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HomeMy Public PortalAbout19951025 - Agendas Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 95-23 Regionali" �' MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 95-23 REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGENDA* 7:30 P.M. 330 Distel Circle Wednesday Los Altos, California October 25, 1995 (7:30) ROLL CALL ** ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -- Public ADOPTION OF AGENDA *** ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR -- P. Siemens *** APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 11, 1995 (Consent Item) *** WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS (Consent Item) BOARD BUSINESS (7:45) 1. Tentative Adoption of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve Use and Management Plan Amendment to Construct a Portion of,Bay Area Ridge Trail, Including Crossing of Portola Park Heights Road, and Determination that Project is Categorically Exempt under CEQA -- M. deBeauvieres (8:05) 2. Tentative Adoption of Use and Management Plan Amendments to Open All Trails to Dogs on Leash at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Kennedy Limekiln Area) and to Dogs off Leash at Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve and Determination that Project is Categorically Exempt Under CEQA -- R. Anderson (8:15) 3. Mid-Year Program Evaluation for 1995-1996 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District -- C. Britton (8:45) 4. Endorsement of Santa Clara Countywide Trails Plan -- C. Britton Resolution Endorsing and Supporting Approval of the Santa Clara Countywide Trails Master Plan Update 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 « Phone:415-691-1200 ® FAX:415-691-0485 . E-mail: niros(]@netconi.com board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey,Teena Henshaw,David T.smernoff, Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L Craig Britton Meeting 95-23 Page 2 (8:50) 5. Acceptance of 0.79-Acre Gift of Four Redwood Park Subdivision Parcels from Peninsula Open Space Trust; Tentative Adoption of Preliminary Use and Management Plan Recommendations, Including Naming the Property as an Addition to Purisima Creek Redwood Open Space Preserve and Intention to Withhold the Property from Dedication as Public Open Space and Determination that Project is Categorically Exempt Under CEQA-- C. Britton Resolution Accepting Gift of Redwood Park Subdivision Parcels and Authorizing Execution of Certificate of Acceptance With Respect Thereto (Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve - Lands of Peninsula Open Space Trust) 6. Scheduling of November and December Board Meetings -- J. Fiddes (8:55) 7. Recommendation to Table the Controlled Bum at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve Until Next Season -- R. Anderson (9:10) INFORMATIONAL REPORTS -- Brief announcements or reports by members of the Board and/or staff on District related activities. A Board member may ask a question for clarification. No other action, discussion, or deliberation to take place. Matters of interest to the Board may be referred to staff or placed on a future agenda. REVISED CLAIMS (Consent Item) CLOSED SESSION - None Scheduled ADJOURNMENT *NOTE.- Times are estimated and items may appear earlier or later than listed. Agenda is subject to change of order. TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: 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 3 minutes. Alternately, you may comment to the Board by a written communication, which the Board appreciates. *** All items on the consent calendar shall be approved pproved by one motion unless a Board member removes an item from the consent calendar. A member of the public may request under oral communications that an item be removed from the consent calendar. Claims No. 95-17 Meeting 95-22 Date: Oct. 11, 1995 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 8332 439.64 Acme &Sons Sanitation, Inc. Sanitation Services 8333 143.82 Air Cooled Engines, Inc. Vehicle Parts 8334 87.67 AT&T Telephone Services 8335 346.50 Battery-Tech Inc. Radio Batteries 8336 106.00 Bill's Towing & Recovery Tow Service 8337 167.93 Cal-line Equipment Co. Equipment Parts 8338 921.39 Carsonite International Road Marker 8339 278.42 Cascade Fire Equipment Company Equipment Parts 8340 255.07 Clark's Auto Parts/Machine Shop Vehicle Parts 8341 243.59 Communications &Control Inc. Utilities 8342 2,664.60 ` 1 Corporate Graphics District Post-it Pads 8343 81.56 The Dark Room Photography Processing 8344 203.04 Deluxe Business Forms& Supplies Payroll Checks 8345 70.20 Deirdre Dolan Vehicle Expense 8346 320.50 Jean Fiddes Reimbursement--Staff Event Expenses 8347 63.40 Foster Bros. Security Systems, Inc. Keys 8348 394.99 Gardenland Power Equipment Equipment and Repairs 8349 4,588.37 Gateway 2000 Computer and Monitor 8350 20.59 G & K Services Towel Service 8351 241.79 W.W. Grainger, Inc. Shop Tools 8352 30.00 Greenbelt Alliance Business Meeting--L. Craig Britton 8353 219.00 Honeywell Protection Service Burglar Alarm Service R354 1,200.00 Integrated Training Resources Defensive Tactics Training 355 148.49 Keeble & Shuchat Photography Staff Recognition Photo Processing 8356 22.50 Land Trust Alliance Resource Materials 8357 265.96 Judy Law Reimbursement--Supplies and Vehicle Expense 8358 1,122.30 Los Altos Garbage Company Dumpster Rental 8359 20.00 Los Altos Town Crier Subscription 8360 92.50 R. S. Means Company Resource Materials 8361 51.62 MetroMobileCommunications Radio Repair 8362 86.39 Moore Medical Corp. Ear Protection 8363 461.75 Minton's Lumber&Supply Field Supplies 8364 305.00 National Recreation and Park Association NRPA Conference--L. Craig Britton 8365 195.00 National Safety Council Membership Dues 8366 124.10 Noble Ford Tractor, Inc. Equipment Supplies 8367 42.10 Northern Energy Propane Gas 8368 192.44 Pacific Bell Telephone Service 8369 232.34 Peninsula Blueprint, Inc. Blueline Prints 8370 1,256.46 PIP Printing Map-and Brochure Printing 8371 924.02 Pine Cone Lumber Co., Inc. Lumber 8372 3,000.00 Postage By Phone System Postage 8373 5,008.45 Pouncing Pachyderm Productions Consulting Services 8374 18.65 Precision Engravers Name Tag Engraving 8375 178.62 Rabbit Copiers, Inc. Copier Maintenance Service `1 Urgent Check Issued on September 28, 1995. Page 1 Claims No. 95-17 Meeting 95-22 Date: Oct. 11, 1995 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 8376 428.10 Romic Environmental Technologies Corp. Haz Mat Material Service 8377 2,022.23 Roy's Repair Service Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs 8378 1,062.94 Rich's Tire Service Vehicle Tires 8379 700.00 RT Electric Grant Cabin Electrical Work 8380 4425.00 San Jose Conservation Corps Reynolds Road Cleanup Crew 8381 678.15 San Jose Mercury News Skyline Field Office Advertisement for Bids 8382 88.94 Shell Oil Company Fuel 5,125.00 George Sipel Associates Planning Department Consulting Services 8383 189.58 Skyline County Water District Water Service 8384 58.02 Solano Press Books Resource Materials 8385 885.00 Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation Registrations for Not-So-Annual and Open Space District Conference 8386 616.00 Sonoma Valley Inn Room Reservations-Not-So-Annual Conference 8387 247.64 Taylor Rental Rental Equipment 8388 950.75 Teater & Etc. Graphics Consulting--Maps 8389 7.58 Tooland Inc. Equipment Repair 8390 946.20 Town of Los Gatos Consulting Service 8391 60.00 *2 Town of Woodside Fence Permit 8392 82.50 U.S. Rentals Field Equipment Rental 8393 571.79 WearGuard Rain Gear 8394 123.90 Michael Williams Vehicle Expense 8395 548.67 Yardbird Equipment Sales Equipment and Repairs 8396 202.50 Joan Young Contract Services 8397 217.75 *3 Brendan Downing Reimbursement—Santa Rosa Academy and Vehicle Expense 8398 1,500.00 *4 Postage By Phone Postage 8399 531.00 *5 Kevin MacKay Consultant Services-Pulgas Ridge 8400 110,000.00 American Title Company Reese Property Purchase 8401 5,000.00 Environmental Concepts Teague Hill Perculation Test 8402 1.00 Communication &Control, Inc. Radio Site Lease 8403 1,722.43 Sandis Humber Jones Consulting Services-Skyline Grading 8404 205.29 Petty Cash Office Supplies, Business Meeting Expense, Photo Reproduction, Docent Total 166,034.72 Supplies and Recognition Activities by the Board *2 Urgent Check Issued October 5, 1995 *3 Urgent Check Issued October 6, 1995 *4 Urgent Check Issued October 6, 1995. *5 Urgent Check Issued October 11, 1995 Page 2 RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAPP Board President Acknowledge/Respond Di rector Acknowledge/Reapond Staff Ackaovledga/Respond Draft Responsa Attached Staff to Ae Directed to Prepare Draft Response for board Consideration par Board Direttive(s) No Rasponsa Necessary 408 Star Route 2 La Honda, CA 94020 October 9, 1995 MROSD 330 Distal Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 Dear Board of Directors, I am writing to say that I am very pleased that you are considering opening more n Space land to dog use. The amendment to do access under consideration g atio on October 11 suggest opening three preserves to new or increased dog use. As an immediate neighbor of the Coal Creek Open Space Preserve, I am happy to see it included. However, I hope that the board continues to consider additional preserves for dog use, so that the few r p eserves that are open will not become overrun with dogs. In particular, I suggest that Russian Ridge be opened to dogs, since it is a logical extension of th e e Coal Creek trail network and would allow an expanded hiking range. The overwhelming support of neighbors for opening Russian Ridge to dogs was very apparent during an earlier Board meeting. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Sarah Christian Regional Open Sp, e MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT October 26, 1995 Sarah Christian 408 Star Route 2 La Honda, CA 94020 Dear Ms. Christian: Thank you for your October 9 letter supporting increased access for dogs and the inclusion of dog access at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. The Board reviewed your letter at its regular meeting last night. The Board carefully considered the request made by the neighbors of Russian Ridge at our June 28 meeting to include this preserve in the dog access areas. The Board is committed to expanding dog access only with the greatest care to ensure that we can meet our responsibility to manage the use and protect the resources. At this stage, Russian Ridge was not selected as one of the preserves targeted for expanded dog 'access. Whether access is ultimately expanded to Russian Ridge depends on the success of the program elsewhere. We hope that you and other dog owners will help us by using these areas responsibly. Sincerely; Pete Siemens, President Board of Directors PS:RA:kh 330 Distel Circle . Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@netcom.com Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teeha Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton RESPONSE ACTION PROPOSED BY STAFF Board President Acknowledge/Respond Director Acknowledge/Respond X* Staff Acknowledge/Respond Draft Response Attached Staff to be Directed to Prepare Draft '.. Response for Board Consideration per '.. Board Directives) No Res P aose Necessary *Staff to respond based Date: Wed, 11 Oct 95 16:35:09 EST on Board' s action at From: "OcchipJK" P•P <OcchipJK_at_ABD-US-PO2G�cci erkin-elmer.com> October 25 meeting. To: mrosd@netcom.com, obasil@aol.com Subject: Dog Access To the Board of Directors: I would like to express my SUPPORT for increased dog access to open space land. I have a well behaved, obedience trained, mixed breed, 70 pound dog whom I love to go hiking with. I am a conscientious owner who picks up after my dog in well traveled areas or moves her droppings off the trail when we are in remote areas. Whenever possible, my husband and I take her to National Forest areas where we and our dog are all welcome. In the South Bay, open spaces that are of sufficient length for hiking with a dog are not readily available, therefore, we would appreciate any trails that you would allow dog access on. We support dog access at Fremont Older, Coal Creek and Thornwood. We would strongly support dog access at Sierra Azul and Windy Hill as well. I agree in simplifying the rules for dog access by making preserves either open or closed to dog use. Therefore, if dogs cannot be allowed on all trails at Long Ridge, then I agree that Long Ridge should be closed to dog use. As for leash rules, I think that they should be kept simple as well. I noted at Devil's Postpile National Forest that the rule was that dogs must be under physical control at all times. I would greatly prefer to allow my dog off leash whenever possible. Dogs are social animals and generally like to greet each other on the trail. If they are leashed, a very tangled situation is the result. Hikers, runners and cyclists may also get tangled or tripped by a leash under some circumstances on trails. Please consider some off leash trail areas for dogs(such as Windy Hill). An open area to run such as Pulgas Ridge would be great, but a trail of some length to hike (a few miles each way) would be preferable and much appreciated by dogs and their owners. I understand the concerns of those who do not want dogs to have access to any of the Open Space. Please consider that we all contribute our taxes for these lands and that we must learn to share and compromise. I think that some lands should be allocated for hikers, however, there should also be space fairly allocated for cyclist, equestrians and dog owners. We all need the open space and fresh air. Thank you. I Sincerely, JennyAnn Occhipinti 18367 McCoy Ave. Saratoga, CA 95070 (408)379-8565 From +1 415 965-7824 Fri Oct 13 17:07:53 1995 Page 1 of 2 2L Shoreline Blvd,NUS 980 ! . Silicon Studio, Inc. Mtn.View,CA 94043 CompgderSystmne Voice:(415)390-5795 FAX COVER SHEET FAX (415)390-3287 Email:rnolivierQsgi.com Date: 10/13/95 17:00 RESPONSE AMON PROPOSED- BY SSAFF 5� To: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Roard President Atknowledge/Respond Director Acknowledge/Ras Pond Company: X* Staff Acknowledge/Respond FAX No.: 691-0485 Draft Response Attached Staff to ba Directed to Prepare Draft Response for Roard Cons idarat los per board DSrecclwe(s) ti From: Michael Olivier No Rasp onsa Necessary FAX No.: (415)390-3287 *Staff to respond based on Board' s Subject: Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve action at October 25 Pages to Follow: 1 meeting. Memo: Dear Board Members: Please open an off—leash area for dogs at Pulgas Ridge, at the site of the former Hassler sanitarium buildings! The peninsula has a strong and widespread need for park areas where folks and their dogs can freely enjoy the outdoors together. My dog Harpo walks quietly by my side when on a leash,but when he is off—leash, he gets 100 times more exercise and joy! Rarely are there any problems arising from dangerous dogs off—leash, and those are usually handled by very intense peer pressure from other dog lovers who appreciate their dogs' freedoms. i urge you to vote in favor off an off—leash area for dogs at Pulgas Ridge. Thank you. Michael Olivier Continued on next page... From +1 415 965-7924 Fri Oct 13 17:07;53 1995 Page 2 of 2 Silicon Studio, Inc. 2 From: Michael Olivier Subject Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Interaction Dim-signer Silicon Graphics, Inc. (and Mountain View resident) I � Regional d, R-95-131 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 AGENDA ITEM Amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to Construct a Portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail - `{ GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Tentatively adopt the amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to construct a portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail following the alignment of Alternative 2. 2. District staff to continue to work with Portola Park Heights Homeowners Association to attempt to resolve liability issues. 3. Determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as set out in this report. DISCUSSION On April 25, 1995 a workshop was held for neighbors of the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to discuss plans to build an approximately one mile section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. This planned section of the Bay Area Ridge Trail is the only remaining gap in a 13- mile contiguous section of Ridge Trail beginning at the Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve and terminating at the northern boundary of the Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve. As originally planned and presented at the April 25 workshop, the trail would cross the Portola Park Heights Road near the existing gate at Skyline Boulevard (see Alternative 1). At your May 24, 1995 meeting, you considered an amendment to the Use and Management Plan for Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to construct the trail (see report R-95-66). Several neighbors attended the meeting, raising concerns over a variety of topics, including the Bay Area Ridge Trail alignment. A decision on the trail alignment was delayed until a second workshop could be held on-site. A Special Meeting of the Board was held on-site with the Portola Park Heights neighbors on July 8, 1995 (see report R-95-91). The key discussion topics were the location of the Bay Area Ridge Trail crossing, additional trail crossings, installation of an electric gate, the District's good neighbor policy, public notification, and liability issues. Bay Area Ridge Trail Alignment Three alternatives for the Bay Area Ridge Trail crossing were presented at the July 8 meeting and are attached for your review. Alternative 1 follows the existing disc line, crossing Portola Park Heights Road near the existing Skyline Boulevard entrance gate. 330 [9istel Circle - Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 � Phone:4L5 �.�, � �_ 91-1200 + FAX:415 691-0485 - E-mail: tnrosd(!netconixom Hoan](4 Oirrctr,rrs.fete Siemens,Mary C.Oavev, leena Hemhaw, David'i.Smernuft, Nonette k ianko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Gener,d Manager:L Craig Britton R-95-131 Page 2 Alternative 2 crosses Portola Park Heights Road approximately 600 feet from the gate at Skyline Boulevard, and Alternative 3 crosses Portola Park Heights Road approximately 150 feet from the gate. For all three alternatives, signing for both trail users and Portola Park Heights Road users would be installed to alert the users to other traffic (either trail or vehicle). Stiles would also be used at the road crossing to slow the trail users at the actual crossing point. Alternative 2 is preferred by staff and was the alternative preferred by most of the neighbors attending the second workshop. This alignment has the longest line of sight, requires only one additional crossing to incorporate the Devils Canyon area into the preserve trail system, and provides a clear separation between trail users and neighbors opening or closing the gate or collecting mail. Staff recently met with Sandy Touchatt, Dick Carter, and Candy Stone (by phone), representing the elected three-member Portola Park Heights Road Committee. The committee is unanimously supportive of the Alternative 2 trail crossing, providing that several liability issues can be resolved. The liability issues are discussed below. Additional Trail Crossinas The potential for additional trail crossings within the next five years was also addressed. In order to incorporate the recently acquired Devils Canyon area into the trail system for the preserve, additional road crossings will be required in the future. With Alternative 1, two additional crossings will be required; Alternatives 2 and 3 require only one additional trail crossing. Additional trail crossing(s) are not included in this use and management plan amendment. The trail use element for Long Ridge Open Space Preserve is tentatively scheduled for completion during 1996, at which time the additional trail crossing(s) will be addressed. Electric Gate A discussion also occurred regarding replacement of the existing manually-operated pipe gate with an electric gate. Some of the neighbors feel that a District-financed electric gate should be installed to replace the existing pipe gate. This issue dates back several years when, at your January 13, 1993 meeting, you approved a license agreement for the Portola Park Heights Homeowners' Association to install an underground power line across a portion of the preserve to power the proposed electric gate (see report R-93-09). The agreement was never executed by the Homeowners' Association. Some of the neighbors expressed concern at having to open and close a gate in close proximity to the trail crossing. If an electric gate were installed, they could enter and exit without leaving their vehicle. The Ridge Trail crossing as outlined in Alternative 2 is out of sight of the gate, eliminating this reason for installing an electric gate. District Good Neighbor Policy / Public Notification Policy It was pointed out that the Homeowners' Association has an elected board of three members. A suggestion was made for representatives of the Homeowners' Association and the District to meet on a regular basis to discuss matters of mutual concern. A homeowner's R-95-131 Page 3 representative also suggested that a community newsletter, currently in the planning stages, could serve as a source for disseminating information about District-specific activities. Liability Issues David Spangenberg, an attorney representing the Portola Park Heights Homeowners Association, was in attendance at the July 8th workshop and voiced concern about residents' liability in relation to the road crossings by the trail. His position was that the residents' participation in a road maintenance agreement could increase their liability exposure. Since Mr. Spangenberg had not yet met with the entire Homeowners' Association prior to the July 8 workshop, it was suggested by one of the homeowners that a separate meeting be scheduled to discuss legal issues of concern. Following the association meeting with their legal counsel, Mr. Spangenberg and the Districts legal counsel could then meet to discuss the liability issue and other legal issues. District legal counsel has called Mr. Spangenberg for that purpose, but Mr. Spangenberg stated he is not authorized at this time to meet regarding these issues. On October 17, staff met with three representatives of the Portola Park Heights Road committee to further discuss liability issues. Staff was told that the Road Committee will inform us of their decision regarding legal representation if it becomes necessary. The committee representatives identified several additional areas of concern. An attached memo dated October 16, 1995, outlines the issues. Staff will continue to work with the committee and homeowners to try to resolve the liability issues. Comment from District Legal Counsel As noted here, the homeowners continue to raise legal issues concerning this trail. There are two principle legal issues: legal access and liability. Some homeowners maintain that, although the District owns the underlying land, it does not have the legal right to build a trail crossing which will enable the public to cross Portola Park Heights Road. It's fair to say that, after an exchange of opinions and correspondence on this issue over the years, the District and the homeowners disagree on this point. It's been the District's position that it may do so and that this would not constitute an unreasonable interference with the easement holders' rights. The District has committed itself to planning the trail to insure there will not be such interference. The second issue is liability and the homeowners' concerns about being sued if a District visitor is injured while crossing the road. The homeowners have asked the District to hold them harmless in the event of an injury to a District trail user. There are a variety of ways that this issue can be approached and hopefully solved. As stated above, staff and legal counsel will continue to work with the committee and the homeowners to try to resolve this issue in an equitable way for all parties. However, the liability issue is separate from the selection of a trail alignment and will need to be explored further regardless of which alignment is selected. R-95-131 Page 4 Trail Construction Schedule Construction of the trail following the alignment of Alternative 2 is tentatively scheduled for spring of 1996. Cost is estimated at $10,000 and is reimbursable from the State Department of Parks and Recreation under a National Recreational Trails Fund grant. C�QA Determination The District concludes that this project will not have a significant effect on the environment. It is categorically exempt from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) under Section 15304. Section 15304 exempts minor public alterations in the condition of land, water and/or vegetation. Prepared by: Mary de Beauvieres, Open Space Planner Contact person: Same as above BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL ALIGNMENT PORTOLA PARK HEIGHTS ROAD l ALTERNATIVE 1 Existing I Disc Line -a t 1 M I Install Signs Alerting Trail � t m Users of Driveway Xing I t o co "Watch for Cars, Cross with Caution" 0 t t ( I t a� t 1 I C 1 Install T Remove + Split Rail Mailboxes I Existing Vegetation I 1 Fencing I I y I 1 1 I t I� I _ _ Existing I t ,- ' - a Stiles 12' Gate Install Signs Alerting Cars � . Proposed of Trail Crossing Multi-Use Trail I "Trail Crossing Ahead" ir 50' Caltrans Right of Way N i Scale 1 " = 25' I BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL ALIGNMENT PORTOLA PARK HEIGHTS ROAD ALTERNATIVE 2 Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve �• • — Existing Trail �• '••••• Proposed Trail • • Scale 1 " = Approx. 600' • North i • Portola Park Heights Road Proposed Ridge �!• Trail Alignment •• • e Proposed Crossing �, . , . �— •••�•, Proposed Ridge .''. •.•Trail Alignment Potential Trail •• Grizzly Flat Alignment ••o (to be addressed in •• j upcoming trail use element) 't \ 0040 .•. ,Bean Driveway • • • , •' N 0 • • • ' 1 Potential Crossing `��♦ t� (to be addressed in 'l • �� upcoming trail use element) • • �00 CD .,• ,/...�/ W Long Ridge i ��� Existing Trail C- Open Space Preserve / cD / .r Peters Creek � I BAD' AR[.A `fiDGE rRAII ALIGNMENT I PORTOLA PARK HEIGH rS ROAD ALTERNATIVE 3 Existing Disc Lirie ca_v I I > I � i I � Proposed I o Multi-Used Trail — ' C Mailboxes Existing Pullout Stiles �Inlstall Existing Split Rail 12' Gate Fencing Install Signs Alerting Cars of Trail Crossing I "Trail Crossing Ahead" I I Install Signs Alerting Trail 50' i �— Users of Driveway xing Caltrans "Watch for Cars, Cross with Caution" Right of Way I I I I � 1 NAo i Scale 1 " = 25' MEMO 16 October 95 TO Midpeninsula Regional open Space Distict FROM Portola Park Heights Property Owners Committee RE Liability for persons using trail crossings on Portola Park Heights deeded access roads we have been advised by concurring legal opinions that MROSD should assume liability for trail crossings on our deeded access roads; the term used was "hold us harmless" in case of accidents. In addition MROSD would undertake to defend a property owner if such a case involves a suit against a PPHPOA driver. These were given as the reasons for this conclusion. 1. The statement in our Declaration of Easements that our nonexclusive easement allows pedestrians as well as vehicles to use the roads for ingess and egress cannot be construed to include recreational use by hikers, bikers, or horseback riders using MROSD trail crossings. 2. Even minimum use of such a crossing constitutes a burden on the easement. The problem will be made worse with increased use of the trails, and certainly with the addition of other crossings. 3. That development of the property, its original plan, would have meant increased traffic along the road is irrelevant to recreational crossing of the road. 4. As for Civil Code Section 846, MROSD should apply its stated relief from liability in its portion of the deeded road dedicated to a trail crossing. Obviously these conditions apply only to an accident due to carelessness by a trail user. The condition of the road, the reckless behavior of a property owner driver, or our liability regarding other users of the roads-- invited or not--are irrelevant to the question of liability in the case of injury to someone using a MROSD trail where it crosses our deeded road. Much of Susan Schectman's letter of June 28, 1995 addressed these and other matters not of concern here--negligent driving, road conditions, other users of the roads, and so on. These have not been answered here. The conclusion is, therefore, that if MROSD cannot accept such liability, a majority of the Portola Park Heights Property owners Association feel such trail crossings, despite Ms. Schectman's assurances about Section 846, should not be allowed. Other questions such as trail signs, crossing lines, stiles, gates and other such matters will have to await a decision on the matter of liability. Regional Open SpG MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-95-133 Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 AGENDA ITEM Tentative Use and Management Plan Amendments for Dog Access at Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Kennedy-Limekiln Area) and Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION 1. Tentatively adopt Use and Management Plan amendments at the two preserves'for dog access: A. Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Kennedy-Limekiln Area - open all trails, except for the connection to El Sombroso and the Mt. Umunhum area, to dogs on leash. B. Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve - create an off-leash dog access area at former site of Hassler Health Home, including fencing as proposed; the size and nature of the final access area may be contingent upon a potential oak mitigation project with CalTrans. 2. Determine that the project is categorically exempt from CEQA, based on the findings in this report. DISCUSSION The Board originally formed the Dog Use Committee in 1983 to consider dog access to preserves. The Committee held several public workshops, resulting in a decision to allow leashed dogs in portions of three preserves. By 1987, dog access had been expanded to six preserves. The Board reactivated the Dog Use Committee in 1993 to review the dog access program. A public workshop held in September 1993 was dominated by people supportive of more access. In December 1993, a second workshop was held at which the Committee directed staff to prepare a process and schedule to study the issue. A volunteer task force was formed to help research the issue and to review the findings. Staff presented the results of the research at a third public meeting of the Dog Use Committee in October 1994. Staff's Do,g Access Program Evaluation Report was based primarily on extensive research into the policies and experience of other agencies. It proposed criteria and alternatives for expanding dog access to the preserves. The Committee then directed staff to respond to specific questions about the suitability of individual preserves for increased access and the potential impacts of such use. Staff's findings, including criteria and a matrix evaluating the relative suitability of all preserves for increased dog access, are contained in the Preserve Suitability for Dog Access Summary Report. 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 . Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@netcom.com ID Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teena Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Genera!Manager:L.Craig Britton R-95-133 Page 2 The Dog Use Committee held its fourth public workshop on May 23, 1995. After hearing the staff s research and evaluation on specific preserves and access issues, and further public testimony, the committee formulated recommendations to be considered by the full Board. At your Regular Meeting of June 28, 1995 you tentatively adopted, with some recommended amendments, the criteria developed by staff for use in evaluating preserve suitability for dog access (see report R-95-86), and directed staff to return with a schedule for consideration of preserve- specific use changes, along with four general policy issues. At your Regular Meeting of July 26, 1995, you accepted a schedule for public consideration of tentative and final Use and Management Plan amendments for six open space preserves where changes to dog access are currently being considered, and to further consider general policy and criteria issues (see report R-95-102). General policy issues regarding dog access were considered by the Board's Use and Management Committee on September 6, 1995, and by the full Board at your Regular Meeting on September 27, 1995 (see report R-95-117). Also at the September 27 meeting, the final site evaluation criteria for dog access were adopted (see report R-95-116). On October 11, you tentatively adopted changes to dog access at four preserves. This included additional access for dogs on leash at Fremont Older, Coal Creek, and Thornewood Open Space Preserves, and elimination of dog access at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve (see report R-95-124). These changes are anticipated to be finalized at the regular meeting on November 8, 1995. The issue to be considered on October 25 is modification of dog access at two preserves to provide more overall access to people with dogs. Maps are attached showing each of these preserves and highlighting the trails which are currently open to dogs. Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Kennedy-Limekiln Area, - open all trails, except for the connection to El Sombroso and the Mt. Umunhum area, to dogs on leash. This 3900- acre subarea of the preserve features approximately 13.7 miles of trails which are almost entirely fire roads in steep terrain. This trail milage includes portions of two trails on the west side that are located in Lexington Reservoir County Park. The northeastern trailhead is located on Kennedy Road on the outskirts of Los Gatos. Available parking is limited to roadside spaces. From this point the Kennedy Trail climbs the ridge approximately 2000 feet in elevation in 5.7 miles, intersecting with the Priest Rock Trail at 4.1 miles and with the Limekiln Trail at 5.7 miles. For the sake of clarity, dog access would terminate at the junction of the Kennedy Trail and the Limekiln Trail. From this junction the Kennedy Trail continues east, climbing another 400 feet in 1/2 mile to the 3000 foot summit of El Sombroso, crossing the upper portion of the recently acquired Rancho de Guadalupe property. From El Sombroso the trail connects to the Mt. Umunhum Area of Sierra Azul via Woods Road or Barlow Road. Both these routes cross private property and are not formally designated trails. Access through Lexington Reservoir County Park The Limekiln Trail and the Priest Rock Trail connect west to Limekiln Canyon and Alma Bridge Road, respectively. Both trails connect to limited roadside parking in Lexington Reservoir County Park. The lower portion of the Limekiln Trail, also known as the Overgrown Trail, crosses private property and is not a formally designated trail. Both these trailheads can be accessed from the reservoir parking R-95-133 Page 3 areas of the County Park via the right of way of Alma Bridge Road. From the boat launch parking area dog-accessible trails connect north through St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve to downtown Los Gatos. Santa Clara County Parks currently does not allow dogs on trails within the park except on this one-half mile trail. Dog access on the lower, western portions of the Limekiln and Priest Rock Trails will depend on Santa Clara County amending its dog access policies to be similar to the St. Joseph's Hill trail connection. District staff is coordinating with Santa Clara County Parks staff to pursue this change. In the interim, dog access to Sierra Azul would not be available from the Lexington side, and access from the east would terminate at the intersection of Priest Rock Trail and Limekiln Trail. Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve - open a dog off-leash area on the former site of the Hassler Health Home. This 293 acre preserve is located in San Mateo County, adjacent to the City of San Carlos, east of I-280 and north of Edgewood Road. All of the approximately 3 miles of trails in the preserve are currently open to dogs on leash. Parking is currently limited to roadside spaces along Edmonds Road, however a public parking lot for about 20 cars is planned for construction in summer, 1996. The proposed off-leash area would be on the site of the Hassler Heath Home, an old tuberculosis sanitorium that was demolished by the District after acquisition of the site. This area comprises approximately 16 acres of oak woodland, grassland, brush, and introduced vegetation left from the hospital. The site is accessible via the Blue Oak Trail or the Cordilleras Trail. This area is encircled by paved roads and still features stairs and retaining walls remaining from the former building complex. The District has an on-going project at the site to control invasive non-native vegetation such as broom and acacia and return the site to a natural condition. Oak Mitigation Project. The District has been discussing with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) the potential use of this site as an oak revegetation project site. This oak planting would be mitigation for oaks removed by Caltrans as part of improvements to Highway 92 west of I-280 and east of Highway 35. Recently Caltrans has asked to begin serious planning for the project. This oak revegetation project would be very beneficial to the District's efforts to restore the site to a natural condition. It would help to implement the recently-adopted resource management policies, which clearly specify that the restoration should take precedence over recreational use. This project would be very similar to the agreement made with Caltrans for an oak mitigation project at St. Joseph's Hill Open Space Preserve in Los Gatos (see report R-94-118). The oak mitigation project is anticipated to require less than 10 acres of land. At St. Joseph's Hill, the oak mitigation site will be fenced off from public access to meet the specifications of the state Department of Fish and Game. Because the total area within the paved road at Pulgas is 16 acres, it is likely that the oak mitigation project could co-exist with the off-leash area, though the off-leash area may be reduced in size. Staff will be working with Caltrans, who will in turn work with the Department of Fish and Game, to allow the two uses to coexist as effectively as possible. It may be possible to fence the individual trees rather than the entire oak planting area, for example. Also, there are disturbed areas outside the loop road that might be used to augment the oak mitigation area and/or the off-leash area. If this oak mitigation proposal moves forward and these parameters are clarified, the mitigation project will be brought to the Board for review and a decision. Hopefully, this can occur before the i R-95-133 Page 4 final dog use area is implemented. Otherwise the off-leash area would have to be delayed, or subject to change. Site Fencing. At your June 28 meeting, staff recommended fencing of the off-leash area to simplify enforcement and avoid user conflict (see report R-95-89). This fencing is expected to help ensure the success of the off-leash area by providing clear limits for the off-leash dog use and preventing off-leash dogs from inadvertently coming into contact with other preserve users. Staff recommends that at least the areas that are not well separated from the road by dense vegetation or topography be fenced with T-post and hog wire fencing to clearly delineate the off-leash area. Access points to the area would be located at the upper and lower ends of the site. Assuming that the entire 16 acres was fenced, the maximum cost of the fencing and gates is estimated at $16,500. If the minimum fencing program was implemented the total cost may be reduced by as much as one-half. If done by District crew and volunteers further savings would be realized. It is anticipated that fencing and related signage of the site could be completed by early February, 1996. Persons on the dog access mailing list, and adjacent property owners, neighbors, and local agencies have been notified of this meeting in accordance with adopted notification policies. Final adoption of use changes at these preserves is expected to be scheduled for your meeting in December. Final adoption will include determination of timing for full implementation of these changes, including modification of maps and signs. CEQA COMPLIANCE Project Description The project consists of amendments to dog access at two open space preserves, as follows: A. Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve, Kennedy-Limekiln Area, - open all trails, except for the connection to El Sombroso and the Mt. Umunhum area, to dogs on leash. This 3900-acre subarea of the preserve features approximately 13.7 miles of trails which are almost entirely fire roads in steep terrain. The northeastern trailhead is located on Kennedy Road on the outskirts of Los Gatos. Trailheads on the west can be accessed from the boat launch parking area of Lexington Reservoir County Park via the right of way of Alma Bridge Road, or from limited roadside parking spaces. Dog access to or from these trailheads depends on amendment of Santa Clara County Parks policies. B. Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve - open a dog off-leash area on the former site of the Hassler Health Home. This 293-acre preserve is located in San Mateo County adjacent to the City of San Carlos, east of I-280 and north of Edgewood Road. All of the approximately 3 miles of trails in the preserve are currently open to dogs on leash. Parking is currently limited to roadside spaces along Edmonds Road, however a public parking lot for about 20 cars is planned for construction in summer, 1996. The proposed off-leash area would be on the site of the Hassler Heath Home, an old tuberculosis sanatorium that was demolished by the District after acquisition of the site. This area comprises approximately 16 acres of oak woodland, grassland, brush, and introduced vegetation left from the hospital. R-95-133 Page 5 CEQA Determination The District concludes that this project will not have a significant effect on the environment. It is categorically exempt from CEQA the California Environmental Quality Act) under Section 15061(b)(3) and Section 15301 of the CEQA guidelines. Section 15301 covers the operation of existing public facilities involving negligible expansion of use beyond that previously existing. Section 15061(b)(3) provides that a project is exempt from CEQA when it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment. Prepared by: Randy Anderson, Senior Planner Contact person: Same as above Infrastructure t #. • Prepared "Permit to Enter" and coordinated with County of Santa Clara for culvert construction on Stevens Canyon Road at Picchetti Ranch Area. • Prepared site plan and administered guard rail project and associated improvements at Jacques Ridge. • Completed fuel tank removal project at Rancho San Antonio Annex. • Reviewed and worked with field staff on the landscaping plan for the ranger office at Rancho San Antonio. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following projects were included in Action Plan, Relative Site Emphasis and fiscal year 1995-1996 budget but are not anticipated to be completed this fiscal year. Most of these projects were categorized "B" priority in Relative Site Emphasis and, as such, are progressing as time permits. 1. Expansion of Purisima parking (crew project) 2. Rancho San Antonio Trail Element 3. Purisima Trail Element 4. Long Ridge Trail Element * 5. Pulgas catch basin (crew project) * 6. Cothran cleanup/Ringo cleanup * 7. Jacques Ridge cleanup * 8. Exotic plant control - Cathedral Oaks * 9. Kennedy - Limekiln parking/grant-related * 10. Kennedy - Limekiln sign * 11. Mt. Umunhum use and disposition study * 12. Alpine Pond restoration - cat tails * 13. Monte Bello Vista Trail (crew project) * 14. Monte Bello Use Permit - backpack camp/restroom * 15. Purisima undergrounding (crew project) * 16. Redwood Trail - underground tank * 17. Windy Hill upper restroom * 18. La Honda Creek - asbestos shingles * 19. Thornewood dam restoration 20. Pulgas Comprehensive Use and Management Plan 21. Preserve and trail use databases - partially done 22. General District database * 23. Abandoned Vineyard Trail - St. Joseph's Hill (crew project) 24. Weeks road repairs 25. Process for identifying, prioritizing, and scheduling specific resource management and restoration projects. 26. Formulation of an historical and cultural resources program to provide better identification and information for such resources on District preserves. * 27. Monte Bello Parking, south end. * Projects prioritized "B" in Relative Site Emphasis Plan and Budget 26 nl . I • 1 • � ,,�;v; ,+j ` � :' i�f�„M.s�j' � ,rr;.:ty,�}.• �,ta r�ua;�,�°�-•.a��� �r i°o�.. w �� Y9rx�_ �st �� rjE.. � �g¢ :c 1,� a :\�r Rj 13, ZkYr �� ��4 ,•�iq JS� '"3 #`'"`�_. f Z ,.. a�a�J•., � ,�•'� i. '<; .��D•' 1 ' � F �`,�.e-� ` a /.�. �L\�'' •y n t r1r.'' �, ^� .•:_ �..� � �`V ` Ef�[ z��'✓'y" rt ` -.► 1h .,� �t,r� �.: a�. lilt 6 e I MEN- 14 �•. �, � I COUNTYft MR N NEW C [ 1 • � r,. ; fir• J�'-,..,"^�`.,7�`=% '� .• PATROL ROAD AND TRAIL :sfo *� 1 ACCESS �- , TRAIL MILES gas F DISTANCE IN � , . • S r - w hMPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE "-'TRICT Pulgss Ridge Open Sp�e Preserve } :i f. f� t :Xv. ..... :? ....n *✓.:- ..'h:??:' :::.:.?..:. __- ., y ''SLR}. f a. i{ v w- , . ..}...:: DETTI { Jj v � : NOTE: p� I/ .- f }: fl E TR AIL DIST ANC IN MILES • x }. } e y Polly Geraci Trall °° "`` (Hiking y o ..f9... .f.•�' _ y;+: E q 6` - t i i 1 I � ` 45a t ( 653 LANDS ADJACENT TO ROAD ARE f NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. GATE DO NOT TRESPASS. (PROPOSED :? OAK MITIGATION / �Op CORDILLERAS ' ;, >. • �0.3 \ DOG OFF-LEASH 0'4 TRAIL $::.,.. _.> ; �-_ AREA ` �••r� _✓ r EDMONDS' . \�- HASSLE �:0 7 .,, ,,. RD. �.—� _ TRAIL •,•• T v/ BLUE OAK TRAIL " CRESTVIEk DR. REDWOOD CENTER (PRIVATE) E�f ���� ��, ROADSIDE • '� PULLOUT INTLPSTATE -. 630EDGEWOOD . 394 r � �y� f 1 Ir y� ,r ii .t 4 • � v:v. f'. F.. � `•`ter-�- h:.?:... :.:: .:::�::z>.?::�::; ..:::.. Regionali Y R-95-126 Meeting 94-23 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT October 25, 1995 AGENDA ITEM Mid-Year Program Evaluation for 1995-1996 Action Plan for the Implementation of the Basic Policy of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space,%District GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIONry, Accept the 1995-1996 mid-year program evaluation as contained in this report and discussed at the October 25 meeting. DISCUSSION The attached program evaluation material covers the first six months of the 1995-1996 fiscal year. This review provides the opportunity for staff to brief you at your October 25 meeting on additional projects and activities not specifically included in the Action Plan that have required significant staff time or that may be undertaken during the remainder of the fiscal year. The planning staff team has prepared an addendum that provides a summary of other projects and activities described in the Action Plan and Relative Site Emphasis that are in-progress or have been completed this fiscal year; the addendum is at the end of the report after the colored sheet. The summary includes projects, which are shown in italics, that have been undertaken but were not anticipated at the beginning of the fiscal year. These projects have been initiated or completed since April 1, 1995. The projects are divided into two subprograms that correspond to those contained in the Action Plan. The last page of the addendum lists projects from the Action Plan, Relative Site Emphasis Plan, and fiscal year 1995-1996 budget that are not anticipated to be completed this fiscal year. Most of these projects were categorized "B" priority in the Relative Site Emphasis and, as such, are progressing as time permits. The program evaluation session is intended to lay the foundation for future discussions of the 1996-1997 Action Plan. Prepared by: L. Craig Britton, General Manager Jean H. Fiddes, Administrative Services Manager John Escobar, Operations Manager Planning Team (Judy Law and Julie McCullough, Open Space Planners I, and Del Woods, Senior Open Space Planner) Malcolm Smith, Public Affairs Manager Contact person: L. Craig Britton, General Manager Jean H. Fiddes, Administrative Services Manager 3.30 Distel Circle - Loa Altos, CA 94022-1404 - Phone: 415-691-1 200 . FAX:415-691-04€35 • F-mail: niros(i@tietcom.com netcom.com Board of 1 brevtars:Pete Siemens,Mary C. Davey, teena Flenshaw, David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Geoeml Al,mager:L.Craig Britton i ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BASIC POLICY OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT - I FOR THE 1995 1996 FISCAL YEAR I. OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION PROGRAM II. PLANNING PROGRAM III. OPERATIONS PROGRAM IV. PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM j V. ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION PROGRAM Subprograms ams A. Negotiations and Special Projects B. Enterprise To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: The District will purchase or otherwise acquire interest in the maximum feasible amount of strategic open space within the District planning areas. General Program Emphasis for 1995-1996 As a result of limited acquisition funding, the program effort will focus on the most critical, highest priority projects. Lower priority properties will be pursued through long-term options, available grant funding, bargain sales and gifts. Continued efforts will be made to clear and perfect title to existing District lands. The District will continue to work with the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) to acquire land and further the District's overall open space acquisition goals. The enterprise sub-program will also receive additional focus relating to maintenance and improvements of rental structures. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions, unless otherwise indicated) Real Property Representative Secretary - Open Space Acquisition (shared half-time with Planning Program) PROGRESS: • The District acquired 1,753 acres of open space land since April 1, including the 1,465-acre Rancho de Guadalupe property (Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve) and the 116-acre Sempervirens Fund property (Long Ridge Open Space Preserve). The 162- acre General Convention and 19.02-acre Lee properties were acquired as "defeasible fee" transactions as additions to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. 2 1995-1996 Negotiations and Special Projects Subprogram Objective To provide for the acquisition of all real property rights necessary to secure a recreational and open space greenbelt in the foothills and baylands, including rounding out and improving public access to existing preserves and connecting District preserves with other public lands. Key Projects 1. Gifts, Grants and Bargain Sales - Focus on acquiring the highest priority, most critical properties, which enhance public access to existing preserves, and connect with other preserves and other public lands, through available grant funding, bargain sales, and/or gifts where possible. PROGRESS: • The 1,465-acre Rancho de Guadalupe property was acquired at an advantageous purchase price of $6,750,000. The property had been previously been listed at a $19.5 million. This addition to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve includes a portion of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and is adjacent to the Santa Clara County Almaden Quicksilver Park. • The 116-acre Sempervirens Fund property was acquired as an addition to Long Ridge Open Space Preserve for $600,000 with a $300,000 bargain sale gift from Sempervirens Fund, and a $300,000 matching grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. This allowed Sempervirens Fund to repay the District for its contribution towards the purchase of the Deka property. 2. Options - Obtain Board approval on appropriate long-term options, at market prices or less, to acquire desirable properties that might be affordable in future years should the District be successful in obtaining additional funding for land acquisition. PROGRESS: • The District exercised options on the 162-acre General Convention and the 19.02-acre Lee properties as additions to the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. These properties were acquired as "defeasible fee" transactions allowing the District to hold Title and manage the properties while making $5,000 annual payments for five years to the owners. One-half of the annual fees are applicable to the purchase price. At the end of five years, the District anticipates acquiring the properties outright. 3. Assess Viability of Sale of Surplus Properties - Work with Enshallah and the town of Woodside to determine the building site density and the marketability of the Teague Hill surplus properties, which would help fill a critical funding gap for additional land purchases. 3 PROGRESS: • District staff worked with Enshallah to obtain a certificates of compliance for seven legal parcels on the Teague Hill property from the Town of Woodside. Site studies are being done to determine site configuration and improvements. The District and Enshallah will then request a lot line adjustment from the Town allowing for up to six buildable sites on the Teague Hill surplus properties. 4. Trail Easements - In order to conserve existing, limited funding, focus on obtaining trail easements that link District preserves and other public lands, enhancing public access to open space and furthering the completion the Bay Area Ridge Trail and Bay Trail systems. PROGRESS: • Negotiations continue to acquire a trail easement across the Paul property that will connect surrounding District lands which are part of the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. This trail corridor is part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant also used to acquire the Sempervirens Fund property. • District entered into an Exchange Agreement with Rhone-Poulenc for a future trail easement as part of the San Francisco Bay Trail, adjacent to the Ravenswood Open Space Preserve. • District has applied for a Habitat Conservation Grant for a trail acquisition along Old Page Mill Road across the Silva property. The proposed trail would connect Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve to Portola State Park. 4 1995-199 Enterprise Subprogram OWectiv To manage all of the District's revenue producing activities in such a way as to maximize income from enterprise accounts consistent with Open Space Management policies, incorporating compatible new programs when possible. Key Projects 1. Administer Enterprise Accounts - Administer leases and rental properties, consistent with open space management policies, to maintain and enhance revenue stream through competitive and current rate structure, effective maintenance programs and communication with tenants. PROGRESS: • The District's residential properties continue to be popular and are fully occupied. 2. Maintain 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. Establish long term and reoccurring maintenance priorities on rental properties (such as annual road maintenance, roof replacements, etc). PROGRESS: • The District continues to repair deferred maintenance items on rental houses, including the roof replacement of the Dyer house at La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve and structural and pest control repairs to the three Saratoga Gap cabins. 3. Assess Economic Viability of Rental Properties - Evaluate and make recommendations on the long-term and economic viability of maintaining District residential rental properties on a case by case basis (such as Saratoga Gap cabins, former Landre house, etc). PROGRESS: • District is reviewing repair estimates and is soliciting demolition bids for the Landre house at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve to compare and assess the viability of maintaining this rental property. 4. Lease Compliance on Historic Properties - Become more directly involved in lease compliance and renovation requirements on District historic leases. PROGRESS: • District staff is working with the Stortzes to meet historic renovation deadlines and is monitoring other lease compliance issues for the historic Picchetti winery at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve. 5 OPL. . SPACE PLANNING PROGRAM Subprograms A. Regional and Long-Term Planning B. Site Planning and Implementation To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVES: The District will follow a land management policy that provides proper care of open space lands, allowing public access appropriate to the nature of the land and consistent with ecological values. The District will work with and encourage private and other public agencies to preserve, maintain, and enhance open space. Program Emphasis for 1995-1996 Balanced attention will be given to long- and short-term goals. A clearer vision for the future of the District will be developed through a Regional Open Space Plan. Amendments to existing policies and program guidelines will help resolve issues regarding dog access, preparation of Resource Management Plans, and ADA information and design guidelines. Efforts will continue to develop more sophisticated computer-based resources for record- keeping and mapping. Preserve Use and Management Plans will include completion of one major comprehensive plan, and four trail elements. Key capital improvements include construction and structural upgrade of field staff facilities, and major improvements, planning, or construction progress on several staging areas and other public access facilities. A workplan system to provide better predictability and accountability for project budgets and schedules will be initiated. Staff Resources (Regular full-time positions, unless otherwise indicated; staffing for first six months shown on left; reorganization approved September 27, 1995 shown on right) Planning Manager Interim Planning Manager (contract) Senior Planner Senior Planner (2) Open Space Planner 11 (2) Open Space Planner 11 (1) Resource Planner Open Space Planner 1 (2) Planning Technician (2) Resource Planner (currently vacant) Planning Secretary Planning Technician (1) (shared half-time with Acquisition Program) Planning Secretary (shared half-time with Acquisition Program) PROGRESS: 0 Reorganization of department is a major accomplishment and implementation of a self- directed planning team is underway to better meet long-term planning goals. 6 • Procedures have been im ,_,ed for integrating planningand projt, scheduling with use and management planning, site emphasis, and budget preparation. • Significant progress has been made on 30 major projects including the dog access program, Skyline field office, Teague Hill surplus land, El Corte de Madera and Fremont Older trails plans, El Corte de Madera dump cleanup, Pulgas Ridge staging area, Rancho de Guadalupe acquisition and access plan, Picchetti lease amendments, and two grant proposals. 1995-1996 Regional and Long-Term Planning, Subprogram Objective Assist with the formulation, review, and refinement of policies, District-wide plans, and cost estimates for the management and development of District preserves on a regional or District-wide basis. Work with local agencies on joint planning and implementation projects, to share information, and to encourage planning decisions that support the preservation of open space and natural resources and development of regional trail systems. Key Projects 1. Regional Open Space Plan - Continue a research, analysis, and public participation process to prepare a clearer vision for the long-term future District. Objectives include: • Review existing and planned improvements • Discuss conceptual buildout of improvements corresponding to completion of the greenbelt • Consider the impacts of operations costs and acquisition tradeoffs • Draft a mission statement for completion of the greenbelt • Review the Basic Policy document in light of the long-range planning studies. • Refer the results of the committee review process to the Board for further discussion and public input. PROGRESS: • Working on redefining the schedule and the scope of the project. Will bring scope of work to the Board in November. • Developing the methodology for the Mission Statement, review of generalized estimate of cost of acquisition, access improvements and management aspects of the plan. • Preparing for Board discussion of Basic Policy as the basis for developing a methodology to complete a detailed plan. 2. Amendments to Board Use and Management Policies - Incorporate Resource Management Plan preparation, new notification policies, ADA guidelines, and Site Emphasis format and process. PROGRESS: • Defined tentative format for integrating resource management with use and management plans, and modification to ADA guidelines for providing trail 7 accessibility inforniucion. Revise policies for Relative Site Emphasis by January 1996. • Revise Open Space Use and Management Planning Process by April 1996. 3. Dog Access Program - Assist with completing the review of existing policy and the implementation of any revisions to the program, as directed by the Board. PROGRESS: • Adopted site evaluation criteria for dog access suitability. • Identified additional policy issues and reached Board consensus. • Use and Management Plan amendments are in progress, and will be completed by the end of the calendar year. 4. Database Development - Design and implement computer databases for management of files for trail use, property owner notification, and land acquisition records, to ultimately work in concert with the GIS system. PROGRESS: • Completed trail use database and are generating reports. • Database for the property owner notification is being expanded in response to Board-related issues. 5. G.I.S. Mapping - Continue the acquisition of digital geographic data for a shared regional computerized map and information database, and secure access to a system for analysis and plotting. PROGRESS: 0 Acquired USGS data. • Inventoried data and data use projects for a potential shared regional. GIS. • Secured access to Santa Clara County's geographic information system and data. • Conducted a study to determine the compatibility of County data and USGS data. 19 4-1995 Site Planning; and Implementation Subprogram Objective Apply policies, prepare and implement plans on a site-specific basis, including capital improvement, repair and restoration projects, and respond to site-specific use and management issues. Key Projects 1. Trail Use Elements and Comprehensive Use and Management Plans - Continue to apply the adopted Trail Use Guidelines to resolve conflicts, provide access information in compliance with ADA Plan. Preserves on the current draft Target Use and Management Review Schedule during this fiscal year include: El Corte de Madera comprehensive plan (3rd quarter 1995) 8 • Fremont Older __ail Element (2nd quarter 1995) • Purisima Trail Element (2nd quarter 1995) • Rancho San Antonio Trail Element (3rd quarter 1995) • Long Ridge (1st quarter 1996) PROGRESS: El Corte de Madera Use and Management Plan • Continued working with task force to formulate a draft trails plan. • Conducted visitor counts at trailheads to determine type and volume of use. • Completed background research on natural resources. • Draft trails plan to be presented to Board in January; anticipate completion of Use and Management plan in the second quarter of 1996. Fremont Older Trail Element • Conducted field investigation of problem areas. • Conducted visitor counts at major trail intersections to determine type and volume of use during high use hours and days. • Evaluated the incident reports to determine the number of citations and accidents related to trail use and reviewed the volunteer trail patrol logs. • Anticipate completion in the first quarter of 1996. Purisima Creek Redwoods Trail Element • This project has been delayed due to the El Corte de Madera planning process. Anticipate completion in the fourth quarter of 1996. Rancho San Antonio Trail Element • Trail inventory is in process. • Currently evaluating this project in relationship to other workload. Long Ridge Trail Element • This project has been delayed. Currently evaluating this project in relationship to other workload. 