HomeMy Public PortalAbout20131015 - Agenda Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 13-26 Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District Meeting 13-26
SPECIAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
Administrative Office
330 Distel Circle
Los Altos, CA 94022
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
SPECIAL MEETING BEGINS AT 2:30 P.m.*
AGENDA
2:30 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE
DISTRICT—STUDY SESSION
ROLL CALL
1. Informational Presentation on Conservation Grazing Management Strategies
ADJOURNMENT
Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed.Agenda is subject to change of order.
TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: The President 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.
Consent Calendar: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.
Written materials relating to an item on this Agenda that are considered to be a public record and are distributed to Board members less than 72 hours prior to
the meeting,will be available for public inspection at the District's Administrative Office located at 330 Distel Circle,Los Altos,California 94022.
CLRTIFICATION OU' POSTING OFACENDA
1,Jennifer Woodworth,District Clerk for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District(MROSD),declare that the foregoing agenda for the Special
Meeting of the MROSD Board of Directors was posted and available for review on October 11,2013,at the Administrative Offices of MROSD,330 Distel
Circle,Los Altos California,94022. The agenda is also available on the District's web site at httr):/4ww.oyenst)ace.org.
Signed this I I"day of October,2013 at Los Altos,California.
District Clerk
Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
R-13-98
Meeting 13-26
October 15, 2013
AGENDA ITEM 1
AGENDA ITEM
Informational Presentation on Conservation Grazing Management Strategies
GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
Receive an informational presentation on conservation grazing management strategies.
SUMMARY
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District established a Conservation Grazing Program in
February 2007 with the adoption of the District's Grazing Management Policy(see report R-07-
23). Since 2007, a total of 8 District properties, totaling over 7,700 acres, have been managed
with livestock grazing. An additional 3,100 acres are expected to be added by the end of 2014,
bringing the total to 10,800 acres. Conservation grazing of rangeland can occur on either a year-
round schedule or a seasonal schedule. Both of these grazing practices provide specific benefits
for different land management objectives on different properties depending on a number of
considerations. Staff has prepared this report and presentation in order to summarize information
regarding the compatibility of livestock grazing with public recreation and the natural resource
benefits derived from a well managed livestock grazing operation. No action is being requested
of the Board at this time. The purpose of the report and presentation is to inform Board about the
conservation grazing management strategies used to manage District Preserves.
BACKGROUND
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District established a Conservation Grazing Program in
February 2007 with the adoption of the District's Grazing Management Policy(see report R-07-
23). This Policy was intended to supplement and complement the Agricultural Policies provided
for in the Service Plan for the San Mateo Coastal Annexation Area, which was approved by the
Board of Directors June 6, 2003. The Goal of the Conservation Grazing Program is to:
"Manage District land with livestock grazing that is protective of natural resources
and that is compatible with public access; to maintain and enhance the diversity of
native plant and animal communities, manage vegetation fitel for fire protection, help
sustain the local agricultural economy, and preserve and foster appreciation for the
region's rural agricultural heritage.
The District's Rangeland Ecologist coordinates many different aspects of the program to fulfill
the Program's goal, from the number of cattle allowed to graze on a selected area(stocking rate)
to the rent amount paid to the District, and other specific land management goals. Specific terms
and definitions used in the program are described in Attachment 1, Livestock Terms and
Definitions.
The Big Dipper Ranch portion of Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve was the first District
preserve to be managed with cattle grazing under the Grazing Management Policy. Since that
time, a total of 8 properties, totaling over 7,700 acres have been managed with livestock grazing.
