum coverage for covered
claims.
• Provided advice on update of District's Personnel Policies and Procedures
Manual as each Policy was drafted.
• Assisted in development of Good Neighbor Policy; worked closely with
outside counsel in the District's successful defense of the legal challenge to
Lafco's approval of the Coastside Protection Program and the initial defense
in the ongoing appellate proceedings. The appeal proceedings will continue
during Fiscal Year 2007-2008.
• Worked throughout the year on the Site 25 project which is ongoing; NRDA
issues have been concluded; the predator control program at Ravenswood
OSP was approved by the Board and is being implemented; successfully
negotiated an easement for a fish passage project in Guadalupe Creek with
the Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Other Activities
1. Provide legal research concerning historic parcels and chains of title to assist in
resolving real property issues and in support of Planning and Real Property
projects.
2. Provide advice concerning legal requirements applicable to the District such as
the Brown Act, conflict of interest laws, election law, and the California
Environmental Quality Act.
3. Assist Departments in bidding processes and contract administration for public
works and professional services contracts.
4. Prepare and review District legal documents such as contracts, easements, leases,
permits, regulations and ordinances.
5. Represent the District's legal interests in matters involving other government
agencies.
6. Advise the District on court rulings and legislation affecting the District and assist
in drafting and pursuing legislation proposed by the District.
Progress on Other Activities
• Progress: Assisted in the appointment process to fill the vacancy due to
Director Little's resignation; assisted in 2006 Director election process.
Administration/page 10
• Progress: Revised the District's bid documents to simplify use; further work
on contracting documents is a Key Project in the Action Plan for Fiscal year
2007-2008.
• Progress: Assisted in the District's refinancing in coordination with the
Santa Clara Financing Authority, including preparing an RFP to select new
bond and disclosure counsel.
Administration/page 11
Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
R-07-58
Meeting 07-10
May 9, 2007
AGENDA ITEM 4
AGENDA ITEM
Approval of Agreement with City of Mountain View tQ. rovide istrict Radio Dispatch Services
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Authorize the General Manager to execute a new six-year Agreement with the City of
Mountain View to provide District 24- hour radio dispatch services.
2. Authorize the General Manager to approve expenditures for such District radio dispatch
services in an amount not to exceed $80,000 in Fiscal Year 2007-2008.
3. Approve a six-year Funding Plan for District dispatch services from 2007 to 2013 for a
total amount of $737,740, contingent upon future approval of budget expenditures after
Fiscal Year 2007-2008.
4. Authorize the General Manager to make necessary or appropriate revisions to the
Agreement, subject to approval of the General Counsel,provided there are no material
changes to the terms and conditions of the Agreement.
DISCUSSION
At your August 26, 1992 meeting, you authorized the General Manager to enter into the initial
Agreement with the City of Mountain View to provide the District with 24- hour radio dispatch
services (Report R-92-93). On May 31, 2006 you authorized a new two-year agreement that
expires on June 30, 2008 (Report R-06-14). The cost of the dispatch services increased from
$25,998 for Fiscal Year 2005-2006 to $50,000 for Fiscal Year 2006-2007 and $80,000 for 2006-
2007. This increase reflects Mountain View's desire to receive compensation in accordance with
their actual cost recovery analysis for dispatching services. The District's 2007-2008 budget
includes this expenditure.
At your May 31, 2006 meeting you approved the initial cost increase, but requested that staff
solicit Requests for Proposals from other agencies before implementation of the second year of
the Agreement. Staff was then to report back to the Board to evaluate Mountain View's services
and estimates of costs compared to other possible providers.
On October 30, 2006 Requests for Proposals for Dispatching Services were sent to nine potential
agencies including Mountain View, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Palo Alto, and
Sunnyvale. Mountain View was the only agency to submit a proposal. District staff followed up
R-07-58 Page 2
with the agencies to encourage proposals, but no other proposals were received, mainly because
of staffing issues. Other agencies did say that if they were to submit a proposal, their cost of
providing dispatching services would be equivalent to the cost of one full-time dispatcher. This
is consistent with the cost of Mountain View's proposal.
Thenew Agreement with Mountain View will continue to maximize the Districts recovery of
e ry
initial expenditures made when the Service Agreement first took effect in 1992. This includes
radio equipment installed in the Mountain View Communications Center, data entry into the
Computer Assisted Dispatching system and training for dispatchers.
Staff has been very satisfied with Mountain View's services and feels it would be in the
District's best interest to continue to retain Mountain View during the District's implementation
of the new digital simulcast radio system. Reliable radio dispatch service is critically important
to the District's field employees and public safety needs. The City of Mountain View has proven
they can provide these necessary services on a professional and credible basis.
The District may terminate this Agreement within 6 months in the event staff locates a
comparable, but more economical dispatch service provider. The yearly compensation being
charged for dispatching services under this Agreement, is as follows:
2007-2008 $80,000
2008-2009 $123,888
2009-2010 $127,605
2010-2011 $131,433
2011-2012 $135,376
2012-2013 $139,438
Total for six years $737,740
Prepared by:
David Topley, Support Services Supervisor
Contact Person: Same as above
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW AND
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT FOR THE
PROVISION OF EMERGENCY AND NONEMERGENCY
COMMUNICATION SERVICES
THIS AGREEMENT (hereafter "Agreement")is entered into this 1st day of July,
2007,by and between the CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW, a California Charter City and
municipal corporation,whose address is P.O. Box 7540, Mountain View,California,
94039(hereinafter "CITY"), and MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE
DISTRICT, whose address is 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos,California,94022-1404
(hereinafter "DISTRICT").
RECITALS
WHEREAS,CITY desires to furnish communication services to DISTRICT through
utilization of CITY facilities and staff located at 1000 Villa Street, Mountain View; and
WHEREAS,CITY is willing to furnish said services for a mutually agreed cost; and
WHEREAS,the parties of this Agreement have determined that computer-aided
dispatch system and records management system owned by CITY will be an effective
method of communication and record keeping for DISTRICT;
NOW,THEREFORE, in consideration of the recitals and mutual obligations
contained herein for the parties as herein expressed,CITY and DISTRICT agree as
follows:
1. Description of Services. Emergency and nonemergency telephone
answering:
a. CITY will provide DISTRICT with telephone answering, personnel
notification and equipment dispatching, including status keeping and associated
activity reports and date inquires, in response to fielding a request. CITY will not be
responsible for answering DISTRICT's nonemergency administrative phone calls during
normal weekday DISTRICT office hours.
b. CITY will provide DISTRICT with services mentioned in Paragraph(a)
above on a 24-hour/day basis,365 days per year.
C. The geographic file of DISTRICT's area responsibilities needed for the
computer-aided dispatch system will be maintained and updated by CITY and
DISTRICT personnel.
d. Audio recordings of all incoming emergency and nonemergency
incident calls,as well as radio messages transmitted and received on primary dispatch
frequencies,shall be continuously recorded and retained by CITY for a minimum of one
hundred (100) days following the date of the call or message.
e. CITY will provide DISTRICT with a quarterly activity report through
CITY's records management system, if requested by DISTRICT.
2. Operational Responsibilities. The Communications Center of CITY shall be
under the direction of CITY's Police Chief. All matters concerning Communications
procedures,operations, complaints, requests for changes and similar operational
matters shall be approved by DISTRICT's Operations Manager and submitted to CITY's
Police Communications Operation Supervisor.
3. Compensation for Services.
• Year 1 (Tuly 1,2007 to June 30, 2008): DISTRICT shall pay CITY a fee for
dispatching services under this Agreement in the amount of Eighty Thousand Dollars
($80,000).
• Year 2(July 1, 2008 to Tune 30,2009): DISTRICT shall pay CITY a fee for
dispatching services under this Agreement in the amount of One Hundred Twenty-
Three Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Eight Dollars ($123,888).
• Year 3 (Tuly 1, 2009 to Tune 30,2010): DISTRICT shall pay CITY a fee for
dispatching services under this Agreement in the amount of One Hundred Twenty-
Seven Thousand Six Hundred Five Dollars ($127,605).
0 Year 4 (luly 1, 2010 to June 30,ZQljl : DISTRICT shall pay CITY a fee for
dispatching services under this Agreement in the amount of One Hundred Thirty-One
Thousand Four Hundred Thirty-Three Dollars ($131,433).
0 Year 5 (July 1, 2011 to June 30,2912): DISTRICT shall pay CITY a fee for
dispatching services under this Agreement in the amount of One Hundred Thirty-Five
Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Six Dollars ($135,376).
0 Year 6 (July 1, 2012 to Tune 30,2013): DISTRICT shall pay CITY a fee for
dispatching services under this Agreement in the amount of One Hundred Thirty-Nine
Thousand Four Hundred Thirty-Eight Dollars($139,438).
Total compensation for this six (6) year contract is Seven Hundred Thirty-Seven
Thousand Seven Hundred Forty Dollars ($737,740). DISTRICT shall pay CITY quarterly
-2-
payments for each respective year's service on or before September 30, December 31,
March 31 and June 30 of the year the services are provided.
4. Clear Radio Reception. DISTRICT shall maintain its radio equipment in a
manner that will allow clear reception that is free from static, squelching tails and
interference.
5. Equipment Maintenance and Replacement. Equipment purchased and
owned by DISTRICT during the term of the Agreement for Provision of
Communication Services which commenced on January 1,1993 shall be maintained and
replaced at DISTRICT's expense utilizing CITY's contracted repair services vendor.
Those items are:
a. One Motorola MSR 2000 base station.
b. One antenna.
C. Two cavity filters.
d. One antenna coaxial cable.
e. Four miscellaneous RF cables.
The annual maintenance cost provided by Telecommunications Engineering
Associates which is to be paid by DISTRICT each year is Nine Hundred Dollars($900).
6. Information Updates. DISTRICT shall be required to provide and maintain
timely, accurate geographic data and related emergency information necessary for the
efficient dispatching of emergency resources by CITY. DISTRICT will incur all costs
related to updating information within DISTRICT.
7. Confidential Information. DISTRICT shall provide CITY with proof of State-
required information on all DISTRICT personnel having access to confidential
information and furnish information necessary to build the required security files.
DISTRICT is responsible for proper use of criminal justice information disseminated by
CITY. CITY shall not be liable in the event of misuse.
8. Term of Agreement. CITY shall furnish, through the Support Services
Division, the agreed-upon services as above set forth for a period of six (6) years,
commencing July 1, 2007 and expiring June 30,2013. This Agreement may be extended
for up to a two (2)year period as mutually agreed upon by CITY and DISTRICT. In the
event both parties agree to extend this Agreement, and the total annual fee is to increase
-3-
more than five (5) percent,CITY agrees to give DISTRICT written notice no later than
January 1 (six months prior to extension commencement).
9. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement will be terminated by either
party,CITY or DISTRICT,for any reason whatsoever upon providing six (6)months
written notice of cancellation. In the event of termination, DISTRICT will pay the cost
for removing DISTRICT-awned equipment from CITY's Emergency Communications
Center.
10. Independent Agency. It is agreed that DISTRICT is an independent agency,
and all persons working for, or under the direction of, DISTRICT are agents,servants or
employees,and said persons shall not be deemed agents, servants or employees of
CITY.
11. Hold Harmless.
a. CITY hereby agrees to indemnify,defend and hold harmless DISTRICT
from and against all liability for all claims,suits, damages,injuries, costs, losses and
expenses, including attorneys' fees and court costs in any matter related to or occurring
during the program, provided that the matter giving rise to the liability is directly
attributable to the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of CITY employees or agents
or otherwise arise out of matters,which by the terms of this Agreement, are the
responsibility of CITY.
b. DISTRICT hereby agrees to indenu-dfy, defend and hold harmless CITY,
its officers,agents and employees from and against all liability for all claims,suits,
damages,injuries, costs,losses and expenses, including attorneys' fees and court costs
in any matter related to or occurring during the program,provided that the matter
giving rise to the liability is directly attributable to the negligent or wrongful acts or
omissions of DISTRICT's employees or agents or otherwise arise out of matters,which
by the terms of this Agreement,are the responsibility of DISTRICT.
12. Applicable Laws and Attorneys' Fees. This Agreement shall be construed
and enforced pursuant to the laws of the State of California. Should any legal action be
brought by a party for breach of this Agreement or to enforce any provision herein, the
prevailing party of such action shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees,court costs,
and such other costs as may be fixed by the court. Reasonable attorneys'fees of the City
Attorney's Office or DISTRICT Counsel, if private counsel is not used, shall be based on
comparable fees of private attorneys practicing in Santa Clara County.
-4-
13. Notices. Any notice required to be given to DISTRICT shall be deemed to be
duly and properly given if mailed to DISTRICT, postage prepaid,addressed to:
General Manager
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos,CA 94022
or personally delivered to DISTRICT at such address or at such other addresses as
DISTRICT may designate in writing to CITY.
Any notice required to be given to CITY shall be deemed to be duly and properly
given if mailed to CITY, postage prepaid,addressed to:
Police Chief
City of Mountain View
1000 Villa Street
Mountain View,CA 94041
or personally delivered to CITY at such address or at such other addresses as CITY may
designate in writing to DISTRICT.
14. Waiver. The failure of either party to insist upon a strict performance of any
of the terms,conditions and covenants contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of
any rights of remedies as CITY or DISTRICT may have,and shall not redeem a waiver
of any subsequent breach of default of the terms,conditions and covenants contained
herein.
15. Severability. If any one or more of the covenants or agreements or portions
thereof provided in this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction in
a final juridical action to be void, voidable or unforeseeable, such covenant or
covenants,such agreement or agreements, or such portions thereof shall be null and
void and shall be deemed separable from the remaining covenants or agreements or
portions thereof and shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of the
remaining portions of this Agreement.
16. Captions. The captions in this article of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience purposes only and shall not affect the terms of this Agreement.