2. Site Emphasis, Action Plan, and Budget System Improvements - Continue the development and use of a Master Workplan for the Planning Program, to better integrate these elements of annual planning, and relate them to realistic individual and project workplans. PROGRESS: • Preparing the scope, schedule, and budget for major projects. • Continuing the process of integrating the scheduling of projects with the five- year Capital Improvement Plan. • Identified the need for a more sophisticated work planning and prioritization process. • Prepared quarterly budget reviews. 3. Capital Improvement Project Planning and Implementation - Complete the key projects as described in the Site Emphasis Plan: 9 Skyline Area • Skyline Ridge - complete field office use permit process and construction; Daniels Nature Center interior improvements phase I construction; Ridge Trail between Long Ridge and Skyline Ridge Preserves • Windy Hill - Underground utilities and obtain permits for staging area construction • La Honda Creek - Weeks Road drainage improvements PROGRESS: Skyline Ridge Field Office • Contracted with Town of Los Gatos for construction administration services. • Revised conceptual drawings and format for the construction contracts. • Use permit process is complete. Anticipate receipt of the grading permit by the end of October and are submitting plans for a building permit. • Demolished the garage and relocated the storage shed, rerouted the electrical lines, and removed several trees. • Solicited and rejected bids for site work, grading, surfacing, and underground utilities. Will be re-soliciting bids for the entire project in December, with an anticipated construction start date of April 1996. David C. Daniels Nature Center • Worked with Operations staff to coordinate exhibit design with environmental education plans. • Contracted with Platypus Studios for the construction and installation of Phase I exhibits. Installation scheduled for early November. Ridge Trail between Long Ridge and Skyline Ridge • Held two workshops with neighbors and Portola Park Heights residents to discuss trail alignment and other issues. • Installed electric gate and fencing at former Fowkes property. • Use and Management amendment is expected in late October. Trail construction is expected in the spring of 1996. Windy Hill • Working with Town of Portola Valley and PG&E to plan the utility undergrounding project; undergrounding slated for spring of 1996. • Plan on obtaining permits during winter and starting the staging area construction in the summer of 1996. La Honda Creek • Completed plans and specifications. • Stabilize roadbed through winter; complete remediation in the spring of 1996. Foothills Area • Pulgas Ridge - County permit process and obtain easement on San Francisco Water Department land, continued site restoration efforts. • Rancho San Antonio - design and construction of structural improvements to shop building. • Sierra Azul - Kennedy Road staging area planning. 10 • St. Joseph's Hip. implement trail construction and res,_ scion funded by Caltrans oak mitigation project. • Fremont Older - planning for improvements to parking area. PROGRESS: Pulgas Ridge • Developing design alternatives for the proposed staging area and preparing cost estimates for the proposed project. • Working on obtaining access rights from San Francisco Water Department. • Researched and obtained permit requirements from the County of San Mateo. Rancho San Antonio • Completed the structural seismic upgrade engineering for the shop building. • Expanded project's scope to include a new roof and minor architectural modifications. • Hired architect to prepare final construction drawings and bid documents. St. Joseph's Hill • Realigned the main patrol route (Hilltop Trail) to the top of hill. • Installed fencing and signing in areas that are being restored. • Met on site with Caltrans representatives to discuss the scope of the oak mitigation project. Fremont Older • Surveyed the conditions of the existing staging area. • Developing design alternatives to accommodate additional parking spaces. 4. Sierra AzuI Open Space Preserve, Former Almaden Air Force Base, Mt. Umunhum • Complete the public review process to evaluate potential uses of the buildings and facilities resulting from the RFP process • Research the requirements and cost for demolition of the buildings and restoration of the site. • Assist the Board in making a final determination regarding the disposition of the buildings and facilities. PROGRESS: • Completed the public review process. • Researching potential sale of surplus generators. • Monitored the Army Corp of Engineers fuel tank removal project. • Responded to issues regarding the problems that have arisen during the clean-up project. JPERATIONS PROGRAM Subprograms A. Field Operations B. Volunteer and Docent To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: The District will follow a land management policy that provides proper care of open space lands, allowing public access appropriate to the nature of the land and consistent with ecological values. Program r m Emphasis i for 1995-1996 p Continue to provide responsible stewardship of District lands. In accordance with trail use policies and guidelines, increase efforts in public education and volunteer participation. Increase the use of District lands and facilities as an environmental education resource. Traditional operations program activities such as ranger patrol, resource protection, and maintenance and construction responsibilities will continue to demand the majority of the program's resources. PROGRESS: • Maintenance crews devoted a significant amount of time repairing winter storm damage to roads, trails, water systems, and enterprise rental residences. • The El Corte de Madera Preserve demonstration trail was completed through the combined efforts two contractors, District staff, and numerous volunteers. • Staff assisted Santa Clara County Parks in the design and construction of a temporary trail to bypass a washed out section of Alma Bridge Road. • Vacancies in four regular positions in the operations program have been filled since April. • New trail construction at Picchetti Ranch has extended the Zinfandel Trail to Stevens Creek County Park. • With the assistance of Santa Clara County Transit, San Jose Conservation Corps, and Peninsula Open Space Trust, maintenance crews completed a major roadside clean-up of the former North property. • Staff completed the demolition of the former Mudd cabin with the assistance of a CDF training burn. • Staff completed the research and made recommendations to the Board on adding expandable batons, soft body armor, and radio shoulder microphones to the list of assigned personal equipment for rangers. • The ranger staff completed 12 hours of expandable baton training in early October. • Docents led 149 interpretive programs April through September, totaling 1,060 hours. • Volunteers completed 16 field projects on open space preserves. Approximately 188 volunteers have contributed 1,011 hours so far this fiscal year. 12 Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions unless otherwise indicated) Operations Manager Area Superintendents (2) Visitor Services Supervisor Support Services Supervisor Supervising Rangers (4) Docent Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator (half-time) Secretary Rangers (12) Equipment Mechanic-Operator (2) Lead Open Space Technicians (2) Open Space Technicians (5) Seasonal Open Space Technicians (7) 1995-199 Field QMrations Subprogram Objective To provide responsible stewardship of all District lands by furnishing those public safety, maintenance, and resource protection services necessary and appropriate for effective management of District lands. Key Projects 1. Operations Manual Update - Revise operations manual to include Open Space Technician, Lead Open Space Technician, and Equipment Mechanic-Operator positions. Update ranger sections to include new procedures not yet formally placed in document. Develop standing orders system to draft, review, and implement directives not included in the operations manual. PROGRESS • The review and implementation of new ranger safety equipment has delayed the planned revisions to the Operations Manual. • The use of force policy and defensive equipment procedures are being developed. 2. Special Use Policies - Develop draft special use policies for Board adoption. Work with the Use and Management Committee to develop draft. Concentrate on public agency and private non-profit special uses. PROGRESS • Staff is reviewing and editing the draft document. Staff plans to present the draft to the Use and Management Committee before the end of the fiscal year. Other priorities have delayed significant progress on this project. 13 3. Deer Hollow Farm - V :k closely with the County of Santa ". .a and the City of Mountain View for funding and work with city staff to provide for the continued operation of Deer Hollow Farm. PROGRESS • In June, the Board approved an agreement with the City of Mountain View to jointly operate the Farm through June 1996. • The County of Santa Clara agreed to participate in the partnership another year. • The potential for a multiple-year agreement depends largely on the County of Santa Clara§ ability to make a multiple-year commitment to funding the farm. 4. Site Inspection System - Complete and implement site inspection procedures to insure pre-acquisition and regular inspection of District lands and public use facilities. PROGRESS • Staff is reviewing and editing a draft document. However, little progress has been made on this project in several months because of other priorities. • Staff anticipates completing and implementing the inspection system before the end of the fiscal year. 1995-1996 Volunteer and Docent Subprogram b'ective To encourage active public participation in the maintenance, restoration, and protection of the District's natural resources, and provide cultural, historical, and environmental education opportunities to the public. Key Projects 1. Environmental Education - Expand the docent program to include a focused environmental education program for school children. Develop general environmental education guidelines and specific curriculum for use at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. PROGRESS • Staff has developed an environmental education curriculum, designed for grades 4-6, titled Spaces and Species: Exploring Natural Communities. • The docent program has been expanded to include about 16 outdoor education leaders, who are currently participating in the District's new environmental education training program. 14 • Staff will notify --cools about the Spaces and Species I,- jam this fall, and will offer preview field trips to a small number of classes this winter before starting the regular program next spring. 2. Daniels Nature Center - Work with planning staff to implement Phase I exhibits. Develop and set up seasonal and temporary displays. Continue to seek grant funding for exhibits and offer public programs at the nature center. PROGRESS • The laboratory station, pond strata displays, and natural communities exhibits will be installed the week of November 6. • Staff will continue to set up seasonal and temporary displays in the nature center. • The District submitted a state environmental education grant program proposal to fund the Alpine Pond community mural. Although the final results have not yet been made public, staff has received informal notice that the District's proposal will not be recommended for funding. Staff will continue to seek grants to complete the nature center exhibits. 15 PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROGRAM Subprograms A. General Public Information and Outreach B. Legislative, Funding, and Organizational Relations To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: The District will educate and make clearly visible to the public the purposes and actions of the District, and will actively encourage public communication and involvement in District activities. General Program Emphasis for 1995-1996 Provide District information to as wide a constituency as possible, focusing on geographic areas of the District that have previously not been reached; maximize District name recognition in all communities served and to all target audiences; maximize overall awareness of the District throughout the District's 16 cities and the unincorporated county areas. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions unless otherwise indicated) Public Affairs Manager Public Affairs Assistant PROGRESS: • The Public Affairs Program expanded District outreach in a number of ways including the new visitors map, which was completed and distributed via direct mail to 290,000 households, with an additional 15,000 being distributed by field staff at the preserves, through presentations, and by phone, mail, and e-mail request. • To date, slide presentations have been made to 14 city councils, 5 parks and recreation commissions, and 5 planning commissions within the District. • Outreach continued to the 9 chambers of commerce to which the District belongs, including a District fact sheet insert in their newsletters and a direct mailing of District information to all members. • A one-month display of District information was placed in the Sunnyvale library. • Fifteen presentations and 14 displays were carried out with the assistance of operations staff and Board members, including the District display at the 6 major art and wine festivals in the area, reaching thousands of people with District information. • Twenty-four press releases were issued by the Public Affairs Program resulting in significant coverage by the media. 16 1995-1996 General Public Information and Outreach Subprogram Objective To generate additional support among the general public for completing the greenbelt 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. Annual Report - Publish a District 1994-1995 Annual Report by May 31, 1995, followed by three regular issues of Open Space News. PROGRESS: • The Annual Report was completed and distributed within two weeks of the target date, and the issues of Open Space News are on schedule. 2. Kids' Art of Open Space - Assuming a successful 1995 Kids' Art event (scheduled for March 1, 1995), schedule and coordinate the third annual event to take place no later than March 31, 1996. PROGRESS: • The Kids' Art of Open Space was very successful. Due to the desire to implement a major environmental festival event in the spring of 1996, it is proposed that the 1996 Kids' Art program take place in the fall of 1996. 3. Visitor Usage Survey - Implement a plan for accurately determining the number of visitors to District preserves, and their types of usage, based on a survey performed on-site at the preserves. PROGRESS: • A consultant was hired to assist in the coordination and implementation of this project, and the initial surveys at Purisima and Rancho took place on October 11 and 14. 4. Public Event - Implement the Founders Commemoration event in May, 1995, and complete planning for a preserve "open house" or other major public event to take place early in the 1996-1997 fiscal year. PROGRESS: • The Founders Commemoration took place on June 25 and was attended by approximately 50 people. The event received good media coverage. Plans are well-underway for a June 9, 1996 event to take place at Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. The event has been entitled, "This Land is Your Land...A Day in Open Space" and will be an environmental festival. 17 1995-1996 Legislative, Funding, and Organizational Relations Subprogram Objectivg 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 Protects 1. Lobbying Efforts - Work with the general manager and the District's Sacramento lobbyist to preserve current and future state funding for the District, and to carry out elements of the District's legislative plan. PROGRESS: 0 The District sponsored Assembly Bill 700, secured Assemblyman Jim Cunneen as its author, testifier) at both the Assembly and Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings, and solicited and received numerous letters of support for the bill at all necessary junctures. The bill passed both committees and full houses, and was signed into law by Governor Wilson on October 5, 1996. The District continues to review legislation which may affect District activities, programs, or funding and take a support/oppose position on any bills that are deemed to have a significant impact. 2. Protection Of District Funding - Work with East Bay Regional Park District to provide for long-term protection of District funding, including possible modification of appropriate Public Resources Code sections. PROGRESS: • East Bay Regional Park District, the lead agency involved in developing this issue, has not pursued it during the most recent legislative session. It is believed that that agency will proceed with the issue when the legislative climate improves. 3. Regional Funding - Work with the Bay Area Open Space Council, the Planning and Conservation League, San Mateo County, and others to develop and support potential regional or other alternative funding mechanisms. PROGRESS: • The District remains very involved in the Open Space Council's development of a plan for a Bay Area sales tax measure for parks and open space. The earliest possible date for placing such an initiative on the ballot would be 1998. However, the recent State Supreme Court ruling on Santa Clara County's Measure A sales tax, essentially requiring a 2/3 vote for any special taxes, will require a re-examination of the potential for such a regional measure. The Planning and Conservation League's tax credit initiative, Senate Bill 1280, 18 has been made ii..., a two-year bill. The District conth.—s to comment and provide suggestions for improvement to that bill, and will consider full support once its final provisions are known. i San Mateo County's "quality of life" sales tax measure, benefiting schools, libraries, and parks and open space, now apparently will require a 2/3 voter approval. The measure's steering committee has indicated that it will probably move the issue forward on that basis. This measure may be on the ballot as early as November, 1996. The District has been and will continue to be involved in the development of this measure. 19 i ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM To Implement the BASIC POLICY OBJECTIVE: The staff of the District will administer the affairs of the District on behalf of the public so as to maximize accomplishment of the goals of the District within existing financial and other constraints. General Program Emphasis for 1995-1996 Instill vision and provide leadership to foster staff participation and activities to carry out the District's short and long-term goals and objectives. Maintain the District's viability as an open space acquisition and management agency in light of limited funding. Focus efforts on working with the Planning Department, all staff, and the Board in development of the Regional Open Space Plan. Staff Resources (Regular, full-time positions unless otherwise indicated) General Manager Legal Counsel (part-time under retainer) Controller (one-quarter time) Administrative Services Manager/District Clerk Research Attorney Administrative Analyst Office Manager/Secretary to the General Manager Accounting Specialist Secretary Receptionist PROGRESS: • Though no funding cuts have come from the state level, the General Manager and Controller are exploring different funding opportunities in light of District's limited resources. • The General Manager, management team, and all staff put in focused efforts during first six months of fiscal year to carry out District activities prescribed in the Action Plan. Reorganization of Planning Program has been a pivotal project. • Preparation of Regional Open Space Plan has been delayed due to Planning Program's reorganization. 20 1995-1996 Administration Program Objective: To provide overall coordination, direction, and administrative base for all District activities so as to maximize the accomplishment of the Board's policies and directives, to implement the Strategic Plan, and to maintain the District's viability as an open space acquisition and management agency. Key Projects 1. District Funding - Work to preserve current and future state funding for the District. Continue to provide multi-year information/scenarios on District's long-term finances and to address the need to rely on the availability of grant funds for major development projects. PROGRESS:OG ESS: The General Manager and Controller have been exploring different opportunities to raise additional acquisition funds, including borrowing against a portion of the District's required reserves and seeking private foundation assistance. 2. Human Resources - Carry out District's personnel and labor relations functions. Enhance organizational effectiveness through increased communications, staff meetings, retreats, workshops, training seminars, and team building activities. PROGRESS: • Hiring process completed for docent coordinator, equipment mechanic operator, volunteer coordinator, Deer Hollow Farm maintenance worker, and ranger positions, and underway for planning technician position. • Workers' compensation insurance coverage was transferred from State Compensation Insurance Fund to California Compensation effective July 1, 1995, in an effort to receive improved case management services. • A significantly improved long term disability program was implemented effective April 1, 1995. • Salary incentive award program distribution method was revised in light of the $25,000 funding cap. • The employee steering committee was reformatted to become the Employee Forum. Its purpose is to provide a forum for dialogue on issues related to employment at the District, as well as to enhance communication between management and staff. • Training sessions have included back fitness training for all staff and an in- house, two-part leadership training focusing on influencing skills for program managers and area superintendents. 21 • Various staff co►....,ittees remain active -- staff safety cc,.__.nittee, field uniform committee, and "fun" committee. 3. Joint Meetings - Coordinate joint meetings with the Board of Directors and the Park and Recreation Commissioners of San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties to discuss topics of mutual interest in each county. Hold joint meetings with key parks and recreation department staff at San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties to facilitate interagency cooperation and communication. PROGRESS: • A special joint meeting of the Board and the San Mateo County Park and Recreation Commission was held on May 4, 1995. • C. Britton, M. Smith, and Directors Crowder and de Wit actively involved in initial discussions and committees for the San Mateo County alternative r f arks libraries and schools. funding measure r o P , g • Initial discussions took place in May about possible agenda topics and dates for a joint Board meeting with Santa cara County Parks and Recreation Commission. The possibility of including the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara Open Space Authority for a 3-way meeting was proposed. Scheduling of joint meeting was deferred until after the appointment of the new Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation director. 4. Regional Open Space Plan - Work with the Board of Directors, Planning Program, and all District staff to prepare a plan providing a clearer vision for the future of the District. PROGRESS: • Because of recent reorganization of the Planning Program, preparation of the Regional Open Space Plan has been delayed. The scope of work for the plan is to be presented to the Board in November. Anticipated that a mission statement will be presented to the Board for approval by March, 1996, based on input and discussion at a Board workshop. 22 ADDENDUM OPEN SPACE PLANNING PROGRAM PROGRESS ON OTHER PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES The addendum provides a summary of other projects and activities described in the Action Plan and Relative Site Emphasis that are in-progress or have been completed this fiscal year. The summary includes projects (shown in italics) that have been undertaken but were not anticipated at the beginning of the fiscal year. These projects have been initiated or completed since April 1, 1995. The projects are divided into two subprograms that correspond to those contained in Action Plan. Regional and Lon-Term, Planning Subprogram • Completed environmental review of Diocese Development Plan, Los Gatos Country Club, Santa Clara County Trails Plan, Quarry Hills Subdivision, Lexington Dam Improvement Plan, NASA Wind Tunnel and alternative bicycle commute trail, and San Mateo County Trails Plan. • Completed management agreement with Peninsula Open Space Trust for the North and Thysen properties. • Participated in the Santa Cruz Mountains Biodiversity Task Force, and committees for the Bay Trail and Ridge Trail. • Conducted acquisition studies and prepared reports for the San Mateo County funding measure, Rancho de Guadalupe, General Convention, Anthony, Reece, Sempervirens, and Lee properties; investigating easement for Ridge Trail connection between Long Ridge and Sempervirens. • Directed volunteer projects for database projects, and organization of the slide collection. • Worked with Real Property Representative to resolve encroachment issues at Kennedy Limekiln Area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. • Expanded computer network system for all departments in the District's main office. • Prepared grant applications for Land & Water Conservation Fund and Habitat Restoration Fund. • Applied to student internship program with local universities to provide support for key planning projects. • Received certificates of compliance and site development permit for Teague Hill surplus land proposal; improving existing road to gain access and conducting percolation tests. 23 Site Planning Signs, Maps and Brochures • Completed drafts of computerized maps for the Picchetti Ranch Area, Long Ridge, and Monte Bello. • Completed new brochure for Purisima Creek Redwoods including computerized map and interpretive information. • Installed new mapboards and bulletin boards at Coal Creek, Los Trancos, Russian Ridge, and Windy Hill. • Revised the Open Space Preserve signs to better inform visitors of District helmet regulation. • Obtained sign permit and installed signs at District's main office. • Completed Use and Management amendment to install interpretive signs on Stevens Creek Nature Trail at Monte Bello. Stag ing Areas and Trail Projects g g J • Reconfiguring existing Fremont Older staging area to accommodate additional parking spaces, restroom, and bulletin board. • Surveyed existing conditions for expansion c f Rhus Ridge parking area and conducting area-wide study for improving staging facilities. • Completed new trails at Picchetti, including Bear Meadow Trail, Zinfandel Trail, trail around pond, and trail to hilltop; coordinated with the County of Santa Clara to complete Zinfandel Trail connection to Stevens Creek County Park. • Installing pit toilet at lower end of Purisima. • Completed demonstration trail and restoration at El Corte de Madera. • Completed realignment of Ridge Trail at Russian Ridge and administrative details for two State grants. • Responded to the Board request to evaluate trail use at Seven Springs Loop Trail and determine how the trail relates to the Trail Use Guidelines. • Coordinated with County of Santa Clara on the Alma Bridge Road Bypass Trail; conducted preliminary field investigation; defined scope of work. • Submitted documents for the closeout of the Land and Water Grant Application for Blue Oak and Cordilleras Trails at Pulgas Ridge. 24 Demolition Projects • Demolished the Mud cabin at Long Ridge and the structure at 140 La Honda Creek Road at La Honda Creek. • Completed the fuel tank and hazardous waste removal project at the former Dyer property at La Honda Creek. • Contracted for the demolition of the Black Mountain cabin at Monte Bello. Restoration and Clean-up Projects • Further defined scope of oak mitigation project at St. Joseph's Hill with Caltrans representatives. • Obtained funding from state legislation to remove and restore dump sites; clean-up underway and anticipate completion by the end of October. Leases • Completed Picchetti Ranch lease amendment to clarify historic renovation requirements, schedule, and public access arrangements; revised site plan including the proposed lighting plan; researched status of use permit, requested proposals from architect and engineer far structural analysis of existing winery building. Historic Preservation • Implementing Grant cabin interior improvements at Rancho San Antonio including contracting for design services, finalizing plans for exhibits, directing volunteer efforts, conducting interviews with Grant and Perham families, and installing electricity. • Finalized agreement for the Picchetti Homestead House grant application with the County of Santa Clara Heritage Commission; modified scope of work according to available grant funding; hired architect to prepare plans for the structural upgrade and foundation work. • Submitted documents for the grant closeout of California Wildlife, Coastal, and Parkland Conservation Act of 1988 (Prop. 70). Special Permits • Drafted "Permit to Enter"for USGS Earthquake Fault Study at Rancho San Antonio and coordinated different phases of study with USGS and their contractor. • Reviewed hangliding proposal at Bald Mountain and obtained planning and field staffs input. 25 Infrastructure • Prepared "Permit to Enter" and coordinated with County of Santa Clara for culvert construction on Stevens Canyon Road at Picchetti Ranch Area. • Prepared site plan and administered guard rail project and associated improvements at Jacques Ridge. • Completed fuel tank removal project at Rancho San Antonio Annex. 0 Reviewed and worked with field staff on the landscaping plan for the ranger office at Rancho San Antonio. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following projects were included in Action Plan, Relative Site Emphasis and fiscal year 1995-1996 budget but are not anticipated to be completed this fiscal year. Most of these projects were categorized "B" priority in Relative Site Emphasis and, as such, are progressing as time permits. 