An additional 3,100 acres, on two distinct properties, are expected to be added by the end of
2014 bringing the total to 10,800 acres. The table below provides a summary of District lands
with livestock grazing:
YEAR FIRST GRAZED
UNDER DISTRICT
PROPERTY PRESERVE OWNERSHIP ACRES
Big Dipper Skyline Ridge OSP 2007 955
Purisima Creek Redwoods
Bluebrush Canyon OSP 2009 302
Purisima Creek Redwoods
Lobitos Ridge OSP 2010 389
Elkus Ranch Purisima Creek Redwoods
Uplands OSP 2009 450
Purisima Creek Redwoods
October Farm OSP 2012 270
Tunitas Creek
Ranch Tunitas Creek OSP 2008 707
Toto Ranch Tunitas Creek OSP 2012 952
Driscoll Ranch La Honda Creek OSP 2006 3,700
McDonald Ranch La Honda Creek OSP 2013 (proposed) 2,060
Mindego Hill Russian Ridge OSP 2014(proposed)—t-1,047
The Conservation Grazing Program is a shared program between the Natural Resources, Real
Property, and Operations Departments, drawing on the expertise of the staff of the three
departments to implement the goals of the program. The Rangeland Ecologist within the Natural
Resources Department is responsible for overseeing day to day operations, project
implementation, infrastructure improvements, stocking rate adjustments,preparing rangeland
management plans, tenant selection processes, and monitoring. The Real Property Specialist
within the Real Property Department is primarily responsible for leases and rent collection, as
well as managing tenant projects for rent credit. Oversight of grazed properties is the
responsibility of the Operations Department staff, which routinely patrol,perform maintenance,
and are available to respond to emergencies.
DISCUSSION
Staff has prepared a summary of information regarding the management objectives of livestock
grazing,potential impacts from poor livestock grazing practices, and the management actions
used to mitigate these impacts to achieve a well managed livestock grazing operation(see
Attachment 2).
Grazing and Public Recreation
Public recreation on lands grazed by cattle is occurring on several sister agency lands in the San
Francisco Bay Region, including East Bay Regional Park District, Santa Clara County Parks,
East Bay Municipal Utility District, and Marin County Parks and Open Space District. Staff has
met with representatives from these agencies and toured their park and open space lands to
review and discuss their experiences with public recreation on grazed properties. Livestock
grazing does result in impacts to visitor experiences, most commonly cattle trampling of road
and trail treads,physical and visual impacts to creeks and other wetlands and less commonly,
negative visitor interactions with livestock. Mitigating these impacts requires careful
management, including implementing best management practices, and planned, long-term
infrastructure investments to preserve a visitor experience similar to that found on ungrazed
lands.
Year-round and Seasonal Grazing
Cattle can graze rangeland on either a year-round schedule or a seasonal schedule. Both of these
grazing practices provide specific benefits for different land management objectives. For
example, seasonal grazing is typically accomplished using recently weaned calves, or"stockers',
that provide several benefits such as being smaller animals (typically around 500 lbs)that are
therefore easier to move into a property and not as intimidating for the public. However,
stockers are not as efficient at grazing, which can result in missed areas or heavily impacted
areas on a property. Conversely, year-round grazing is accomplished with cow-calf pairs (a
mother cow with her calf)that are resident on the property throughout the year. These animals
tend to know the property(where the water and good forage are located) and therefore distribute
throughout the property better than stockers. However, mother cows can also be aggressive
when threatened by dogs, resulting in negative visitor experiences and subsequent complaints.
Impacts from Poor Grazing Practices
Well managed grazing requires a skilled and cooperative operator who understands cattle
behavior and how forage preferences change throughout the year, and who is willing to actively
work with an agency lessor to meet important resource protection goals including water quality
and endangered species protection. Adequate water and fencing infrastructure is also necessary
to control and influence cattle behavior to achieve the desired resource benefits. Where any of
these requirements are not met,negative impacts to natural resources can result. These include
overconsumption of vegetation, or ill timed grazing, resulting in erosion and weed growth.
Poorly timed livestock access in aquatic and riparian habitats can also result in impacts to these
sensitive environments such as trampling of vegetation and creek bank erosion. Failing to rotate
or move cattle throughout the property often results in over utilization of vegetation in some
areas and under utilization of vegetation on others.
Benefits from Excellent Grazing Practices
Just as poorly managed grazing can result in negative impacts to the natural resources on a
property, well managed grazing can benefit natural resources and associated processes,primarily
through vegetation management. Cattle grazing removes excess biomass of exotic grasses,
reducing the competition for light, space,nutrients, and water for the native grassland plant
species. Trampling by livestock helps to incorporate decaying vegetation back into the soil,
which increases the soil organic matter resulting in increased water retention. In turn, increased
water retention recharges groundwater supplies and reduces soil compaction,which promotes the
growth of desirable vegetation. Additionally,the biomass reduction improves wildland fire
protection because the shorter vegetation carries a less intense and slower fire, should one occur.
