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Home My Public Portal About19980617 - Agendas Packet - Board of Directors (BOD) - 98-14 Regional Open -, mc �m MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-14 NOTICE OF SPECIAL. MEETING BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGENDA* 5:30 P.M. 330 Distel Circle Wednesday Los Altos, California June 17, 1998 ***PLEASE NOTE*** 5:30 P.M. Closed Session Start 77me 7:30 P.M. Public Meeting Start 77me (5:30) ROLL CALL SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS i CLOSED SESSION The Closed Session will begin at 5:30 P.M. At 7:30 P.M., the Board will adjourn the Special Meeting Closed Session to the conclusion of the Public Meeting, and at the conclusion of the Public Meeting, the Board may reconvene the Special Meeting Closed Session. 1. Public Employment - Government Code Section 54957 Public Employee Performance Evaluation - General Manger 2. Public Employment - Government Code Section 54957 Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Controller 3. Conference with Tabor Nego is o - Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Negotiators: Betsy Crowder, Pete Siemens, Ken Nitz Unrepresented Employees: General Manager and Controller I 330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 Phone: 650-691-1200 FAX: 650-691-0485 . E-mail: mrosderopensl)ac:e.org . Web site:www.openspace.org 7f Oirectors.Pete Siernens,Mary C. Davey,Jed Cyr, David T.Smernoff,Nrinette Hanko, Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz - General Manager:L Craig;Britton Meeting 98-14 Page 2 (7:30) PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ORAL COMMUNICATIONS -- Public ADOPTION OF AGENDA ADOPTION OF CONSENT CALENDAR -- B. Crowder BOARD BUSINESS (7:45) 1. Tentative Adoption of a Use and Management Plan Amendment for the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve; Determine that the Recommended Actions are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act; Amend the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve to Include the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan; and Tentatively Adopt the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve A. Ad Hoc Committee's Recommended Actions B. General Manager's Alternative Recommended Actions 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 without discussion by one motion. Board members, the General Manager, and members of the public may request that an item be removed from the Consent Calendar during consideration of the Consent Calendar. June 17, 1998 To: Board Colleagues From: Betsy Crowder El Corte de Madera Preserve has been more intensively studied than any other preserve in the Distict. There have been 18 public hearings to date, in addition to Task Force and Ad Hoc Committee meetings too numerous to count. It is time to finalize the use and management plan for this preserve! The final El Corte de Madera Task Force/Ad Hoc Committee meeting was on April 2, 1998, followed by the April 28 meeting at which the recommendations before you tonight were developed. At the April 2 Task Force meeting there were three points of contention among the total list drafted by Mary de Beauvieres, Senior Planner: 1) Designation of Sierra Morena Trail around Witches Knoll as multi-use rather than hiking only; 2) Closure of segment 79, known as Devil's Staircase- 3) Realignment of segment 92. The Task Force/Ad Hoc Committee came to an agreement at this meeting thatDevil's Staircase should be closed; that Sierra Morena should be hiking only around Witches Knoll,- and that segment 92 should be realigned by staff. During the April 28 meeting two of the three Task Force bicyclists reversed their opinion (the third bicyclist didn't speak), and two of the three Ad Hoc Committee members reversed their opinion, resulting in the recommendation before you. 1, as the third Ad Hoc Committee member, continue to support staff's recommendation for elimination of Devil's Staircase and realignment of segment 92 by staff. I also believe that while it may appear difficult to enforce, the Witches Knoll seg- ment of Sierra Morena Trail should remain for hikers only. The only other short hiking- only trail in El Corte de Madera to the tafoni formation is not very often invaded illegally. I hope that the full Board will agree with my position, and that we can come to a closure on the endless studies of El Corte de Madera. David Luke, 12 : 46 PM o/17/98 Board: I Support L..a Ad Hoc Co Return-Path: dave@fractalboy. com X-Sender : dluke@shell9 .ba.best . com Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 12 : 46 : 11 -0700 To: mrosd@openspace .org From: David Luke <dave@fractalboy. com> Subject : Board: I Support the Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org Please forward this e-mail to the Board. I Support the Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations I Support the Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations I Support the Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations I Support the Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations I Support the Ad Hoc Committee Recommendations It is amazing to me that the "staff" recommends going against the recommendations of the Ad Hoc committee. I support thinner trails --- trails which force the mountain bikers to go slower, rather than faster. I enjoy a much more rugged feel to my hikes and rides in ECdM. Please support your voters and volunteers . David Luke Santa Clara, CA (408) 244-6906 dave@fractalboy.com David Luke -------- dave@fractalboy. com ----- http: //www. fractalboy.com ------------------------- Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 1 Gary Davis, 01: 17 PM b/17/98 , Future of Mrosd Trc.s,ls Return-Path: gdavis@sesd.org Date : Wed, 17 Jun 1998 13 : 17 : 07 -0700 From: "Gary Davis" <gdavis@sesd.org> To: mrosd@openspace .org Subject : Future of Mrosd Trails X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org To whom it may concern, As a local citizen I support the ad hoc committee' s recommendations for El Corte Madera OSP. I have watched district staff sanitize and plow trails in the interest of safety only to make them more dangerous . As a hiker/ cyclist I prefer primitive and hand built trails to the freeways the district has been building. Once again please approve the ad hoc committee' s recommendations, Gary Davis 152 Charles St . Sunnyvale, CA 94086 Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 1 Ted Ganchiff, 12: 17 PM 6/17/98 Tonight' s meeting Return-Path: tganchiff@elliottdickens .com X-Sender: tganchiff@mail .elliottdickens . com Date : Wed, 17 Jun 1998 12 : 17 : 30 -0700 To: mrosd@openspace.org From: Ted Ganchiff <tganchiff@elliottdickens .com> Subject : Tonight ' s meeting X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org I wish to vote my strong support for the ad hoc committee ' s recomendations related to tonight ' s agenda . I feel that MROSD has not and does not act in the best interest of the public when it de-natures the area ' s trails . You are creating permanent damage, and destroying the trails for today' s and tomorrow' s children. You are in effect turning our natural areas into bulldozed theme parks . Your excuses of maintenance and useability are sad and thin facades for your real motivations and will result in a less safe trail environment for all users . As an area nature lover, businessman, and citizen, I urge you to support the ad hoc committee ' s recommendations . Ted Ganchiff Vice President ElliottlDickens Advertising 97 South Second Street San Jose CA 95113 http: //www.elliottdickens .com v: (408) 280-5105 f : (408) 280-1063 tganchiff@elliottdickens .com I (Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> l i tpark@corp.webty ne, 12 : 36 PM 6/17/98 I support the Adhoc committee' Return-Path: tpark@corp.webtv.net From: tpark@corp.webtv.net Reply-To: <tpark@corp.webtv.net> Sender: "Tim Park" <tpark@corp.webtv.net> To: <mrosd@openspace .org> Subject : I support the Adhoc committee ' s findings on ECDM Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 12 : 36:22 -0700 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4 . 72 .2106. 4 Importance : Normal X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org I will not be able to attend the meeting tonight to speak out, but I strongly support the Adhoc commitee ' s findings to keep the Devil ' s Staircase section of ECDM open to multiuse . I strongly urge the board to adopt the plan as is . I will vote against my representative in the next election if a "yes" vote is not recommended. Tim Park, Mountain View Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 1 REBECCA GRAY@HP-USA, 12 :57 PM 6/17/98 , 6/17, Wea. , MROSD Meeting Return-Path: REBECCA_GRAY@HP-USA-om3l .om.hp. com From: REBECCA_GRAY@HP-USA-om3l .om.hp. com X-OpenMail-Hops : 1 Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1991 12 : 57 : 20 -0400 Subject : 6/17, Wed. , MROSD Meeting TO: mrosd@openspace .org Content-Disposition: i.nline; filename="cc:Mail" X-Rcpt-To: mrosd@openspace .org Dear Malcom, Because I am away on business and obviously can not attend the meeting to night, please present this e-mail to each of the board memebers . I fully support the proposal to keep "Devil ' s Staircase" trail without altering the natural rugged characteristics . I would like to see the MROSD board and staff decide to keep this trail for many reasons that have already been presented and discussed at the proposal meeting. Keeping this trail may be viewed positively the MROSD board and staff are working with the majority of public that support this proposal . Thank you, Rebecca Gray 1622 Ralston Ave. Belmont, CA 94002 Printed for Open Space District <mrosd@openspace.org> 1 Reg,10nal OpenS, - . . m MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT R-98-79 Meeting 98-14 June 17, 1998 AGENDA ITEM lA__ A GENDA ITEM Tentative Adoption of a Use and Management Plan Amendment for the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve AD HOC COMNMTEE'S RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 1. Determine that the recommended actions are categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act as set out in this report. 