1. Expansion of Purisima parking (crew project) 2. Rancho San Antonio Trail Element 3. Purisima Trail Element 4. Long Ridge Trail Element * 5. Pulgas catch basin (crew project) * 6. Cothran cleanup/Ringo cleanup * 7. Jacques Ridge cleanup * 8. Exotic plant control - Cathedral Oaks * 9. Kennedy - Limekiln parking/grant-related * 10. Kennedy - Limekiln sign 11. Mt. Umunhum use and disposition study * Pond restoration - cat tails 12. Alpine o d esto P * 13. Monte Bello Vista Trail (crew project) * 14. Monte Bello Use Permit - backpack camp/restroom * 15. Purisima undergrounding (crew project) * 16. Redwood Trail - underground tank * 17. Windy Hill upper restroom * 18. La Honda Creek - asbestos shingles * 19. Thornewood dam restoration 20. Pulgas Comprehensive Use and Management Plan 21. Preserve and trail use databases - partially done 22. General District database * 23. Abandoned Vineyard Trail - St. Joseph's Hill (crew project) 24. Weeks road repairs 25. Process for identifying, prioritizing, and scheduling specific resource management and restoration projects. 26. Formulation of an historical and cultural resources program to provide better identification and information for such resources on District preserves. * 27. Monte Bello Parking, south end. * Projects prioritized "B" in Relative Site Emphasis Plan and Budget 26 Regional Open Spa R-95-130 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 AGENDA ITEM Resolution Endorsing and Supporting Approval of the San Clara Countywide Trails Master Plan Update GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION ) Approve the attached resolution endorsing the Santa Clara Countywide Trails Master Plan Update and draft supplemental environmental impact report and encouraging the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors to approve the plan when it comes before that body on November 14, 1995. DISCUSSION In 1992, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved a recommendation by the Parks and Recreation Commission to review and update the trail portions of the General Plan separately from the update of the other General Plan elements. At that time, they established a sixteen-member Trails Plan Advisory Committee to conduct a comprehensive study of trail policies and maps in the County General Plan. This committee was comprised of private property rights and trails advocates, and the proposed General Plan Amendment is the result of their review. The proposed trails master plan update is a consensus document with routes and policies that address both private property concerns and trails needs. This proposal updates the 1980 plan by adding such regional trails as the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the Bay Trail, the De Anza Trail, and the Santa Clara/San Benito Trail. Some trails were eliminated or altered in order to gain a consensus among the diverse interests on the trails advisory committee. The District has an obvious interest in seeing this plan adopted by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Many of the plan's proposed trails are important to and complement the District's concurrent efforts at building a network of both local and regional trails. Support of the plan by the District will tell the Board of Supervisors that this proposed trails master plan is consistent with District activities and objectives. Prepared by: D. Woods, Senior Planner M. Smith, Public Affairs Manager Contact person: C. Britton, General Manager i 330 Distel Circle• Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200• FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd®netcom.com I Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teena Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton i Open Space ----------------— MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT REsownoiyNo. 95- REsownoN OF THE BOARD of DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT ENDORSING AND SUPPORTING APPROVAL OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTYWIDE TRAILS MASTER PLAN UPDATE WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District proclaims that a viable network of local and regional trails throughout Santa Clara County is of great importance and significance to the quality of life of the County residents; and WHEREAS, many of the trails planned for Santa Clara County are of a regional nature and are of vital importance for linking existing parks and open space preserves, and for the eventual completion of such regional trail networks as the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the Bay Trail, the De Anza Trail, and the Santa ClaralSan Benito Trail; and WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Countywide Trails Master Plan has not been updated since 1980, and implementation of trails network in the future will be enhanced with the approval of the Trails Master Plan Update; and WHEREAS, the updated Trails Master Plan is a well-thought out, balanced approach to addressing the diversity of interests involved in trail development, including private property rights, trails advocacy, environmental issues, and the public need for a viable long-term trails plan; and WHEREAS, the Santa Clara Countywide Trails Master Plan Update is scheduled for review and action by the Board of Supervisors on November 14, 1995. Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOL VED that the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District hereby endorses the Santa Clara Countywide Trails Master Plan Update and supports approval of the plan by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors when it comes before that body on November 14, 1995. Adopted by the Board of Directors October 25, 1995 Regional Open Spa MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-95-128 Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 AGENDA ITEM Proposed Addition of Peninsula Open Space Trust Property,to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION 1. Adopt the attached resolution accepting gift of the Peninsula Open Space Trust property. 2. Tentatively adopt the Preliminary Use and Management Plan recommendations contained in this report, including naming the property as an addition to Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. 3. Indicate your intention to dedicate the property as public open space. 4. Determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as set out in this report. Discussion (see attached map) At your September 12, 1990 meeting you adopted Resolution 90-42, accepting a gift of thirteen parcels (27 lots), in the Redwood Park subdivision from Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), for inclusion in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. At your January 27, 1993 meeting you adopted Resolution 93-02, accepting a gift from POST of nine parcels (16 lots) in the same subdivision. POST has an ongoing program of soliciting gift parcels in Redwood Park on the District's behalf. These four additional parcels (12 lots) are the third group of properties to be donated to the District as part of that program and contain approximately 0.79 acres. The District currently owns approximately 104 acres (over 1,500 "lots") of the 200-acre subdivision tract; the remaining portion of the subdivision is privately owned. Most of the privately owned lots are undeveloped, and most of the District owned lots were received from San Mateo County. San Mateo County has designated a "park" boundary isolating the westerly undeveloped 135 acres from the easterly developed 60 acres. This arbitrary boundary line has become the District's demarcation between dedicated and undedicated land, in accordance with our agreement with the County. 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@netcom.com Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teena Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton R-95-128 Page 2 USE AND MANAGEMENT PLAN Planning Considerations These properties are located in an unincorporated area of San Mateo County, within existing District boundaries. All of these lots are part of the Redwood Park subdivision, generally located within the Kings Mountain area of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The primary access is off of Skyline Boulevard to the west, with Ridge Road ending into this "paper" subdivision. All of these parcels adjoin or are surrounded by existing District lands, are located in the westerly undeveloped area of the subdivision, and as such would be in the area considered for dedication as public open space. The parcels received a low to medium rating for suitability as open space in the District's master plan. Staff plans to review the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve in the latter part of 1996. Preliminary Use and Management Plan Recommendations Dedication: Indicate your intention to dedicate these parcels as public open space. Name: Name the property as an addition to the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Signs: Install preserve boundary signs where appropriate. Public Safety Review: There are no known hazards. Site Emphasis Designation: Conservation Management Unit (CMU); limited public access at this time. CEOA Determination It has been concluded that this project will not have a significant effect on the environment. It is categorically exempt from CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) under Article 19, Sections 15316, 15317, 15325, and 15061 as follows: Section 15316 exempts the acquisition of land in order to create parks if the site is in a natural condition and the management plan proposes to keep the area in a natural condition. Section 15317 exempts the acceptance of fee interests in order to maintain the open space character of an area. Section 15325 exempts transfers of ownership of interests in land in order to preserve open space. This acquisition qualifies under all three sections. The actions proposed in the Preliminary Use and Management Plan are also exempt under section 15061, as there is no possibility the actions may have a significant effect on the environment. R-95-128 Page 3 Terms Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) received these parcels as gifts, and in turn is proposing to give them to the District. Since no title insurance has been obtained for past transactions in this area, any title work should be delayed until all, or nearly all, of the lots in the designated area are acquired by the District. Prepared by: L. Craig Britton, General Manager Contact person: Same as above I�I ,II . , va �/�%// .�/ �/ � o IIIII 11111110 MO. ■��/i r/■II�I��■r�i. „�� �, ,�, i''//�,,,. �,i�//� ��I..�Olal�lial o . . �.■I I■`%. � �III %��i 11!%.I`%1�%��/.�7��I�■11■ 0 I� �O �// i �1� I .I �/� �i%r��l■1�ii�/%■� ■ — 1 1 ■ Ida itmill 0i E �111111■ !■� �. � • � � . U RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT ACCEPTING GIFT OF REAL PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE WITH RESPECT THERETO (PURISIMA CREEK REDWOODS OPEN SPACE PRESERVE - LANDS OF PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST) The Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does resolve as follows: Section One. The Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District does hereby accept, with gratitude, the gift of real property described on Exhibit A, affixed hereto and by this reference made a part hereof, and to be conveyed by Gift Deed from Peninsula Open Space Trust, a California Public Benefit Corporation, to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Section Two. The President of the Board or other appropriate officer is authorized to execute a Certificate of Acceptance for said Gift Deed conveying title to the property being donated to the District. Section Three. The General Manager of the District shall cause to be given appropriate notice to the donors of the acceptance of this gift. The General Manager is further authorized to execute any and all other documents necessary to the closing of this transaction. EXHIBIT "All LEGAL DESCRIPTION All that certain real property located in the unincorporated territory of the County of San Mateo, State of California, described as follows: Lots 47 and 48 in Block 39; Lots I and 2 in Block 43; Lot 26 in Block 53 as shown on that certain map entitled "MAP OF REDWOOD PARK SUBDIVISION NO. 2, SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA,- filed in the office of the County recorder of San Mateo County, State of California on December 7, 1908, in Volume 6 of Maps at page 49. Lots 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, and 81 in Block 14 as shown on that certain map entitled "MAP OF REDWOOD PARK SUBDIVISION NO. 3, SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, filed in the office of the County Recorder of San Mateo County, State of California on December 21, 1908, in Volume 6 of Maps at page 52. APN: 067-096-090 067-117-030 067-133-070 067-174-030 Regional Open Spa MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-95-129 Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 AGENDA ITEM Rescheduling of November and December Board Meetings and Cancellation of December 27 Meeting GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIO N N 1. Cancel your November 22, 1995 Regular Meeting and have a Special Meeting on Wednesday, November 29, 1995. 2. Cancel your December 13, 1995 Regular Meeting and have a Special Meeting on Wednesday, December 20, 1995. 3. Cancel your December 27, 1995 Regular Meeting. DISCUSSION Your November 22 Regular Meeting falls on the evening before Thanksgiving, and according to your Rules of Procedure, is to be cancelled or rescheduled. Staff recommends the meeting be canceled and a Special Meeting be held on Wednesday, November 29. Because of having the second meeting in November during the latter part of the month, staff recommends that the December 13 Regular Meeting be canceled and a Special Meeting be held on Wednesday, December 20. In addition, it is recommended that the December 27 Regular Meeting be cancelled. Prepared by: Jean Fiddes, Administrative Services Manager Contact person: Same as above Regional Open Spy 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-95-132 Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 AGENDA ITEM Update Regarding Controlled Burn at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATIONS Accept the staff s recommendation to table the burn decision until Board and public concerns regarding resource impacts can be addressed. DISCUSSION At your September 27 regular meeting, you authorized the General Manager to enter into an agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) to conduct a controlled burn on Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve (see Report R-95-114). At that meeting, members of the public expressed concern that the burn would have an adverse impact on the management of invasive thistle in the preserve, which is acknowledged to be a serious problem region wide. Mr. Nick Moll, a Skyline resident, discussed concerns regarding the impact of the burn on the thistle problem. Staff has delayed the burn to allow time for more careful review of the information presented by Mr. Moll; the information is attached for the Board's review. Director Smernoff has also written a memorandum requesting that the burn area be carefully documented and the burn impacts monitored to help shape future decisions. The primary reason for this burn from CDF's standpoint is for fuel management. CDF is also interested in conducting this burn as a demonstration in the Santa Cruz Mountain area of the benefits of the more extensive burning program they conduct in other areas. A representative of CDF is expected to be available to address the Board at the October 25 meeting regarding CDF's interests and the benefits of the program. CDF is interested in pursuing a cooperative controlled burn project next year, allowing sufficient time to prepare and address concerns of the Board, public, and staff. Given the nature of the District as a regional open space agency managing thousands of acres in the Santa Cruz Mountains, there is great mutual benefit in establishing a partnership relationship with CDF. District staff believes that the burn will not have an adverse impact on the thistle problem, and has technical information and direct experience in this regard. However, based on the need to fully address the concerns of Board members and the public, staff recommends tabling the project until next season to allow time for more thorough research and presentation of the potential relationship between fire and thistle propagation, and for development of a monitoring program to verify these theories in conjunction with the 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200• FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@netcom.com Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teena Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton R-95-132 Page 2 proposed bum. This information would be brought back to the Board for review prior to reconsideration of the bum. Completion of these research tasks is currently constrained by the lack of expertise on staff and may require the help of a consultant or knowledgeable volunteer. Prepared by: Randy Anderson, Senior Planner Contact person: Same as above i Board of Directors, MROSD Re: planned burn on Russia.. Ridge. Let me start by thanking the Board for reopening this subject. Reconsideration of already decided issues is never a welcome task; but with public notice of only five days before the burn was originally considered, it was difficult to gather the scientific knowledge which is relevant to this issue. Thus, on the one side the Board heard, at the meeting of September 27, our own common sense concerns about the potential impact of this burn on the yellow star thistle population, and on the other side they heard the district staffs assurances that there would likely be little impact, either positive or negative, on that population. Since then, I have had a prolonged discussion with a yellow star thistle expert, Dr. Craig Thomsen who is a research associate at UC Davis in the Dept. of Agronomy and Range Science, and have discussed the issue with a grassland ecologist who is familiar with the Russian Ridge area, Stuart Weiss from Stanford. From these conversations it is clear that the planned burn presents a significant risk of unleashing yellow star thistle at Russian Ridge. I believe we can all agree that if this were the outcome, the burn would be a mistake. I therefore conclude that the burn should be approached more cautiously. There are two elements to the star thistle risk. First, yellow star thistle is currently naturalized but controlled at Russian Ridge, apparently by thatch. The burn will remove this control mechanism. Second, the burn will be done at a time of year which has been shown qualitatively to lead to increased yellow star thistle infestation, and which has been shown quantitatively to lead to dramatic infestation by a close relative of yellow star thistle in the Sierra foothills. Most of the roughly one mile of ridge line which will be covered by the burn is grassland. Of the grassland perhaps 1% is given over to isolated coyote brush bushes, and to nearly pure stands less than 10 in in diameter of yellow star thistle and of other thistles. Thus, while yellow star thistle is clearly adapted to Russian Ridge, it is controlled, in the language of range scientists. It is worth noting that the southern Coal Creek grassland just across Skyline Boulevard from Russian Ridge is fully infested with yellow star thistle, so the possibility of a serious infestation is not to be taken lightly. With this in mind, let's examine what scientists familiar with relevant problems have to say on the wisdom of proceeding with a large-scale burn. Item one: Can thatch control yellow star thistle? Staff stated at the September meeting that yellow star thistle will survive in thatch, and by implication that it will spread or not, regardless of the presence or absence of thatch. This is contrary to observations by Dr. Thomsen . In experiments designed to compare the effects of grazing, mowing, and no control protocol he noticed that while all strips showed comparable yellow star thistle germination rates, of about 3000 seedlings/square meter, in heavily thatched control strips all the seedlings disappeared in the dicot stage...and of course there was no spread into those strips. He attributes the disappearance of the seedlings to herbivory by small mammals such as voles. After the burn, the small mammal population will disappear. "...small mammals can decrease drastically in number within a few days following a prescribed fire because removal of the protective cover exposes them to predators such as coyotes, house cats, red-tailed and sharp- shinned hawks, common ravens, and great horned owls."' Except for house cats, all these predators are numerous at Russian Ridge. This population reduction will take place, and there 'H. Biswell Prescribed Burning in California Wildlands Vegetation Management p. 176 Berkeley, CA (1989) will be no herbivory o� scar-thistle seedlings. Item two: In burns on the Jepson Prairie the Nature Conservancy has found that while late spring burns lead to a decrease in yellow star thistle population, fall burns lead to increased infestation.2 In view of items 1 and 2, Dr. Thomsen concludes that the projected fall burn of Russian Ridge will probably lead to an increase in yellow star thistle. Item three. In a quantitative study that Stuart Weiss describes in the attached letter, Parsons and Stohlgren found that the practice of prescribed burns in October converted 100% grassland into 46% Centaurea melitensis thistle after just 3 years of such bums.3 Centaurea melitensis is another introduced weed in the same genus as yellow star thistle, with similar but less aggressive invasive characteristics. All of the scientific knowledge that I am aware of related to yellow star thistle indicates that a fall burn is likely to lead to a star thistle increase...and perhaps an explosion. Either outcome would be a serious degradation of Russian Ridge. I strongly urge the board not to proceed with the current plan. I share both the Board's and the Staffs desire to at least maintain the Russian, Ridge grassland and wildflower display in its present fine state, and if possible to improve it by favoring native species, and reducing introduced weeds of all varieties. Prescribed fire may well be a useful tool to accomplish this goal but like any tool, it needs to be used appropriately and knowledgeably. In terms of yellow star thistle, the planned fall burn appears to be inappropriate based on existing knowledge. In their zeal to proceed with the burn, staff appears to have overlooked a key ecological problem. The District's Resource Management Plan says "...before using prescribed fire to control encroaching vegetation, consider fire's impact on the overall habitat and landscape and weigh this against other control methods such as physical removal.i4 Any and all future burns should be planned based on input from a qualified ecologist familiar with the details of the area in question. No large-scale burns should be undertaken without quantitative and well-planned experimental studies beforehand, unless the outcome is ecologically certain, and desirable. Sincerely. "Ale/ Nick Moll Sarah Christian Star Route 2 Box 408 La Honda, CA 94020 Attachments: (1) Letter from S. Weiss, (2) Summary of conversation with C. Thomsen (3) UC star thistle bulletin, (4) Reference 3 2C. Thomsen Private communication 3D. J. Parsons and T. J. Stohlgren Madrono, 36, 3 , pp 154- 168 (1989) 4MROSD Resource Management Plan (draft) Center for Department of Biological Sciences,Stanford University ' Conservation Stanford,California 94305-5020 phone(415)723-5924 Biology FAX(415)723-5920 e-mail conbio@igc.org 12 October 1995 Dear MROSD Board, am writing this letter regarding the proposed burns at Russian Ridge. I am a staff biologist at the Center for Conservation Biology at Stanford University, and have many years experience in grassland ecology and the impacts of introduced species on grasslands. David Smernoff is familiar with my credentials. I have two areas of concern. The first is that the proposed fall burns may greatly speed the invasion of the grassland by yellow star thistle. I have read and enclosed a paper that describes the results of burning experiments in Sequoia National Park. The main result of this study is that fall burning increased the density of Centaurea melitensis from non existent to 46.3% cover over three years. This species is closely related to yellow star thistle, Centaurea solstitialis. The second concern is that monitoring the results of any burns needs to be done in a rigorous manner. The National park Service has established post-fire monitoring protocols that are written into a manual. These protocols should be a starting point for any monitoring program. I am willing to lend my expertise to establish a monitoring program. 1 urge the board to set up a small-scale experiment over several acres of habitat that experimentally, and rigorously, tests the impacts of burning on the Russian Ridge grassland. To go ahead and burn a substantial portion of Russian Ridge (or any preserve lands) without carefully exploring the impacts of that action is irresponsible, especially when previous experiments have shown that the invasion by star thistles is enhanced by such actions, Thank you for your consideration. V Stuart Weiss Staff Biologist Notes from conversation with Craig Thomsen UC Davis Dept Agronomy and Range Science 10/3/95 I What is the effect of removing thatch on spread of yellow star thistle? [discussion of details of population, rainfall at Russian Ridge] The number of new plants will probably increase, but perhaps not due to germination rate. Thomsen noticed that star thistles weren't spreading in 10 m wide control strips with significant thatch, although they were in other strips that were subjected to grazing and mowing management. All strips, including controls, had —3000 seedlings/m^2 after germination, but in the thatched strips the seedlings disappeared while still in the dicot stage. He attributes this to herbivory by small mammals such as voles. What are the likely effects of a fall burn? Herbivory will be absent because the small mammals will be gone, and this is the wrong time to burn in order to control yellow star thistle. It is likely that the yst population will increase, since it is demonstrated, by its presence, to be adapted to Russian Ridge. In burns on the Jepson Prairie, the Nature Conservancy has found that late spring burns will control yellow star thistle, while October burns lead to increased population. If the district proceeds with the burn, they should be ready to react immediately and swiftly to an increase in yellow star thistle population with intensive spraying and mowing management. If the burn proceeds, it would be interesting to monitor areas adjacent to existing stands by counting flower heads. It would be valuable, for monitoring purposes, to save some patches from being burned. |yxy| PARSONS AND STOBLOREN:GRASSLAND FIRE REGIMES /55 -r EFFECTS OF VARYING FIRE REGIMES ON result in considerable year to year fluctuation in nonnative annual ANNUAL GRASSLANDS lNTHE species composition and biomass(Bentley and Talbot 1958� 8cudy SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA^ OF CALIFORNIA 1958; Pitt and Heady 1978), those studies showed no indication of _ successful reestablishment of the native flora. [>xvIoJ 9ausowm Land management agencies cha�edvviihthe pmwcrvu\iono[nut' Research Division Scquoio and l{inAo Canyon �4o�onu| 9urkm. «rut ecosystems D/cc \ho di|crnmu u[citho, urccpdng ihc loss o[u ' — signi6cuntcomponcn( o[(honzhvcUoruoratirmupdnA <orcmorcu ThromBivcm. CAY327\ . more native species composition. The former,as has been suggested � TnomAx]. STonusnsw hy Heady(1977).requires u compromise in management objectives, Cooperative National Parks Resources Studies Dni1, csycodu||y declaring alien species as naturalized. The latter requires University o[Cuii(hnniu. Davis, C/kO56|6 both u sophisticated knuvv|cd&oo[Aruos|ond ecology and upotentially intensive restoration pvngrum, if such is even possible. In Sequoia Awnv^rr National Pork. xcvcru) thousand hcc1om of annual grassland are Effects"(unto three successive spring and fall burns nn composition and biomass protected as both part o[thc Park and tile Sequoia and Kings Canyon o[the predominantly no»-noh.'grasslands u[the southern Sierra Nevada foothills International Biosphere Reserve. National Park Service manage- were evaluated. Fall and spring burning regimes increased the number and biomass mcot policy calls for protection and restoration o[this ecosystem of both x|ic^ and no/i.c species.�», � No native grass species became established '�|�hou�hc8�ciivcprc�ocbon from |ivcgock&ruxin&ispnovidcd. �h' �/|o°iouthe /,m/mcno Thus, °xcuu, m, bi^munn[ax gr ass ` reduced or ,cpc^t,u burning. they will be replaced by increases in both alien and question remains as to whether native species can ever successfully native foros. cxune,s mm following one or two »«'»^ (^n'i»u or fall) were not be restored to the area. sustained following cessation vr burning treatment. An active program o[restoring periodic fire toon area where fires have been effectively suppressed for most o[o century(Parsons |V8|; The uonuu1 8ruso}unda that characterize much of California, in- Bancroft ctal. 1985). together with evidence that the frequency and c|udiog the |o"/ c|c,udon foothills of tile southern Sierra N»'ad», xcuoon of fire can influence xpcdco composition and production in are dominated by species native in the Mediterranean Basin(Wester other grassland communities (Hover and Bragg 1981, Towne and 1981). Prior adaptation to grazing by livestock has favored alien 0nonoby 1984)` led uxtu test the effects o[varying fire regimes on | species in the replacement o[native grasses and 0nrbu (Barry 1972; species composition and biomass.Similar experiments,using ucom' i905 Macdonald|d | \V88) Analysis i of i }uckxoo � uc onu c\ u � � n» Ymm o hinubon of seeding, fertilization, and burning, provided mixed re- accounts and nnioro(hysi| remains indicate that areas that once sup- ou|m in restoring degraded 8ruuo/andx in San Diego County (Garcia ported either extensive native annual grasslands orSt/pu6unobgrass and Lathrop 1084). prairie are now dominated by alien annual &:a»««n (Barry 1972; The objectives oy this study were (o investigate the effects of fre' 8cudy 1977; Burto\omo et u\. 1986). The abilities to withstand qucncy and season of burning on the relative composition and dom' drougbtuud8ruzinghuvccomhinedtoum«uncthecondn«cd d»rn- inunccof native and alien species in the annual grassland conunuu' iuuncc of annual K8cdi{cnancun grasses. The drnin8 and intensity niiico of the southern Sierra Nevada. Such data are essential to � of precipitation and grazing pressure, including the amount »fnut- understanding the effects o[past and present management practices uru\ mulch rcton\inn, have been shown to uiDnih«u»dY influence as well as in evaluating the possibility of using fire as u tool to vegetative production and species composition on annual grassland reestablish native species.This io critical to understanding the short- sites inccntru| [u|iOorniu (To|hotciu|. 1939; DuncanaodWo»d' and long-term impacts o[reestablishing natural fire regimes(Parsons munmcc 1V7j; 8ano|orncotal. |u80). Hervey (|049)quantified the et al. 1986). , effects n[un early summer burn in temporarily favoring broud|cuved h/rbx over grasses onu coastal foothill range and Larson and Duncan STUDY AREA (|082) have documented a near doubling o[production two years following Cn|| burn on the San Joaquin Experimental Range near The study area is located on u gentle eastern exposure at an e|o- Fruono. yot` although variable patterns o[climate, fire and grazing *»tio»o[7OOnn in the rolling foothills o[the drainage o[the Middle Fork n[the }{uwcuh River, Sequoia National Purk, Tulare County. California: The region is characterized by the hot, dry summers »«^o^omo, Vol. 3^, No. ], pp. 154-168. 