Finally, because adequate water is necessary for grazing, improved water infrastructure benefits
the native wildlife. Ponds originally constructed for stock watering regularly provide critical
habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered aquatic species.
Summary of Key Points
Key points identified in the Grazing Management Objectives table that are significant for the
District's mission, goals and policies include:
• Reduction of invasive annual grass growth to increase native grassland species
abundance and diversity.
• Reduction of standing plant growth, reducing wildland fire risk in the dry, summer
months.
• Resolution of conflicts between recreation and grazing by utilizing rotational grazing
approaches, livestock familiarity with recreation, and education of the preserve users.
• Use of year-round rotational grazing is generally most appropriate on properties with
adequate infrastructure, including water and cross fencing and generally provides the
greatest flexibility for achieving the District's multiple goals on grazing properties
• Use of seasonal grazing is generally most appropriate on properties with inadequate or
limited infrastructure, and/or limited water supply and is generally provides less
flexibility for achieving the District's multiple goals on grazing properties.
• Year-round rotational grazing combines the long-term benefits of year-round grazing
with the season-specific, resource protection advantages of seasonal grazing to provide
the best overall resource grazing strategy for the District.
• On its existing grazing properties, the District has already demonstrated the ability to
support and improve habitat for rare species,protect riparian resources and provide for
diverse wildlife populations.
• Improperly managed livestock grazing can result in impacts to District trails and roads,
which will require additional maintenance to retain comparable user experiences to non-
grazed lands. Carefully planned pasture rotation that keeps livestock off vulnerable
sections of trails during the wet winter months, reinforcing vulnerable sections of trail,
placement of supplement and water troughs away from trails,temporary fencing, and
public education can significantly mitigate these impacts to trails.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notice was provided as required by the Brown Act.
Attachments:
1. Summary: Conservation Grazing Program, Livestock Terms and Definitions
2. Grazing Management Objectives, Potential Impacts, and Mitigations
Responsible Department Head:
Kirk Lenington,Natural Resources Department Manager
Prepared by:
Clayton Koopmann, Rangeland Ecologist,Natural Resources Department
Contact person:
Clayton Koopmann, Rangeland Ecologist,Natural Resources Department
Summary: Conservation Grazing Program
Basic Livestock Terms &Definitions
Why a Conservation Grazing Program?
As part of the District's mission to protect the diversity and integrity of natural resources for their value to the
environment and to people,the District utilizes livestock grazing as a resource management tool, in compliance with the
District's grazing policy as adopted in 2007. Livestock grazing is implemented under a planned,carefully managed and
monitored conservation grazing program to achieve the District's resource management objectives which are set forth
in Rangeland Management Plans that are individually prepared for each property by a Certified Rangeland Manager.
The Rangeland Management Plans address natural resource management objectives(riparian habitat,wildlife habitat,
special status species, native grasslands, invasive species,wildflowers, etc.),fire fuel load reduction objectives,
recreational uses,agricultural viability, livestock management, and infrastructure needs. In addition to fulfilling the
District's Resource Management Policies,the Conservation Grazing program helps to fulfill the District's commitment to
conserve open space and agricultural land,encourage viable agricultural use of the land,and preserve agricultural
operations on the coast as set forth in the Coastside Protection Area Service Plan that was adopted by the District in
2004 as part of the San Mateo County Coastal Annexation.
Who Implements the Program?