17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire understanding
between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein. There are no
representations, agreements or understandings (whether oral or written) between or
among the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement which are not fully
-5-
expressed herein. This Agreement may not be amended,except pursuant to a written
instrument signed by both parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed by CITY and by DISTRICT,
This Agreement is dated July 1, 200T
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: "CITY":
CITY OF MOUNTAIN VIEW,
a California Charter City and municipal
corporation
Police Support Services Manager
By:
FINANCIAL APPROVAL: City Manager
"DISTRICT":
Finance and Administrative MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN
Services Director SPACE DISTRICT
APPROVED AS TO FORM: By:
General Manager
City Attorney APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
District General Counsel
Taxpayer I.D. Number
CY/9/POL
312-04-11-07A A
6-
Claims No. 07-08
Meeting 07-10
Date 5/9/07
Revised
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
# Amount Name Description
6855 $37.00 Allen's Press Clipping Bureau Clipping Service
6856 $37.02 AT&T Telephone Service-AO Alarm Service-FFO
6857 $50.00 Auto Glass Solutions Windshield Repair
6858 $20.00 City Of Palo Alto Utilities Utility Fees-Black Mountain
6859 $67014 CMK Automotive Inc. Vehicle Maintenance&Repairs
6860 $331.01 Costco Office&Field Supplies
6861 $427*48 Cresco Equipment Rental Cat Skidsteer Loader-Pulgas Ridge
6862 $587.97 Cube Solutions Ergonomic Supplies
6863 $941.95 Del Woods Consulting Services-Land Purchase Projects
6864 $10,479.47 EDAW, Inc. Master Plan Contract Services-Sierra Azul&Bear Creek
Redwoods
6865 $159.09 FeclEx Shipping Charges
6866 $41.16 Foster Brothers Lock&Key Services
6867 $2,903.67 Gardenland Power Equipment Field Supplies
6868 $211,46 Goodco Press, Inc. Printing Services-Uniform Allowance&Change Shift
Forms
6869 $73,07 Hapke,Alexander Reimbursement-Uniform Expenses
6870 $6,325.00 Harris Construction Replace Roof-SFO Shop
6871 $426.36 Jobs Available, Inc, Recruitment Ad-Management Analyst&EMO
6872 $78.97 Kwik Key Lock&Safe Co. Inc. Key Services
6873 $260.50 Le's Alterations Uniform Expense
6874 $142.08 Los Altos Garbage Company Garbage Service-AO
6875 $178.60 Maciel,John Reimbursement-Local Business Meeting
6876 $42.31 Malone, Brian Reimbursement-Cell Phone
6877 $197.42 McKowan, Paul Reimbursement-Volunteer Supplies
6878 $238.15 Metro Mobile Communications Radio Supplies
6879 $39,64 Noble Tractor, Inc, Tractor Accessories
6880 $80.00 Northern Energy, Inc. Propane-FFO
6881 $59.48 Pringle Tractor Co. Tractor Supplies
6882 $37.50 Priority 1 Vehicle Repair
6883 $271.59 PT Armor, Inc. Uniform Expense-Body Armor Vest Repair
6884 $201.24 Quality Toner Products Toner Cartridges
6885 $122,00 R.H.F. Inc. Radar System Recertification
6886 $388.51 Roy's Repair Service Vehicle Repairs&Service
6887 $15336 Royal Brass Inc. Field Supplies
6888 $277.74 Safety Kleen Solvent Tank Service-FFO
6889 $34.91 San Jose Mercury News Quarterly Subscription
6890 $224.00 San Jose State University Foundation Training Course-J. Naber
6891 $97.00 Simmons, Erica Reimbursement-Mileage
6892 $80.00 Soil&Water Conservation Society Membership Renewal
6893 $160.00 State of California-DES Hazardous Material Training
6894 $844.90 Summit Uniforms Uniform Expenses
6895 $937.11 Target Specialty Products Landscaping Supplies
6896 $5413 United Parcel Service Parcel Shipping
6897 $182,41 United Rentals Highway Technologies Trail Sign&Field Supply
6898 $284.90 Verizon Cellular Phone Service
6899 $80.77 West Payment Center Legal Research
6900 R $241.57 AT&T Telephone Service-SFO&FFO
6901 R $18.64 AT&T/MCI Long Distance Fax Service-SFO
6902 R $119.00 Coastal Sierra Internet Service-SFO
Page 1 of 2
Claims No. 07-08
Meeting 07-10
Date 5/9/07
Revised
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
# Amount Name Description
6903 R $505.00 Department Of Forestry&Fire Uniform Expense
Protection
6904 R $18.00 Department of Motor Vehicles Replacement License Plates
6905 R $273.30 FedEx Kinko's Printing Services
6906 R $67.37 G&K Service Shop Towel Service
6907 R $783.12 Home Depot, Inc. Field Supplies&Equipment
6908 R $27.75 ID Plus Name Tags
6909 R $90.00 Jim Davis Auto Smog Tests
6910 R $429.57 Los Altos Garbage Company Dumpster&Recycling Services-FFO
6911 R $780,59 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Equipment&Supplies
6912 R $126.08 Petty Cash Business Meetings, Postage, Books,Office Supplies,
Training,Parking&Mileage,Volunteer/Docent Supplies&
Field Supplies
6913 R $101.59 Premiere Global Services Fax Broadcast Services
6914 R $3,611.75 Roy's Repair Service Vehicle Repairs&Service
6915 R $11,294.00 Rural Pig Management Annual Fee-Pig Control Services
6916 R $416.70 San Jose Water Company Water Service
6917 R $1630 United Parcel Service Parcel Shipping
6918 R $399.81 United Site Services Rental-Restroom&Sink For Fremont Older Tours
Total $48,792.01
Page 2 of 2
Claims No. 07-08
Meeting 07-10
Date 5/9/07
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District
# Amount Name Description
6855 $37,00 Allen's Press Clipping Bureau Clipping Service
6856 $37.02 AT&T Telephone Service-AO Alarm Service-FFO
6857 $%00 Auto Glass Solutions Windshield Repair
6858 $20.00 City Of Palo Alto Utilities Utility Fees-Black Mountain
61*19 $670,14 CMK Automotive Inc, Vehicle Maintenance&Repairs
6860 $331.01 Costco Office&Field Supplies
6861 $427.48 Cresco Equipment Rental Cat Skidsteer Loader-Pulgas Ridge
6862 $587.97 Cube Solutions Ergonomic Supplies
6863 $941.95 Del Woods Consulting Services-Land Purchase Projects
6864 $10,479.47 EDAW, Inc. Master Plan Contract Services-Sierra Azul&Bear Creek
Redwoods
6865 $159.09 FedEx Shipping Charges
6866 $41.16 Foster Brothers Lock&Key Services
6867 $2,903,67 Gardenland Power Equipment Field Supplies
6868 $211.46 Goodco Press, Inc. Printing Services-Uniform Allowance&Change Shift
Forms
6869 $73.07 Hapke,Alexander Reimbursement-Uniform Expenses
6870 $6,325.00 Harris Construction Replace Roof-SFO Shop
6871 1426,36 lobs Available, Inc, Recruitment Ad-Management Analyst&EMO
6872 $78.97 Kwik Key Lock&Safe Co. Inc. Key Services
6873 $260.50 Le's Alterations Uniform Expense
6874 $142.08 Los Altos Garbage Company Garbage Service-AO
6875 $178.60 Maciel,John Reimbursement-Local Business Meeting
6876 $42.31 Malone, Brian Reimbursement-Cell Phone
61177 $197,42 McKowan, Paul Reimbursement-Volunteer Supplies
6878 $238.15 Metro Mobile Communications Radio Supplies
6879 $39,64 Noble Tractor, Inc. Tractor Accessories
6880 $80.00 Northern Energy, Inc, Propane-FFO
6881 $59.48 Pringle Tractor Co. Tractor Supplies
6882 $37.50 Priority 1 Vehicle Repair
6883 $271.59 PT Armor,Inc. Uniform Expense-Body Armor Vest Repair
6884 $201.24 Quality Toner Products Toner Cartridges
6885 $122.00 R.H.F. Inc. Radar System Recertification
6886 $388.51 Roy's Repair Service Vehicle Repairs&Service
6887 $153.76 Royal Brass Inc. Field Supplies
6888 $277.74 Safety Kleen Solvent Tank Service-FFO
6889 $34.91 San Jose Mercury News Quarterly Subscription
6890 $224.00 San Jose State University Foundation Training Course-J.Naber
6891 $97.00 Simmons,Erica Reimbursement-Mileage
6892 $80,00 Soil&Water Conservation Society Membership Renewal
6893 $160.00 State of California-OES Hazardous Material Training
6894 $844.90 Summit Uniforms Uniform Expenses
6895 $937.11 Target Specialty Products Landscaping Supplies
6896 $54.13 United Parcel Service Parcel Shipping
6897 $182.41 United Rentals Highway Technologies Trail Sign&Field Supply
6898 $284.90 Verizon Cellular Phone Service
6899 $80.77 West Payment Center Legal Research
Total $29,471.47
Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: L. Craig Britton, General Manager
May 18, 2007
i
i
RE: FYI's
i
i
i
i
I, I
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Community Stakeholder Symposium
SUDDEN OAK DEATH /PHYTOPHTHORA RAMORUM
May 31, 2007
1 :00 — 3:00 PM
Woodside Town Hall
2955 Woodside Rd. Woodside
Sudden Oak Death SOD has already an made impact on our
p
community. Oaks are dying in our neighborhoods, backyards, open
space lands and watershed.
Guest Speakers:
Gu
California Oak Mortality Task Force and San Mateo
County Agricultural Commissioner's Office will be
providing information about and answering questions on
SOD.
As A Community We Need To Become More Aware Of:
F* What Sudden Oak Death is and the current status here in
dside & Portola Valley.
• What the best management practices are.
• Treatments for individual trees and wildland areas.
• What we can do as Stakeholders.
For more information contact Denise Enea Woodside Fire 650 851-6206 or
denea(dwoodsidetire.orp- or Stephanie MacDonald, Woodside Environmental
Health and Conservation Committee 650 851-5285 or whoanow(dpacbell.net
Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Memorandum
To: L. Craig Britton, General Manager
From: Cindy Roessler,Resource Management Specialist
Date: May 3, 2007
Subject: Status of Feral Pig Trapping
The District has conducted a feral pig management program since 2000. Feral pigs are not native to
California,compete with native wildlife for food, and their destructive rooting activities disturb
vegetation, wildlife habitat,and cause erosion and sedimentation into streams and wetlands. Under the
direction of the California Department of Fish and Game,the District has developed a management
program to capture feral pigs using baited traps and humane termination. As part of the program,the
District coordinates with other regional land management agencies that are controlling feral pig
populations.
Rural Pig Management won the competitive bid process in 2000 for feral pig control on District lands,
and again in 2005for three additional years. Rural Pig Management has trapped 341 pigs over a six and
one-half year period. In FY05-06, Rural Pig Management trapped 46 pigs at Bear Creek Redwoods Open
Space Preserve and one pig at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. In FY06-07,4 pigs were trapped at
Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve.
Over the six and one-half years that the District has been conducting this program,pig rooting,damage
and sightings have substantially decreased in the Skyline area. Under the current contract,trapping has
been expanded to the Foothills area due to pig activity at Rancho de Guadalupe and Bear Creek
Redwoods Open Space Preserves. Persistent management at the Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space
Preserve is controlling this population and preventing the development of extensive rooting and erosion.
In future years, we expect to switch to an on-call type agreement for pig trapping because the current
management approach appears to be limiting the population to small,irregular outbreaks. Because feral
pigs reproduce at a young age and can have several large litters a year,managing the pig population at the
initial outbreak level is more cost efficient and results in less damage to the land.
We recently received a report from a graduate student at the University of California—Davis regarding
the population genetics of feral pigs in the Central Coast region of California. We participated in this
study by asking our pig trapper to collect hair and flesh samples from the pigs he trapped on District
lands. The study found that the San Benito River limits feral pig migration.
Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
TO: Board of Directors
i
FROM: L. Craig Britton, General Manager
DATE: May 9 2007
RE: FYI's
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�I
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Regional Open Sp: e
-
May 2, 2007 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Yvonne LeTellier
US Army Corps of Engineers
1455 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Clyde Morris
USFWS
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR
9500 Thornton Avenue
Newark, CA 94560
I
EIS/R for the
RE: Environmental Impact Statement/Report ( )
South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (Project)
Dear Ms. LeTellier and Mr. Morris:
Thank you for providing Mid peninsula Regional Open Space District(District) with an
Th y p g p
opportunity to review and comment on the EIS/R for the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration
Project (Project). The District is a public agency that was formed by the voters in 1972, pursuant
J ( J )
to the State of California Public Resources Code section 5500 et seq., to preserve and enhance
space land and provide low-intensity recreational uses in Santa Clara County.
en s a Y o p .
p p
Su
bsequently,
uent 1 art s of San Mateo and Santa Cruz Counties were also annexed and included
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within the District boundary. The District now manages over 55,000 acres in 26 preserves,
including Ravenswood Open Space Preserve and Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area
which are both bayland properties located adjacent to the Project Area. As a neighbor of the
Project, the District is keenly interested inthe future use and management of the forme
r salt
ponds that are now owned and managed by the USFWS, particularly since they provide: (1)
important public recreational access opportunities to the bay including potential additions to the
Bay Trail; (2) the potential for enhancing the scenic value of the bay, and; (3) expected benefits
of greater bayland habitat diversity unique to the San Francisco Region.
The District hereby submits the following comments and recommendations regarding the
environmental document and the proposed Phase I Actions for the Project,which constitute the
first group of planned actions scheduled for implementation beginning in 2008.
Public Access and Recreation
The District is very pleased that the Phase I Actions and both Alternatives B and C for the Project
include a wide array of public access and recreational opportunities. The proposed Bay Trail
segments in the Ravenswood area south of the Dumbarton Bridge(Pond SF2) and in the Alviso
pond complex north of Moffett Field(Ponds A2E, AB2, and A3W) are of the greatest
importance to the District. Since its inception, the District has been actively helping to complete
the Bay Trail corridor in the South Bay by acquiring key properties and easements along the
bayfront, becoming an active member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Bay Area
330 Distel Circle 650-6g1-1200 info@Openspace.Org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,Jed Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER:
Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-6g1-0485 fax www.openspace.org Curt Riffle,Nanette Hanko,Larry Hassett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton
�u.m Cl r`B6ve wnww
Yvonne LeTellier,US Army Corps of Engineers
Clyde Morris,USFWS Page 2
May 1, 2007
Governments Bay Trail Project,joining Bay Trail feasibility study task forces, and routinely
commenting on projects that may impact or influence the Bay Trail alignment.
Given the District's land ownership within the Project Area and history with Bay Trail
implementation, we recommend that the Project Team work closely with the District through the
final design and implementation of the Phase I Actions and subsequent phased actions for Ponds
SF2, A-2E, AB2, and A3W. We ask that you also work closely with the San Francisco Bay Trail
Project staff during final design and implementation of all public access projects to help
I ions,
anticipate any potential issues early as they relate to the Bay Trail. Through these collaborations,
each agency will be able to keep the others informed. New developments that might affect trail
use are in process as they relate to the Moffett Field Site 25 remediation project, future tidal
wetlands restoration work within the Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area, and trail
access and connectivity opportunities between Pond SF2 with the Ravenswood Open Space
Preserve.
Public Outreach and Involvement
The District would also like to stress the importance of keeping the public and the Stakeholders
Forum, of which the District is a participant, informed throughout the implementation of the
Adaptive Management Plan. Outreach and involvement will be particularly important where the
restoration may result in the removal of existing public trails. Through continued public outreach
and education, the Project will continue to receive strong public support as more people become
invested and eager to achieve Project success. Please keep interested people informed on the
progress in meeting Project Objectives and on the monitoring results as they become available.
Coordination with the District at Pond SF2
Implementation of the proposed Phase I Actions (including the installation of the two viewing
platforms) and any subsequent actions for Pond SF2 will require close coordination with the
District as a landowner. Immediately adjacent to Pond SF2, the District owns fee title to
approximately 7.83 acres and leases an additional 98.55 acres of land from the State Lands
Commission. These fee and lease parcels include a significant portion of the remnant marsh and
tidal fringe, the extant levee, and a portion of the access and parking areas adjacent to the
Dumbarton Bridge. The outboard levee of Pond SF currently serves as a trail to allow the
public and our staff access onto District property, for this reason maintaining the levee in its
current or improved condition is a District priority. An appropriate agreement with the District
will be necessary to carry out some of the identified Phase I improvements. Such an agreement
should be negotiated and executed early enough in the process so as to not interfere with project
schedules. Please contact Michael Williams, Real Property Manager, to discuss further this
Agreement. Please also keep us abreast of any potential changes to the levee that might in any
way impact public access on District property.