1989 typical of Mediterranean dimu1co (/\srhmono 1973). Annual pre- ` /m maoR0&0 [Vol. 36 |puo} PARSONS AND 3T08LGnsN:GRASSLAND FIRE REGIMES 157 and March, from0.6 on 1.5 rn and rum of spread from4.0 to 20 n /n�in� AU a 'c - d \]O. 73. |3], and2O2perccnt. rcupccivc|y� n[dho |oug' burns resulted in essentially total consumption o[vegetative bio' term annual average o[6Q.| cm during the four study years. Voge- mass. Burning during the bcx dry ournnocr was avoided duo to the txdon in the area consists of annual gruoo\undm beneath uout»orod threat of the fire escaping the area. blue oak ((}ucu'uoJvxglam// Hook. & Arn.). Grazing hydomestic Vegetation sampling was carried out annually within five random- cattle and horses occurred on the site during the |unu 1800`y and |y distributed 0.05-roz circular plots within each bum treatment(new early \O00'm but has now been absent for ut least 60years. plots were selected each year).Beginning io the spring oy|980.before The area has ou record of burning after u 1060 wildfire burned the first burn` and continuing through 1083, one growing mcaunn much o[the vicinity(Stocking }966). Park fire maps record nofires following the final burn, all of the current year's vegetative growth in the area between 1025 and 1960. Prior to the bnc pontcoboo was clipped atu height oy |.Ocru above ground level in each plot. provided hythccrcuhonu[Sequoia�Nobooa)Park in \O90.lightning Clipped samples were separated by species and oven dried for 24 6ms. /o&cihcr with intentional ignitions by aboriginals and sheep- hours at 940C to determine dry weight. Sampling was carried out in herders(for briefperiodhctvccnabout 1860 uod )8oO),are thought the spring ut peak biomass,before significant seed loss orsenescence to have regularly burned the Sequoia foothills (Vanku1 and Major had occurred. The sampling schedule varied as a function of that 1978; Puoonu l981). Previous studies o[vegetation in the area have year's phcoo|o8y.falling between 4 May and 24 May. Data collected focused primarily on the ovrotory oak woodland(Baker ot al. )y8}; from the 35 rondonn|y^p|urcd 0.05-m2 plots mumnp|cd during the McOurun 1986), and nearby chaparral communities (Stnhlgneo et spring o[l9D0 were used to characterize the pre-study species com' u|. 1984; }luudc( et o|. 1987). Soils in the area are characterized by position and biomass of the area. 6»c to coarse textured sandy \ouno D|\ic Bup|oxena\8» (Huntington It is recognized that the lack o[true replicate treatments may limit � and /\kc»on !98O). They are derived from granitic bedrock and are interpretation of the data. Due to logistic constraints o\utcd to thc moderately deep and moderately well drained. burn operation the decision was made to focus on multiple treat- merits ut the expense of replication. Pomoih|o block effects are min- METHODS innized hy also considering the results uuu percent oythe 1080 pre- burn conditiunu[thesumcp|u\o 8tutimicu|analysis ohhevegetation � /\ urcu approximately 20 ha `*uo odoc�od oy ,�prcocn�u/iv� o[ � n � data included �v/o-wuyono|yui� o�vuriunc� (/\�40V/�) /ocornpon the foothill annual Qrus\andao[Sequoia��uti»na|Park.Seven |0-/n the effects o[treatment, or burning regime, by year for each of three by \0-m study sites were identified within this area i» positions that 'u&ctohvo groups (o|ic' �ruomcm` alien k/'hs` and native forb no mux/m/zed chances of successful 5o control. The sites were each native grasses were encountered) for biomass and species richness. assigned one o[seven fire treatments based o»fire logistical concerns. If the F'teg ratios were significant (p < 00�) for either ��«\or, Treatments inc|ud�d u single [u|i burn (4VOO� F|) two muoocoxivc � . ' ` Tukcy`o multiple range test (SAS Institute Inc. 1085) was used to Cu)| burns (1980 and 1081; FZ), three oucccn»i»c Fa|| hucnu (1980' detect significant differences(p < O.O5)within the vegctu/ivo&roups |g8).and 1982; F3). o single spring burn (\y80;S|), two successive for that [ac\or. We recognize the study design Jocn not fully mcc\ � spring burns (1980 and 1981 S2). three successive spring burns the underlying assumption of an analysis of --riunoc since plots (1980, 1981. and 1982; B}), and an unburned control (C). All fires were not randomly assigned treatments fire� ocon\roi logistics were carried out as prescribed burns under pre-established pre»«rip- constraints). But because of the homogeneity of the pre-burn con- tions prcviuudy tcu/cd to assure both containment and high 8uc| di|ioo and the severity of the treatments applied, we present the consumV|/»»' results o[the /kN0V& ussupportive information. Fu|} burns were conducted in (otr October or early November, To um»emm species-specific responses to different burning roginnco near the end o[the natural fire season (Parsons 1981). During the percent o[total biomass for each major species was calculated S»|' [u|| burns fine K/c| (cured grass) moisture contents ranged from lO lowing the three successive [h|\ or spring burns and compared to to 1596. air temperatures from 18 to 21*C. and relative humidities that ho�b prcc�dio& to:atnneot (/V8O) and for the 1983 control. from 40 to 65��. Flume lengths averaged 0.6 to 1.0 rn and ru1c of spread 2.5 to 6_0 on/min. The spring burns were carried out in early Rsauc7s AND D'scuyu/ow to m`d']unc, after the annual vegetation had dried but before most natural ignitions would normally have occurred(Parsons l98|). Fine Theprc'hurn 19B0 vegetation o[the study sites consisted ofcigh fuel moistures ranged from 7 to 0%. air temperatures from 22 to teen species u[grasses and h/rbs with u mean total biomass o[]]4.5 27°(`and relative humidities from4| to46%. Flame lengths ranged y,/mz (Table 1). The 35 sample plots averaged 5.6 species per plot. 1 158 MADRONO [Vol. 36 19891 PARSONS AND STOHLGREN:GRASSLAND FIRE REGIMES 159 p TABLE 2. EFFECT OF TREATMENT BY YEAR ON NUMBER OF SPECIES AND BIOMASS(R' m 0.05 m')of ALIEN GRASSES.Only means with different letters within columns(a, b, Q. �% c)or within rows(i,j,k)are significantly different at p < 0.05.Treatment codes arc +i v~ pNN D OMO RN�OONhNN- C=control,FI =one fill burn,F2=two fall burns,F3=three fall burns,SI =one E 00 V R N h"R M O-M M Q-O O O- spring burn,S2=two spring burns,S3=three spring burns. �0000 0 CD0000000 c a +I +I +I +I +I +1 +I +1 +I +I +1 +I +I +I +1 +I +1 +I Year cl -r- M O 09 00'o'o N N 0o r -N- m Treatment 1980 1981 1982 1983 M E V M M � O N o No.species od N C 3.0 3.8 3.0 3.0 a E FI 3.0 2.4 3.6 3.0 a F2 3.8 3.2 3.2 3.6 a F3 3.4 3.6 3.4 2.6 b °O pt�M OP p DMM00f- 0110'0'0'0M SI 4.4 3.4 3.4 3.4a Q' O c,oo d'M(V N fV f 4 e,4 S2 3.8 4.4 4.4 3.8 a c U. S3 3.0 3.2 3.8 4.0a Q 3 Biomass C 14.4 s. 13.3 17.8 i 10.4 c/j FI 15.0 17.0 11.2 9.1 ° F2 20.0 i 14.1 6.7 j 12.3 c/j 9v ° <<<<Z<<<<ZZZZZ<ZZZ M C F3 19.2i 17.3i 9.4 2.3a/j S1 13.2 14.4 1&I 17.3 b S2 18.3i 11.3 8.6i 8.6j x o S3 15.0 11.9 8.6 8,11 c a 0�n a E < y a a a ti d D O d 9 a a z 0 x i ° `�o�.,0`�.-0�0` `�.-0` ` Avena fatua. a grass introduced from Europe, dominated all plots, 0 0 �....o 0 ao .- c- 0n�c...,... Zconstituting 75.0% of the total biomass (range = 63.2 to 89.7%). a v Three alien grass species,A.fatua, Brornus mollis, and B. diandrus, a ; occurred in nearly every plot and together accounted for 95.5% a = (range = 90.3 to 99.6) of the total biomass. Broadleaved forbs oc- curred only sporadically, constituting 5.9 g/m2 or 1.8% (range = 0 z ; to 10.1%)of the total mean biomass. Alien fortis averaged less than 5 v v ¢ one species and 2.8 g/mz whereas native forbs averaged 1.3 species and 3.1 glmz. Non-native species dominated all plots in both fre- quency and biomass. Although a total of nine native species were IC encountered, only Brodiaea elegans was found in more than 2011/>of 3 < E fiy a h v x the plots, and all nine together accounted for less than one percent $o U > z � w< of the total biomass (Table 1). This pre-treatment composition is o � 0 0 a q°a d a ,Z o o¢ similar to that found in other ungrazed or lightly grazed California ; ova o i fi g Z o.o annual grassland sites (Heady 1977). v .; :h o 0 0 Z fi a -� The only detected pre-burn significant differences between plots ph-Ea o o located in the different treatment areas were for number of species 6 fi ti tl �' 4`�i s.d-�D E ` h ° y = °._ y a a: and biomass of alien forbs in the site to receive a single spring burn O N a n ?.� y.o�.fi fi �.o ° = g p g U O fi fi.? ' •, O b ., Cs ti Oq r S 1 a G ° � o o � �� � 1 0 � � � a� ( )and biomass of native fortis in the site to receive two successive T m m m m L.I)� c:4y y w-4 spring burns (S2). The only significant differences found between years for the control plot were for biomass of alien grasses (1982- <o 1983),and number of species of alien fortis(1980-1981)(see Tables r 160 MADRONO [Vol. 36 19891 PARSONS AND STOHLGREN:GRASSLAND FIRE REGIMES 161 TABLE 3. EFFECT OF TREATMENT BY YEAR ON NUMBER OF SPECIES AND BIOMASS(g/ TABLE 4. EFFECT OF TREATMENT BY YEAR ON NUMBER OF SPECIES AND BIOMASS(9/ 0.05 m')OF ALIEN FORBS.Only means with different letters within columns(a,b,c) 0.05 m')of NATIVE FORBS. Only means with different letters within columns(a, b, or within rows (i,j, k)are significantly different at p <0.05. Treatment codes are c)or within rows(i,j,k)are significantly different at p <0.05.Treatment codes are C=control,FI =one fall burn,F2=two fall burns,F3=three fall burns,S I =one C=control,FI =one fall burn,F2=two fall burns,F3=three fall burns,S 1 =one spring burn,S2=two spring burns,S3=three spring burns. spring burn,S2=two spring burns,S3= three spring burns. Year Year Treatment 1980 1981 1982 1983 Treatment 1980 1981 1982 1983 No.species No. species C 0.4 a/i 2.4 a/j I. a 1.2 a C 0.6 1.2 a 0.8 a 1.6 a FI 0.6 a/i 2.4 a/j 3. b 2.4 j F1 1.0 3.0 2.2 1.0 a F2 1.0 i 5.4 b/j' 4.2 b/i 3.6 b/k F2 2.0 3.0 3.4 3.6 b F3 0.8 a/i 3.2 j 3.8 b/j 4,0 b/i F3 0.4 i 3.0 j 1.8 4.2 b/j S 1 2.6 b 3.6 3.8 b 2.8 Sf 1.4 3.6 b 3.2 1.6 a S2 0.6 a/i 2.6 a/j 3.4 b/j 3.2 j S2 2.6 i 5.8 b/j 4.4 b/j 2.2 1 S3 0.8 a/i 3.6 i 4.0 b/j 4.0 b/j S3 1.0 i 4.4 b/j 3.2 j 3.2 j Biomass Biomass C 0.1 a 0.3 a 0.8 a 0.8 a C 0.1 a 0.7 a 0.37 0.5 a FI 0.01 a/j 1.9 j 7.6 b/i 1.9 j Fl 0.01 a/i 6.4j 0.8 i 0.4 a/i F2 0.1 a/j 2.9 j 7.3 b/i 2.7 b/i F2 0.2 a 3.1 6.2 2.5 F3 0.03 a/i 4.2 b/j 3.6 j 5.4 b/j F3 0.02 a/i 6.2 j 1.5 2.1 S1 0.7 b 1.5 2.8 1.2 SI 0.6 a/i 12.4 b/j 2.1 i 0.9 i S2 0.03 a/i 0.7 i 1.7 a/j 3.2 b/k S2 0.6 b/i 5.9 j 3.3 0.8 1 S3 0.1 a/i 2.1 i 8.1 b/j 4.3 b/j S3 0.1 a/i 5.3 j 2.9 3.5 b 2-4). This shows strong similarity between the pre-burn character of the seven treatment areas as well as a consistent year to year decreased over pre-treatment levels by two fall burns, it is only after character for the unburned control. three such burns that biomass (11% of pre-burn) also differs from Two-way ANOVA of treatment and year for each vegetation group numbers found in the control plots. Decreases in abundance ofAi,ena detected significant effects(p < 0.05)of both treatment and year on fatua and Bromus diandrus account for most of the biomass change. all but the number of alien grass species.Te6atment effects influenced Both the number of species and biomass of alien forbs increased the biomass of the different vegetation groups as well as the number over pre-burn and control levels following two or more fall burns of native and alien forb species. (Table 3). Alien forb biomass increased as much as 12,000% fol- Together, the burn treatments resulted in the appearance of 18 lowing two fall burns (172; 1982) and 18,000% following three fall additional native forb species, five additional alien forb species,and burns (F3; 1983) over pre-burn levels in the same plots. Although no new grass species. The most important of these species are dis- an increased number of species is still evident following a year of cussed in the text. recovery in the F2 plot, biomass has dropped markedly (Table 3). Figures l and 2 summarize the effects of one, two, and three A single species,Centaurea melitensis L.,which was not encountered successive fall and spring burns on the relative biomass of alien in any plots during pre-burn sampling and only rarely found in the grasses, alien forbs and native forbs. Under both burning regimes control plots in succeeding years, accounts for the majority of the the biomass of alien grasses is decreased relative to that of both alien forb response. Other alien forb species that increased with fall alien and native forbs. Tables 2-4 detail the effects of'the six ex- burning include Silene gallica L., Galium parisiense, and ffypo perimental burning regimes on number of species and biomass of choeris glahra L. these three vegetative groups. Whereas native forbs increased in both species richness and bio- Alien grasses appear to be minimally affected by the fall burning mass following fall burning, only the number of species following regimes. Species richness (and composition) is not influenced by three successive fall burns (F3) differed from both pre-burn and successive fall burns (Table 2). Whereas biomass of alien grasses is control levels (Table 4). Native forb biomass increased sharply 1561- 162 MADRONO [Vol. 36 19891 PARSONS AND STOHLGREN:GRASSLAND FIRE REGIMES I03 lowing an initial burn and maintained moderately high levels in the 100 following years. Lotus stthpinnatus and Orthocarpus attenuatus A. � I� s ? !� Gray were the native forb species exhibiting the largest and most %, consistent increases following fall burning. Although up to three Bo successive fall burns clearly influenced relative species composition4. a and dominance,including increasing the relative importance of both native and alien (orbs at the expense of alien grasses (Fig. 1) it is �' a 0 uncertain what fire return interval would be required to maintain E so such changes or whether they would revert to pre-burn levels fol- n ■ Alien grasses lowing a short time without fire. By the end of the study in 1983, ❑ Alien forbs it is only in the plot burned for three successive years(173)that alien El Native forbs grasses do not dominate total biomass. Increases in the forb groups 40 A Date of fire following one or two burns in the other fall treatments either have , returned or have begun to approach pre-burn levels.Additional time a : would be required to determine if the relative suppression of alien grasses achieved with three fall burns could be maintained. 20 Whereas to tal to bi omass iomass ten ded to increase following an initial fall burn, it returned to near control levels in succeeding years. The minimal influence of repeated fall burning on total productivity counters other findings that the amount of mulch residue strongly 0 influences productivity in California's annual grasslands(Bartolome 1980 1981 1982 1983 et at. 1980). Spring burning, although probably not as important a part of historical southern Sierra Nevada foothill fire regimes as summer Year and fall burns, does show some potential for altering composition FIG. I. Percentage of total plot biomass for alien grasses, alien forbs, and native of annual grasslands. Total species richness was increased by suc- forbs following I, 2,and 3 successive fall burns. Data from 5 0.05-m2 plots located cessive spring burns, a difference due entirely to increased numbers in F3(three fall burns)treatment. of forbs.Total biomass was not influenced by spring burning(Tables 2-4). Spring burning showed little effect on alien grasses,other than successive fall ors spring burns. Burning to a substantial but not statistically significant decrease in biomass dramatic reductions in dominance of the omnipresent presentt 4venaer season lfadtua. in (Table e Fig. ne This invasive European grass dominates much of the annual r Species richness and biomass of alien forbs increased following P g grass- two or three spring burns. Biomass(Fig. 2) increased by as much as lands throughout California. Three successive fall burns reduced A. 135-fold (from 0.1 to 8.1 g/0.05 m'-) in the 1982 F3 plot (Table 3). fatua to 5.3% of the total biomass whereas three successive spring Alien forb species,including Silenegallica L.,Ero&um botrys(Cay.) burns reduced it to 12.4%(Table 5). A second common introduced Bertol.,and Hvpochoeris glabra L., increased significantly following grass, Bromus diandrus, was also reduced to minimal presence (0.2 and 1.3%, respectively)by successive fall or spring burns. The third spring burns. dominant grass of the unburned grassland, Bromus rnollis, was not An initial spring burn dramatically increased both the number of g species and biomass of native forbs. However,these increases either significantly affected by burning in either season, contributing be- returned to near pre-burn levels with the cessation of fire (SI and tween 10 and 27% of the total biomass of both pre- and post-burn S2) or stabilized at slightly lower levels even with repeated annual plots. burning(173;Table 4).Tri olililll micrnc'eplialtrrn,Lupinusbenthamii, Both the F3 and S3 treatments shifted the relative dominance of and Lotus suhpinnatus are the major native forbs that increased both species number and biomass from grasses to forbs. Successive following spring burning. increases in L. bentharnii were not sus- fall burns resulted in a dramatic increase of the alien forb Centaurea melitensis`from non-existent in 1980 to 46.3% of the total biomass tallied following the initial burn. in 1983. Alien and native forbs together accounted for 8.2 of the Table 5 lists those species that were influenced most by three I 164 MADRONO [Vol. 36 19891 PARSONS AND STOHLGREN:GRASSLAND FIRE REGIMES 165 TABLE 5. SPECIES SHOWING MAJOR CHANGE IN RELATIVE BIOMASS FOLLOWING THREE 100 SUCCESSIVE FALL(F3; 1983)AND/OR THREE SUCCESSIVE SPRING(S3; 1983)BURNS AS COMPARED WITH PREBURN(1980)AND CONTROL(C; 1983)PLOTS. Data presented as percentage of total plot biomass. Growth form codes are A=alien, N= native, F=forb,G=grass. 80 Growth Control Preburn Postburn k Species form (1983) (1980) (1983) Fall burn increasers a Centauria melitensis AF 0.1 0.0 46.3 co '; Lotus subpinnatus NF 0.0 0.0 10.8 �°- 608 Silene allica AF 0.1 0.0 5.3 ■ Alien grasses Alien(orbs Hypochoeris glabra AF 0.1 0.0 4.8 Orthocarpus attenuatus NF 0.0 0.0 4.4 ❑ Native forbs C 40 A Date of fire Fall burn decreasers 2 Avena fatua AG 39.0 89.7 5.3 a Bromus diandrus AG 12.0 10.8 0.2 Spring burn increasers ` 20 F.rodium botrys AF 0.0 0.0 15.8 Trifolium microcephalum NF 0.1 0.5 11.0 Silene gallica AF 0.1 0.0 7.5 Lulus subpinnatus NF 0.0 0.0 6.9 Festuca megalura AG 0.0 0.1 6.2 0 Centauria melitensis AF 0.1 0.0 2.4 1980 1981 1982 1983 Spring burn decreasers Avena fatua AG 39.0 76.5 12.4 Year Bronnes diandrus AG 12.0 12.9 1.3 FIG. 2. Percentage of total plot biomass for alien grasses, alien forbs, and native forbs following I,2,and 3 successive spring burns.Data from 5 0.05-m'plots located in S3(three spring burns)treatment. five native and six alien forb species were encountered. The most common post-burn species following three successive spring fires average 10.8 (76%) species per plot (as compared to 1.2 of the 4.6 were Erodium botrvs, an alien introduced from Europe, and the or 26% in the same plots before burning and 2.8 of 5.8 or 48% of native Trifolium microcephalum. Neither of these increased sub- the 1983 control plots) and 7.5 of the average 9.8 g/0.05 m2 (76%) stantially following fall burns (Table 5). Alien and native forbs to- (as compared to 0.05 of 19.2 g/0.05 m- or 0.2% before burning and gether accounted for 7.2 of the 1 1.2 species per plot (64%) (as op- 1.3 of 11.7 or 1 1% of the control plots). Five species of forbs (3 posed to 1.8 of 4.8 or 38% before burning and 2.8 of 5.8 or 48% of alien and 2 native) accounted for 71.6% of the total post-treatment the control plots) and 7.8 of the 15.9 g/0.05 mz (49%) (compared biomass. The same five species were completely absent from these with 0.2 of 15.2 g/0.05 m2 or 1.3% preburn and 1.3 of 11.7 or I I% plots in 1980 and together accounted for only 0.3% of the total of the control plots) biomass. biomass in the 1983 control plots (Table 5). A total of six native and six alien forb species were encountered following the three fall CONCLUSIONS burns. While three successive spring burns also increased the relative The annual grasslands that characterize much of the foothills of importance of forbs over grasses, the magnitude of the shift was less the southern Sierra Nevada are dominated by species introduced and the species composition different from that observed following from Europe and other Mediterranean climate areas. The near com- fall burning.The five most common forbs following three successive plete dominance of these species has been largely attributed to their spring burns included two native and three alien species. Together resistance to disturbance associated with grazing, erosion and agri- these contributed 43.6% of the total biomass (Table 5). A total of culture.The role of fire in the competitive interaction between native l 166 MADRONO [Vol. 36 19891 PARSONS AND STOHLGREN:GRASSLAND FIRE REGIMES 167 and alien species in California's grasslands is uncertain. In natural BARRY,W.J. 1972. California prairie ecosystems(Vol.1):the Central Valley prairie, areas such as national parks and nature preserves there is interest California Department of Parks and Recreation,Sacramento. 81 pp. in reestablishing the native herbaceous flora. The experiments re- BARTOLOME, J. W., S. E. KLUKKERT, and W. J. BARRY, 1986. Opal phytoliths as evidence for displacement of native Californian grassland. Madrono 33:217- ported here indicate that both the frequency and seasonality of fire 222. can influence grassland species composition and biomass.Both spring . M. C. STROUD, and H. F. HEADY. 1980. Influence of natural mulch on and fall burning increased the total number of species. Repeated forage production on differing California annual range sites.J.Range Managem, burns both decreased the relative dominance of introduced grasses 33:4-8.BENTLEY, J. R. and M. W. TALBOT. 1948. Annual plant vegetation of California and increased the diversity and dominance of native and alien forbs. foothills as related to range management. Ecology 29:72-79, Neither single nor repeated (up to three times) fall or spring burns DUNCAN, D. A. and R. G. WOODMANSEE. 1975. Forecasting forage yield from resulted in the establishment of additional species of native grasses precipitation in California's annual rangeland.J.Range.Managem.28:327-329. in the study area. This may, in part, be attributed to the fact that GARCIA, D. and E. W. LATHROP. 1984. Ecological studies on the vegetation of an native grass species and thus seed sources are rare in this community. upland grassland(Slipa pulchra)range site in Cuyamaea Rancho State Park.San Diego County,California.Crossosoma 9(7):5-12. Although both fall and spring burns favored forb establishment g p g HEADY, H. F. 1958. Vegetational changes in the California annual type Ecology at the expense of grasses, they had minimal effect on total biomass 39:402-416. when maintained over three years. Fall burns tended to increase the . 1977. Valley grassland.Pp.491-533 in M.G. Barbour and J. Major(eds.). Terrestrial vegetation of California.John Wiley and Sons, New York. number and biomass of alien forbs more than that of native species HERVEY, D. F. 1949. ReA6on of a California annual-plant community to fire. J. whereas spring burns favored both about equally. Thus, although Range Managem. 2:11-121, reduced b regular f alien rases may be v r and biomass o HOVER, E. 1. and T. B the number a b g y y g B. BRAGG. 198I. Effect of season of burning and mowing on an eastern Sti a-An r and d o 0 on prairie.Amer. Midl. Naturalist I I - ' 1 late in the season both alien p p st os. 3 t8. � and repeated burning (especially a e ), g p native forbs will be l increased. HUNTiNGTON.G. L.and M. A. AKESON. 1988. Soil resource inventory of Sequoia i National Park,central part, California. Dept. Land, Air and Water Resources, In the case of both fall and spring burning, alien grasses quickly Univ.California, Davis. regained their pretreatment dominance when burning was halted JACKSON, L. E. 1985. Ecological origins of California's Mediterranean grasses. J. following one or two treatments. From a management perspective, Biogeogr. 12:349-361. this means that whatever gains might be realized from a program LARSON,J.R.and D.A.DUNCAN. 1982. Annual grassland response to fire retardant of regular burning could be quickly lost if that program were sus- and wildfire.J. Range Managem. 35:700-703. MACDONALD, 1. A. W., D. M. GRADER, S. DEBENEDETTt, R. H. GROVES, and E. R. pended. Frequent burning will almost certainly be needed to main- FUENTES. 1988. Introduced species in nature reserves in Mediterranean-type tain long-term changes if such is even possible. climate regions of the world. Biol.Conserv, 44:37-66. MCCLARAN.M. P. 1986. Age structure of Quercus douglasn in relation to livestock grazing and fire. Ph.D.dissertation. Univ.California, Berkeley. 1 19 pp. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PARSONS,D.J. 1981. The historical role of fire in the foothill communities of Sequoia We thank Steve DeBenedetti and Nate Stephenson for assisting with field work National Park. Madrono 28:1 12-120. and preliminary data summaries. Sylvia Haultain-Tweed provided final data sum- . D. M. GRADER,J. K. AGEE,and J. W. VAN WAGTENDONK. 1986. Natural maries. Mitch McClaran, Ray Ratliff,Steve DeBendetti,James Bartolome,and Jon fire management in national parks. Environ. Managem. 10:21-24. Keeley critically reviewed an earlier version of the manuscript.Neil Willits provided PITT,M.D.and H.F.HEADY. 1978. Responses of annual vegetation to temperature and rainfall patterns in northern California. Ecology 59:336-350. statistical CO❑SUllaliOn. RUNDEL,P.W..G.A. BAKER,D.J.,PARSONS,and T.J.STOHLGREN. 1987. POstfire demography of resprouting and seedling establishment by Adenostorna fascicu- LITERATURE CITED lalunl in the California chaparral.Pp.575-591 in J.D.Tenhunen,F.M.Catarino, O.L.Lange,and W.C.Occhel(eds.),Plant response to stress,functional analysis ASCHMANN, H. 1973. Distribution and peculiarity of Mediterranean ecosystems. in Mediterranean ecosystems.Springer-Verlag, New'York. Pp. 1 1-20 in F.di Castri and H.A. Mooney(eds.), Mediterranean type ecosys- SAS INSTITUTE, INC. 1985. SAS/STAT guide for personal computers, version 6. toms-origin and structure.Springer-Verlag, New York. Cary, NC. BAKER,G.A.,P.W. RUNDEL,and D.J.PARSONS, 1981. Ecological relationships of STOCKING. S. 1966. Influences of fire and sodium-calcium borate on chaparral Quercus douglasti(Fagaceae)in the foothill zone of Sequoia National Park,Cal- vegetation. Madrono 18:193-203. ifornia. MadrOOo 28:1-12. STOHLGREN,T. J.. D.J. PARSONS,and P. W. RUNDEL. 1984. Population Structure BANCROFT, L..T. NICHOLS, D. PARSONS, D. GRADER, B. EvISON,and J. VAN WAG- ofAd(rruzstontafascicrrlatiuni in mature stands ofchamise chaparral in the south- TENDONK. 1985. Evolution of the natural fire management program at Sequoia ern Sierra Nevada,California.Oecoiogia 64:87-91. and Kings Canyon National Parks.Pp. 174-180 in Proceedings,Wilderness Fire TALBOT, M.-W., H. H. BISWELL, and A. L. HORMAY. 1939. Fluctuations in the Symposium. U.S.D.A. Forest Service Gen.Tech. Report iNT-182. annual vegetation of California. Ecology 20:394-402. 168 MADRONO [Vol. 36 TOWNE,G.and C.OwENSBY. 1984. Long-term effects of annual burning at different PHYTOGEOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON ACIDOPHILOUS dates in ungrazed Kansas tallgrass prairie.J. Range Managem.'37:392-397. CLADONIA SPECIES IN CALIFORNIA VANKAT,J. L. and J. MAJOR. 1978. Vegetation changes in Sequoia National Park, California.J. Biogeogr. 