The responsibility of implementing and managing the District's Conservation Grazing Program is shared between the
Natural Resources Department and the Real Property Department with assistance and input from the Operations
Department. Elaina Cuzick, Real Property Specialist,is responsible for drafting each grazing lease and assists with
invoices for rent collection as well as work for rent projects. Clayton Koopmann, Rangeland Ecologist, is responsible for
overseeing day today operations, project implementation, infrastructure improvements,stocking rate adjustments,
management plan development,tenant selection process,and monitoring. Brian Malone,Skyline Area Superintendent,
provides support through field staff and rangers when necessary to assist the Conservation Grazing Program or to
respond to potential emergencies. The three departments work cooperatively to implement the program with carefully
selected grazing operators. It is critical that the District selects the best possible grazing operator with the experience,
capacity and shared common interests of the District and encourage strong communication to achieve the District's
resource management objectives.
How does the program work?
Once a grazing operator has been selected to graze a particular property,they are required to familiarize themselves
with the Rangeland Management Plan for the property,which highlights items such as resources management
objectives, recommended stocking rates, pasture rotations, seasonal or year round grazing application,and needs for
infrastructure improvements. Once the tenant is familiar with the District's objectives,they work closely with the
District's Rangeland Ecologist to establish stocking rates and pasture rotations which are feasible for the livestock
operator and will achieve the District's resource management objectives. Additionally, key infrastructure projects such
as off-site water development, riparian fencing, pasture fencing, road repairs, invasive species treatment,etc. are
discussed and projects are chosen and implemented by the grazing tenant. Upon completion of District approved work,
the grazing tenant will receive rent credit toward their rent for the grazing season (deduct the price of the completed
projects from their annual rent). In this way,the operator makes permanent enhancements to the property which
benefits the District,enhance the efficiency of the grazing operation and allow the operator to better achieve the
resource management objectives. Rent is charged on a per Animal Unit Month (AUM) basis. Please see below for an
explanation of AUM based rent fees.
�
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LIVESTOCK TERMS AND DEFINITIONS:
�
Conservation Grazing: Livestock grazing is utilized as a resource management tool to achieve specific conservation �
and/or resource management objectives. �
�
Year Round Grazing:
Grazing occurs year-round on a grazing management unit or property.Year-round grazing has the �
benefit of providing greater flexibility on when livestock graze different portions of a Preserve,avoiding wet and �
sensitive habitats during critical time periods. Additionally,the livestock"learn the land"and distribute better �
�
throughout the Preserve, providing more uniform reduction in grassland vegetation growth. Careful management is �
� necessary to avoid impacts because of the year-round presence of livestock. �
�
Seasonal Grazing:
�
Grazing is restricted to one qr more specific seasons of the year. Seasonal grazing has the benefit of
allowing smaller Preserves to be grazed because smaller yearling cattle are used that can be transported more easily. �
Additionally,the seasonal timing of the grazing can avoid sensitive time periods or water limitations of properties. �
� Because the livestock are young and unfamiliar to the Preserve,grassland vegetation grazing is less uniform and impacts �
� can be concentrated if not adequately managed. �
�
A grazing method that utilizes recurring periods of grazing and rest among two or more pastures in
a grazing management unit orproperty. �
�
Cow or Cow/Calf Pair:
�
A mature cow,oro mature cow with a nursing calf at her side prior toweaning. The operator
retains the mature cow and sells off a weaned calf between 4OD-7OO pounds annually. Profit is obtained by selling the
calves ona per pound basis. Most often grazed year-round.
Stocker : Calves or older animals that are maintained, often on pasture or rangeland,to increase weight and
maturity before being placed inafeedlot. Profit ia obtained by weight gain on the animals ona per pound basis while on
pasture. Stockers are always grazed seasonally.