To clarify property ownership and specify the need to enter into an interagency agreement, please
add language acknowledging the District's ownership and the need to coordinate and obtain
District approval to establish the trail and viewing platforms that are proposed at the east edge of
Pond SF2 to page 2-66, Table 2.9, Table 2-17, the second paragraph on page 2-136, paragraph 5
Yvonne LeTellier,US Army Corp of Engineers
Clyde Morns,USFWS
May 1, 2007 Page 3
of page 2-140, Figure 2-22, the first paragraph of page 2-150, and numerous appropriate
locations within Section 3.
Please also add reference to the need for District approval in Section 1.7 as may be appropriate
under CEQA, so it is clear that your environmental review can apply to future actions by our
Board in approving an interagency agreement.
Other District Lands
In addition to the property interests described above, the District requests appropriate recognition
within the text about several other parcels of land in and near the Project Area. These include the
rest of the District's Ravenswood Open Space Preserve at Cooley Landing, which amounts to
approximately 263 acres, and the District's 54-acre Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area
adjacent to Moffett Field. This latter property is currently undergoing contamination remediation
sufficient to allow the restoration of tidal flow to a portion of the area. The final Bay Trail
alignment along the edge of the District's Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area(as
conceptually shown on Alternatives B and C) will potentially be determined by the outcome of
an agreement between the District and NASA on the location of the dividing line between the
areas subject to tidal action, marsh adaptation and refugia, and the area utilized by NASA for
stormwater purposes that will likely be managed as fresh water habitat.
Requested Additions
Under Table 3.7-9,please include two additional planning documents that also identify planned
recreational goals and key public access improvements for bayfront properties (these documents
are attached for your reference):
Related Plans Agency In Charge Plan Essence and Relevance to Recreation
Stevens Creek: A Plan of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Identifies a comprehensive use and
Opportunities(1980) District(prepared in collaboration management vision for Stevens Creek from
with City of Mountain View and Santa San Francisco Bay to Homestead Road,
Clara Valley Water District) including public access goals
Regional Open Space Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Planning tool for implementing the District's
Study(1998) District mission;identifies existing and desired public
access opportunities
Potential Long-Term Public Access Issues
The District understands that the proposed restoration and public access plan will apply adaptive
that will ultimate) determi
ne the
decisions Y
management to guide future use and management
g
t is
final design of the project. As you implement each Phase, including the
Phase
I Actions i
important to consider whether existing and planned public facilities, such as parking and miles of
trail, will be able to meet future recreational dema
nds and whether undue strain will be placed on
nearby city and other agency facilities. This is especially true for Pond SF2, which may be
highlighted as a premiere pond for waterfowl and wildlife observation in part given its visibility
and great accessibility from Highway 84. Project Objective 3 under Table 2.3, Adaptive
Management Summary Table,page 2-23, specifies the restoration target of: (1) maintaining a
high quality visitor experience; and, (2) ensuring that facilities are not degraded by over usage.
Yvonne LeTellier,US Army Cori,.,of Engineers
Clyde Morris,USFWS Page 4
May 1, 2007
One of the triggers listed to determine whether the objective is not being met is a noticeable
overcrowding of staging areas. Under the list of"Potential Management Actions" that would be
pursued to correct visitor use issues includes limiting the number of visitors allowed and
alternating use times for different activities. Under Potential management Action,please also
include as part of this list the potential expansion of staging areas, trails, and other amenities,
where physically and ecologically appropriate, to meet increased visitor use and thus maintain a
high quality visitor experience.
We appreciate the opportunity to review and comment on the EIS/R and took forward to future
discussions and collaboration with the USFWS as you proceed with the Project. If you have any
questions regarding our comments, please contact Ana Ruiz, Senior Planner, at (650) 691-1200.
Sinc ely,
,L Crai
g
g Britto
General Manager
LCB: am.-r:dms:sgs
cc: MROSD Board of Directors
Attachments:
Stevens Creek: A Plan of Opportunities (1980)
Regional Open Space Study(1998)
Map, Ravenswood Open Space Preserve
Map, Stevens Creek Shoreline Nature Study Area
STONE
YO U N G B E R G / One Ferry Building,San Francisco,California 94111 (415) 445-2300
April 30, 2007
Honorable Anna M. Caballero - Chair
California State Assembly
Committee on Local Government
1020 N Street, Room 157
Sacramento, CA 95814
A.B. 697 (Ruskin): SUPPORT
Dear Chairperson Caballero:
I am writing to support legislation that will extend the amortization term of debt for
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (District).
As you know, AB 697 is proposed to extend the District's maximum term to 30 years,
among other things. Such an extension is particularly useful insomuch as the current
bond market has a flat yield curve—meaning that short-term rates are not much different
than long term rates. Consequently, the District would not be penalized with higher
interest rates for taking a longer-term approach to its debt profile.
Over the past 12 years we have worked with the District and its legal counsel on long
term financing leases of 30 years in duration. I estimate that the financing cost of these
leases (as an alternate to bonded indebtedness which has a statutory limit of 20 years)has
added additional 5 to 10 basis points to the District's cost of capital, as opposed to
promissory notes or bonds. Assuming$30 million in outstanding long-term leases and 5
to 10 basis points of premium, the additional cost to the District from financing leases
ranges from $230,000 to $460,000 in present value terms.
Additionally, the benefit to a 30-year financing versus a 20 year financing is generally
y
the production of about 20%more in net proceeds because of the longer amortization
term. For a$100 million capital program this means approximately$20 million in funds
that could be used to acquire and preserve additional public open space in the District's
rapidly urbanizing service area.
I believe the extension of the District's debt horizon from 20 to 30 years is appropriate
because the District's financing plan is exclusively concentrated on the acquisition of land
for preservation as public open space. The useful life of the District's perpetual hold of
this land is easily 30 years. Prudent financial management suggests that amortization of
long-lived assets, such as land, over their useful lives is sensible. This is especially true
Letter to the Honorable Anna, —'aballero
Re: A.B. 697 (Ruskin): Support
Page 2 of 2
when net proceeds can be maximized for District land purchases, which is the express
purpose of the District.
Consequently the interest cost savings combined with the additional debt capacity created
by the extension of the term will significantly increase the District's financial flexibility
and maximize its financial resources for land acquisition and open space preservation
efforts.
I look forward to following AB 697 through the legislative process and stand ready to
assist in the legislative review of the proposed law.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Stone&Yoimeerg LLC
To C ar
Managing Di ctor
CC: Honorable members of the Assembly Local Government Committee
Assembly member Ira Ruskin
Ralph Heim, Public Policy Advocates
MROSD Board of Directors
Regional Open Sr 1e
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
April 30, 2007
Honorable Anna M. Caballero - Chair
Committee on Local Government
California State Assembly
1020 N Street, Room 157
Sacramento, CA 95814
AB 697 (Ruskin): SUPPORT
Dear Chairperson Caballero:
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is the sponsor of this bill, and
Assemblyperson Ira Ruskin has kindly introduced this bill on our behalf. This bill would
greatly improve the District's efficiency and flexibility, save taxpayer money, and increase
resources to purchase and preserve vital public open space lands by: (1) raising the permitted
spending limit of the District's General Manager(subject of course to the elected Board of
Directors formal authorization) for payment of supplies, materials, and labor; and, (2)by
increasing the District's debt term from 20 years to 30 years. Please consider the following
information about each proposal in turn:
The first important technical amendment to the District's enabling legislation, as authorized
by this bill, would raise the General Manager's permitted spending limit to $50,000 from the
current $25,000. This change is necessary because routine project costs have significantly
increased for maintenance and materials (especially fuel and metals), as well as labor. This
makes ministerial projects more complicated because of the necessity to obtain Board
approval twice: once during the annual budget process and then as a specific agenda item at a
later Board meeting when pursuing each of these smaller projects on a formal basis.
The authority for the General Manager to contract for projects greater than $25,000 would
give the District additional flexibility and the ability to expedite projects that are relatively
routine in nature. Constituents demand that, for example, habitat assessments to determine
the location of threatened species be handled expeditiously. They further expect that projects
such as road assessments, trail construction,restoration, and fencing improvements be carried
out swiftly and without delay. Swift response on these projects is also necessary when cattle
are escaping onto public roads or endangered species need immediate protection. The
District also has an obligation to act rapidly where safety issues are concerned—for instance,
guardrail installation projects or minor landslides on roads and trails. In the past few years,
many of these projects have routinely exceeded $25,000 in cost and had to be postponed
because of the delay necessitated by the lengthier processes to obtain Board approval for
expenditures over$25,000 but less than $50,000 (see the attached project list). AB 697
would enable the District to expedite and complete projects more quickly and efficiently.
33o Distel Circle 650-691-i2oo info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,Jed Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER:
Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-691-0485 fax www.openspace.org Curt Riffle,Nonette Hanko,Larry Hassett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton
California State Assembly Comi. _e on Local Government 2
This bill would raise the General Manager's spending limit; however, the District's Board of
Directors would still have to authorize the proposed increase. AB 697 would do nothing to
circumvent the Board's full oversight authority over all District expeditures, including the
fact that all District expenditures are first approved as part of the District's budget process
and further subject to final Board approval as a part of the"Claims" section of each public
meeting agenda.
The second amendment to the District's enabling legislation accomplished by AB 697 would
extend the District's debt term from 20 years to 30 years thereby benefiting the public by
saving taxpayer money and producing more funds to purchase and preserve open space lands.
A 30-year financing versus a 20-year financing generally produces about 20 percent more in
net proceeds because of the longer amortization term,meaning more funds are available to
purchase and preserve critical public open space lands that are quickly vanishing. The
interest cost savings combined with the additional debt capacity created by the extension of
the term will significantly increase the District's financial flexibility and maximize its
financial resources for land purchases and open space protection.
The District would not have to pay higher interest rates for taking a longer-term approach to
its debt,because in the current bond market short-term rates are not much different than long-
term rates. The extension of the District's debt horizon from 20 to 30 years is appropriate
because the District's financing plan is exclusively concentrated on the purchase of land for
preservation as open space, and the life of the District's (public's) ownership of this land is in
perpetuity.
AB. 697 is an important bill that would streamline District operations, increase efficiency and
flexibility, save taxpayers money, and increase funds to purchase and preserve essential public
open space lands. Accordingly, we ask for your leadership in ensuring the passage of this critical
but relatively minor change in the District's enabling legislation.
Sincere
L. Craig Britton
General Manager
LCB/ec
cc:
Honorable members of the Assembly Local Government Committee
Assemblymember Ira Ruskin
Ralph Heim, Public Policy Advocates
MROSD Board of Directors
California State Assembly Com. _e on Local Government 3
Attachment
Mid peninsula Regional Open Space District fiscal year 2005-2006 projects which cost
between $25,000—$50,000.
$28,000 Big Dipper pond habitat assessment
$30,000 San Francisquito Creek Watershed road assessment
$30,000 La Honda Creek natural resources inventory
$36,000 Spring Ridge Trail realignment plans/specifications
$30,000 Road and trail assessment, Russian Ridge and Skyline Ridge Open Space
Preserves
$45,000 Dusky-Footed Woodrat trail construction
$37,500 El Corte de Madera Creek road and trail inventory
$48,500 Skyline Ridge shop painting project
$30,000 Sausal Pond wildlife observation deck
$35,000 Map board and exhibit design upgrades/pilot replacements
$36,000 Benson property demolition and cleanup
$35,000 Big Dipper/ Silva fencing improvements
$37,500 Loma Prieta guardrail
$45,000 Skyline HVAC (deferred—bids came in over$75,000)
$45,000 Pulgas Ridge soil investigation/cleanup
$50,000 Big Dipper/ Silva conservation grazing management plan
$27,000 North residence demolition
$27,000 Regnart Road culvert replacement—proposed
$40,000 Rapley Ranch road upgrades—proposed
$45,000 Miscellaneous FEMA repairs Coal Creek Open Space Preserve—proposed
Regional Open Sp, a
�1
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
April 25, 2007
Michael Curtis
1953 Camino de los Robles
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Dear Mr. Curtis:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, I
would like to thank the Marjorie E. Arnold Trust for the generous donation to the
District. The Marjorie B. Arnold Trust's commitment to open space preservation and the
District's programs is very appreciated. As you may know, donations such as yours
demonstrate the cooperative effort that is necessary if we are to accomplish our goal of
securing a continuous greenbelt.
You can be sure that your$107,000.00 donation will be put to good use and will help to
protect public open space, wildlife and natural habitats, and to enhance the positive
experience of all visitors to the District's open space lands.
As part of the District's donation recognition policy, grantors who contribute $10,000 and
above are eligible to receive a Resolution of the board, a framed photograph of one of our
District open space preserves, and mention of the donation in a District publication.
Please contact Elaina Cuzick in Public Affairs at the District to discuss each of these gifts
of recognition for the Marjorie B. Arnold Trust's generous donation. Ms. Cuzick can be
reached at(650) 691-1200 x511 or via email at ecuzick@openspace.org
Again, thank you for your thoughtfulness and support of open space preservation efforts
in the San Francisco midpeninsula area.
Si
ncerely,
Y
en Nitz, President
Board of Directors
KN/ec
a Distel Circle 650-691-izoo info@o ens ace.or BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens Mar Dave JedC r GENERAL MANAGER:
33 p p 8 � Y Y. Y.
Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-691-0485 fax www.openspace.org Curt Riffle,Nanette Honko,Larry Hassett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton
i
Regional Open Sp v
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
April 25, 2007
Mr. Buddy D. Philpot
Executive Director
The Walton Family Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 2030
Bentonville, AR 72712
Dear Mr. Philpot:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District,
I would like to thank the Walton Family Foundation for the generous donation to the
District. The Walton Family Foundation's continued commitment to open space
preservation and the District's programs is very much appreciated. As you may know,
donations such as yours demonstrate the cooperative effort that is necessary if we are to
accomplish our goal of securing a continuous greenbelt.
You can be sure that your $5,000.00 donation, and previous donations, will be put to
good use and will help to protect public open space, wildlife and natural habitats, and to
enhance the positive experience of all visitors to the District's open space lands.
As part of the District's donation recognition policy, grantors who contribute $5,000
and above are eligible to receive either a Resolution of the board or a framed
photograph of one of our District open space preserves. Since the Walton Family
Foundation has expressly noted that the grantee not furnish commemorative items, the
District will not send either at this time. If your policy changes in the future, please
not us, and we will be honored to provide the foundation with recognition of your
continued generosity.
Again, thank you for your thoughtfulness and support of open space preservation
efforts in the San Francisco midpeninsula area.
Sincerel
Ken Nitz, President
Board of Directors
KN/ec
cc: MROSD Board of Directors
33o Distel Circle 650-69i-12oo info@openspace.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS:Pete Siemens,Mary Davey,Jed Cyr, GENERAL MANAGER:
Los Altos CA 94022-1404 650-691-0485 fax www.openspace.org Curt Riffle,Nanette Honko,Lorry Hassett,Kenneth C.Nitz L.Craig Britton
Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Memorandum
To: C. Britton, General Manager
From: M. Williams, Real Property Manager
Date: May 4, 2007
Re: Issuance of Grazing License on the former Big Dipper and Silva Ranches
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve
In preparation for reintroducing grazing within Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve on the
former Big Dipper and Silva Ranches, boundary fencing improvements along Alpine Road were
recently completed. A Draft Grazing Management Plan for the property is being developed by
the District's rangeland management consultant, SAGE' Associates. The Draft Grazing
Management Plan will prescribe a five-month seasonal grazing regime extending from February
through June. Completion of the ranch properties' boundary fencing along Alpine Road has
created an opportunity to enter into a short-term grazing license with a local grazing tenant in
order to capture some of the resource management benefits from grazing the property during the
remainder of the current grazing season. The grazing license will be issued under the General
Manager's authority to enter into certain short-term lease or license agreements on behalf of the
District.