5:377-402. SAMUEL HAMMER' WESTER, L. 1981. Composition of native grasslands in the San Joaquin Valley, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA 94132 California. Madrono 28:231-241. (Received 16 Dec 1988; revision accepted I I May 1989.) ABSTRACT Several species in the lichen genus Cladonia(Ascomycotina:Lecanorales)and their restricted ranges in California are discussed. Cladonia carneola, C.phyllophora, C. CALIFORNIA BOTANICAL SOCIETY cervicornis subsp. cervicornis, and C. crispaia s. str. grow in small populations on azonally occurring,extremely acidic soils(pH 2.9-4.0) in Mendocino and Amador MEETING PROGRAM counties.The taxa at these localities are reproductively isolated from other Cladonia 1989-1990 populations. Isolation is more marked at the Amador County sites,where only one subsection of the genus is represented. Cladonia cervicornis specimens from acidic "PLANT CONSERVATION RESEARCH NEEDS FOR substrata in Amador County contain the p-depside atranorin,an unusual and prim- THE 1990'S" itive chemical constituent for this species.In contrast to vascular plant species,which are represented by restricted endemic taxa at these sites, the Cladonia populations 8:00 P.M. University of California, Berkeley 159 Mulford Hall discussed in this paper belong ro cosmopolitan taxa whose ranges are very restricted in California.These taxa are represented by relictual populations at the sites studied. DATE SPEAKER AND TOPIC 19 OCT MR.NIALL MCCARTEN,Dept.of Integrative Biology,Univ. Of 32 Cladonia taxa in California(Hammer 1988)four taxa show California, Berkeley distinct distributional patterns on acidic soils.Two areas in northern "Plant extinction rates in the California flora:outlook for California are noteworthy for their azonal,conspicuously acidic soil the future" types. Several sites in Mendocino County are characterized by shal- 16 NOV MR. TIMOTHY KRANTZ, Botanical Consultant, Haward, low lateritic soils underlain by a hardpan layer that is impenetrable CA to plant roots. These soils and the pygmy forest that grows on them "Rare and endemic plants of the Big Bear Preserve,San Bernardino County" have been discussed by a number of authors (Jenny et al. 1969; in vascular plants 18 JAN MR.JAMES BARTEL, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,Sac Kruckeberg 1969). Unique patterns ofendemism w r n noted Mason I946a b and McMillan of the m forest were o b ramento,CA pygmy Y ( _ ) r- Jenny et al.briefly mentioned the lichens of the m forest nt:a call for a consensus on pno (1956).Je y y pygmy "Rarity or endangerment: i and Malachowski 1975 treated the macrolichen flora of the area. it ics" ( ) 17 FEB* DR. MICHAEL SOULE, Dept. of Environmental Studies, The lone Formation, which is composed of outcroppings of a Univ.California,Santa Cruz unique exhumed oxisol, lies in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in "A zoologist's perspective on plant conservation biology" Amador County. It shares the acidic properties and underlying hard- 15 MAR DR.THOMAS GRIGGS,The Nature Conservancy pan of the pygmy forest. Its geological history and soil characteristics "Restoration of Riparian Systems" were discussed in Singer and Nkedi-Kizza(1980).Gankin and Major 19 APR DR, BRUCE PAVLIK,Dept.of Biology,Mills College,Oak- (1964)and Stebbins and Major(1965)discussed the flora of the Ione land,CA Formation, focusing on the endemic plant Arctostaphylos myrtifolia "Genetic and ecological aspects of rare plant reintroduc- C. Parry that grows in extremely restricted populations on lone lion:the case of.tirrsin<kia xrandr/Ivra" Formation outcroppings.Arctostaphylos myrtifolia is taxonomically 17 Ms,ROXANNE BITTMAN,Natural Diversity Data Base,Cal- closely related to A. numrnularia A. Gray, which is endemic to the MAY" if Dept.of Fish and Game,Sacramento "Plant conservation research needs for the 1990's" 'Annual Banquet—location to be announced. Present address: The Farlow Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, 20 Di- Meeting to be held at University of California Botanical Garden, vinity Avenue,Cambridge, MA 02138. Strawberry Canyon, Berkeley. MADROPO,Vol. 36,No. 3,pp. 169-174, 1989 I Departnt,nt of Agronomy and Range Science PGRONo UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS RANGE SCIENCE REPORT V G� Agricultural Experiment Station Cooperative Extension LNG E S G\E� No. 33 January 1994 Yellow Starthistle Control C.D. Thomsen, W.A. Williams, M. Vayssieres, and F.L. Bell Yellow starthistle,Centaurea solstitialis,is a plant Life Cycle and Plant Description of Old World origin that probably arrived in California in the mid-1800s as a contaminant in Understanding yellow starthistle's biology is basic alfalfa seed. Since its accidental introduction, it has to developing a successful control program. steadily spread and now inhabits about 8 million acres Starthistle has a very long life cycle for an annual statewide (Maddox and Mayfield 1985). It is one of plant. Germination is initiated by autumn rains, but California's worst noxious weeds, infesting parks and plants mature long after most other annuals have rangelands, pastures, hayfields, orchards, vineyards, completed their life cycle, sometimes not completing roadsides, and irrigation banks. The presence and their life cycle until the following fall or winter. The tenacity of starthistle on these lands has led to seedling stage is the most difficult time to identify the increased vegetation management costs and many plants. One way is to locate seedlings under last inquiries on methods of control. year's skeletons. The winter and spring rosettes produce many deeply-lobed leaves.The size,number, and lobing pattern of the rosette leaves are variable, but a good diagnostic character is the large, triangular lobe at the tip of each leaf. In general, the rosettes tend to grow close to the ground in open places but they assume an upright habit at high densities. During May and June the plant 'bolts' and sends up elongated stalks that produce the spiny flower heads. The grey- to bluish-green stems of the mature plant are ifdged and widely branched, and the entire plant is covered with soft,appressed hairs. The bracts that surround the bright yellow flowers produce the ` characteristic rigid spines. The seed maturation stage can be recognized by the loss of the bright yellow pigment that characterizes the younger flowers. At 1 this stage the seeds mature quickly. Two types of seed are produced. The lighter-colored seeds are located in the central (disk) portion of the flowerhead, contain short bristly hairs (pappus), and r disperse quickly after maturity. Darker seeds occur in a circle around the disk seeds, usually lack hairs, and persist in the flowerhead until harsh weather or other y disturbances break them up. After dispersal seeds =!fi become part of the soil's "seed bank" where they remain until conditions become favorable for germination,or are eliminated through natural means. Ilnta ei.ne of CalBumia and the IlniRd Sintr.I)cp:m nwnt of nf;t euh uie coup:tarn} The number of seeds produced by individual plants infestations is not practical but small infestations varies widely according to environmental conditions often can be successfully eliminated with diligence. and genetic factors. In a study of starthistle Large infestations can usually be managed in ways populations from Hopland,Woodland,and Concord, that reduce starthistle to tolerable levels. Suitable Maddox (1981) reported a range of 700 to 10,000 management aims are to decrease plant densities, seeds per plant.Thomsen(unpublished data)followed seed production, or plant height and canopy size, or an individual plant that had been sprayed with an use it as a feed resource for ruminants. Containment herbicide during the bolting stage. The upper portion is attempted by delineating boundaries around large of the plant died back but regrew vigorously the next infestations and concentrating control efforts on the growing season from the taproot and produced an smaller patches that exist outside of the contained estimated 170,000 seeds. areas. By controlling isolated plants or small patches that are the"pioneers"of new infestations,the larger Control Considerations infestation is contained and the likelihood of invasion into new areas is reduced. As information and Controlling yellow starthistle on infested lands will experience is gained from controlling small outlying require a systematic and persistent effort that may infestations, better decisions can be made about take many years. In many cases it will be an ongoing whether larger areas can also be successfully land management activity that will need to be controlled. continued on a more or less permanent basis.Various control efforts to various stages of teat Timm P approaches can be taken, but the degree of control g g possible will depend on the size and density of the growth Figure 1 suggests the timing of available,and some control measures according to specific stages of a infestation terrain, tools or equipment , planned use for the site. starthistle growth.Some measures can be used during several growth stages, but all of them should occur before seed set. The duration of life cycle stages When planning a control program one should decide if the aim is to eradicate,manage,or contain depicted by the bars will vary considerably due to yellow starthistle. Eradication is the elimination of weather patterns, site differences, and genetic starthistle from the site, and requires that all seed variation. Thus, on-site monitoring is necessary to production is halted and the seed bank in the soil determine exactly when a particular stage is occurring from previous years is depleted. Eradication of large and control activities should be adjusted accordingly. SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT OF YELLOW STARTHISTLE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CONTROL MEASURES seedling stages Cultivation/ Plant Competition rosette Herbicide vegetative Grazing floral bud Mowing or Burning flower seed formation seed moturafion seed dissemination senescence OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT i AOapHd Il— Maddoa(1981). ` RSR #33 Page 2 i . Control Methods produced removes the spiny canopies but does not diminish the seed bank and may aid in seed dispersal. The methods of control include mechanical (tillage, mowing, and removal with hand tools), Manual weeding with hoes,weedeaters, or scythes biological (insects, livestock grazing, and plant is often a practical way to control small infestations d prevention. n or is useful as an adjunct to other methods. Hand- fire chemical an I competition), P be ideal for t w held equipment can weeding plants general the most effective control is achieved when eq P spot g P two or more methods are used in combination. The that survived from other weed control activities. methods discussed below are based on research, established principles of weed control, and anecdotal Biological Control information. Research is incomplete, but studies are underway to fill some of the information gaps. Biological control involves the use of any biological organism such as insects,livestock grazing, Mechanical Methods. Cultivation with appropriate and competitive plants that aid in starthistle tools as the seedlings emerge after autumn rains is an suppression. excellent means of removing young plants. On sites where irrigation is available, infested areas can be Insects pre-irrigated prior to autumn rains and then disked to . Several insects are being evaluated to determine remove germinating seedlings. If cultivation is their effectiveness in controlling starthistle repeated after rains begin and a new flush of populations. Field releases have been made germinating seedlings has emerged, the seed bank can throughout the state and some candidates appear be reduced in a short time. When cultivation is done promising, but additional time is needed to assess the in the spring,plants will have well developed taproots long-term effects of these biocontrol agents. and tillage should be deeper. Any tillage will also bring deeply buried seeds to the surface where they Livestock Grazing will have more favorable conditions for germination. Controlled grazing has been demonstrated to be an If follow-up measures are not taken to also remove effective method for managing large stands of yellow these seedlings, the infestation could get worse. starthistle in annual grassland (Thomsen et al. 1993). Livestock will graze yellow starthistle before it Mowing is a useful method for managing yellow becomes spiny, and studies have shown that it is an starthistle stands, provided it is well-timed and acceptable component of a ruminant's diet (Cordy repeated one to two times. Mowing will be most 1978;Thomsen et al. 1989). Over a period of several effective when soil moisture is low and no irrigation years cattle, sheep, and goats were tested separately or rainfall follows. Under low soil moisture as biocontrol agents in densely infested grassland conditions a single mowing may be sufficient, but using intensive grazing management, i.e., high plants should be monitored for regrowth and mowed stocking densities and short grazing periods, timed to again if significant growth and flowering occurs. In specific stages of starthistle development. Grazing most situations,one or two"follow-up"mowings will while starthistle was in the rosette stage (March be necessary g g and should be done once flowering through April) did not suppress starthistle, but resumes, approximately four to six weeks later. grazing during the bolting stage (May through June) Research at the UC Agronomy Farm demonstrated reduced plant densities, height, and seed production. that mowing during the early flowering stage(before Grazing during the rosette stage favored yellow seed formation) reduced canopy size, seed starthistle relative to other herbaceous vegetation. production, and live plant density when compared to Along with yellow starthistle, neighboring plants controls(unmowed)and plots mowed at earlier stages were also defoliated, and the competition they of development. Mowing too early appears to provided was largely eliminated, since starthistle's encourage its growth. ability to regrow following defoliation was much greater than the associated vegetation. When grazing Ideally, all mowing should be done just prior to was deferred until bolting, most other associated seed formation. Flower pigmentation is a good way annual species had a chance to complete their life to monitor whether seed development has cycle and produce seed. Animals selectively grazed commenced. When the flowers are bright yellow and starthistle since it was still green and made use of it have not begun fading, seed maturation has not as a forage. Since most defoliated plants recovered occurred. If in doubt open a flower and check for quickly animals were brought back to the paddocks mature seeds. Mowing after seeds have been one to three times at about two week intervals. The Page 3 RSR €I33 actual number of grazings required for suppression Most dryland perennial grasses will require at least ' varied according to rainfall patterns and soil moisture two years to gain enough stature to provide levels. competition and dense stands are required. Once established, some perennial grasses do have late Grazing yellow starthistle should not be spring and summer growth similar to starthistle, and attempted with horses. Prolonged ingestion by with their vigorous root systems there is greater horses(86-200%of the horse's body weight)can lead potential to remove soil moisture that would to a fatal nervous disease called equine nigropallidal otherwise be used by starthistle. However, perennial encepbalomalacia or "chewing disease" (Cordy grasses should not be expected to suppress starthistle 1978). Horses are the only animal known to be when grazed by livestock unless they are part of a affected by this disease, most cases occurring during well-managed irrigated pasture. October/November or June/July. Donkeys and mules are probably susceptible,but there are no documented Vigorous stands of annual legumes have the poisonings (Fowler, per. comm.). The majority of potential to suppress yellow starthistle. Drake (per. cases that have been reported are with horses that are comm.) reported that a dense stand of rose clover under two years old. Trifolium hirtum eliminated yellow starthistle in a Siskiyou County trial. Lana vetch Vicia villosa ssp. Plant Competition varia, a vigorous and sprawling vetch that forms a Establishing competitive plants such as well- dense spring canopy has been reported to suppress adapted grasses, legumes, or other appropriate plant starthistle(Roan,per.comm.). Other annual legumes materials should be considered as part of any control such as some subterranean clover cultivars,have also program. If starthistle is controlled,but the ecological been observed to suppress starthistle, particularly niche that it occupied remains unfilled, reinvasion by when combined with mowing or grazing. Research to starthistle will be easier or invasion by another examine this more closely is underway, supported by undesirable species is likely. In most cases, a two- UC IPM. To obtain competitive stands it is advisable step approach is effective with some initial control to use high seeding rates and to make sure that the work done prior to seeding desirable plants as the seeds are properly inoculated with the host-specific first step. Using a no-till drill allows seeding without nitrogen-fixing bacteria, Rhizobia spp. Fertilization turning the soil, and helps to keep deeply buried with phosphorus or sulphur should be considered on starthistle seeds form germinating. range soils since they are often deficient in these nutrients. The choice of plant materials should reflect the site conditions, type of management required to Prescribed Burns. In some situations proscribed establish and maintain the plantings, and planned use burns may be an appropriate management tool. The of the site. If a large and potentially costly seeding is best time to bum is probably the same as for planned, some initial on-site small scale plantings mowing, when plants are in the early flowering stage should be done to evaluate which plants are best just prior to seed formation. Since starthistle is still suited for your site and whether they are truly green during this period, there must be enough dry competitive against starthistle under the prevailing biomass from other annual plants to carry a fire. land use. Research using prescribed fire is being conducted at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park in Sonoma County,but it Both annual and perennial grasses have potential to is inconclusive at present. Prior to conducting a burn compete against starthistle but will be most effective on small acreages your local fire station should be when combined with other methods such as a broad- contacted to obtain information on safe practices, leaved herbicide application. The timing of rainfall designated bum days, and permits. For large has an important influence on the competitive acreages, the California Department of Forestry and outcome. If late-season rains (during April through Fire Protection Vegetation Management Program may June) recharge soil moisture, starthistle will be offer some assistance and cost-sharing, particularly favored. Since most annuals complete their life cycle when the burn is part of an overall vegetation long before starthistle, there will often be sufficient management plan that reduces the fire hazard of an soil moisture remaining to support starthistle growth. area. Also, starthistle has a long taproot that grows much deeper than annual grasses, so it can obtain soil Chemical Control. There are many types of resources even in dense stands of grass. herbicides available, most requiring a permit from Nevertheless, if grass stands are dense and tall, your County Agricultural Commissioner. If you are competition for space and for light can be a not familiar with herbicide use, refer to UC contributing factor that helps suppress starthistle. RSR #f33 Page 4 Cooperative Extension publication No. 1919, Selective Chemical Weed Control for specific Combining Control Methods information (Ashton 1987). Before using anychemical, carefullyread n The most effective way to control yellow and follow precautions on the label. Like any other control method, the use of starthistle is to use a combination of control methods. herbicides must be properly timed and more than one There are many possible combinations that can be application per growing season may be necessary used and tailored according to the site. On arable Interference from surrounding vegetation night land good control of starthistle is obtained by using a prevent uniform application and leave some starthistle combination of cultivation,herbicides, irrigation,and unaffected. Another complicating factor is the crops. On pastures the use of adapted plant materials successive germination in starthistle populations that combined with controlled grazing, well-timed occurs long into the growingmowing, or herbicides can lead to reduced with rainfall. When herbicides season, applied before all populations, perennial grasses in combination with germination has occurred new seedlings will emerge herbicides, cultivation, and burning have been used and develop into adult plants. Foliar-applied, effectively to suppress.starthistle in drainage ditches, postemergent herbicides are most effective when along roadsides, and on the borders of agricultural temperatures are warm, soil moisture is high, and lands (Brown, Bugg and Anderson 1993.). These plants are actively growing. Post-emergent herbicides researchers are using a phased approach to vegetation are most effective in seedling and rosette stages prior management of rural landscapes. They begin with to any bolting, intensive weed control to reduce the soil's seed bank. Grasses are Planted and herbicides are still used but Non-selective herbicides, like glyphosate, afe are reduced as the deep-rooted grasses become well- effective for spot treatments. However, since established and competitive. When herbicide use BIYPhosate kills nearly all other vegetation, treatment subsides, broad-leaf plants such as lupines, poppies, with this chemical is not usually suited for use over and other native forbs are incorporated into the large areas. Broadleaved herbicides such as Banvel, system. The investigators view this not 'only as a triclopyr,or 2,4-D will help control yellow starthistle means to control weeds, but also to create wildlife and leave grasses unaffected. Care should be taken habitat for game and nongame species, improve the because these materials will also partially control aesthetics of the rural landscape, integrate biological legumes and other broadleaf plants that may provide diversity onto agricultural lands, and reduce the competition against starthistle or may be useful to the $40,000 a Year($100.00 per mile) spent on roadside ecosystem by providing soil cover, forage, biological weed control in Yoio County(Anderson 1993; Bugg, diversity, or wildlife habitat. et al., 1991). These are a few of the many possible combinations of methods for controlling starthistle. Broadcast spraying in an infested area is not But regardless of what methods are used together, always necessary. Starthistle stands are often patchy effective long-term control requires that 1) seed and known starthistle areas can be marked with Production is halted, 2) plants emerging from the irrigation flags months before spraying and then seed bank are eliminated, and when possible that 3) specifically targeted at the proper time. The grey other, more competitive plants be permanently established that fit in the ecological niche once filled starthistle skeletons with heads resembling s that by starthistle to prevent reinvasion and to suppress remain in the winter from previous growth are goodmarkers for locating patches of new seedlings. Diner undesirable species. Prevention. Preventive weed control measures Discussion consis t of preventing the introduction or spread of starthistl e to uninfested areas. As in containment Although yellow starthistle is a troublesom e weed, Programs, thi 8 includes detection and control of it '� have some useful properties. Starthistle is a "pioneer" plants before they go to seed along valuahie source of summer nectar for bees, and roadsides, in fields, pastures, etc., and develop into tkmey produced from it of premium quality. Yellow larger infestations. Because spot occurrences and earth+-tle's early and late-season a� growth,Palatability, small colonies seem harmless, the tendency is to resilience make it a useful forage plant to overlook them; however, this is the way most large rturunant animals before it becomes spiny. In infestations begin. Even though yellow starthistle is nutnoortal studies,crude protein levels were recorded widespread, there are still many areas where it is from as high as 28% in the rosette stage to 13% in adapted but has yet to invade or fully establish. the hailing stage. At one site during bolting starthistle +Na. estimated to exceed 4,000 Ibs/acre of dry Page 5 RSR k33 matter in early June. Starthistle provides food and Some ongoing research that we are involved with cover to wildlife, especially insects, small mammals, or aware of include timed mowing experiments and and some birds. As a colonizing species, it rapidly seed bank studies at the UC Davis Agronomy Farm; covers and helps stabilize unprotected soil. combining subterranean clover establishment with sheep grazing and mowing at the Bio-integral But, despite these qualities, yellow starthistle Resource Center near Winters; using perennial remains a significant pest for many ranchers, grasses along roadsides in Yolo County; prescribed landowners, and resource managers. Starthistle's burning and timed snowing at Sugarloaf State Park, invasiveness, stout spines, and hedge-like stands Sonoma County; and biological control with insects make controlling it a necessary task. Yellow and rusts at USDA-ARS, West Regional Research starthistle will continue to increase statewide and is Center, Albany, California and at the Division of likely to be particularly prominent in years with Biological Control, California Department of Food abundant late-season rainfall. and Agriculture. I The author:would like to thank David Chaney,UC SAREP.for providing the starthistle calendar graphic.Colin Wald►,student assistant.for his illustration,and W.Thomas l anini,UC Wood Eco4wt,for W helpful comments. References Anderson, J. 1993. Strategies for establishing native Fowler, M. 1993. Personal communication. Retired grasses. Grasslands Vol. 3(1). Calif. Native Grass Professor of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis. Assn. Maddox, D.M., and A. Mayfield, 1985. Yellow Ashton, F.M. 1987. Selective Chemical Weed starthistle infestations are on the increase. Calif. Control. University of California Division of Agric. Vol. 39 (11,12):10-12. Agriculture and Natural Resources, Cooperative Extension Leaflet #1919. Maddox, D.M., A. Mayfield, and N.H. Poritz. 1985. Distribution of yellow starthistle (Centaurea Brown, C.S., R.L. Bugg, and J.H. Anderson. 1993. solstitialis) and Russian Knapweed (Centaurea Roadside plantings of perennial grasses. Grasslands repens). Weed Science 33: 315-327. Vol. 3(4):1-3. Calif. Native Grass Assn. Maddox, D.M. 1981. Introduction, phenology and Bugg, R.L., J.H. Anderson, J.W. Menke, K. density of yellow starthistle in coastal, intercoastal Compton, and W.T. Lanini. 1991. Perennial grasses and central valley situations in California. as roadside cover crops to reduce agricultural weeds USDA-ARS, W-20. 33 pp. in Yolo County. Grasslands l(l):3-4. California Native Grass Association. Roan, B. 1991. Personal communication. U.S. Soil Conservation Service, Auburn, CA. Cordy, D.R. 1978. Centaurea species and equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia. In: Keeler, R.F., Thomsen, C.D., W.A. Williams, M.R. George, K.R. Van Kampen and L.F. James (eds.) Effects of W.B. McHenry, F.L. Bell, and R.S. Knight. 1989. Poisonous Plants on Livestock. Academic Press, pp. Managing yellow starthistle on rangeland. Calif. 327-336. Agric. 43(5):4-6. Drake, D. 1993. Personal.communication. Siskiyou Thomscen, C.D., W.A. Williams, M. Vayssieres, County Livestock Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative F.L. Bell, and M.R. George. 1993. Controlled Extension. grazing on annual grassland decreases yellow starthistle. Calif. Agric. Vol. 47(6):36-40. RSR #33 Page 6 Claims No. 95-18 Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 8405 707.94 AT&T Telephone Service 8406 110.00 Acme & Sons Sanitation, Inc. Sanitation Services 8407 176.27 Acorn Naturalists Nature Center Supplies 8408 1,055.95 Acute Computer Technology Computer Upgrade r' Welding 8409 156.36 American eld ng Supply Field Supplies 8410 54.34 Best Impressions Field Survey Supplies 8411 358.10 Best Sanitation Sanitation Services 8412 52.19 Borrmann's Steel Co. Field Supplies 8413 218.89 Bowerman Electric Electrical Work 8414 573.30 Brian Kangas Foulk Engineering Studies--Teague Hill 8415 1,256.20 Craig Britton Professional Conference 8416 500.00 '1 Carleen Bruins Grant House Furnishings 8417 45.00 Stephen Buckhout Outdoor Education Leader Training 8418 164.90 Cabela's Inc. Field Supplies 8419 470.00 University of California Training 8420 179.81 California Water Service Co. Water Service 8421 60.00 Cappo, Inc. Training 8422 1,017.43 Carolina Biological Supply Co. Equipment for Nature Center 8423 26.94 Contemporary Engraving Engraving 8424 25.00 Jim Davis Automotive Smog Certificate 8425 125.70 Mary deBeauvieres Vehicle Expense 8426 165.73 Brendan Downing Training Expense 8427 185.81 Dyna-Med Field Medical Supplies 8428 177.00 Federal Parks & Recreation Subscription 8429 41.75 Federal Express Corporation Express Mail 8430 16.16 Film to Frame Film Developing 8431 2,897.30 First Interstate Bank '95 Note Paying Agent & Administration Fees 8432 21.55 Gateway 2000 Computer Equipment 8433 53.89 GI Trucking Company Freight Charges 8434 155.11 Goodco Press, Inc. Printing 8435 113.82 Guy Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Plumbing Repair 8436 2.00 Hyster Sales Company Equipment Repair 8437 5,562.07 Jeda Publications Printing 8438 86.40 Jobs Available Advertising 8439 45.00 Alan Kaplan Training Services 3440 227.51 Lee & Associates Field Supplies 3441 567.31 Los Altos Garbage Co. Garbage Service 8442 697.11 Merwin Mace Consulting Service 8443 205.80 Brian Malone Uniform Expense Reimbursement 8444 249.98 McGrath RentCorp. Field Office Rental 8445 175.00 Miracle Auto Painting Vehicle Repair 8446 85.00 Ken Miller Tuition Reimbursement 8447 184.18 Mission Valley Ford Sales Vehicle Service 8448 155.44 Moffett Supply Company Field Office Supplies 8449 29.25 Netcom Monthly Internet Service 8450 150.00 Linda Drey Nightingale Training Fees 8451 1,665.00 Nutmeg & Company Catering Staff Appreciation Catering 8452 338.71 Office Depot Office Supplies 8453 693.96 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 8454 131.46 Loro Paterson Field Supplies '1 Urgent Check issued on 10/13/95 Claims No. 95-18 Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 8455 1,138.05 Pacific Bell Telephone Service 8456 184.56 Pip Printing Printing 8457 18.49 Precision Engravers, Inc. Engraving 8458 34.13 Rayne Water Conditioning Rental Equipment 8459 1,059.75 Roy's Repair Service Vehicle Repair 8460 185.31 David Sanguinetti Field Supplies 8461 4,425.00 San Jose Conservation Corps Reynolds Road Cleanup 8462 427.48 San Jose Mercury Classified Advertising 8463 484.80 San Francisco Newspaper Agency Classified Advertising 8464 82.00 Sequoia Analytical Water Systems Supplies 8465 640.00 E.R. Sheehan Trail Construction 8466 319.19 Shell Oil Company Fuel 8467 864.51 Shelton, Inc. Field Supplies 8468 57.92 *2 Tex Shoemaker & Son, Inc. Uniform Supplies 8469 145.20 Silverado Avionics, Inc. Microphones 8470 3,375.00 George Sipel Consulting 8471 17.29 Skywood Trading Post Fuel 8472 74.29 Smith Equipment Field Equipment 8473 139.78 Malcolm Smith Visitor Survey Supplies 8474 38.34 State Board of Equalization Fuel Tax 8475 167.82 Summit Uniforms Uniform Supplies 8476 742.08 Teater & Etc. Graphics Consulting--Maps 8477 3,200.00 Mike Tobar Excavation Demolition Services 8478 101.95 TransCom Corporation Vehicle Repair 8479 1,592.64 TRW-Redi Mapping Services 8480 960.00 U.S. Rentals Equipment Rental 8481 356.21 West Coast Aggregates Field Supplies 8482 50.41 Workingman's Emporium Uniform Supplies 8483 97.81 Yardbird Equipment Sales Field Supplies 8484 770.00 *3 Association of Bay Area Registration--Judy Govt - Training Center Law and Julie McCullough 8485 74.60 *4 Central Stationers Office Supplies 8486 150.47 Portola Valley Feed Straw for Erosion Control 8487 3,000.00 Postage by Phone Postage for Meter 8488 305.12 Petty Cash Film Developing, Office &Field Supplies, Nature Center Supplies, Local Meeting Expense, and Private Vehicle Expense TOTAL 47,692.02 •2 Urgent Check issued on 10/17/95 *3 Urgent Check issued on 10/20/95 •4 Urgent Check issued on 10/23/95 Claims No. 95-18 Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 8405 707.94 AT&T Telephone Service 3406 110.00 Acme & Sons Sanitation, Inc. Sanitation Services 8407 176.27 Acorn Naturalists Nature Center Supplies 8408 1,055.95 Acute Computer Technology Computer Upgrade 8409 156.36 American Welding Supply Field Supplies 8410 54.34 Best Impressions Field Survey Supplies 8411 358.10 Best Sanitation Sanitation Services 8412 52.19 Borrmann's Steel Co. Field Supplies 8413 218.89 Bowerman Electric Electrical Work 8414 573.30 Brian Kangas Foulk Engineering Studies-Teague Hill 8415 1,256.20 Craig Britton Professional Conference 8416 500.00 *1 Carleen Bruins Grant House Furnishings 3417 45.00 Stephen Buckhout Outdoor Education Leader Training 8418 164.90 Cabela's Inc. Field Supplies 8419 470.00 University of California Training 8420 179.81 California Water Service Co. Water Service 8421 60.00 Cappo, Inc. Training 8422 1,017.43 Carolina Biological Supply Co. Equipment for Nature Center 8423 26.94 Contemporary Engraving Engraving 8424 25.00 Jim Davis Automotive Smog Certificate 8425 125.70 Mary deBeauvieres Vehicle Expense 8426 165.73 Brendan Downing Training Expense 8427 185.81 Dyna-Med Field Medical Supplies 3428 177.00 Federal Parks & Recreation Subscription 8429 41.75 Federal Express Corporation Express Mail 8430 16.16 Film to Frame Film Developing 8431 2,897.30 First Interstate Bank '95 Note Paying Agent & Administration Fees 8432 21.55 Gateway 2000 Computer Equipment 8433 53.89 GI Trucking Company Freight Charges 8434 155.11 Goodco Press, Inc. Printing 8435 113.82 Guy Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Plumbing Repair 8436 2.00 Hyster Sales Company Equipment Repair 8437 5,562.07 Jeda Publications Printing 8438 86.40 Jobs Available Advertising 8439 45.00 Alan Kaplan Training Services 8440 227.51 Lee & Associates Field Supplies 8441 567.31 Los Altos Garbage Co. Garbage Service 8442 697.11 Merwin Mace Consulting Service 8443 205.80 Brian Malone Uniform Expense Reimbursement 8444 249.98 McGrath RentCorp. Field Office Rental 8445 175.00 Miracle Auto Painting Vehicle Repair 8446 85.00 Ken Miller Tuition Reimbursement 8447 184.18 Mission Valley Ford Sales Vehicle Service 8448 155.44 Moffett Supply Company Field Office Supplies 8449 29.25 Netcom Monthly Internet Service 8450 150.00 Linda Drey Nightingale Training Fees 8451 1,665.00 Nutmeg & Company Catering Staff Appreciation Catering 8452 338.71 Office Depot Office Supplies. 