Rent:AUM Based Grazing lease fees are calculated utilizing anAnimal Unit Month (AUK4)systern. AUK8 is defined as
one Animal Unit Equivalent(AUE)grazing for one month. One AUEia considered tobe one mature cow,two years old
and above, including a nursing calf of less than eight months of age at her side. See AUE values below:
Mature Cow(Including Cow/Calf pair) 1.00
Replacement Heifers/Bred Heifers 1.00
TYPE OF ANIMAL ANIMAL UNIT EQUIVELANT
Mature Bull 1.50
Horse 1.25
Fees are calculated by multiplying the number of Animal Unit Equivalents(AUE)grazing on the property by the total
number of months grazed for the season/year to obtain the total Animal Unit Months(AUM). The AUyN's utilized are
then multiplied by the current AUM rate to determine the total lease fee for the year. The 2O12,fair market value,AUM |
|
rate utilized by the District was 51B.65 per AUK4. |
(Sample: 5U bred heifers grazing for 6 months would be50AUEx6mmnds=3OOAUM;30DAUMx$2/I65<4UM=
$5,595.DO for 6 months oƒg/ozing./
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Grazing Management Objectives, Potential Impacts and Mitigations
CATEGORY MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES OF GRAZING POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM GRAZING MANAGEMENT ACTIONS TO MITIGATE IMPACTS
NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Aquatic Habitats Reduce invasive plants that impact native plant Degradation of water quality by introducing Exclusion fencing
community diversity pathogens into water supply Rotational grazing(avoid or minimize riparian
Reduce thatch and dense vegetation which Erosion of stream bank and increase pastures during wet season)
enhances wildlife movement sedimentation Establish vegetation buffers
Trampling of stream channel and spawning Annual photo monitoring
habitats
Degradation of aquatic habitat margins and
vegetation
Plant Communities Increase native grass diversity,abundance,and Degradation of native grasses and wildflowers by Rotational grazing(avoid sensitive areas at key
composition grazing at wrong stage of growth cycle stages)
Increase wildflower diversity,abundance,and Trampling of wildflowers by livestock Maintain infrastructure to allow for pasture rotations
composition Increasing spread of invasive plant populations Follow grazing prescriptions set forth in Grazing
Reduce invasive plants that impact native plant Introduction of new invasive plants to a property Management Plan
community diversity Placement of salt/supplement and water troughs
Reduce encroachment of coyote brush into Annual photo monitoring
grassland habitats 24 hour quarantine of new cattle entering premises
check source of supplemental hay
Special Status Reduce thatch and dense vegetation which Degradation of habitat through over utilization of Partial fencing of stock ponds to protect CRLF
Wildlife Species enhances movement of San Francisco garter sensitive habitat areas breeding habitat and emergent vegetation
snake and California red-legged frog in upland Trampling of adults and egg masses or breeding Placement of supplement&off site water
habitats habitat Rotational grazing(avoid pastures containing
breeding amphibians at key stages)
Lower stocking densities
Annual monitoring
Soils Composition Enhance soil organic matter through trampling Soil compaction,particularly on wet soils Rotational grazing(avoid pastures containing roads
that incorporates decaying vegetation into soils Erosion of heavily used cattle trails which may &trails succeptible to damage during wet season)
channel water Lower stocking densities
Annual monitoring/RDM measurements
Placement of supplement&off site water
Page 1 of 3
Grazing Management Objectives, Potential Impacts and Mitigations
CATEGORY MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES OF • ACTIONS
USER FRIENDLY RECREATION
Hiking Enhance the aesthetic value of the preserve, Degradation of roads and trails by livestock hoof Rotational grazing to exclude livestock from wet
wildlife habitat,and vegetation for preserve marks/pocking roads/trails areas during wet season
Mountain Biking users to enjoy Presence of livestock feces on trails and Reinforce sections of trail with high susceptibility
Increase maintenance of roads and some trails grasslands to impacts
Equestrian by the grazing operator Presence of livestock causing visitor fear Placement of supplement&water troughs
Promote San Mateo County's rich agricultural Conflicts with aggressive livestock,particularly Install fencing where appropriate
heritage with off-leash dog access Education of visitors to modify behavior and avoid
conflict or perceived aggressive behavior
Encourage tenant to graze docile livestock
accustomed to recreational uses
Require all livestock to have an ear-tag with
individual identification number to facilitate visitor
reporting of aggressive encounters
Rotational grazing to reduce human/livestock
interaction during high use months
Placement of salt/supplement and water to reduce
human/livestock interaction
WILDLAND FIRE FUEL LOAD REDUCTION
Plant Communities Reduce vegetation lower wildfire fuel loads and Degradation of native grasses and wildflowers by Rotational grazing(avoid sensitive areas at key
provide a safe environment for preserve grazing at wrong stage of growth cycle stages)
neighbors Trampling of wildflowers by livestock Annual photo monitoring
Increasing spread of invasive plant populations 24-hour quarantine of new cattle entering premises
Introduce new invasive plants to a property
Page 2 of 3
Grazing Management Objectives, Potential Impacts and Mitigations
CATEGORY MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES OF GRAZING POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM GRAZING MANAGEMENT ACTIONSTO MITIGATE IMPACTS
AGRICULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS
Site Presence •Provide improvements and maintenance of Reduction of user'wilderness'experience due to Installation of self-closing pedestrian gates
infrastructure(water systems,fences,gates,and increased infrastructure Installation of interpretive and educational signs
Support Local roads) Reduction of Preserve aesthetics due to Implementation of BMPs for infrastructure
Agricultural Economy Provide an additional set of eyes and ears on the unsightly infrastructure improvements
property to alert the District about criminal Damage to signs by livestock rubbing Installation of'cattle proof'signs&infrastructure
Support Agricultural activity,needs for maintenance,or emergencies
Heritage Support local businesses and infrastructure(such
as large animal veterinarians,feed stores,
specialized contractors,etc.)