The short-term grazing of the ranch property will provide several benefits to the District. One of
the primary benefits will be a reduction in wildland fuel loads as a result of the cattle grazing and
trampling the predominantly non-native grassland vegetation on the 240-acre rangeland area.
The short-term grazing pressure on the non-native grasses will also provide some competitive
advantage to late season native grassland vegetation. In addition to resource management
benefits, the short-term grazing license will also assist District staff in defining the ranch
property's remaining infrastructure needs and in refining the Draft Grazing Management Plan
prior to finalizing the plan for presentation to the Board.
The ranch property will be grazed by Vince Fontana, a local rancher who currently leases lands
from several Coastside landowners including POST. Mr. I-,ontana has agreed to bring cattle onto
the property on a short-term basis in order to assist the District in capturing some grassland
management benefit for the current grazing season. The grazing license will be effective as soon
as Mr. Fontana is prepared to bring cattle onto the property, and will terminate on June 30, 2007
unless extended by mutual consent and within the guidelines established in the Draft Grazing
Management Plan.
May 4, 2007
As noted above, staff anticipates that this short-term grazing operation will provide an
opportunity to test the readiness of the grazing infrastructure on the ranch property (fencing,
water, etc.), as well as the prescriptions being considered as part of the Draft Grazing
Management Plan. Staff anticipates bringing to the Board later this Summer the final Grazing
Management Plan for this Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve ranch property. The District
would then solicit applications for a grazing tenant under a long-term grazing lease. The Grazing
Management Plan for the new Tunitas Creek Open Space Preserve ranch property is also
expected to be ready for Board consideration within the same timeframe, and it is anticipated that
the current grazing tenant on that property will remain under a new long-term grazing lease.
cc: Board of Directors
2
Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: L. Craig Britton, General Manager
DATE: May 9, 2007
RE: FYI's
Regional Open Space
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Memorandum
To: Board of Directors
From: Elaina Cuzick
Date: May 9, 2007
Re: Articles Regarding San Jose Water Company Logging Plan for the Los Gatos Creek
Watershed
I
Please find attached all articles from December 2006 to the present pertaining to the logging plan
proposed by the San Jose Water Company for the Los Gatos Creek Watershed.
i
|
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Al Gore weighs in
onlocal logging plan
- \L �
By ROGER SIDEMAN
SENTINEL STAFF WRITER i | Uhe8�nta�ru�K8ounba|nuhavaonUo�dg|oba|wamninQcruwader/AGoreintho|rOghttomm �
� Fo�aofouonbnvaro{a|!oggingpan n �
� o 1.0OU'aove patch of redwoods and Douglas firs. ofduawnvinonmonto\O|m"An|noonvan|entTruth,"|endh|s»o|omhoWbe m o|Q' �
� Gpn�vice-president under BU|CUn�/nand o/eao� | uo�nQithoprnmobaoppooihonb»SmuJpseVVoter/�ompony and its|nbonUnn*
i �{ onoib|�Logging wmnn � �
o[NeighboraAgan� irresponsible . . ~_." -_ _ . .
log land near the Lexington Reservoir.
,emW Los Gatos rem�artTar�C|od�"He asked uw what hw could do8»help and wesaid
�
"Gm��ddwcred|biUty�oowrom,npmQn.
we'dwo|comaomb*ieme»t,^ of wmdd.omootreoogn|�ob��anvironmenhaUateknownfprocd«\amonomuch �
\�vv�' a|oomAava|cddquoatyp|oa\�omone u �
broader scope, re don't want logging because they fear kvNU
The PnopaMystnadd|es the Santa Cru�SonbmClara uoun�Une N Many
affect the quality oy water for some 1UO.O8D wo|dentw,and will not offer fire protection,oo promised by San Jose Water Company,
bUdytnadedconponyUshedonNheNmwYo'k8bou«Exohange'
te heat-trapping carbon dio�do �
Gore has said deforestation will hinder the planet's ability to regula
ant released Monday by Neighbors Against Irresponsible
"Forests like these are worth fighting to save,"Gore said in the statern
Logging "As one of the largest stands of coastal redwoods in Santa Clara County and adjacent to Silicon Valley,this healthy forest
unseen functions including storing carbon dioxide,which reduces global wan-ning."
performing many vital omed Gore's comments.
But not everyone welc
officials from Davenport-based Big Creek Lumber,the water company's logging partner,says it's presumptuous for Gore to make i
atbsmptto assess me`vuw withoutIn-person
before taking sides.� �xBig Creeh "It's
"We're pleased Mr.Gore has taken an interest In the Santa Cruz
good that he's�� c�n���* said Bob Beriage,
�"= ant to et this guy out to the woods for a guided tour truck by a Google Earth �
According to Neighbors Against Irresponsible Logging, Gore was s
!sited Google headquarters earlier this year.The demonstration was led by
� proximity to large populations
g /gle Earth was first �
� R— 2
eighbors Against
laces are worth protecting.
progoamss simulated flyovers~--
Berlage said his compan
Though Jose Water Company_ in terms of maintaining forest �
� �x �
� �"Gore would be impressed,considering his `"""=~~~~^---�--��ld actually increase fire hoz�rdebyk4�Q�Qd�mhaqJeo�mom me
� Not so, say many"' ^~~Gatos. -- ' �
Critic
resistant trees instead cf clearing smaller underbrush,
AIrsBmroahareoohnUuroonoer»msimply makeo sensehe says|nhaaaemen'
^TN pose is ve= could notoannnc/ev '`" ^""^'~^^' �
he
Goewastavngohngnya Kevn G
c��hnpr m�rm�Ud�ndfireaxpa�s\n#heoounhy�F�n �
O�onawho omagruethat=yy"wwould reduce fire
so|d md agencies. |� CnnekhamKaway.�gg�Qcou�move�n*mrd�
Pre-harvesting~— \ondinnpechonaanea|raadyundenw�ybys�ve ag . =.y �
� 2007.�±RoQor8\demana�sNemon��eanbeoruzoenUne|.cmm� �
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i
UEIRO SILIC011 VALLEY DECERBER6 122006 NEWS [17]
'5r
ws<
MLIRO
di1 /
$,\NTA CLn1tA VALtEa'.CALIF'Olsrul,a "7LC Official Palter gfDeJng Strewn ht tin AnV 8+oh li>u A'ant"
DECEAItsER 6.12-21k16
5 j.. The Len Gatos watershed area
dsaisMOMMfurkrns,•,ingaly,
r f�,u •E _ ,.t�. _ happens to he a red-legged fro;;
hebnal.as timumcnavl in San Jose
+.• - F'-. ''' Waa p
rstimberharvestlanThis
y� creates a few extra Lind use nbuadel
r k ` r ^�' F thaI neighborhood activists havel t
r - " 7tr y4 . a Irsiiaied rn pounce on
F)r one,he lawsuit nay n)can
chat San)me Water can no bn;,tir
use herhicldes to control weeds on
its property,a practice that NAIL
t V.t r s memhers have criticized for lxinc
j. '•� t, .a+" ,' 5 potentially dangerous to a(ptatic
lei k y'. species and humam The pmalely
x' a f. E' _.• - "�• i,. owned company feeds off the Los
Gatus Creek lo provide drinking
wafer for over iao.000 people in
{ d r ^ ar Sr_�.`,a_. •.fig t;^, the South Bay.
1e +r. ke,ccti*t .,r r Glyphsasaie,ihc active in-diem
in Roundup(a cared killer
+ty ^ manufactured by,MOnS3m0),is
. -'` ik sl �•v t; * .13�y�_•: r. one o(the chemicals limited fry the
y � h ? „}t :. f CPA lawsuit San Francisco State
`t � - Vnivcrsity professor Catlos Davidson
says swdl,_K have shown that red-
legged from die at higher rates in
Y !� areas oiwnwind of p saicide use In
NAIL BITER Keehn ripm.a uinn6er P{nrl5hbars ASelnsl Irr[spnnslhk LPSsin4•teys herblodr lord
Uy the Snn Jose IW111 Compngt'In tier Les 6n11s Creek watershed is Lirnn5 prriected wildllf.r glubaliJ c'linci'of amphibians I ians that
linkim14)pesiCidlChLsat I a 11pandy
A ��wn an Laggwi% linked tjai osam s pillduct abet
Up filkind
in water yIIt rces
Even Aiouanrnus pnuhict kd,cl
ltain
seams.Winst applyfn;;the herbicide
Moun residents find all endangered species could decide their directly to water,where it ismorc
likely u,none teen contact wddi
battle against Los ratos Creek lO&O 11gplall lay VILINDA NOIiMANO aqualicanimals.hahociudons
against using it in anus adjacent Its
(ram ANTAC1tUZMuumain Rick AulmaumninuJndh—so sign can get it approved known habnmsnfihfcatcixdOr
Fw,�3%1, residents have tried shale fuYisitin agar he saw a vinual Dksn I'cnum on it.ikousc after cnd3nVred species
everything they mold 0)a,vcr of the Proposed logtring all orlhis hack and forth about San Jose Water spn)+d Goo
hink of to keep logging con of die zone The cnmputcrized 5-D nap, Iobse,fire safcq'and water quality. (,nllons ora 2 pe¢ent EL,urhlup
Los Gatos Creak watershed created 1p'Googlc whiz Rcbewa ii s Ilkely to be a manhunun solution on its hod this}car
Andrew Gere,director of Olacratiuns
When the S,inJirc1\+atcc encroasMwvstrcelclEingo{aoryards mostpowhatpt'nvestolaeNAIL's and WaterQmlity.sayshiscompany
Company announced a plan last encroaching only hundaYls of)ants must powerful aura ,i only applied the herbicide in the dry
year m raze I,000 sera om the from schools.churches and homes In 0.tolser.d)c Cemer for summer mom a hs avay from water
watershed.nearby community But the San Jose\Vater Company ll olu�ieal Diversii reached a According to Mmasamo.Clyphsaute
mcmben fom,ed NAIL(Ncighton and Its panlxr Big Creek Lumber senlement with the Uniied States
membe Irresponsible N Lunging), maintain that lO;gingwill be good Environmental Protmh,n Agency breaks down quickly when it
and hammered lame how tree for the forestThey point out that after a federal coun found the EPA adheres In soil panicles.are cites a
harvesting would increase the risk tinilnr trucks and hehcoplers will Specs s Act by 31111Mving violatingthe Endangered ides po,,ed litfic study that found Roundup
of fire In their backyard forest and only be around!urn few months with nut considering how durycm lu hen it was my appliele risk to d on land
ranle windows in their peaceful rvcry eves years Under NAIL's
1 Silicon Valley suburb. scrutiny,d,y'vc had to rcsuhmit impact the red legged fm-,the A4•tru asked to sec the study he
More recently,they even got their NTM P pinll,cr hanc:t plan) scnlcmcni prohibits the use of 66 referred to and he direanl us to a
former Vice president Al GOre—hot to the G•iliforria Department of chemicals in renia. cd frog hahin�s secondhand swnmat)•of a=000 4118
amund California
ofithe burz amwtd his hip cm• Fnrtsiry'—but hill believe dick' n
('� AQ 10 Yoers the rod-Icgycd Irog has 90 Percent of the rnd•IoCCed
79 Percent of red-teCCed Irogr I
98 Percent of tadpoles ktlNd in ere I lion thet hed been wiped
killed la tyPlcel use al Irerblctde use of Roundup.eceerdlng to the been p tt`eed by the Endanger ou tin Coillernle before 199G
Roundup•eccordfnC to a University came ahsdY
Species of Pittsburgh study
r
1 y i
smart. Since I have been here I have learned 1. Water qualiry will be compromised with
' "come,""sit,""down,"and"shake,"and I am polluted run-off From extreme disturbance
learning new things quite rapidly, especially of the land Loggers,large equipment move-
Ito when there is a treat involved. ment,and large tree removal will loosen the
Sri R:;
1 }: If you can find room in your heart and soil, especially in the many extreme, steep
family For a young, short-hailed Female dog ravines.These areas are prone to earthquakes
who weighs about Forty pounds, give the which increase the danger of major earth
� tsas �f' folks at Summit Veterinary Hospital a call at movement
�' F# 408-353-1113 and ask to meet me I will be 2 Removing the biggest tree canopy will
waitin
g for you promote brush growth and reduce moisture
._.�.� Stjr Tierrte retention
on behalf of S hara 3 The continued proposed logging inva-
P P gf; g
sion will greatly disturb endangered spe-
•3" He doesn't like signs
-�; ties,wildlife,and human life,especially near
't rj In reference to Theresa Martinelli-Jones' public schools and the man mountain ri-
P Y P
letter Faulting political candidates For trashing
vare residences
the landscape with campaign signs, I found
` San Jose Water Company has a business
your justifications for violations of the sign license to supply quality water to Santa Clara
Dog needs a home ordinance to be unfortunate
.. My name is Sahara, On October 31 County—state regulated and tesred—and
Hi
Signs,whether political,in support of non- protect the watershed as other counties in
I was hit by a car and severely injured My profit "good causes" or ads for goods and
California and that's what they should adhere
Family decided they didn't want me any more,
services, are nothing more than litter on a to Makin false claims to get even more
so they called Santa Cruz Animal Services stick. More importantly, signs encourage g
who came and got me. Aber they examined more signs and implicitly tell people chat a Profit and risking their main important dury
of'supplying water to thousands people
me, they knew I was indeed severely injured, candidate,a cause or a business are ultimately
so they brought me to Summit Veterinary and increasing fire danger is unconscionable
ionable.
more important than the community's right My Family and I have lived the Santa Cruz
Hospital to be examined to an environment that is more appealing
I had a badly broken rear femur that than a drive through the yellow pages. Mountains in Los Gatos for twenty years and
would require extensive surgery to repair Furthermore, you ignore that in pray chat you in your position will deeply
Ali through the process of manipulating my unincorporated Santa Clara County such look into the facts and prevent all parts of
injured leg and others parts of my bruised the atrocious logging proposal from being a
signs are illegal in the public right ofwaywitlh reali
body, I never whimpered. 1 just looked at the no exemption, even for political candidates ry
careivers with big, sad eyes, and gave them Lure ttiv 5WXn.509
g
You would think"wanna be elected"officials, P.S Laws should be changed to protect the
kisses Everyone there was immediately won of all people, would respect the law and nor
over by my sweet, Forgiving attitude When watersheds of the stares.
break it. What kind of message to our kids
Animal Services declared they would have to is that?