8453 693.96 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 8454 131.46 Loro Paterson Field Supplies *1 Urgent Check issued on 10/13/95 � Claims No. 95-18 Meeting 95-23 October 25' 1985 yN|DPEN|NSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT � # Amount Name Description � 8455 1,130.05 Pacific Bell Telephone Service � 8456 184.56 Pip Printing Printing � 8457 18.49 Precision Engravers, Inc. Engraving 8458 34.13 Rayne Water Conditioning Rental Equipment 8459 1059.75 Roy'aRepoir Service Vehicle Repair DaxidSanQuinmtti Field Supplies San Jose Conservation Corps Reynolds Road Cleanup San Jose Mercury Classified Advertising Son Francisco Newspaper Agency C|mma|fiad Advertising Sequoia Analytical Water Systems Supplies E.H. Sheehan Trail Construction Shell Oil Company Fuel Shelton, Inc. Field Supplies °2 Tex Shoemaker J& Son, Inc. Uniform Supplies Si|vanadn Avionics, Inc. Microphones GmorQmSipe| Consulting SkyvvoodTreding Post Fuel Smith Equipment Field Equipment K8a|uo|rn Smith Visitor Survey Supplies State Board ofEqualization Fuel Tax Summit Uniforms Uniform Supplies Teater & Etc. Graphics Consulting--Maps Mike TobmrExcavation Demolition Services Trana[orn Corporation \/mhiolm Repair TRW-Redi Mapping Services U.S. Rentals Equipment Rental West Coast Aggregates Field Supplies Workingman's Emporium Uniform Supplies `Vmndbiod Equipment Sales Field Supplies TOTAL °2 Urgent Check issued on 10/17/95 ^ � Open Space MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT TO: Board of Directors FROM: Craig Britton, General Manager,;r.. DATE: October 25, 1995 FYI ho.��cc� so. cam►o� ict• �t� It Wks BARBARA RICE ` F EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR W0�&N p` SpeQ.-BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL COUNCIL 311 CALIFORNIA STREET.•510,SAN FRANCLSCO.CA 94104 (415)391-0697 Yd..►vt, ��'�. ICI EVrER-OFFICE MEMORANDUM October 24, 1995 TO: Craig Britton, General Manger FROM: John Escobar, Operations Manager SUBJECT: MONTHLY FIELD ACTIVITY SUMMARY Month SQtember Year 1995 VIOLATIONS TOTALS ACCIDENTS TOTALS Bicycles Bicycle 4 Closed area 5 Equestrian 0 Speed 5 Hiking/running 0 Helmet 21 Other first- aid I Dogs Search/rescue 2 Prohibited area 2 Off-leash 7 ENFORCEMENT Fishing/swimming 0 Citations 58 Off-road vehicles 3 Written warnings 72 Closed area 2 Arrests 0 After hours 12 Police assistance 5 Weapons Actual contacts — 2 CPJAIIES Reports only 4 Auto burglaries I Vandalism I False info to peace officer I Parking 23 Poaching I After hours parking 34 Dumping/littering 1 MUTUAL AID Campfire 0 Accidents 4 Enforcement 1 Fire 0 SUMMARIES OF SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS 1. September 2: County rangers, deputies, and Central Fire responded to a false report of an injured hiker at St. Joseph's Hill. A search of the area failed to locate the victim. T. Randall contacted the fire department, who reported seeing a person that is known to be the source of numerous false reports. 2. September 3: T. Randall heard automatic weapon fire in the Loma Prieta area of Sierra AzuI and requested the sheriffs dept. No response was initiated. 3. September 4: A shot was heard in the area of Mindego Trail at Russian Ridge. A San Mateo Sheriff's deputy responded with rangers to investigate. A second shot was heard coming from adjacent private property. (continued) 4. September 8: Two leaking propane tanks and other household tonics were discovered and removed by J. Kowaleski and T. Lausten from the former Vidovich property. 5. September 11: A poaching violation occurred in Sierra Azul. A deer with two bullet wounds was found in the Barlow's Road area. The District rental tenant originally reported two dogs chasing the deer, but no dog tracks were located. The tenant was in possession of a hunting rifle and made inconsistent statements to T. Randall and T. Lausten. 6. September 16: A bicyclist at Fremont Older, stopped by M. Newburn for a helmet violation, provided false information regarding his identity. He was cited accordingly. 7. September 16: San Mateo Sheriffs Office requested rangers to assist in locating a discharge of firearms violator in the vicinity of the Thysen property. No violations were seen or heard on Thysen or District property. Hunters were seen on nearby private property. 8. September 16: A major injury bicycle accident occurred on Canyon Trail at Monte Bello. The bicyclist sustained a concussion and shoulder injuries. He was riding with the Extreme bike club. The group of seven, travelling 25 mph, braked suddenly apparently when they saw the District radar station. The bicyclist went down, possibly due to the dust kicked up by skidding of the other bicyclists. The subject was flown to Stanford Hospital by Life Flight. 9. September 20: Graffiti was found on the north observation deck at Ravenswood. Four juvenile males were seen in the area shortly before the vandalism was discovered. 10. September 22: At Skyline Ridge, while intentionally driving recklessly, a subject lost control of his 1972 Chevy El Camino and crashed into log barriers near the parking lot for the disabled. The subject then left the vehicle to get assistance, leaving the driver window down and a .22 caliber rifle visible behind the seat. A San Mateo sheriffs deputy was called to assist. When the subject returned he was cited for an off road violation. 11. September 25: On Loma Almaden Road two District signs were shot nearly 100 times with .22 caliber bullets. T. Randall reported that the gate was also struck many times. 12. September 29: Two adults and two minors were contacted after hours at Foothills. The adults were cited and the minors received written warnings and their parents were notified. 13. September 30: A serious injury bicycle accident occurred at El Corte de Madera near the intersection of the Timberview/Lawrence Creek/Gordon Mill intersection. The bicyclist sustained two fractured thoracic vertebrae and smashed his helmet into three pieces. The subject was flown to Stanford Hospital by Life Flight. His wife later said he only wore the helmet because it was required. y Regional Open 5t �e 1 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT For Immediate Release Contact: Malcolm Smith October 25, 1995 Public Affairs Manager (415)691-1200 Rangers Remind Open Space Visitors About End of Daylight Savings Time Los Altos, CA-- Rangers with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District are reminding the thousands of visitors to open space preserves that daylight savings time ends on Sunday, October 29. Since the open space preserves normally close one half-hour after sunset, the end of s daylight savin g time means that visitors must exit the preserves at least an hour earlier than usual. According to Supervising Ranger Tom Lausten, the shorter days also mean that visitors may want to be prepared for cooler afternoon and evening weather by bringing a jacket or sweater when they come to an open space preserve. "When you visit open space, it's a good idea to dress for changeable weather anyway,"noted Ranger Lausten. "During the day we can still have some fairly high temperatures, but as soon as the sun goes behind the mountains, a chill can set in and we want to be sure visitors aren't left unprepared." Ranger Lausten also pointed out that when visiting a preserve on or after October 29, visitors should be sure to time their hikes so they aren't caught too far inside a preserve when the sun sets. The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, extending from the City of San Carlos to the Town of Los Gatos, is a public agency which has preserved over 40,000 acres of diverse open space and manages 23 open space preserves. (more) 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 . Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosda@netcom.com Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teena Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton Funding is provided by a small share of the annual total property tax revenues collected within District boundaries. The District permanently protects wildlife habitat, watershed, and a variety of ecosystems,restores damaged natural resources and provides trail improvements y g p p ements for passive recreational use by the public. The District's goals are to acquire a continuous greenbelt of protected open space lands for public use and enjoyment,and to preserve open space for future generations to enjoy. There are approximately 20,000-30,000 acres of land still at risk of being lost to development within the District's planning area. The District is divided into seven geographic wards,each represented for a four year term by an elected Board member. The Board holds public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:30 p.m.,at the District offices. October 18, 1995 Pete Siemens, Same letter sent to all members of the Board Member, Board of Directors Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 Dear Mr. Siemens, Enclosed is a copy of a letter I recently posted to John Escobar, the Operations Manager, of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District in response to problems individuals have been experiencing while rock climbing in the Aquarian Valley-Devil's Canyon-Eagle Peak areas of the Long Ridge Open Space District. I am sending you this material in order to ensure that you as a member of the board of directors of MROSD are aware that these problems do exist pending any subsequent public meetings held to help resolve these issues. Rock climbing has been an accepted activity in these areas since at least the early 1960s. However, ever since the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District acquired clear title to the property this summer, your Rangers have been conducting a unilateral, systematic program of rudeness and harassment directed against anyone who comes there to climb. The people who are being harassed are actually quite responsible members of the local community, many of whom are employed as consultants, chemists, contractors, teachers and engineers. Ostensibly, the Open Space District "welcomes climbing" on their preserves; however, your Rangers have stated repeatedly in private that once the District acquired the property, "no one would ever climb there again."Now, these same Rangers are taking it on themselves to remove equipment from the rocks necessary for climbing safety in order to make certain climbers will never again be able to recreate in Aquarian Valley-Devil's Canyon, an excellent climbing area located only a few minutes' drive from major population centers in the Silicon Valley. The District Rangers have also arbitrarily closed certain previously developed rocks to climbing without giving any apparent environmental or legal reason toe their actions. In case you were unaware, I would also like to point out that there are at least 10,000 rock climbers in the greater Bay Area, many of whom, due to the pressures of job and family, are unable to drive to Yosemite Valley or Tahoe to climb on the weekends. Neighborhood crags like those in the Long Ridge Open Space District are therefore a valuable recreational resource that should be preserved for the use of future generations. Sincerely yours, Dr. Bruce D. Morris 443 Ventura Ave., No. 3 Palo Alto, CA 94306-4816 (415) 856-7964 cc: Paul Minault October 20, 1995 Same lette r sent to all members Pete Siemens, of the Board Board of Directors Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 Dear Mr Siemens, In case my previous letter was too abstract, I am now sending you the enclosed map in order to graphically illustrate the full extent of the problems being experienced by rock climbers in the recently acquired Aquarian Valley-Devil's Canyon-Eagle Peak areas of Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. As you can see, MROSD rangers have either banned rock climbing outright or else openly removed top-rope anchors (necessary for safety) on over 50% of the sandstone formations included in the preserve. If the climbs in and around Aquarian Falls are also vandalized or placed under arbitrary restrictions, there will literally be no place left to climb in an area where climbing has gone on continuously for nearly forty years. This, I fear, is exactly what your rangers have intended all along, despite John Escobar's public pronouncement that the MROSD"welcomes climbing as a legitimate recreational activity on all its lands." It seems important to point out that ever since last June when your rangers warned them to stop wire-brushing lichen and drilling bolts for anchors, climbers have totally abstained from new route development on preserve lands. They assumed, obviously incorrectly, that if they abided by these two posted regulations (District Ordinance 93-1, Sections 702.1 & 702.3), all previously developed climbing routes in the area would remain in place for future generations to enjoy. Personally, I can understand not climbing on a fragile cliff where rock climbers might damage the delicate pockets of the"Tafoni" formation. However, of the fifteen climbs that were removed on Saturday, 14 October 1995, only two ascended pocketed caves. The rest went up the middle of blank faces where no such damage could occur. Besides, climbers do not wish to climb on rock that breaks in the first place! In fact, I am sure they would gladly stay off individual fragile formations if rational reasons were given for so doing. Sincerely yours, ZrJ" Dr. Bruce D. Morris 443 Ventura Ave., No. 3 Palo Alto, CA 94306-4816 (415) 856-7964 cc: Paul Minault Upper Stevens Canyon 2'/z miles to /r Road Sign County Park - Grizzly Flat Area Page Mill Road Skyline Blvd. U .S. 35 Parking No Parking Gate ��- Gate Dirt Road , 1 4 miles toUS9 ' Portola Skyline Ridge Heights ; -••� Open Space Road (Private) Preserve 1 , • Private 00 a Homes .... ,, �,Flat r � . . grassy: ., • area w eek �a� 600 Is Ct �os� ,� peter .. ,' ♦ � � •��J r� A1re�h co ♦�� �• ©.5 m �o C.l 1 4 .. South- .. Q P v 1 J Ea st Co 1m a ''' t` t 1 i Pco Gulley .....:......:.... Aquarian Falls d EVI L'S CANYON i MorComm 1995 LIoSvYe-oV 5cLAA't-C-1�w►Lj,� �s ';c,�iwiS Map 2. Skyline Slabs, Aquarian Valley and Devil's Canyon v October 16, 1995 John Escobar Operations Manager Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 Ph.: 415.691.1200 FAX: 415.691.0485 Subject: Climbing Route Vandalism/Gear Theft in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve Dear Mr. Escobar, Last Sunday, it came to my attention that a District Ranger with the first name"Brian" had removed 36 bolts and hangers from several long-established rock climbing routes in the Aquarian Valley region of the Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. These destructive actions were taken unilaterally on his part, I understand, without any public input from the local climbing community or their appointed representatives. All the routes that were vandalized had been in continuous use by climbers in San Mateo County for over four years prior to acquisition of this particular parcel of property by the Open Space District. In earlier communications with Paul Minault, the regional co-ordinator for the Access Fund, you indicated that you welcomed climbing as a"legitimate recreational activity" on all Open Space District properties, excluding the so-called"Sand Caves" at Skegg's Point. Escobar's statement was quoted in print on page 4 in the Fall 1994 issue of the Northern California Access News under the title"Peninsula Agency Clarifies Climbing Policy." Somehow I do not see how such wanton acts of theft and vandalism by Ranger"Brian" can be construed as"welcoming climbing." At the very least, the Open Space District now appears to owe the first ascensionists approximately $150.°° (one hundred and fifty dollars) for the stolen equipment, along with any additional monetary damages your Rangers may have inflicted on their climbing careers and professional reputations. I wish to take this opportunity to advise you to contact Paul Minault (510.525.4281) at your earliest possible convenience to arrange public meetings to solicit local input on formulating a long-term climbing policy that recognizes rock climbing as a legitimate recreational activity in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve. At the same time, I think you should also speak to the ranger in question and advise him to desist from perpetuating any further atrocities against the local climbing public pending formulation of such a written policy. Traditional bolted lead climbing has been a recreational activity in Aquarian Valley and Devil's Canyon for almost forty years. Today, it is your responsibility to ensure that tradition remains intact. Yours truly, Dr. Bruce D. Morris 443 Ventura Ave., No. 3 Palo Alto, CA 94306 415.856-7964 FAX: 415.856.1719 E-mail: 72102.3167@compuserve.com Regional Opera Spi ------------------- MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT TO: Board of Directors FROM: C. Britton, General Manager DATE: October 20, 1995 SUBJECT: FYI 3.30 Distel Circle Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 . Phone:415-691-1200 . FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail: mrosdanetcom.com Hoard of Oire(tors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teena Renshaw, David T.Smernofi,Nonette t lanko, Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager.L Craig Britton Regional Open Spa e MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT October 16, 1995 Honorable Jim Cunneen Member, California State Assembly Room 4009, State Capitol P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249-0001 Dear Assemblyman Cunneen: I was very pleased to receive your press release with the news that Governor Wilson signed Assembly Bill 700 into law. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, I'd like to thank you for your tireless efforts in carrying this piece of legislation. Your time and energy, and your commitment to the needs of parks and open space agencies, are commendable and greatly appreciated. We look forward to working with you again on issues of mutual concern, and will be sure to keep you informed of our activities and .challenges. Sincerely, Pete Siemens President, Board of Directors PS/mcs cc: MROSD Board of Directors Ralph Heim 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd®netcom.com Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teena Henshaw,David T.Smemoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton Regional Open Sp. --------------------------- MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT October 16, 1995 Dennis Diemer, General Manager East Bay Municipal Utility District 375 llth Street Oakland, CA 94607 Dear Mr. Diemen I'm extremely proud to announce that Governor Wilson has signed into law Assembly Bill 700 (Cunneen), sponsored by the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. As you know, this bill will add mountain biking and paragliding to the existing list of inherently hazardous recreational activities, thus providing an additional level of immunity for public agencies that provide for such uses. Your help on this legislation was crucial, and I'd like to thank you on behalf of the District's Board of Directors. Your assistance was directly responsible for the passage of this bill through the judiciary committees and both full houses with little or no opposition. The show of support from you and other agencies proved to the legislature and the governor that this concept has widespread appeal among public agencies that manage open space and park lands, as well as from user groups involved in these activities. Again, thank you for your steady support of AB 700, and for your continuing support of the District and its public open space programs. Sincerely, Pete Siemens Letter also sent to: President, Board of Directors Greenbelt Alliance, League of California Cities, State Assn. PSlmcs of Counties, San Mateo Co. Parks & Recreation, Santa Clara Co. cc: MROSD Board of Directors Parks & Recreation, Santa Clara Honorable Jim Cunneen Co. Open Space Authority, Ralph Heim Assn. for Calif. 'Ibrt Reform, State Assn. of Counties, Calif. Business. Property Assn; Assn. of Calif. Water Agencies, Oakland Parks & Recreation � Ili 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@netcom.com Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Qavey,Teena Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit General Manager:L.Craig Britton 1 M�- - Prusinowski 1108 Kelly Drive San Jose, CA 95129 October 16, 1995 John Tim Worden, President Saratoga Country Club PO Box 2759 Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mr. Worden, I am writing to you to express my concern about a dangerous situation at the Saratoga Country Club. One Of Your greens is adjacent to the parking lot of the Fremont Older Open Space Preserve at the end of Prospect Road, and this results in numerous golf balls being hit into the preserve. I am a Trail Patrol volunteer for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and I spend many hours hiking and bicycling in the preserve. Many times while leaving my vehicle in the parking lot to begin a hike I have seen golf balls crashing through the trees, rebounding off parked cars, and bouncing off the pavement into the wooded areas. In October of 1994 my companion and I were nearly struck by 2 golf balls within the space of 1 minute. My most recent close call occurred on September 24, 1995. At approximately 1:30 PM I was preparing my bicycle for a trail patrol when a high-speed golf ball fell from the sky, struck my vehicle, put a dent in the roof, ricocheted off another vehicle, and barely missed my head. Section 409.3 of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Land Use Regulations states: "No person shall drive, chip, or in any other manner play or practice golf, or hit golf balls on, or over, or into District Lands." This regulation is clearly being violated at your country club. High velocity golf balls can cause severe personal injury, especially if a small child is hit in the head. With the heavy use of this preserve entrance, and the frequency of stray golf balls hitting the parking lot, it's just a matter of time before someone sustains a severe injury which results in litigation aimed at the Saratoga Country Club or the Open Space District. It would be much more cost effective to prevent personal injuries and automobile damage by installing a protective screening device behind the green which is large enough to capture the golf balls before they hit the parking area. The existing 6 foot chain-link fence is not sufficient. I urge you to work with representatives of the District to resolve this issue. Sincerely, Mark Prusinowski cc Pete Siemens, President Board of Directors, MROSD Craig Britton MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 October 4, 1995 Dear Craig, Many thanks for speaking at Committee for Green Foothills' event at Ridge on Your talk was very informative, and I loved the addition of the Bull's Lament. I know everyone enjoyed your comments as well as the confluence of the District, CGF and Ridge at the event. Now that I am current on MidPen's accomplishments, I note with dismay that our new brochure reports 35,000 acres as the amount the district owns -- and not 41,000 -- a bit frustrating to start out out of date! But what a wonderful lot of land it is, and we are all indebted to you for this great treasure. And thanks again for joining us on Sunday. Pauline Lord A regional group working for environmental quality man MONO-— THE COMMITTEE FOR GREEN FOOTHILLS Peninsula Conservation Center, 3921 East Bayshore,Palo Alto,California 94303•(415)968-7243 pap., Paper G i � u � �iy95 Date: 09 Oct 95 09:46:45 -0700 From: "Mark Porter, Oracle Media Server" <MAPORTERgus.oracle.com> To: mrosdgnetcom.com Subject: I'm for responsible dog access Cc: obasilgaol.com To whom it may concern, I am a member of the Peninsula Access for Dogs (PADS), and though I'm not able to attend the board meeting this week, I would like to express my support for responsible dog access to the parks on the agenda for dog access: Fremont Older, Coal Creek, Thornewood, and Long Ridge. Also, I live on and own property immediately adjacent to two open space preserves: Purisma Creek Redwoods and La Honda Creek. Thus, I feel I understand both sides of the issue: as a user of the parks, I wish to be able to enjoy the parks with my dogs. As a property owner adjacent to the parks, I am in full support of enforcing rules which are necessary to promote responsible use. I believe that,just as we require horse and bike users of the open space to be responsible, we must ask the same of dog users. By the same token, it is not fair to punish 95%of the users of a park for the negligence of the remaining 5%. We need to find a way to minimize abuses and make sure that those that do happen do not repeat themselves. Please support PADS in our efforts to find a happy medium of equal access for all users of our public open space. Sincerely, Mark A. Porter 350 Allen Road Woodside, CA 94062 415-851-0969 maportergus.oracle.com CC: obasilgaol.com LEXINGTON WATERSHED THREATENED BY LARGE SCALE GOLF COURSE DEVELOPMENT LETTTERS NEEDED NOW TO STOP LOS GATOS COUNTRY CLUB PROPOSAL The Los Gatos Country Club includes: Highlights of the Impacts: - 18 hole golf course and driving range on 210 - cut down 400 trees, 70% native oak trees acres, private memberships starting at$45,000 - use 400,000 gallons of water daily and 50 per person million gallons annually - Over 50,000 square feet of buildings including _ channel 12 nearby springs into artificial lakes a clubhouse, maintenance facilities, athletic club, tennis courts and pools - eliminate existing wetlands - 325 parking spaces and new roads - dump 10,000 gallons per day of sewage In - Over 1,200 feet of soundwalls along Highway grade over 660,000 cubic yards of earth, 17 and Bear Creek Road _ a enough to fill nine Prun r e a d office towers a Y Why This Proposal Should be Stopped: Violates County General Risk of Contaminating the Opens the Door to More Plan The project site is designated LexingtonDevelopment Basin Watershed Develo ment Letters from the Santa Clara Golf Course developer Peter "hillsides" in the Santa Clara Valle Water District, the CA. County General Plan which y Denevi has stated several times Department of Fish and Game that he would like to see more allows only low intensity uses and the g Mid peninsula Reional and states that the land should P a development on the upper 900 Open Space District (MROSD) acres of the property including be preserved "largely in natural among others, express major resource related uses in order a Phousing developments and/or concern about the projects another golf course. It is clear to: of contaminating - protect and enhance rural probability a that this initial proposal is only the surface and groundwaters a first step toward more devel- character which lead to the Lexington opment. According to the - protect and promote wise Reservoir. The oolf course management of natural re- requires application of esti- adjacent 900 acre parcel is one sources rides, fertilizers and herbicides of the largest undeveloped - avoid risks associated with in man areas close to natural hazards Y very private holdings in Lexington tributary creeks. The proposed Reservoir basin and there is a - protect the quality of reservoir septic system is of concern strong likelihood that more watersheds critical to the because of the many previous urban-like development will be region's water supply" septic stem failures in the P Y proposed on the parcel in the area. The cummulative impact near future." This project violates this of nitrates percolating down (Please see map and property important hillside policy on all into the soil year after year is four of these counts and clearly y Y description on the next page for does not preserve the not known. information on the entire 1,100 character" of the land. acre parcel.) Ccmt'd--sec Watcr.:hcd Contamination l Watershed Contamination(continued) The proposal is directly on the San Andreas Fault and is in an area of the historic Black Road landslide. Golf course irrigation will cause increased water saturation and may destabilize the the Black Road landslide,while grading on the site may also destabilize existing slide areas, putting local residents at great risk. The 1,000 gallon fuel storage tank and pesticides storage facilities pose a serious risk in the event of an earthquake. "Having fuel storage, chemical storage, a package waste- water treatment plant, and septic tanks so close to a water supply reservoir increases the potential for a contamination disaster to Lexington Reservoir should these proposals fail due to landslides or earthquakes," states the Santa Clara Valley Water District. Furthermore, the Draft Environmental Impact Report provides no monitoring plan to determine if mitigations to the many significant environmental impacts will even work. This not only is illegal, but also provides absolutely no assurance to the public that water contamination will even be detected . Water Supply Lack of Public Benefit The Los Gatos Country Club requires a tre- This proposal would completely change the rural mendous volume of water. The applicant states character and environmental integrity of the that water will be provided primarily from the heart of the Lexington Reservoir basin. It San Jose Water Company and from on site would lace significant development on the ' P a P streams. However, there is no drought contin- County's second highest priority (out of 61) for gency plan for when the next drought occurs open space protection. That in itself is sufft- that would assure water allocation to the golf cient rationale to deny the project. However, on course. In case of a multiple year drought, it top of that, the project would not provide any would be likely and justifiable that area resi- public benefit as it will be open only to those dents and businesses would receive higherwho can afford the $45 000 membership fee. water priority than a private golf course. What you can do: 1. Write to the Santa Clara County Planning-Commission and Supervisors and emphasize: •The Los Gatos Country Club fundamentally violates the County General Plan because it is far from a low-intensity, rural character enhancing project. •The project would pose unacceptable risk to the Lexington Basin watershed through chemical, septic and waste water contamination. This contamination could occur through natural soil percolation or due to an earthquake. •The irrigation and grading could cause further ground destablization of the area and landslides • This is very likely only the first development proposed for the 1,100 acre property and the County should look at the ramifications of additional development on the upper 900 acres. The golf course on its own is unacceptable, but the cummulative impact of housing or another golf course would be completely devastating to the area. As such, the County should require the upper 900 acres to be dedicated to open space use through a permanent open space easement. • Fifty million gallons per year for a private golf course is not a wise use of water resources which are traditionally in short supply in the area. • A private golf course offers no public benefit and absolutely no rationale to override the very significant environmental impacts. Write to: Chairman Mike Honda and Members of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and Members of the Santa Clara County Planning.Commission 70 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110 continued What you can do(continued) 2. Attend the community information meeting on the Los Gatos Country Club proposal on Tuesday, October 10. at 7:30 at the Los Gatos Recreation Center, 123 East Main Street, Room C. (Across from the Los Gatos Civic Center). Hosted by the Save Lexington Hillsides Coalition, the meeting will provide far more details about the proposal and what can be done to stop it. 3. Testify at upcoming public hearings.The Planning Commission hearing will be on Nov. 2, 1:30 p.m at 70 W. Hedding, San Jose. The Board of Supervisors hearing date is not known yet. Call Greenbelt Alliance at (408)983-0539 or Sierra Club (415) 390-8414 for confirmation of dates. 4 Talk to friends about the proposal and urge them to write. Copy this flyer and distribute. Help the Save Lexington Hillsides Campaign by voiunteering a few hours for community outreach work. The campaign includes groups like Greenbelt Alliance, the Sierra Club. Committee for Green Foothills, Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society and many individuals. 