Educate and familiarize the public regarding
grazing operations,safety around livestock,and
benefits of grazing as resource management tool
Page 3 of 3
II
Midpeninsula Regional
Open Space District
AMENDED CLOSING MEMORANDUM
To: Stephen E. Abhors,General Manager OW
(:CJ
From: Michael C. Williams,Real Property Manager
Date: October 15,2013
Subject: Former Lobner Trust Property, Funding and Acquisition Agreement with the County of
Santa Clara,Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
Escrow closed on the Funding and Acquisition Agreement(Agreement)with Santa Clara County
(County)on October 15,2013. This Agreement provides$225,000(50%)reimbursement for the
District's purchase of the 10.79-acre the Lobner Trust property on February 15,2013. As part of this
Agreement,the District conveyed a conservation easement to the County covering the subject property.
(see attached map)
The following chart presents dedication and transaction details for this property:
DEDICATION&ACQUISITION INFORMATION Board Approval Date&
Preserve Ownership Status:
Num
& County Grantor Acres (FM Resolution Easement,Lease, General Mana ber or
Manager
Area & Mgmt Agreement)A.P.N. Approval Date
Santa Clara County of Santa Fee-District April 23,2013
Monte Bello 351-13-018 10.79 Conservation Res No.13-10
Clara I Easement-County
Mgmt.Status: Dedication Date
Closing Date (Open,Closed,CMU, & Funding Value GIS Code
or Other) Status(intended or Type
Withheld)
$225,000-District
10/15/2013 Open Withheld Grant 12IL000-County $450,000 1608
$4501000 1 1
Misc.Notes:
cc: Accounting Operations Manager
Board of Directors Planning Manager
Field Offices(SFO,FFO&SAO) Public Affairs Administrative Assistant
GCS Administrator Public Affairs Manager
Legal Administrative Assistant Real Property Administrative Assistant
Management Analyst Senior Real Property Planner
Natural Resources Manager
I
Jj_`7
Monte Bello
pen SpacePreserve �—�
i1 -
Upper $t4ve�tis Creek Park <
Sdrt�"d1ra Count Lobner Parcel
y) 10.79 Acres =
APN: 351-13-018 t1
e ( 401
f
o
4 j �
r
Lobner Property
Lobner Parcel r>r J Watershed Land r�� Non MROSD Conservation
i//1 or Agricultural Easement
MROSD Preserves Private Property
® MROSD Conservation
Other Protected Open Space Developed Land or Agricultural Easement m
or Park Lands
Nhile the District strives to use the best available digital data.this data does not represent a legal survey and is merely a graphit Illustration or geographic
i
p S i la Regional
Open
P Memorandum
0 en Space
District
P
To: MROSD Board of Directors
Through: Steve Abbors,General Manager
From: Julie Andersen,Planner Il,Natural Resources Department
i
Date: October 18,2013
Re: Progress Update,El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Plan
Please see attached letter that was sent to the National Marine Fisheries Service updating them on work l
completed to date under the El Corte de Madera Creek Watershed Protection Plan and providing an
updated schedule for the remaining two years of work.