put me to sleep because my injuries were too o�yl Miller Midpeninsula Open Space has submitted
severe for them to pay for, Dr Madden and J comments regarding San Jose Watcr's NTMP
Mary Sullivan,who own Summir Veterinary Logging (logging plan) created after participation in
Hospital,said they would adopt me From all my readings on the subject and the Pre-Harvest Inspection Iviidpen asks
After making sure I was strong enough, a logical thinking, I have concluded that that the plan be withdrawn and resubmitted
special surgeon came in to repair my broken owning and protecting the one thousand' as it is lacking in so many important items,
leg with pins, a plate, and a bone graft. It acres of pristine Forest watershed near the is incomplete, misleading in a material way,
was a very long operation,but the staff-made Los Gatos Creek inlet to Lexington Dam is etc., and impossible to Follow with all the
sure I was as comfortable as possible. I spent an honorable position with high public scan- change pages. To see the complete report go
a long time with my leg in a sling, to give dards The main focus should be the contin- co: ftp:/lthp.fire ca gov/THPLibrary/North_
the surgery time to heal, but I maneuvered ued protection of the water quality and the Coast_Region/NTiv[Ps2006/l-06NTIvIP-
around quite well on three legs, especially watershed area which has been done to this 012SCL/20061201_1-06NTivIP-0125CL_
after I found out where the"treat"jar was point in time,except for the spraying of toxic PHI-Advisor2 pdf
I have been here at Summit For over rwo chemicals near the water supply to kill poison Excerpts from the PHI report:
months, and although they love me very oak. For this an investigation, charges, and Suitability as Public open Space, The area
much, [hey know that I would be happier fines should be administered. proposed for harvest under the NTMP
with a home and yard of my own, and a What shocks me is for the sake of huge would unquestionably be suitable as open
family who would love me the way I am profits to those who own and direct the San space. Maintaining the existing forest and
Right now I am very thin, have a long scar Jose Water Company and Big Creek Lumber watershed resources, without the proposed
on my leg and walk with a little limp, bur Company is that they continue proposing long-term timber harvest,is compatible with
all chat will disappear with time I am very what is nor logical the protection of the public water-supply
page 8 Mountain Network News january 2007
www mnn.net
watershed of'Los Gatos Creek,and should be Prepared by TSS Consultants These justification for the amendment was that
considered a viable alternative. reviewers have credibly questioned whether the additional acres yarded by the helicopter,
The amount of work that has gone into the the proposed NTMP will actually increase made the helicopter operation more
preparation of the NTMP is acknowledged, the wildfire hazard on the lands of SJWC.by economically feasible The same possibilities
though we believe [hat there is information increasing forest-floor fuels loads, creating exist for the SJWC NTMP
within the NTMP that is incorrect,incomplete increased growth of ladder fuels, and by We are concerned that there may be
or misleading in a material way, and is removing the large, old trees most resilient opportunity to "bundle" other possible
therefore insufficient to evaluate significant to fire. timber operations with additional properties
environmental effects of the proposed NTIvIR Another reasonable project alternative near SJ'W that could significantly increase the
We believe that the NTIVIP in its current should evaluate a project that would duration of'helicopter logging impacts. This
form has the potential to result in significant implement water quality and fire-hazard- has also recently occurred on the NTMP
environmental impacts The alternatives reduction mitigations without the NTMR listed above.
analysis, in particular, appears to have been These (other areas owned by SJWC) are Cumulative Recreation impacts. The use
written with the foregone conclusion that undoubtedly some of the highest wild-land of an area of only 300 feet from the NTMP
selects the NTMP as the preferred alternative, fitc-hazard areas in the NTMI? area and operations to assess recreational impacts is
as opposed to a thorough, fair evaluation of surrounding region The avoidance of fuel simply absurd
possible alternatives treatment in these high fire hazard areas Fire. The primary benefits routed in the
This alternatives analysis erroneously should be evaluated in the fire assessment: fire plan are the augmentation of lopping
implies that management of the area as a for the NTMP standards, augmentation of road-safety
park or open space preserve would result in Noise.The analysis of noise impacts within zones, and augmentation of defensible space
significant construction of public facilities and the NTMP fails to recognize the difference around habitable structures There is no need
infrastructure in support of public use....the between the sound of the highway (*a for augmenting lopping standards if there
District has invested approximately$500,000 low hum) as opposed to the shrill sound is no slash generated by timber harvesting,
to upgrade and abandon a number of roads of chainsaws, yarding, safety horns, and The augmentation of road-safery zones and
and skid trails in one of our preserves over the the percussive sound pulses generated by defensible space around habitable structures
last few years, to improve water quality and helicopter blades and a jet engine. can be completed now,without the proposed
reduce potential downstream impacts to fish Helicopter Operations We therefore NTMP.(ihcre is more about fire on page 6 of
This work is necessary because of a legacy of question the economic feasibility of the report.)
past timber harvest impacts that ended in the the helicopter units, and have difficulty Process - Inadequacy Of The NTMP As
Proposed. We are concerned that the plan
justifying the associated noise and wildlife
mid-1980s management impacts as originally filed was substantially flawed
Given . d through the review
_LjRgSD land
practices described above,the Public Purchase CableYarding/Hellcopters.In reviewing the and that it is being fixed
Alternative Analysis is entirely incorrect. NTMP and plan area, it appears that areas process. This makes the NTMP document
Operations proposed in the NTMP will designated for cable yarding have extremely extremely difficult to follow and we fear that
recommendations may be
result in substantial new road construction long reaches,deflection problems,downhill certain revisions or
and reconstruction, operations proposed in yarding, and areas that will be difficult, if excluded from the enforceable plan, if one is
approved.This has also apparently happened
biologically sensitive areas and geologically not impossible,to reach.
unstable watercourses, harvest-related It is troubling chat during the review of with one of the other problematic helicopter
alterations to a 120+-year-old late-succession the Briggs unit, the RPF stated that some that
Ian be returned as it currently
laps mentioned earlier, We strongly request
forest, nearly annual timber falling, cable of the mapped cable unit was nor accessible, that the p
stands and ask that the plan be resubmitted
yarding,and helicopter operations. This certainly reduces our confidence in)
Water auality. The disturbance levels some other areas of the plan chat appear when a complete plan is prepared
associated with the NTMP have the potential even more difficult to cable yard. Review Team Member.MROSD is a public
to seriously degrade water quality, public- Another significant concern regarding the agency that manages public land with values
water supplies, and degrade habitat for feasibility of harvesting the cable-yarding potentially affected by the proposed NTMP,
aquatic resources, including resident trout, designated units of the NTMP is whether and as an agency with similar mission to
State Parks, we believe it is appropriate for
and the California red-legged Frog these units will be switched to helicopter
The SJWC property also contains a large operations after the plan is approved We a representative from MROSD to serve as a
acreage area of late succession forest: that is are aware of a recent NTMP (1-98N-IMP- formal Review Team participant in the same
unique to the Santa Cruz Mountains, and 019SCI) submitted by and operated on by manner as a DPR representative would serve
provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, Big Creek Lumber, the preparation of the 7trrtj OtXAC
including late succession dependent species SJW NTMP, where helicopter operations NAIL steering committee
Fire. There are a number of fire scientists were dramatically extended following
who have commenced on the proposed initial approval of the NTMR This was
NTMP and associated fire-hazard assessment done without public notification . The
page 10 Mountain Network News January 2007
www.mnn.net
a0cAtercutig News
MercuryNews.corn
® Ej
inion
Sall Jose filcCellug N
O WL'JllllilCl'Clll'yI1CfJS.COIIlI0�11111
16A 1�31
Environment
Log 'n.cr 91 Z3 F
n excessive
for fti-ture ®f watershed
PUBLIC OWNERSHIP OF SITE SHOULD BE PURSUED AGGRESSIVELY
The fight over n pprroposed log- San Jose Water's application to pUBUIC IIEARING zones and)rawest them on a ro-
an
Bing pl alr<we Lexington Ituscr• hire area. laling basis Each zone would be
vo:r in lla Santa CZ Mountains Some togging could be a rea. The California Deportment of FDre{l- logged once every 15 or 20 yeax
comes down to two Isasic ele- %enable tradroR to finance the 7 arxl Fae Protection will conduct a for six weeks at a time.Doing Ure
monLs:fire and water dcaing of brush.Winch creates public Ilearing on San Jose Water work would be Big Creek Lum•
San .lose Water Co. says it the fur Van err but las zero mar. Company's lo99b10 pmposal a17 ber,which has a ood track re-
needs to sell ale lumber to pay ket value.However the current o'clock lonkJhl in the Santa Clara cord of leaving be�ibnd u henithy
for fire-prevention work on We proposdtotakeout40percentof CountyBoardof Supervisors clNm- forest Visit one of iLs logging
1,000 acres or Ztatahod it owns trees over two feet in diameter is berS,70 INHeddinp St San Jose sites a few years Infer,and you're
between the reservoir and Sum- excessive. hard-pressed to tell whore trees
mit Road east of Ihighway)7 The California Department of Santa Cruz Mountains,this is an were cut
Opponents say dirt from We area where houses should never But for an Indefinite login
logging itsalf will contaminate have been built,but that's no ex• permll,trust is a legitimate issue
the creek—and by taking out Buse for iislting further-instnbili. San Jose Water is part of a pub-
many of the t:&A redwoods and THE OP114ION OF ty noun licly traded company subject to
Douglas firs,this plan could actu- THE MERCURY NEVUS O Areas nearest the creek bed stock)rylder pressure for '!gher
ally increase the risk of fire by should not be lobed revenue.Md while Big Creek to-
creating a drier forest floor EDITORIAL BOARD O Lo��-gguutg should begin in or. day is an ccofobrcdly rnspomiIlle
The best resolution for every- eas farttst from the creek•and logger,who's to say It went be
one would be the sale bf this land We state shutild carefully nioni• bought in 10 or 20 years by Clear-
l0 the laxly:rye-funded 941 - Forestry and Tire Protection for the first few bwvcsLt before Cuts'R'Us?
n���l�a�i�ts� Onep Ropix Di`, -Should consider a logging permit deciding on a blanket approval of Public ownership is the best nl-
t>:irJ—�nie district already owns onl with these limitations: a long-range timber management ternative for this land, which
thousands of acres in the moue- Scale back the number of plan, can't be developed regardless of
lain and would ben good slew- hip trees that can be cut The open-ended nature of this who owns it.The sooner the Mid-
and of this beautiful and environ- Prohibit logging near Alder- application Is part of We contra ppttninsuIn Regional Open Space
mennlly sensitive waterslrad. croft Heights and Chemekela versy D'Istrict and vie water company
Ibrhuately,talks have begun Park,the main enclaves of moun- Ralhar duut a one lime limber got serious about negotiations,
Unfortunately,a sale does not ap- Lain homes adjacent to the water harvest,San Jose Wader prupos- the better off the community will
pear to be close enough to derail company land Like much of the es to break the acreage into nine be.
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S.J.Water Co.draws plan to log land near summit
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a•`. +^ I,, TALL TREES!Lkxla Wallace.middle
president of the Chemekela Park
MuluaI Water Co.,walks throughthe
7+res { forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains with
"�• Kevin Flynn.left.and Jodi Fredim
^, -4--=-'t+R =} Many residents in the area south of Los
lszr_��;, �xi
•',? �.,yi 4ey.• -.n. Gatos are opposed to the San lose
:N� d' q r Water Co,'s logging plans
THINNED FOREST:Malt Dian,left a
forester witli Big Creek,Lunttvr,anO
r,/% .; � �r��• 40, :Y. L enI AM a resource plaruler for file
�•^ ''"'`-.y ;`r`-�z �-Y .Yt. lminsula th ricL Inspect e old Airm Coll
ege
ge
uwipu�lr_ucRolarlrws property which was logged six year ago.
RESIDENTS FIGHT TO SAVE REDWOODS, DOUGLAS FIRS
ByW RDg- I DISPUTED AREA 1N THE MOUNTAINS
Alrmlry A'rv*
For the thousands of cornmutars who zoom rdapshowstIMI000acrestl;.itaresouthof the
over I Lghwuy 17 between Silicon Valley and Sari- Lexinoton Reservoir PAGE 15A
to Cruz,the towering redwood trees along the
route provide a scenic backdroA fu trues aver 7,009 ours the compvly owns be-
But lately,they are provkUng the lacltdmp for tw- larington Reservoir near Los Gatos and �..
one of Santa Clara County's blggest logging felt• St.. Road at die Strata Clot a•Santa Cruz
ties ever. mWity line
The issue? Logging ants the company.will reduce fire
Officials at the San Jose Water Co.,which pro- danger by Uunrun out nn overWVwn forest dint
vides drinking water to I million people—in San hasn't been logged in 100 ymm.They ray it still
Jose.I.os Gatos,Sarntogg't Cupertino and Camp-
Lill—am proposing to log redwood and Dougl,,s Su LUGGING.Pag,11.1
c'�t�exieteu�•,���'ew�
MercuryNews.com
SATURDAY,JANUARY 27,20D7 SAN JOSE MERCURY NEN'S MERCURYNEN'S.COM / 15A
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Ina view from the lop of Mount Loma Prieta in the Santa Cruz Mountains the area being considered for logging is at center Summit Road and Lonhi Prieto Elementary School arc at top lelt.
LOGGING I CWrj--%m-jr)Cany, residUr is ��attkl
Conlinua/from Page 24 p _ o„y:.+ n r`-y ,•t to Are,while small trees and yeas from its lo{�rin6 after houses.
5 brush lire most flammable. J iraiL�r�g brush mid other costs SiaL•e 1995,there have been
protect their walcrslorl from `~ -i L• ^. CriLi+s ray die waver armp:my were L•lla:n into account. six otter logging plans in the ar-
mud and ash that would pour i - ' � '.f� ,j' is lookin to make money on Ute ea One,bl'B g Creek.was done
—. project�y l Jdng mostly large 'Long-tetra road map' six years ago on the otter side
into f.os Gatos Creek doting a ('.
•` ,.:� tuts. Another tontru e+sy is that of Fligisway 17,on 600 nears of
major blaze They cite a 1985 .:,,'.�t; '•i_ ++Iety';
fury that bwned 13,000 acres _ ,v r .N✓ "The snhall Uses burn; the the company stunts an open- the former Alma College prop*
and 42 homes nearby. , '[ ;s' •7.'• big Lives doiYL Pm•fire risk this ended state Tait,known as a erty, now an often-spare pm
-
and s]s n modest,cnrcful,r i p + :.¢Yr f':f•tt Ian u bacltvvaH' said Jodi "non-badustr al timber managr st rve.lbday.a Visitor to the tor-
'Ms •'.r'.<_-: •�.,✓�.::.r: ..'.C�.f'' �lvdi:vu,nlon>;time&:ml-ICnrc ment >Lut;' which never ex- list has a hard time seeing
tional and efficient plan that is ,•�F l t
nuruUul of the envbvnment and Canty logging activist hired by pins It Mys it nerds Ler4ilnty, whom,(lie logging occurred.Big
the residents,"said Rich Rod; '.'•'-+ - '. - �f; y;C;r' `.4 op ronenLs to review the plmvs to Invest the money to mawkti nxrs remain where logging ce-
c}ricf executive of Slut Jose Wa- yA,'.:r�~' -'V .x;r� ice+�ii �. Kl Z,hi slot other aides say the watershed,with the plan in. cuncd, and new trees sax to
.� rt7 K �P, r �,. uhoy'would support sane lag- eluding retvums to miles or old eight loottall)Lawgrownup.