5 Contribute to Save Lexington Hillsides to help us cover the costs of this mailing and other expenses necessary to stop this project. Please cut out the form below. Background on the Propertv %, �\�Mapl area The Los Gatos Country Club is proposed for Clara Co, ►`� 210 acres, but is part of a larger 1,100 acre B,aa Rd `l parcel commonly known as the Alma College K4? property. Unfortunately, previous attempts to �---"s.a�••,;• � rr�.w� arm acquire the property by state and local parks „ MOMM` �ec",, 9� agencies failed and in 1989 the property was sold to the highest bidder, the Hong Kong Metro Realty Company, owned by billionaire Dr. Stanley Ho. The Hong Kong developer is represented by developer Peter Denevi. A R••' �"'� Source: San Jknc .\lercun Nc%x s The golf course proposal is on a portion of the property bounded on the east by Hwy 17. on the north and west by Bear Creek Road and on the south by Webb Creek. The golf course itself is less than 400 yards from the Lexington Reservoir and directly on the San Andreas Fault. The upper 900 acres of the property is covered in dense forests including Douglas Fir and second growth Coast Red- wood, interlaced with mixed evergreen forests containing Bay Madrone and Coast Live Oak trees. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT GREENBELT ALLIANCE AT (408) 983-0539 Yes, I want to help the Save Lexington Hills Coalition protect the Lexington Basin: _ I can contribute financially $10 $25 $50 S100 I can volunteer my time. Please contact me. Name .Address City State Zip Phone (day) (eve) Send to: Save Lexington Hillsides, P.O. Box 1561, Campbell, CA 95009-1561 Could this be the fiftre of the beautiful Lex..,gton Basin? CL APCLAP a r Fog! 0 f4 Credit: De Cinzo, Los Gatos Weekly, Metro Publishing We need your help to stop a destructive development next to the Lexington Reservoir. Attend-a special community meeting on Tuesday, October 10, 7:30 p.m at the Los Gatos Recreation Center, 123 East Main Street in Los Gatos. Sierra Club Guadalupe Group ��'� n-Prof Save Lexington Hillsides Campaign °M `�' L . Po 1922 The Alameda, Suite 213 �' L1,9 San Jose, CA 95126 5 . lie N n Jose, C LEXINGTON HILLSIDES ALERT! MARY GRIFFIN October 13, 1995 San MateoCounty Supervisor Keith Steinhart Project Officer, Local Services Section Dept. of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-001 RE: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project Dear Mr. Steinhart: I would like to express my strong support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. This project will improve public access and trail facilities at this 293-acre preserve, in close proximity to a major urban area. The project consists of a new 20-car parking area, restrooms, trailhead signage, two new trails, and cleanup of abandoned equipment from former uses at the site. This will increase the ability of the preserve to provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, birdwatching, nature study, and picnicking. In addition, the new parking facility, with its connection to the full-access Cordilleras Trail, will facilitate use of the preserve by families with children, the elderly, and people with limited mobility. The matching grant being sought is an excellent example of leveraging the District's existing revenue with additional funding, to provide the public with the best possible services in the most cost-effective manner. I urge you to ensure that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District receive funding for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. Sincerely, Superviso a Griffin ffif i 7n San Mateo County Board of Supervisors cc: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District County Government Center Redwood City, California 94063 (415) 363-4571 Environmental Services Agency BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Parks and Recreation Division RUBEN BARRALES MARY GRIFFIN TOM HUENING TEDLEMPERT MICHAEL D. NEVIN PATRICK COUNTY OF SAN M-ATEO DIRECTOR H.SANCHEZ 590 HAMILTON STREET, 4TH FLOOR - REDWOOD CITY - CALIFORNIA 94063 (415) 363-4020 FAX (415)599-1721 Octcber 6, 1995 Keith Steinhart Project Officer, Local Services Section Dept. of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-001 RE: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project Dear Mr. Steinhart: I would like to express my strong support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Habitat Conservation Fund grant application for the Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project. This matching grant will help the District acquire-approximately 26 acres on Alpine Road adjacent to the District's 1,612-acre Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. The acquisition will allow the completion of a trail on the historic Page Mill Road alignment and will ultimately provide for a trail connection from Skyline Ridge to Portola State Park. The project is consistent with the District's goal of preserving a regional greenbelt of open space lands, linking District lands with state, county, and local parklands. It is also consistent with the San Mateo County Trails Plan which lists Old Page Mill Road as a proposed trail connecting Skyline Ridge with Portola State Park. The matching grant being sought is an excellent example of leveraging the District's existing revenue with additional funding, to provide the public with the best possible services in the most cost-effective manner. I urge you to ensure that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District receive funding for the Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project. Sincerely, atrick H. SanIche ector M u cc: Midpeninsu 4aegional Open Space District Environmental Services Agency BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Parks and Recreation Division RUBEN BARRALES MARY GRIFFIN TOM HUENING TEDLEMPERT MICHAEL D. NEVIN �. COUNTY OF SAN MATEO DIRERIoCI(H.SANCHEZ 590 HAMILTON STREET, 4TH FLOOR • REDWOOD CITY • CALIFORNIA 94063 (415) 363-4020 FAX (415) 599-1721 October 6, 1995 Keith Steinhart Project Officer, Local Services Section Dept. of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-001 RE: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project Dear Mr. Steinhart: I would like to express my strong support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. This project will improve public access and trail facilities at this 293-acre preserve, in close proximity to a major urban area. The project consists of a new 20-car parking area, restrooms, trailhead signage, two new trails, and cleanup of abandoned equipment from former uses at the site. This will increase the ability of the preserve to provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, birdwatching, nature study, and picnicking. In addition, the new parking facility, with its connection to the full-access Cordilleras Trail, will facilitate use of the preserve by families with children, the elderly, and people with limited mobility. The matching grant being sought is an excellent example of leveraging the District's existing revenue with additional funding, to provide the public with the best possible services in the most cost-effective manner. I urge you to ensure that the Midpeninsula Regional Open District receive funding for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. Respectfully, �2 Patrick H. Sanchez, irector Parks and Recreation cc: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Regional Open SiOce s MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT September 29, 1995 Pat Sanchez Director, San Mateo County Parks and Recreation 590 Hamilton Redwood City, CA 94063 Dear Mr. Sanchez: The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has recently applied for two important grants,and your assistance is crucial for the successful award of these funds. One application is for a Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) grant to help purchase property for the Old Page Mill Road acquisition project. The other is for a Land and Water Conservation(LWCF)Fund grant for public access improvements at the District's Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. Your letters of support will help immeasurably . The$48,900 HCF matching grant will help the District to acquire approximately 26 acres on Alpine.Road in unincorporated San Mateo County, adjacent to the District's 1,612-acre Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. This acquisition will allow the completion of a trail on the historic Page Mill Road alignment and will ultimately provide for a trail connection from Skyline Ridge to Portola State Parka The LWCF application is for a$124,573 matching grant for public access improvements to the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. The funds will be used to build two new trails,construct a new 20-car parking and staging area with restrooms and trailhead signage,and remove sewage treatment equipment leftover from a former facility at the site. This preserve is located close to a large urban area and these improvements will provide enhanced opportunities for the public to enjoy the area It would be very helpful and greatly appreciated if you could provide a letter of support for each of these projects. Please direct letters for both projects Keith Steinhart, Project Officer, Local Services Section, Dept. of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-001. Attached are sample letters of support for each project that you may wish to use as a guide in preparing your letters. If it is more convenient for you, feel free to write one letter that addresses both projects. It would be most helpful if your letters are distributed as soon as possible. We would also appreciate it if you provided our office with copies. Thank you for your continuing support of our common goals of enhancing regional open space,recreation programs, and public access. Sincerely, Pete Siemens President, Board of Directors PS/mcs cc: MROS,T) Rnard of Dirertnrc 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos,CA 94022-1404 • Phone:415-691-1200 • FAX:415-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd®netcom.com 41) Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,Teena Henshaw,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Wim de Wit Genera!Manager:L.Craig Britton ROOM 4032 // �. COMMITTEES: STATE CAPITOL //// �• ��•• y•y��yy��-t�• �y y�y��• #�T µl`f o nia tate a CHAIR. SACRAMENTO CA 95814 �[�`,,r�'�/ ,,�.[,�,',','�Q��/ (./ � HOUSING&LAND U51 t916i 445-6747 VICE CHAIR, 373 FIRST STREET : ; REVENUE&TAXATIOt ta, BUDGET Ek FISCAL SUITE 100 1,,,� REVIEW LOS ALTOS.CA 94022 r y,� EDUCATION JUDICIARY SF 7- y SENATOR TOM CAMPBELL October 13, 1995 Mr. Keith Steinhart Project Officer, Local Services Section Dept. of Parks and Recreation 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, Califor:.ia 9- 5814 Dear Mr. Steinhart: I'm writing to express my support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Habitat Conservation Fund and Land and Water Conservation Fund grant applications. The District has applied for these grants in order to promote their twenty-year mission of enhancing regional open space, recreation programs, and public access. May I take a moment to provide you with some background on the District's applications? The first grant application -- the $48,900 Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) -- will be used to help the DrsTfii'ct acquire approximately 26 acres adjacent to Alpine Road in unincorporated San Mateo County, bordering the District's 1,612-acre Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. This acquisition will allow the completion of a trail on the historic Page Mill Road alignment and will create a trail connection from Skyline Ridge to Portola State Park. Additionally, the project is consistent with the District's goal of preserving a regional greenbelt of open space lands, linking District lands with state, county and local parklands. The second application, The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grant application, is a $124,573 matching grant for public access improvements to the 293-acre Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. The project consists of a new 20-car parking area, restrooms, trailhead signage, two new trails, and cleanup of abandoned equipment from former uses at the site. The Public Access Improvement Project, as it is referred to, will increase the ability of the preserve to provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, birdwatching, nature study, and picnicking. In addition, the new parking facility, with its connection to the full-access Cordilleras Trail, will facilitate use of the preserve by families with children, the elderly, and - - people with limited mobility. I would be grateful if you would review the District's ct's proposals osals ca refully, giving vin these projects every appropriate consideration. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to inform you of the District's applications. Sincerely, Tom Camp ell TC:& Printed on Recycled Paper cc: 4fidpertittsttla Regiioml Open Space District Internet Address: senator.campbell@sen.ca.gov TED LEMPERT October 13 , 1995 San Mateo County Supervisor Mr. Keith Steinhart Project Officer, Local Services Section Department of Parks & Recreation P. O. Box 942896 Sacramento, California 94296-001 Subject: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Grant Dear Mr. Steinhart: I would like to express my strong support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Habitat Conservation Fund grant application for the Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project. This matching grant will help the District acquire approximately 26 acres on Alpine Road adjacent to the District's 1, 612-acre Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. The acquisition will allow the completion of a trail on the historic Page Mill Road alignment and will ultimately provide for a trail connection from Skyline Ridge to Portola State Park. The project is consistent with the District's goal of preserving a regional greenbelt of open space lands, linking District lands with state, county and local parklands. It is also consistent with the San Mateo County Trails Plan which lists Old Page Mill Road as a proposed trail connecting Skyline Ridge with Portola State Park. The Matching grant being sought is an excellent example of leveraging the District' s existing revenue with additional funding, to provide the public with the best possible services in the most cost-effective manner. I urge you to ensure that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District receive funding for the Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project. Since e em per t Supervisor, 3rd District TL:jb cc: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District County Government Center — Hall ofJustice and Records Q c A� 401 MARSHALL STREET REDWOOD CITY CALIFORNIA 94063 0&'VJDED 066 DIRECT LINE 363-4569 • COASTSIDE 728-0372 * FAX 363-1916 TED LEMPERT San Mateo County Supervisor October 13 , 1995 Mr. Keith Steinhart Project Officer, Local Services Section Department of Parks & Recreation P. O. Box 942896 Sacramento, California 94296-001 Subject: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project Dear Mr. Steinhart: I would like to express my strong support for the Midpeninsula, Regional Open Space District's Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. This project will improve public access and trail facilities at this 293-acre preserve, in close proximity to a major urban area. The project consists of a new 20-car parking area, restrooms, trailhead signage, two new trails and cleanup of abandoned equipment from former uses at the site. This will increase the ability of the preserve to provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, birdwatching, nature study and picnicking. In addition, the new parking facility, with its connection to the full-access Cordilleras Trail, will facilitate use of the preserve by families with children, the elderly and people with limited mobility. The matching grant being sought is an excellent example of leveraging the District' s existing revenue with additional 0 County Government Center — Hall ofJustice and Records rQ 411 0 401 MARSHALL STREET REDWOOD CITY,CALIFORNIA 94063 0 DED % DIRECT LINE 363-4569 COASTSIDE 728-0372 - FAX 363-1916 * F funding, to provide the public with the best possible services in the most cost-effective manner. I urge you to ensure that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District receive funding for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. Sincer , e mpert Su rvisor, 3rd District cc: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Project ., �.., WASHINGTON OFFICE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE 308 CANNON BUILDING SUSCOMMI"EES( WASHINGTON,DC 20515-0514 TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND FINANCE i 2021 225-8104 (� {, OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS annagram@hr.house.gov Anna (5• ��yoo REGIONAL WHIP DISTRICT OFFICE 14tb Migtrict, California CO-CHAIR, 698 EMERSON STREET MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CAUCUS PALO ALTO.CA 94301 tlCongregg of the Zlnitea *tateg i415i323-2984 14081245-2339 Joouze of Aeprrantatibe!5 Wa5bington, MC 20515-0514 October 10, 1995 Mr. Keith Steinhart, Project Officer Local Services Section Department of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, California 94296 Dear Mr. Steinhart, I write to express my strong support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. This project will improve public access and trail facilities at this 293-acre preserve, in close proximity to a major urban area. The project consists of a new 20-car parking area, restrooms, trailhead signage, two new trails, and cleanup of abandoned equipment from former uses at the site. This will increase the ability of the preserve to provide visitors with a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, birdwatching, nature study, and picnicking. In addition, the new parking facility, with its connection to the full-access Cordilleras Trail, will facilitate use of the preserve by families with children, the elderly, and people with limited mobility. The matching grant being sought is an excellent example of leveraging the District's existing revenue with additional funding, to provide the public with the best possible services in the most cost-effective manner. I urge you to ensure that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District receive funding for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. Sincerely, qEAn� shoo f Congress AGE:rmd THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE OF RECYCLED FIBERS WASHINGTON OFFICE COMMIT-TEE ON COMMERCE 308 CANNON BUILDING SUBCOMMITTEES: WASHINGTON,DC 20515-0514 TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND FINANCE (202)225-8104 OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS annagramghf.house.9ov (ftboo REGIONAL WHIP DISTRICT OFFICE 14tb &5trict, California CO-CHAIR, 698 EMERSON STREET MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY CAUCUS PAID ALTO,CA 94301 Cotigre!5!5 of the Oniteb *tatrg (415)323-2984 (408)245-2339 Riooe of �epreg;entafibrg Wagbington, MC 20515-0314 October 10, 1995 Mr. Keith Steinhart, Project Officer Local Services Section Department of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, California 94296 Dear Mr. Steinhart, I write to express my strong support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Habitat Conservation Fund grant application for the Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project. This matching grant will help the District acquire approximately 26 acres on Alpine Road adjacent to the District's 1,612-acre Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve. The acquisition will allow the completion of a trail on the historic Page Mill Road alignment and will ultimately provide for a trail connection from Skyline Ridge to Portola State Park. The project is consistent with the District's goal of preserving a regional greenbelt of open space lands, linking District lands with state, country, and local parklands. It is also consistent with the San Mateo County Trails Plan which lists Old Page Mill Road as a proposed trail connecting Skyline Ridge with Portola State Park. The matching grant is an excellent example of leveraging the District's existing revenue with additional funding, to provide the public with the best possible services in the most cost-effective manner. I urge you to ensure that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District receive funding for the 61d Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project. Sincerely, qAn shoo f Congress AGE:rmd THIS STATIONERY PRINTED ON PAPER MADE OF RECYCLED FIBERS CAPITOL OFFICE COMMITTEES STATE CAPrrOL CHAIRMAN P.O.BOX 942849 NATURAL RESOURCES SACRAMENTO.CA 94249-0001 (916)445-7632 MEMBER DISTRICT OFFICE HUMAN RESOURCES 702 MARSHALL STREET INSURANCEJUDICIARY SUITE 290 REDWOOD CITY,CA 94063 SELECT COMMITTEE ON MARINE RESOURCES (415)364-2080 B Y R O N D. S H E R SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT INSOLVENCY OF ORANGE COUNTY BETSY BLAIS SHOTWELL ASSEMBLYMAN,TWENTY-FIRST DISTRICT October 10, 1995 Keith Steinhart Project Officer, Local Services Section Dept. of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 RE: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project Dear Mr. Steinhart: I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project. Funding for this project would allow for improvements to be made to public access and trail facilities at this 293-acre preserve, near a major urban area. Included in this project are a new 20-car parking area, restrooms, trailhead signage, two new trails, and cleanup of abandoned equipment from former uses at the site. These improvements will enhance the preserve's offerings to visitors of a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, birdwatching, nature study, and picknicking. In addition, the new parking facility, with its connection to the full-access Cordilleras Trail, will facilitate use of the preserve by families with children, the elderly, and people with limited mobility. The District is seeking this matching grant to leverage existing revenue with additional funding, an excellent strategy to multiply the effect of monies in order to best serve the public interest. Again, I offer my strong support for the Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve Public Access Improvement Project, and hope that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District receives funding for this worthy project. Sincerely, Byron D. Sher Assemblyman 21st District BDS/swp cc: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Pnn(w on Recycled Paw CAPITOL OFFICE COMMITTEES STATE CAPITOL CHAIRMAN P.O.BOX 942049 NATURAL RESOURCES SACRAMENTO.CA 942494=1 (916)445-7632 C�A MEMBER DISTRICT OFFICE HUMAN RESOURCES -r IL INSURANCE 702 MARSHALL STREET tl�afifvrnia JUDICIARY SUITE 290 SELECT COMMITTEE ON MARINE REDWOOD CITY,CA 940,63 RESOURCES (415)364-2080 BYRON D. SHER SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT INSOLVENCY OF ORANGE COUNTY BETSY BLAIS SHOTWELL ASSEMBLYMAN,TWENTY-FIRST DISTRICT October 10, 1995 Keith Steinhart Project Officer, Local Services Section Dept. of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 RE: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Grant Dear Mr. Steinhart: I am writing to offer my full support for the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District's Habitat Conservation Fund grant application for the Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project. The Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project involves the acquisition of approximately 26 acres on Alpine Road, adjacent to the 1,612-acre Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve, also District property. The award of this matching grant will allow the District to complete a trail on the historic Page Mill Road alignment and will ultimately provide for a trail connection from Skyline Ridge to Portola State Park. The District maintains the goal of preserving a regional greenbelt of open space lands by linking District lands with state, county and local parklands. This project would further realization of this goal. The project is also consistent with the San Mateo County Trail Plan which lists Old Page Mill Rcad as a proposed trail connection Skyline Ridge with Portola State Park. The District is seeking this matching grant to leverage existing revenue with additional funding, an excellent strategy to multiply the effect of monies in order to best serve the public interest. Again, I offer my enthusiastic support for the Old Page Mill Road Trail Acquisition Project and express my hope that the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District receives funding for this important project. Sincerely, Byron D. Sher Assemblyman 21st District BDS/swp cc: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Pnnmd on Recycled Paw Claims No. 95-18 Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 8405 707.94 AT&T Telephone Service 8406 110.00 Acme & Sons Sanitation, Inc. Sanitation Services 8407 176.27 Acorn Naturalists Nature Center Supplies 8408 1,055.95 Acute Computer Technology Computer Upgrade 8409 156.36 American Welding Supply Field Supplies 8410 54.34 Best Impressions Field Survey Supplies 8411 358.10 Best Sanitation Sanitation Services 3412 52.19 Borrmann's Steel Co. Field Supplies 8413 218.89 Bowerman Electric Electrical Work 3414 573.30 Brian Kangas Foulk Engineering Studies-Teague Hill 3415 1,256.20 Craig Britton Professional Conference 8416 500.00 •1 Carleen Bruins Grant House Furnishings 8417 45.00 Stephen Buckh6ut Outdo" Education Leader Training 8418 164.90 Cabela's Inc. Field Supplies 8419 470.00 University of California Training 8420 179.81 California Water Service Co. Water Service 8421 60.00 Cappo, lnc. Training 8422 1,017.43 Carolina Biological Supply Co. Equipment for Nature Center 8423 26.94 Contemporary Engraving Engraving 8424 25.00 Jim Davis Automotive Smog Certificate 8425 125.70 Mary deBeauvieres Vehicle Expense 8426 165.73 Brendan Downing Training Expense 8427 185.81 Dyna-Med Field Medical Supplies 8428 177.00 Federal Parks & Recreation Subscription 8429 41.75 Federal Express Corporation Express Mail 8430 16.16 Film to Frame Film Developing 8431 2,897.30 First Interstate Bank '95 Note, Paying Agent & Administration Fees 8432 21.55 Gateway 2000 Computer Equipment 8433 53.89 GI Trucking Company Freight Charges 8434 155.11 Goodco Press, Inc. Printing 8435 113.62 Guy Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Plumbing Repair 8436 2.00 Hyster Sales Company Equipment Repair 8437 5,562.07 Jeda Publications Printing 8438 86.40 Jobs Available Advertising 8439 45.00 Alan Kaplan Training Services 8440 227.51 Lee & Associates Field Supplies 8441 567.31 Los Altos Garbage Co. Garbage Service 8442 697.11 Merwin Mace Consulting Service 8443 205.80 Brian Malone Uniform Expense Reimbursement 8444 249.98 McGrath RentCorp. Field Office Rental 8445 175.00 Miracle Auto Painting Vehicle Repair 8446 85.00 Ken Miller Tuition Reimbursement 8447 184.18 Mission Valley Ford Sales Vehicle Service 8448 155.44 Moffett Supply Company Field Office Supplies 8449 29.25 Netcorn Monthly Internet Service 8450 150.00 Linda Drey Nightingale Training Fees 8451 1,665.00 Nutmeg & Company Catering Staff Appreciation Catering 8452 338.71 Office Depot Office Supplies 8453 693.96 Orchard Supply Hardware Field Supplies 8454 131.46 Loro Paterson Field Supplies •1 Urgent Check issued on 10/13195 Meeting 95-23 Page 5 continued to be very interested in working with the District and the recommended tabling of the burn did not present any problems for them. H. Haeussler stated that the Board needed to weigh the star thistle issue against protecting private lands and property adjacent to District land. Nick Moll, Star Route 2, Box 408, La Honda, expressed his appreciation tq staff for taking his con ms very seriously and proceeding slowly with the proposed burn.' Patrick C gdon discussed various scientific research on the timing of fall burns as a resource en an, measure for grassland areas. D. Smernoff anked the staff and the public for their interest and handling of this matter. P g Motion: W. de Wit moved that the Board accept staffs recommendation to table the burn decision until Board and public concern regarding resource impacts can be ad essed. D. Smernoff seconded the motion. The motion passed 5 to 0. VI. INFORMATIONAL REP T C. Britton reported that: 1) overnor Wilson had vetoedtarin County's AB'1830 that would have allowed Marin County to o to a public vote to forth a county-wide benefit assessment district; 2) the Jarvis group had led a new initiatives the November 1996; 3) Paul Romero from Riverside County had been pointed the new/Parks and Recreation Director for Santa Clara County; 4) the Anthony pro rty had closed']escrow and since no public comments had been received there would be no for second,,reading on the proposed use and management recommendations; and 5) individual d ectors,and staff had received letters from Dr. Bruce Morris regarding rock climbing at Devil you and that he would be responding in behalf of the District and the Board would receive opy of his response letter. B. Crowder said that the San Mateo County es tax measure for schools, libraries, and parks and open space would be deferred to,the 1997 lot and reported on the Land Trust Alliance. Conference she attended at Asilom4i. P. Siemens said that he is continuing to volunteer for e Grant House restoration project. D. Smernoff stated that Bay Area Action would be hostin an event at the Arastra property. W. de Wit reported on the visitor use censuses, the El Corte Madera dump cleanup, and the training for the outdoor education leaders. r VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjo reed at 10:10 P.M. Jean H. Fiddes District Clerk I i Claims No. 95-18 Meeting 95-23 October 25, 1995 Revised MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT # Amount Name Description 8455 1,138.05 Pacific Bell Telephone Service 8456 184.56 Pip Printing Printing 8457 18.49 Precision Engravers, Inc. Engraving 8458 34.13 Rayne Water Conditioning Rental Equipment 8459 1,059.75 Roy's Repair Service Vehicle Repair 8460 185.31 David Sanguinetti Field Supplies 8461 4,425.00 San Jose Conservation Corps Reynolds Road Cleanup 8462 427.48 San Jose Mercury Classified Advertising 8463 484.80 San Francisco Newspaper Agency Classified Advertising 8464 82.00 Sequoia Analytical Water Systems Supplies 8465 640.00 E.R. Sheehan Trail Construction 8466 319.19 Shell Oil Company Fuel 8467 864.51 Shelton, Inc. Field Supplies 8468 57.92 *2 Tex Shoemaker & Son, Inc. Uniform Supplies 8469 145.20 Silverado Avionics, Inc. Microphones 8470 3,375.00 George Sipel Consulting 8471 17.29 Skywood Trading Post Fuel 8472 74.29 Smith Equipment Field Equipment 8473 139.78 Malcolm Smith Visitor Survey Supplies 8474 38.34 State Board of Equalization Fuel Tax 8475 167-82 Summit Uniforms Uniform Supplies 8476 742.08 Teater & Etc. Graphics Consulting--Maps 8477 3,200.00 Mike Tobar Excavation Demolition Services 8478 101.95 TransCorn Corporation Vehicle Repair 8479 1,592.64 TRW-Redi Mapping Services 8480 960.00 U.S. Rentals Equipment Rental 8481 356.21 West Coast Aggregates Field Supplies 8482 50.41 Workingman's Emporium Uniform Supplies 8483 97.81 Yardbird Equipment Sales Field Supplies 8484 770.00 •3 Association of Bay Area Registration—Judy Govt - Training Center Law and Julie McCullough 8485 74.60 •4 Central Stationers Office Supplies 8486 150.47 Portola Valley Feed Straw for Erosion Control 8487 3,000.00 Postage by Phone Postage for Meter 8488 305.12 Petty Cash Film Developing, Office&Field Suppties, Nature Center Supplies, Local Meeting Expense, and Private Vehicle Expense TOTAL 47A93-82 •2 Urgent Check issued on 10/17/95 *3 Urgent Check issued on 10/20/95 •4 Urgent Check issued on 10/23/95