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Regional �
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D8OSDJ[e I Wopenmsu|a Regional Open Space District | BOARD v"DIRECTORS
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October 18~2o1]
Mr. Dick Butler
North Coast Office Supervisor
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,Southwest Region
'National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS), Protected Resources Division
777 Sonoma Ava°Room]25
Santa Rosa,CA954o4-47J1
RE: Update for the El Corte cle Madera Creek Watershed Protection Program(ECDM WPP)
Dear Mr. Butler, �
The information in this letter is being provided to you to update the NMFS on work completed to �
date under the ECDM WPP and to provide you with an updated schedule for the remaining two years
of work. During the 2013 construction season,the District was able to complete 2of the 8remaining
high priority work sites. Completing the VVPP remains a high priority for the District and vvehave �
�
scheduled implementation of four work sites for the 2014 work season,with the remaining two work
sites scheduled for 2o15' Please see attached table of the updated project schedule.Also included is �
a map of the locations for the remaining work sites and pictures of the two completed work sites. �
Warm regards,
61-AIWO74-
StephenE.Abbons,General Manager
Attachments: Table 1. Updated work schedule
Map of remaining work sites zo14'2o15
Photos ofwork completed|nz01]
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cc: Board of Directors,MROSD
Kevin Woodhouse/Ana Ruiz,Assistant General Managers,MROSD
Kirk Lenington,Natural Resources Department Manager,MROSD
Meredith Manning/Tina Hugg,Co-Acting Planning Managers,MROSD
Jonathan Ambrose,Wildlife Biologist, N M FS Protected Resources Division,Santa Rosa
Kristine Atkinson,Fisheries Biologist,CDFW,Yountville
Bruce Wolfe,Executive Director,San Francisco Bay RWqCB,Oakland
Cameron Johnson,San Francisco Bay South Section Branch Chief, US Army Corps of Engineers
Ryan Olah,Coast Bay Delta Branch Chief,USFWS
Robert Zatkin,San Carlos
Table 1. UPDATED Schedule, El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve, WPP
Previously
Scheduled Revised
Completion Construction
Work Site Work Effort Priority Date Date
Upgrade trail drainage by
Springboard Trail installing reverse grade Completed
dips and base rock High 2013 2013
Convert 1000 ft of road to
trail by installing reverse
grade dips,and abandon
"Blue Blossom Trail 750 feet of trail (no longer
(West) in use)by removing a failed
culvert,recontouring old
road fill, mulching and Anytime
abandoning the old road from Completed
section Moderate 2013-2015 2013
Steam Donkey Trail Upgrade trail drainage by Rescheduled
install reverse grade dips High 2013 to 2014
Install 32' bridge crossing
"Methuselah trail the creek,install 12' Anytime
puncheon, upgrade trail to from Scheduled
connect to new bridge Moderate 2013-2015 for 2014
Install reverse grade dips,
El Corte de Madera rock 3 ford crossings,and
Creek Trail convert road to trail,
reroute trail and install
ditch relief culvert High 2014 2014
Resolution Trail install reverse grade dips High 2014 2014
South leaf trail Abandon an recontour
road, install waterbars High 2015 2015
Convert 2,000 feet of road
"Blue Blossom Trail to trail, install 2 puncheons Anytime
(East) (small trail bridges)and from Scheduled
improve trail drainage. Moderate 2013-2015 for 2015
Moderate priority sites are scheduled for completion in conjunction with higher priority sites based on
proximity and availability of equipment working In the area.