ter. h t ti?'-t
But neighbors strongly op- -V r, . �.f;; grog uh the ava.ac long as only dirt rodads. rating with water "We've had harvests in dal
se topptan .. � h >r`" K V ",t` the bruxlh tool smaller lnr:s quaGry monitoring rivice a area over tiro last 10 yens;said
MTh have hired several top +�� �'r4 r5' weav mnaved month at five loendons;along Stictr Sampson,a state forestry
They :.�`. ,+..-......;:-,..:1.=„w,: �"'`-v'�•' •'We're not aynbhsl all log. Los GatoRCmek. oRcialinPotion,"Ihwmitwit-
rare s will p who say ore thin-
nk g will open the forest to From left.Linda Wallace.Kevin Flynn.Jodi Frediani.walking on a f r g.14'u iv sidd n vy C faork,a "trail we sere Interested in from them, major kuxkl des
mote swd Lit,drying it out and pipe and Rick Parfhtt tour land being considered for logging ble k,httinngg, s dot ilrhy Chuff.P w;s timber rcVvnue Lie d do {tom and thehv haven't
increasing are danger They n!- rotim d Ijctvielt-Packard man- one Remy cut,nin ke h money been any major fires there"
so cite studies cancludatg that agcr living in Aldcrcroft and be out of deav;'sold Gohc High roflle
Jol Ling on tha sleep slopes " flmghts. fins is a king-ter-in mid map 9 p
dcauselitndslides ..: t1a ..._J ' " ,. Logging proposal But tncw•ater Lvmpany says amd plan for miriaging Wa The debate look on n high
"You've got soma o(ihe best it needs to cat sonic larlic Lives land: paufile several monUu ago
people in the country saying it 'terMytm The San rose Water Ca to pay for mmwith,small Uves Gei,confitmed that the va- when opppoonents used Gtogto
wtU increase fin risk;'sn d Heir i (c` Rase va. pproposal lo���kuq on aaoul •rid brush.which.rave no Lim- ter company and khuil land Guth sofhvxe to create a"Ily-
!n Pt a Ciao S rrs roan• Moses
Il Duna m me
yrm, -'�.; Crux Mountains over ter value Livstx and park aggencies have over"sfwwingg the area to be
age,u4io lives in Clu,mekela - �. ae netts 15 years. discussed n possible sale of ran fo{g;etf. Google ennpl+ryve Re-
Santa
Patric olon Highway l7."if the IRC0tt1e SttEam' casement Ibrilting devclopmenL bees Moon allowed it to for
$ 6 Y — hemekefa P' Wo slid to hxome sLivam. But he said may such deal would mer Vice President Al Gore
wind turns tin wtorhg way,Uw :-..\4 •Alllercro(t Neigitls 'f7h¢n we've got dohars to fund have to"enswv Uhc same man• when he visited die company,
cis�o'ng into downtown Lost` 61W saran cuan
the hash c)eming'said An- ngeTenl ohj cdves;' meaning and he issue]a statement rag
SNRA LRIIZ ,r ,1 couurry drew'Gore,maintenance chief forest Udnaung to reduce fuv ing the logging pin "deeply
'Extierlielyalar-med' cour+tt ''. of de waterL•ompany Ask would remain, flawed"
and other opponents �"''� p The company has hirer!Big Gru h side I=suicks of scion. Frimstry officials will matte a
�i - '' Creek Lumber, a Davenport tifnc documents to buttress its decision m to coming months
soy if the plan is approved try a :,:' h"*+'
the California DepahtmCut of n e s - timber company,to un'hW to L,hse Thud leaves some comae- Sampson says they will condo•
fbrestry and [5n Protection, logging plans and cut die Lives. pity leaders saatoliing thew Lie to ask for rluuages such as
tntyfll sire to ty1oopp rL h �l,F/s.,an fterroving brush can cost heads Santa Clara County Su- rt'.vmiting slope Hiles. Unlit
I1hr Ian es this could nxauv f} 'I 1 {;' �. $7,500anacre;'s:ud Matt Dims pealisor Don Gige,tvliornpm- then.bo sides uredh�ingon.
muse Uhrcnton our roads and ` 'earn pp. a rcsislcred PProfessiwLnl forest- rents to area,said he hasn't "ffrts{s probably(ioung to be
oat•tromes,"said Linda Wallace, �i` yn)o'r` qtn cr with Big Crcvlt Iumlem:"You made up his mind wiethrt the the most luglnly srruLinizcd dm-
pivsidcnt of the Chemeketa M'v .h -l have,
to cut a Fry(hand tad haW county should fight die state i.it ber harvest m the history of
Park hSutual Water Co.,and n M!+\ 7 ". it away to a Inndfil.It's wpen- :ipprnves to plan Colifornin;'Big Creek spokes-
2fryyvar tvsident or We area . .. '.. '-. - Elva" 1 wont to see the facts,-he man[do6BcrL•hgesu7d
"Wc'rc extremely alarmed" °1° "t+n nic opponents note that San said."I'm u}vng to find a wdrr,
The lsg' plan will be the ametar and 20 percent of trees said lots In die San Jose Memo- Mvinc.sco, Malin County and win situation. I don't want to IF YOU'RE INTERESTED
subject of a public hearing L"inches wound ry•lierald for:50 each The 150 Santa Cruz ban lognirhg in their make decisions on an emotional The"lomu Deramnemt of r�orest-
WednesdayinSmJasa.lCcalls Neighbors,however,soy tie (tomes were used as vacation watetslied lands flhe water basis" ry and Fire Protection will lnddamib
for divid'uhg de wva onto trine cumulative impacts threaten cabins for San F=clsco and company counters w7di WaL- Under suite law,the open• lu hea h)al7 p.m Wixki^.sdayal
zones of about 100 acres eacli, tire whole area. San Jose residents in die 1930s, som'ille,the ISast Buy Municipal ended permit requires"sL;.M, Li•.Santa Clara Counly Board of sir
and logging caidi once every 75 Ground zero is Chemekela but now :ire yenrround resi. Utility District and New York ability;meaning no morn wood pe visors Caambcrs 70 W HLdShnq
to 20 yyeears for nut weeks at a Part;,where lufgringg would be dances. Citt}}��which allo+v logging. can be cut than naturally grows SL San Jose
Limp
ISrnber crews wouldn't closest to homes.17o private At the heat of the debate is RnUh, the water company brut:every 15 years The water
clear-cut the forests,they note, no and five miles south to size or the trees to be cuL CEO,s:iid Fri Jay that Uri con- +vmp;drty u soel' W remove CwuaMPorJRog.rs at
and wouldnmove40pcnentof of Los Caton urns built in)92S Many fire studies show tat ppaarrny would ,,rake ordy 15 million Wort!-el. ever 15 progrn[+nemuynracsaunor
the trees over 24 inches in di- by o Palo Alto developer who large trees are more resistant 5500.000 in profit every two yours—enough to build 1.000 (408)MSW5.
San Jose Inside- Giant Brush Threatens vy atershed Page 1 o
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• 1-Iome
• Tom McEncry
• Jack VanZandt
• Single Gill
• John McEncry
• Guest Bloggers
• Mayor's Racc
• Lconaid McKay
• Jude Barry
Giant Brush Threatens Watershed
The San Jose Water Co. supplies I million residents in San Jose and nearby communities from the Lexington Reservoir
the Santa Cruz Mountains. They own more than 1,000 acres of the watershed between the reservoir and Summit Road
where they have stated it is their intention to start a vigorous logging operation. Their plan is to divide the area into nine
sections and log one section per year on a rotating basis, removing 40 percent of all trees with a circumference of more
than 24 inches. They equate this with"brush clearing"and assert that it is being done to cut down on fire danger. A one-
hundred-foot-tall redwood is pretty big brush!
Is this a joke? Mowing down 40 percent of the largest trees in the forest is not brush clearing. That would involve
removing only the smallest members of the forest floor. Being that they are in the water business,you would think the
company's best interest would be served by preserving all the large trees, as they are huge storage containers for fresh
water, as well as the carbon they filter from the air,and they shade the ground from the sun, greatly slowing the
evaporation process and thereby conserving water. Top scientific experts have stated that in logging the area as propose(
the company will increase the fire danger, contaminate the creek, and do great harm to the watershed and forest
ecosystem. Many local residents and environmental watchdog groups agree. So what is the San Jose Water Co. up to?
The company says that the logging operation is necessary to fund the real brush clearing effort and will provide a nice
profit to the company at the same time. They have hired Big Creek Lumber to perform the work and are seeking an oper
ended permit to continue the operation indefinitely.There are many other ways to finance the clearing of brush. It's
obvious that the real reason for the plan is that the company has decided to create an additional annual profit center with
the watershed's timber—great for the shareholders,bad for everyone else on the planet.
Private management of natural resources for supply to the public at a profit carries an extra burden of responsibility for
the company involved and is quite different from ordinary enterprise. In taking on this responsibility, the San Jose Wate
Co. put itself in a position of providing stewardship of the land with regard to the greater public good. The company is
violating the public trust with its wrongheaded plan,and the state should keep the company from cutting large trees and
anything else besides real brush under any circumstances. There is a serious proposal in motion for the land to be bough
http://saiijoseiiiside.com/sjiiblog/entries/giant_brush_tlireatens_watershed/ 2/14/20
San Jose Inside-Giant Brush Threatens Watershed Page 2 o
by the public under the auspices of the Midgeninsula Regional Open Space District,which is the very best solution to th
problem.The public should own their watershed and the land should be managed in an ecologically sound manner for&
benefit of all.
Posted by Jack Van Zaildt on Thursday,February 01,2007 at 05:00 AM
Comments
1. This is quite understandable. Those trees have to be harvested before the county can declare any of them heratage
trees.
Or is it that SJW Co. is just getting out in front of this Global Warming thing and take them befofire it does.
On the flip side. . . Big Tree Lumber Co. has done some leading-edge work in the area of concervation and
sustainable forestry or resource management. From what I've read,it is highly respected as a trend setter in 'best
practices' when it comes to managing a sustainable resource.
There may be more to this that we do not understand and I would like to learn more before branding SJW and BT�
enemies of the land.
Posted by David D.
Thursday,February 01 at 07-09 AM
2. Jack said: "Being that they are in the water business,you would think the company's best interest would be serve(
by preserving all the large trees,as they are huge storage containers for fresh water. HUH?
Actually Jack,the opposite is true. The huge amount of water the large trees"store", as you term it,is not drinkab
by people, and doesn't enter Lexington. Therefore,it reduces the amount of water SJ Water can sell. This it is in
their best interest TO CUT these voracious non-rate paying water consumers.
Posted by johninichacl o'connor
Thursday,February 01 at 10:42 AM
3. If all they want is to clear brush,couldn't they just turn a small herd of goats loose like other areas do? Scrub bru:
gets cleared, land gets fertilized. goats are happy and trees can be left alone.
JMC get that you are being cute(maybe),but the trees hold things together to keep soil systems intact to ensure
water isn't just running downhill.
With that said, forests do need to be thinned,whether it's done via fire or axe to at least pretend it's replicating a
natural process. But,the forest also needs the nourishment of fallen trees to maintain the biodiversity. It think the
may be a compromise in there somewhere,but until people want to compromise it ain't gonna happen.
Posted by Couldn't they. -
Thursday,February 01 at 0 1:19 PM
4. You ultra left people are always demanding that land in private hands be managed to fit your ideas. If you really
feel that way,do the right thing and let the neighbors(and you)purchase the land and then you can do with it as y
wish.
http://sanjoseinside.com/sji/blog/entries/giant—brush—threatens—watershed/ 2/14/20
San Jo§e Inside-Giant Brush Threatens v,atershed Page 3 o
Only then,where will the water come from?
GMR
Posted by G.M.Rosentlial
Thursday, February 01 at 0 1:36 PM
5. Today's bog is another example of Jack using his position as Editor to push his minority socialist personal views
concerning property ownership using either poorly researched or purposely misstated facts(percentage and type
trees to be cut)and very thin connection to the purpose of San Jose Inside which is to encourage political debate,
discussion and change in our city
littli://www.sjwater.coin/corl)/piess/tiinber—O 1262007 pd F
San Jose Inside is becoming less relevant day by day due to Jack's off topic blogs and not addressing important Si
Jose topics to improve our city
Posted by More Jack's off topic rants
Thursday,February 01 at 02:17 PM
6. #3: yes, I know that tree ROOTS hold things together.
I also know that dry brush needs to be cleared now and then to prevent wildfires,toward which our hills are prone
Someone needs to convince me that cutting down 40%of all the biggest trees somehow prevents firs from startinj
and spreading.
I don't believe goats eat the kind of scrub brush that's in the forests we're speaking of; and they are usually turnec
out in fields with weeds,where they are fenced in to keep them from straying too far. That cannot be done in the
land we are speaking of.
I must agree with#4--the lefties are always quick to tell someone what to do with land the lefties don't own--
witness the(thankfully) failed county ninitiative last year.
Semperyirens Fund raises$$and buys land and then keeps it prisitine. They don't cut off the water,#4; so it's sti
available to us all.
Posted by jolintilicliacl o'connor
Thursday,February 01 at 02:22 PM
7. More of Jack's typical possible misstatement of facts
-Mowing down 40 percent of the largest trees in the forest
-Their plan is to divide the area into nine sections and log one section per year on a rotating basis,
-removing 40 percent of all trees with a circumference of more than 24 inches.
unless Jack can provide references to back up his stated facts he is using his position as Editor to push his socialisi,
personal views and misleading us again
Read above SJ Water's web link description of project
http://sanjoseinside.com/sji/blog/entries/giant_brush threatens watershed/ 2/14/20
San Jose Inside-Giant Brush Threatens Watershed Page 4 o
.would leave all old growth trees and 80%of Douglas firs and redwoods untouched
.plan proposes to remove 20%of trees more than 12 inches in diameter
nine parcels only one parcel every other year
will return to a parcel after 15 years
Jack, please provide your references to us or admit you misstated facts
Posted by More Jack's misstated facts
Thursday,February 01 at 04:13 PM
& Gee JMO-our Jack,editorial director of sanjoseinside.com. is a lefty,tell me you are kidding
JMO-agree with your comments about lefties always telling people how to use their land under the and
Sempervirens Fund does a great public service
Every time someone tells you that government can do it better or that we should violate fundamental constitutiona
rights for the public good-Bush and socialists have a lot in common-be afraid,very afraid for your constitutions
rights,freedoms and hard earned money
Posted by Taxpayer
Thursday,February 01 at 04:25 PM
9. 1 always get a laugh from the comedians on this site who throw around the terms of"ultra left"and"socialise'
whenever somebody wants to protect the land.Private ownership does not give you carte blanche to do whatever
you want--even if you own something.
You may own your house but there are some things you can't do,you may own a car but there are certain things
you can't do with it, and you may own land but there are certain things you can't do with it.
People who want to protect the land(trees,water, air)are not all left—in fact many people understand the
importance of protecting our land is a human issue,not a partisan political issue.
So to my fellow comics, keep your labels to yourselves and work on your routines.You're just not that funny
anymore.
Posted by Groucho
Thursday,February 01 at 04:33 PM
10. #5,7 and 8, since you are the same person:
You ask that we read the linked Jan 26 press release from the company in question and consider it"fact."Howeve
this press release and the"facts"you cite do not equate with the actual application for the permit from the state.
According to the Mercury News,in numerous articles and a lead editorial in the past few days,the San Jose Water
Co.application for their non-industrial timber management plan(NTMP)calls for the removal of 20%of all
redwoods and Douglas firs less than 12 inches in circumference and 40%of all trees more than 24 inches in
circumference over a period of 15 years in a rotating pattern through divisions of 9 sections.
There were nearly 500 citizens at the state hearing last night at the county government center and the hearing wen
on well into the night.That is a very large number by normal standards and shows that this is an important local
issue of interest to a great number of local residents.
See the following for the latest news on this issue:
http://sanjoseinside.com/sji/blog/entries/giant—brush—dii,eatens—watershed/ 2/14/20
San Jose Inside-Giant Brush Threatens .,ttershed Page 5 o
littp://www.ilici--cuiyneNvs corn/rnld/mcrcurynews/16595077.htm
littp://WNVNV.111erc urynews.conlhn Id/niercurynewshiews/opi n ion/1658654 1,litin
Posted by Jack Van Zandt
Thursday, February 01 at 05:44 PM
11. Jack,
Your post to save the Redwood trees owned by San Jose Water Company is a call for good judgement.
Those that have responded would do well to click on this site.
littp:/IwwNv.acftiewsource.oig/eilvirotinleiiUfog_niasters litnil
I belive,after you have read this 5 paragraph web site you will agree that San Jose Water Company needs to stay
out of the Redwood logging business for it's own good. and ours.
The magnificent redwoods have provided much of the summer moisture for San Jose for hundreds of years,and it
fact,protect themselves by storing thousands of gallons of fog water in their bark and surrondings that protects
them from fire during the hot summer months. It wasn't redwoods that fed that horrific Loma Prieta fire.
"A grove of Giant Redwoods or Sequoia should be kepted just as we keep a great or beautiful Cathredral".
Theodore Roosevelt 1919
Click on littp://www,.sciilpci virens org and see what can be accomplished when 8000 wonderful dedicated doners
come together for the common good.
Cutting the forests that provide us with drinking water, is not an alternative.
Gil Hernandez
Director,Sempervirens Fund
Posted by The Village Black Smith
Thursday,February 01 at 10:34 PM
12. This really is important...
Just who is the San Jose Water Company and just how did they come to be entrusted with such a large share of tht
Santa Cruz Mountains?
First they,SJWC,are not who they were... They are not a nice mom and pop outfit owned by some old local
families... not anymore.
Second, I would like to point out that when I was in Mrs.Nidever's 8th grade class at Lakeside School in 1970,
Lexington had an acre-foot capacity of roughly 26,000 acre feet. What is it today?Accurately measured,less than
19,000... Someday our grandchildren will be arguing about when to develop Lexington Flats... The Town of Alrr
reborn 40 feet above its old foundations....
What is an average mature second growth Redwood tree worth...?$30,000.00 each, $I OOK...?Redwood sells for
major bucks these days.,... Several Summit Rd and Lexington area property owners that I could name own parcels
outright after selling off just a few trees.
And just how and why did the SJWC come into possession of the watershed?I think a case can be made that it wa
entrusted to them for specific use,and that was not logging.I think a case can be made that the County acted as th
agent of the SJWC in many of the"encounters"with the sometimes reluctant sellers of said land... Google 'Cothr
and San Jose Water'
http://sanjoseinside.com/sji/blog/entries/giant brush threatens watershed/ 2/14/20
San Jose Inside-Giant Brush Threatens Watershed Page 6 o
hLtp://\vww rnnn.net/cothran.hUri
Note that SJWC sued the Cothrans for cutting down two Redwoods claiming they had"muddied the creek".
Hmmm...
Note also that the decline of the local economy and the onset of the Depression led directly to the acquisition of
such a large domain,the Supes and the Sheriff might have been sorts helpin' too...
This is not a new issue for mountain people, or former mountain people. Much as the Owens Valley story was
written,the people of the Lexington Basin do not control that most precious resource,the water that falls from the
sky. Or the bulk of the land it falls on. And thus they depend on politics and others to determine what the real
quality of life will be.
Well I have something to tell you... The mountains have changed since I was kid, big bucks in that there Zip Cod,
now... And all predicated on the value of the Real Estate,which is based on its location in a park like setting,
undisturbed by chain saws and off road vehicles, not to mention helio-loggers...
So the folks that show up for the hearing may sound a little left wing,but they drive very expensive cars,they vote
and they write checks to environmental groups... They aren't the blue collar mountain boys of yore, they don't IiN
there anymore... They went to Oregon years ago! Most of the kids went to college and the ones that came back...
Well you know who you are,and there are many of us now living as Flatlanders.
And lastly I would like to point out that if SJWC wants to do some brush clearing they need to do it where it coun
where the brush is... The brush is where the old growth trees used to be and where conditions did not allow the
regrowth of second growth trees,an area of the Santa Cruz Mountains that I have seen bum twice.The plan at har
is cherry-picking the easy creek side stuff,which also happens to be the most sensitive environment.This is an
environment so sensitive that it has been strictly off limits to the citizenry for decades,the SJWC purchased and
closed many roads(including the ones this logging plan is centered around)to insure the domain remained
sacrosanct,when I was kid the Water Company guys had pistols and weren't very friendly, or well liked. I guess
they must've been tired of fixing flats.
Until after Loma Prieta no mountain community had ever benefited from the SJ Water Works,in fact the commur
basis for many of these communities is a mutual water company,with water rights hard won and defended from
SJWC and the District.For years after Loma Prieta mountain residents watched pure water run to San Jose while
they had to pay to truck it back up the Hill...
And now they want to cherry-pick the big trees and call it"forest management"and"brush clearing".
Sounds like this was written by the Bush Administration...
RGJ/Dallas 112263
Whiskey is for drinkin' and water is for fightin' over...
Posted by Dallas 112263
Monday,February 05 at 10:22 AM
Post a Comment
Name:
http://sanjoseinside.com/s.ii/blog/entries/giant_brush threatens watershed/ 2/14/20
Log Jam
From Silicon Valley Metro, Feb 7-13, by Vrinda Normand
If looks could kill, Matt Dias from Big Creek Lumber would be a goner. The forester's cheeks
turned red from the tension as a crowd of nearly 500 Santa Cruz Mountain residents at last week'
public hearing shot eye-daggers at the man behind the plan to raze 1,000 acres owned by the San
Jose Water Company between downtown Los Gatos and the summit. More than 90 people, many of them
members of Neighbors Against Irresponsible Logging, spoke in the Santa Clara County Building
before California Department of Forestry officials, who will be deciding on the plan proposed by
SJW and Big Creek. "As a resident and an engineer, I'm nothing short of appalled at this plan
moving forward," said Morgan Kessler, echoing concern about how logging might impact water quali
and fire safety for local residents. Passionate applause from the overflow crowd peaked after
Google engineer Rebecca Moore alleged that SJW is ineligible for an Non-Industrial Timber
Management Plan (NTMP) . The long-term timber management plan is only for landowners with less th
2,500 acres of timberland. Moore's team of scientists used high-resolution aerial photographs to
map out the company's property and identified at least 2,700 acres flush with redwoods and Dougl
firs. Dias could not respond at the hearing but later told the media that SJW owns only 2,000
acres of timberland. It will be interesting to see how the stakeholders fend off this latest blo
after the recent onslaught of criticism: four nationally renowned fire experts said the logging
plan, which aims to remove the largest (and most valuable) trees, would increase fire hazard in
the forest. David Ganz, the fire scientist hired by SJW, came to the opposite conclusion, and
calls his peer's reviews mere "opinions." Before the public hearing, SJW held a private press
conference at its office on Bascom Avenue—if the purpose was to cull sympathy from a captive med
audience, it failed. Later news reports hooked on the opponents and their supporters protesting
outside of the building, waving plaques that said "Save Our Watershed."
Article here: httR./Ing_t.roac.t..ivq.com metroL02.07.0?Zf1y:0706.html
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w. •rj�� Public Hearing an Logging ..�,�? i Y F -�
Los Gatos Creek Watershed
`•Wednesday,January 31 7 to 10 p.m. "�'/ + yp �,�,���-•f"� � �'=.r:"'�^
Board of Supervisor's Chambers ~ ' Q�" ° 'r:� i-�,•�==�''"�
70 West Hedding Street,San Jose-
Terry Clark, NAIL Steering Committee
$ •��Gr 'yt, �' Residents, 6e aware and informed the
`F r trL L 3 } y I y
N at• a California Department of Forestry is holdingRig
�j T
;`Y•:'!l' •f�*'fir a public hearing to discuss San Jose Water
Company's proposed plan to log the Los r r �,' f, r , r ,+ic'x" �
Gatos Creek watershed �•'� � �!.•.
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We must stop San Jose Water Company r?� r✓ �rNl�yr* ryf'i�� t-+�ir, r�';;lr�tii
From destroying the beauty of these mountains54
r:,,�, t•=~�{ X + ` and threatening our safety and drinking waterw`•1:,,
tc� ".�j s rJ •- rP— P
This commercial logginglan will increase t.."• xi,,,����.r �.- �
L tR � the fire threat, decrease water quality, andkv
} .- open the area to slides,noise,helicopters,and r : `t �•''�-`''�'r`
- dangerous traffic If we don't stop it now, it
cannot be stopped'
Bring your neighbors, friends, and family ..r.:r• 'r r r ;
tru ;r jx i yr{�r
+ice"-�erw .;z =fir to support your community Let the State of a„
t
California, Santa Clara County, and SJWC Ow..� �{
,
r know they cannot destroy our watershed for �'• + t
-
' corporate profit ::��.`•`'' i'r� - .. .
'
Directions: Go north on Highway 17, ":r '
i+.r� �r•. r.,�f
,• continuing northbound as it becomes I-880
past Los Gatos and Campbell Take the First r '.; •:"" '; •r ' :y''
Street exit Turn right onto North First Strect s
,f �• t,s.
• +; 3„t 'inY Turn right onto West Hedding Street the 70 i,ti hs^ t•;,,; A
West H,dding Street building is on your left ;=``tr ,L ` i,,. •`: ;r •' `
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-, e building via the front lobby and followv�r yti•n r*-» +•" ,�ii.
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THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB L ® MA PRIETA CHAPTEI
►fLOMA PRI �LTAN
For Sierra Club Members of San Benito, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties
M►ip, /o Pr,
OR
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Sierra Club activists Steve Ferla and Addie Jacobson make sure the San Jose Water Company and
the CDF know we want to see the forest protected
aan J® e Water Company and COF
Got an EarvM at Pubfic Heaftg
By Karen Maki, Chapter Chair Flores, and flyers written by Bill Young that
were mailed to all Los Gatos, Monte Screno,
e Californianight, January Forestry
the and Campbell Sierra Club members.
alifori Department of Forestry It was estimated that over 500 people
(GUF) hosted a public Hearing It
the four-hour meeting including
regarding San Jose Water Company (SJWC•)'s gob, Virginia, Bill, Karen Maki, Steve Fcrla,
Las Gatos Creek watershed logging plan.The Rob Rennie, and Amanda Davidson from
hearing was held in the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors'chambers to an over the Forest Protection Committee Bill,Karen,
flow and Steve gave oral testimony.Jim Feichtl had
crowd, which spilled over to an additional prepared a pirch. liut couldn't get away from
room the county provided work Also presenting were Jodi Frediani,
The chapter helped achieve the impres- Addie Jacobson (Ebbetts Forest Watch), for-
sive turnout through our January 24th CAN
phone bank resulting in 46 promises to attend,
tabling by Bob Moncrieff and Virginia Guest- coNT ON PAGE 3
1
THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SIERRA CLUB LOMA PRIETA CHAPTEI
MM rnIETAIV
For Sierra Club Members of San Benito,Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties
SJWC The supervisors have been p very involved
CONT.FROM PAGE t and were represented at the meeting, but
as of press time have not mad e an official i
met fire chief Bob Burns, Brian Schmidt statement. Another strong possibility is that
(Committee for Green Foothills), Bob Power Peninsula Open Space Trust would purchase
(Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society), and the land or pay for a conservation easement,
Kirk Lenningron (Midpeninsula Regional preserving it from commercial logging.
Open Space district). _ The battle isnt over yet. We still need
Ninety-one people spoke at the hearing, to send CDF our concerns. We also need
Many of the presenters were our friends to inform the Santa Clara County Board of
from NAIL (Neighbors Against Irresponsible Supervisors of our displeasure with this deeply
Logging, a local citizens group), and they Flawed logging proposal.
were incredibly strong and well-prepared. For information about the SJWC log-
Just before the heating, NAIL. unveiled sur- ging plan, please visit our Forest Protection
vey results showing that SJWC had 2,754 Committee Web site, at: hrip://lomaprieta.
acres of foresdands, exceeding the maximum sierraclub.org/Forestproteaion/
of 2,500 acres allowed for a Non-industrial Using the information on our FPC site,
Timber Management Plan(NTMP), NTMPs and in your own words, write a letter, Fax or
grant the right to log forever - rather than email to the CDF and ask them to deny this
the 3 years allowed with the standard?Timber plan. Send your comments to:
Harvest Plan (THP). NAILS recent finding Ms,Leslie Markham,CDP
also appeared the following morning in the 135 Ridgeway Ave.,Santa Rosa,CA 95401
San Jose Mercury News. Fax,707-576-2608
SJWC logging opponents received excel- 'Email:SantaRosaPublicComment
lent media coverage surrounding the hearing. @fire.ca gov
Earlier that week the Mercury had run an Important! Be sure to reference Timber Plan
editorial critical of the logging proposal. #1-06NTMP-012-SCL
Staffer Bill Young had issued a press release,
which resulted in an ABC News interview please also write to the Santa Clara County
with NAlUs Kevin Flynn, and a 1590 KLIV Board of Supervisors with your concerns. Tell
San Jose interview with Karen Maki. Bob them to appeal the decision if CDF approves
Moncrieff had another LTE published that the logging plan.
week in Los Gatos Weekly Times(just for fun,
I"googlcd"Bob Moncricff and found 7 of his Supervisor Donald E Gage
le(ters). The hearing itself also received gener- Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
70 West Hcdding Street, San jose,CA 951 10 ous print and broadcast media coverage
Big Creel; Lumber was wcll-rcpresentcd Email: dun gageG0bos co sama-clata.ca LIS
at the heating by both company leadership
and registered foresters (RFP). Lead RFP Please send copies to us so we can track our
Matt Diaz briefly introduced the proposal efforts on this issue: bill.young@sierraclub
and closed the evening with a defense of the erg.
company. Two SJWC employees attended, For more information about the issue,and
including an engineer who extolled the quality NAIL efforts, please also visit: httpa/www.
of their water mountainresourcc.org/
Jodi Frcdiani thinks our side made a very And to help the Lorna Pricta Chapter's
strong case.Now everyone awaits CDF's deci- forest and watershed efforts, please contact
Sion, which won't come until at least spring.- Bill Young at 650-390-8494, bill young@
Should they accept the plan,we will urge the sletraclub.org. Thanks!a
Santa Clara County Supervisors to appeal.
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PROTECTION OF COMMUNITY VALUES
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Fire Safe Landscape a Water Quality . Slope Stability e Wildlife Habitat
NAIL
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— Clear-cut 1800s Uypet Los Gatos Creek Watctshed Noty and Into The Future —�
STOP SAN JOSE WATER COMPANY'S LOC
"This proposal is deeply flawed the commercial loggi
simply makes no sense. » FORMER VICE PRESIDENT A
FIRE CONCERNS
To open up the normally dense crown cover to more sunlight and solar heating
Will[educe live and dead fuel moisture,thereby increasing fire spread,[ire
intensity and[lame lengths
RICHARD MONTAGUE,Wcsteni Regional Director,US Forest Service(retired}
-x4 .