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Open Space District
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Moderate ---- Trail
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El Corte de Madera Creek, Watershed Protection Program
Completed Work Sites
2013
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Blue Blossom West Trail, Photo#1
Restoration of 1,000 linear feet of old abandoned road
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Blue Blossom West Trail,Photo#2
Removal of failed culvert and road crossing
through restoration of the natural channel
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Springboard Trail #1
Upgrading trail drainage by installing reverse grade dips
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Upgrading trail drainage by installing reverse grade dips
Springboard Trail #3
Upgrading trail drainage by installing reverse grade dips
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Open Space Midpeninsula DistRerict M e m o ra n d u m
DATE: October 23, 2013
MEMO TO: MROSD Board of Directors
THROUGH: Stephen E. Abbors, General Manager
FROM: Lisa Bankosh, Planner III
SUBJECT: Bald Mountain Staging Area Progress Update
Plans and specifications for a new paved staging area on Mt. Umunhum Road are anticipated to
be complete in December, and construction could commence as early as June 2014. A plan view
of the staging area is provided as Attachment A. This project was approved in October 2012 as
part of the Mount Umunhum Environmental Restoration and Public Access Project.
The new staging area will provide parking for the future Mount Umunhum Trail (expected to be
open to the public in 2017) as well as the existing Bald Mountain Trail. Due to projected high
use of the new staging area, the design process focused on maximizing parking capacity,which
is constrained by the site's steep,ridgeline location. Stormwater drainage design was also a
critical consideration, resulting in several concept iterations in response to soil and geotechnical
data. Although the site constraints were challenging, staff and consultants were able to fmd room
for 28 parking spaces (24 within the new lot,plus four parallel spaces along the road). With the
oversight of a third-party engineering firm, staff considered several design options to achieve
these goals. The final design maximizes the number of vehicle spaces available at the site
without requiring excessive grading or large retaining walls, thereby keeping the aesthetics of the
staging area more rustic and less"built"in appearance.
The final design also addresses Santa Clara County stormwater runoff requirements for new
construction. Projects in Santa Clara County must be designed such that the stormwater runoff
generated from the I 0-year design storm is conveyed in the storm drainage system(pipes or
channels), and the stormwater runoff generated from the 100-year design storm is safely
conveyed away from the project site without creating and/or contributing to downstream
flooding conditions. In addition,the Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention
Program aims for an 85% capture rate of polluted runoff from all low-intensity storms. The final
design provides for adequate drainage basins to accommodate and treat runoff while maximizing
parking for this new paved staging area on Mt. Umunhum Road.
The current estimate for construction of the staging area is approximately$436,000.
Construction will be entirely funded by the State Coastal Conservancy Grant for Mount
Umunhum.
Attachment A. Bald Mountain Staging Area Site Plan
i;I CONTI 97 LEFT
(N).PARALI.EL - rnK...wKl�r•
PAMUNG �pi�iu r�r
SPACES
CONNECTION B.A.zUHDI
f To TING
(N)DIRT P CONSULTING
PATHWAY A BALD "' ENGINEERS
U Gy
_ r (N)SEAtWALL 'MONTA N
CLEANED(F)
CULVERT AND I (N)GUARDRAIL
IMPROVED
7,1j"
+, UGS
� ....!0 &GRO IVE SHRERS6 GROUNOCOVER9jRAIt1A(iE �' I 4!' 1
- • m
swaE ill
�� I • GATE
j 1
MT.UMUNHUM
INK VEHICLE
IN)INFIITRATION :N' ':. >: � TURNAROUND STAGING AREA
BASINS (NJ SEATWALL at Bald Mountain
r I f: �/ '• .�,J' j `�_ _ SIERRA AZUI
,+ I OPEN SPACE PRESERVE
(NI TRALL�SA,4EROCf(
-
, Mdpeniruula Regional
I } I Open Spate uK.tno.
Sams Clan County,
� !!/ `�- ♦ (NJ NATIVE TREES.TYP CallftuTua
M' (N)ENTRY GATES-__.. I I - .�! .�. ,%
0A7 (N)PRE SERVE SIGN
RELOCATED DATE ,... f' • / , , j V.
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PLAN r VVJ/w•
RELOCATED SIGNS S'" � -M)?.4BPACE OP
PARKING LOT gO % !
(N)REHTROOraS INCLUOWO ONE
ACCESSOLS /IItTy-
LROSSWALX SPACE
(N)REPAVED
runt <� ROAD �. ,. k SITE
__ t PLAN 8 SECTION
LIMIT OF WORKfi
( ` VARIES, SEE ORAW�N,.�
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