The report(TSS)is misleading insofar as it builds an apparent rationale for timber
` j•; j harvest under the guise of wildfire hazard reduction
' :.,. DR PI1I1LIP OMi PROFESSOR,Forest Fire Science,Colorado State University
' : . :`�• ' There is broad scientific consensus that large and old trees should generally be
?:
e _ . tf" retained due to their fire resistance and their natural ability to reduce light to the
,� '"�'•Y ..�?�;�.� ��' forest floor,thus reducing ground fuels The young trees that replace the cut trees
v are highly susceptible to fire North Corot Regional� crier Quality Control Bom•d
W y KJJ•
tZ
The critical question that must first be answered in taus analysis is"Do the redwood
111- forests in the proposed project area pose a fire hazard problem to the surrounding
fin ST�f 7 urban wildland intermix communities'"Alter reading the literature applicable to this
area,visiting the forest,and talking%nth Dr Finney,I believe the answer is no
DR SC.OIT STEPHENS,PROFESSOR, U.C.Beri:eley,Forest Fire Science
Today s closed canopy forest is proposed to be opened in each cutting cycle,thus
l �' • . � S`' increasing growth of shrub and hardwood species that are now not common over
the primary timber production areas Such increased shrub growth increases fire
danger Santa Clara County Expert ROBERI CURRY,PhD,Hydrologist
There is no need for augmenting lopping standards if there is no slash generated
Ported the ::.....:.....' : by timber harvesting the augmentation of road safety zones and defensible space
a w. Los Gatos C► Tt around habitable structures can be completed now,without the proposed NTN1P.
,-
biidycnrinsnln Regional Oycrr Space Distnct
t �- �rrtcrslred -K -
� yS! r3H a'G1r
r r• ,,r r
v i• y i
Z ?...-._..... ... .:ram�.�.;...�._..._.._..... , � j i ^''iiJj,-��✓.`. ... �'/si�
The current Upper Los Gatos C at1 ' s y '' i1sr
has 120 year old Redwood and
a very small number of old
s. b f r y
curd a mix of younger tT�e �. 'f<f ;�'•' •,.. T�,r-,rrj't[y lC;:!��r r -� 4K -_�"•
I N G P LAN
o f these trees..LANDSLIDES and 0 RE
EROSION
_it is certain that clue proposed harvest schedule will seriously exacerbate slide stahility.
The primary basic premise of the authors of the NTMP is false They say that timber
removal from deep-seated slides is contemplated but that it will not destabilize slide
masses Timber removal will accelerate sliding near the slide head and near its base
The middle will follow. Smrta Clara County Expert ROBERI CURRY,PhD,Hydrologist
;ice� r`'a�"--. �• `�'�:���"�-,�
The NTMP is incorrect and misleadingin its characterization of sediment sources,blaming
most on roads outside of the plan However,the road system inside the properly boundaries
is a very serious source of sediment to Los Gatos Creel: ME".—
North Coast Regioua!Water 2ua[ity Control Board _ _ ..,. • xawe believe that there is information within the NTNIP that is incorrect,incomplete or �` `
misleading in a material way,and is therefore insufficient to evaluate significant environmental
effects of the proposed NNE Midpenirrsrla Regional Open Space District
WATER QUALITY :
We are concerned about the potential impacts of this project on Los Gatos Creel:and
Lexington Reservoir Santa Clara Valley Water District ,, - �
we conclude that NTNIP 1-06-NTNIP-012-SCL has the potential to result in discharges
in violation of Water Quality Control Plan(Basin Plan)standards �;.'ry�x' ;*_, `'•u-� ,k,_
North Coast Regional Water Qualiq,Control Board
The disturbance levels associated with the NTMP have the potential to seriously degrade
water quality,public water supplies,and to degrade habitat for aquatic resources,including
resident trout,and the California red-legged frog.
,Midpeninsrda Regional Open Space District _ ' -
. 1
� 1
THE LOGGING PLAN IN A NUTSHELL E °'
San Jose Water Company proposes logging, in perpetuity, 1000
acres stretching 6 miles along Los Gatos Creek and the San Andreas
Fault Zone The logging zone nestles between the Sierra Azul Open
Space Preserve and the homes of thousands of mountain residents
It will adversely impact water quality, fire, slope stability, wildlife
xY�r k
habitat,traffic,and public health and safety
PEOPLE CAN DO...
...WHAT
t Send written comments to the California Department of Forestry:
santarosapubliccomment@fire ca gov
l:� I
Ms Leslie Markham '
Deputy Chief,Forest Practice
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection !
135 Ridgeway Avenue
Santa Rosa,CA 95401
1,
• . • •
SANTA CL.ARA COUNTY
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH & GAME
NORTH COAST REGIONAL WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE. DISTRICT
SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
FOUR NATIONALLY RENOWNED FIRE EXPERTS
!
CHEMEKETA WATER COMPANY
SIERRA CLUB - L.OMA PRIE.TA CHAPTER
Please make your tax
deductible donations to: r
C-, NAIL Save the Watershed
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GwglrEnnA! �� Los Gatos,CA 95031
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{a77; r idencs on their politeness and their articulate believes the best solution is for die land to
7 presentations be preserved and maintained while SJWC
Neighbors Against Irresponsible Logging receives fair market value for it and keeps the
(NAIL), a community organization formed watershed rights NAIL further calls upon
w rrr
_ ro oppose the logging plan presented research SJWC to create a Fire protection plan for all
—
f - information regarding SJWCs ineligibility to of their mountain Forest land
apply for the ,ermit termed a Non-Industrial NAIL needs financial support from com-
pp
ri�?;3-;`�► Timber Management Plan A N LIvIP log- muniry members to continue opposing the
Bing permit requires char the landowner have plan if the CDF review results in approval
no more than 2,500 acres of timberland An of the plan,NAIL expects to join others who
Residents Rally to oppose Logging Plan in-depth technical study by NAIL researchers will continue opposition through the court
The California Department of Forestry over the past six months found at least 2,754 system. NAIL is a non-profit organization
public hearing regarding San Jose Water acres of timberland owned by SJWC NAIL and donations may be made to MRGINAIL,
Company's application to log 1,002 moun- representatives called for CDF to immedi- PO Box 1975, Los Gatos, CA 95031, or by
Lain watershed acres was held January 31 and ately deny the application on these grounds going to www mountain resource org/nail
was attended by over 500 concerned resi- NAIL researchers gave CDF officials a CD and using the PayPal option One-hundred
dents The Santa Clara County Fire Marshall containing the findings and announced char percent of donations are used for expenses
reports that attendance was so high it caused the NAIL data files were publicly posted for such as flyers, printing, mailing, posters,
the board of supervisors'chambers to be filled anyone to review technical consultant fees,and advertising
to capacity, an overflow room to be filled to CDF representative Captain John Ferreira CDF is also continuing to accepr letters
capacity,and some people to be turned away scared that all information presented at the from residents who wish to express their views
due co lack of'scating. hearing is now under review by CDF officials about the logging plan Residents should
Representatives from Aldercroft Heights, The review process has no designated end date write to California Department of Forestry,
Chemekeca Park, Redwood Estates,Summit and could continue for several months.CDF Reference 1-06NTMP-012SCL, 135 Ridge-
Road area, Loma Priera, Villa del Monte, must evaluate information from the public way Avenue,Santa Rosa,CA 95401
Thompson Road, Black Road, Call of the hearing,as well as technical and professional Ternl Uxrk
Wild, Soda Springs, Oakmont, and people reports submitted by affected agencies, such Steering Committee,NAIL
from as far away as the Sierra Nevada as the scare Department of Fish and Game,,ti ;. - M
NW
addressed the CDF panel. Over 91 people other state regulatory agencies, Santa Clara ? ' RI� -r^ ; 13 a
try`
spoke during the four-hour hearing. Resi- County geologists and hydrologists, repre- rt�::`~i`t� •y
dents cited issues of water-quality failure, sentatives hired by local water companies,
water-syscem damage, increased fire risk, and the contractor loggers' forester CDF
soil erosion, landslides, logging-zone align- review can result in approval or denial of the IFS. "Sr
rnenr with the San Andreas Fault, loss of application, a request for more information
homes and property values,and examples of from SJWC,or a delay based on the need for `
poor logging practices by contract logger Big further investigation r r.
Creek Lumber During the review period, NAIL will con-
Santa Clara County officials reported that cinue to monitor the process and urge SJWC �Y
they had never had a turnout of this magni- to partner with MidPeninsula Open Space
tude for a public hearing Although initially and ocher land preservation groups, so chat t„ �•3 R ;,
fearing that attendees would cause problems, the watershed can be protected from logging
county officials and CDF complimented res- and possibly opened For public use. NAIL - �' b
i
1
Logging CL Cathermola Road and a proposed helicopter "The Bay Area Air Pollution Control District
There are a lot of us char do not agree with landing area just north of Lake Elsman The shall be contacted for further information
NAIL. I have been a mountain resident for large helicopters used in logging generate and guidance regarding conformance to
over 32 years,seen fire storms go right over my enormous amounts of dust. This places the their asbestos quality control measures. Any
house more than once. I was one of the lucky generation of airborne asbestos approximately long-term au quality mitigation will need to
ones;my home was saved The 1985 firestorm 800 yards from the Building Blocks preschool consider possible effects to adjacent rue plant
was unfortunate, but the hills needed to be and 1,000 yards from C.T.English and Loma habitat if present. Therefore, consultation
cleared of fuel load,making it safer Priers Elementary schools. Residences along with the California Dept of Fish & Game
ed on this mountain, Morrill Road are approximately 500 yards is encouraged prior to implementing any
IF none of us liv
fires would naturally occur and clear the from the asbestos area cited in the CGS proposed long-term mitigation in this area"
dangerous plant and tree growth. But we all report. Over a dozen different additional issues/
live here and stop the natural occurrence of The Loma Prieta School board and district situations were discussed,mostly surrounding
forest fires. I think NAIL.should speak with parents should be aware of the fact that school road construction and erosion issues. These
CDF (California Department of Forestry) children may be exposed to airborne asbestos issues were omitted in the report submitted to
and post their findings,honestly. as a result of SJWCs activities. CDF by San Jose Water Company's forester
Log away, please It may be messy, noisy, Below are some excerpts from the report: from Big Creek Lumber.
and inconvenient but it will let me sleep Overall Geologic Concerns (page 2). Below is additional background information
better on a hoc summer night knowing there "Potential impacts of timber harvesting on on the issue of airborne asbestos.
is less fuel to fuel the next fire public safety, slope stability and sediment State of California: Governor's Office
And Neil, done be afraid. They're not yield; erosion along existing and proposed of Planning and Research, http://www.
taking all your trees roads and skid trails;potential adverse impacts opr.ca.gov/clearinghouse/asbestos.html.
Okay,so now you have your second letter, to water quality, including potential impacts Asbestos can be released from serpentinice and
and I personally can name twelve others who to Los Gatos Creek and Lexington Reservoir, ultramafic rocks when die rock is broken or
think the same.Unfortunately they also work domestic water supplies for the plan submitter, crushed. At the point of release, the asbestos
and dorA have the time co litter our beautiful neighborhood mutual water companies and fibers may become airborne, causing air
the Santa Clara Valle Water District." quality and human health hazards These j
mountain with propaganda Y rocks have been commonly used for unpaved
Salnt+el p. Ifastfks Page 6, "Serpencinite, a rock consisting
Fire Science major,Mission College almost entirely of one or more of the serpentine gravel roads, landscaping, fill projects, and
minerals is exposed along the publicly traveled other improvement projects in some localities.
You might wish to listen to your professors Cachermola Road and underlies a proposed Asbestos may be released to the atmosphere
explain why logging can reduce canopy, landin area north of Lake Elsman due to vehicular traffic on unpaved roads,
g
to increasing fire development projects,and
Increase brush, and teed 9 Burin grading for deve o ,
danger. if we accept your figures, we have fibrous chrysolite asbestos, the most common g gr g P P 1
and several California
asbest
os may be derived from at quarry operations.All of these activities may
to iri a
In favor of Y
74 people 99 9.
thousand against You have a right to your set entinice. The exposed set encinite is have the effect of releasing potentially harmful
P 9 PI
P
weathering and
o into the air.Natural
t looks like yo
u are !n a tin asbestos
opinion, but 1 Y
p � y susceptible to abrasion from vehicle use, and
minority. if the asbestos is present, asbestos fibers may erosion processes can act on asbestos bearing
Nail Wiley become airborne. Exposure to asbestos fibers rock and make it easier for asbestos fibers to
" airborne if such rock is disturbed.
Another concern about logging a critical has potential human health consequences. become
watershed Major issues highlighted in the report Te GlR rk.
Required reports before approving a (Page 9). "No timber harvesting activities NAI
f.q P PP g Steering Committee
logging permit include geological and shall occur on the 6 acre land
slide below the
asbestos. The California Geologic Survey Chemeketa Park Subdivision."
has submitted their Pre-Harvest Inspection
Report to the California Department of
Forestry Everyone should be aware of
the startling information contained in
the report. (See the entire document at
ftp://thp_fire,ca.gov/THPL.ibmry/North_
Coast_Region/NTMPs2006/1-06NTMP-
012SCL/20070308_I-06NTMP-012SCL__
PHI-CGS.pdf.)
The geologic report discusses the creation
of airborne asbestos as a result of the San` Jose Water Company logging activities.
z; The report cites the asbestos issue along
april2007
u..
i
M CA-Li 2-00�--
.
The Battle Continues mountain slopes, the water we drink, and the the county can give them some incentives to
Neil Wiley air we breathe. convert their properties to open space or other
In Santa Cruz County, the latest bone of All other counties have a higher limit than more attractive alternatives. Logging should
i contention is the minimum number of acres the puny five acres of Santa Cruz County. not be the only answer.
the county will require for rezoning land to The average is twenty acres. And most coun- In Santa Clara County, the big battle con-
TPZ (Timber Production Zone). Would- ties still have the original 160-acre-minimum tinues between San Jose Water and a large
be loggers like the present minimum of five parcel size. group of determined mountain neighbors over
acres. Tree-lovers and other opponents of In 1978, the Santa Cruz County planning the San Jose Water's attempt to log over 1,000
commercial logging would rather see a higher staff adopted standards for minimum desirable acres. As of mid-April, the California Depart-
minimum, up to the maximum allowed by economic units. The standards for zoning as rent of Forestry (CDF) had not made a final
the state—eighty acres.Chances are,the Santa TPZ set a minimum of forty acres for mixed- ruling on the logging plan. Rumors are that
Cruz County Board of Supervisors will choose conifer forest and developed parcels, and the plan was sent back again for more changes.
something in the middle, perhaps twenty to twenty acres for pure conifer lands.These stan- CDF also had not ruled on whether San Jose
forty acres.The decision may have been made dards sound like a good basis for a decision. Water even had the legal right to file a Non-
at the April 24 meeting, but it's more likely In the past, some loggers and planners con- Timber Management Plan.This type of permit
that it will be continued on for a month or so. tended that logging would limit development. can only be used for owners of less than 2500
This issue is important because it is the only In fact, history shows this is not the case and acres of timberland,but an independent study
way that the county can limit logging. The that roads and landings created during logging suggests that San Jose Water has more than the
State of California regulates how logging will have been converted to residential use,thereby allowed acreage.
be done, and they do very little to discour- promoting development. Not all logging is bad,but it is a noisy,dirty
age it,including weak enforcement of existing At present, more than 65,000 acres are business that extracts resources, damages the
Forest Practice Rules. zoned TPZ. In addition, another 7,800 acres environment, and hurts neighboring property
Environmentalists want a higher minimum in parcels larger than 80 acres could potentially owners.It must be controlled.
because it would limit the number of parcels rezone to TPZ. Smaller properties now con-
being rezoned.In turn,this would reduce local tiguous with existing TPZ land could also be
land conflicts, especially between neighbors rezoned for logging.
and owners of smaller properties who wish to On the other hand,owners of smaller parcels
log. This would reduce the damage to neigh- that have no value for residential, agricultural,
boring parcels, watersheds, roads, fisheries, or commercial development are stuck.Perhaps
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