2. Amend the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve to include the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan as contained in this report. (Please see report R-98-80 with amended recommendations.) 3. Tentatively adopt the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (appropriately amended if you so choose). Background At your May 22, 1996 meeting, you tentatively adopted the Trail Use Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve as an amendment to the preserve's Comprehensive Use and Management Plan. The Trail Use Plan was prepared with the assistance of a seven member citizen task force. To assist in formulating a plan, the preserve was divided into five separate study areas (Attachment 1). The task force then studied each area individually, looking at the designated and unauthorized trails within each study area until a determination was made on which routes should be incorporated into the trail plan, realigned, or closed and restored. After each study area was investigated and a trail plan determined for that area, the group looked at the entire preserve, revising some areas as needed, and determining the necessary connections between the trail systems of the various study areas. The work of the task force was completed in December 1995 and the resulting map was presented to the Use and Management Committee at their January 25, 1996 meeting. During the public review process, which extended over several months, Study Area 2, which contains the Skyline Boulevard frontage south of Skeggs Point, was excluded from the adoption of the plan, pending further study. The Trail Use Plan, minus Study Area 2, was adopted at your June 26, 1996 meeting. Implementation of the adopted plan began immediately with construction of the Resolution, Tafoni, and El Corte de Madera Creek Trails, and realignment and closure of other routes. At your July 9, 1997 meeting, you adopted an amendment to the Use and Management Plan to allow realignment and construction of two sections of trail, identified in the adopted Trail Use 330 Distel Circle * Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 Phone: 050-691-1200 FAX: 650-691-0485 - E-mail: mrosd a o ens ace.or� Web site:www.o ens ace.or p P k P P b Board o/Directors:Pete Siernens,Mary C. Davey,led Cyr, David T.Smernoff, Nonetie Hanko, Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C. Nitz - General Manager:L.Craig Britton I R-98-79 Page 2 Plan as B8 and B10, within Study Area 2. However, at your July 23, 1997 meeting, you voted to reconsider the alignment of Trail. B8 at the request of members of the public. At your August 27, 1997 meeting, following an on-site field trip, you reaffirmed the trail alignment for Trail B8. You also created a Board Ad Hoc Committee to begin the planning process for the Study Area 2 trail use plan. The Ad Hoc Committee's charge was to work with staff and a citizen task force to formulate a trail use plan for Study Area 2. The Ad Hoc Committee is comprised of Directors Crowder (chair), Smernoff and Cyr. Directors Crowder and Smernoff were members of the Use and Management Committee during the formulation of the preserve's adopted Trail Use Plan. Director Crowder, representing the Use and Management Committee, was a member of the original task force. Task Force A citizen task force was again formed to assist staff and the Board Ad Hoc Committee in formulating a Trail Use Plan for Study Area 2. While continuity with the original task force was important, some of the original task force participants have left the Bay Area since completion of the first plan. Several new task force members replaced those not able to continue. The Study Area 2 task force participants are: Berry Stevens, Todd McGee, Earnest Breakfield, Bo Gimbal, Jerry Cooley and Ian and Anne Wright. Mountain bicyclists, hikers, an equestrian, a trail builder and preserve neighbors were represented on the task force. This group also reflect the interests of the first task force members. The task force and Ad Hoc Committee met over a period of approximately six months. Meetings occurred twice each month. Typically, one meeting involved a Saturday field trip at the preserve, investigating existing and proposed trail alignments within the Study Area. The second meeting occurred in the evening at the District office. Here, time was spent discussing policies affecting trail use decisions and reviewing alternate trail alignments. A resulting draft Trail Use Plan Map for Study Area 2 was presented to the public on April 28, 1998 at a meeting of the Board Ad Hoc Committee. At the final meeting of the task force on April 2, an agreement seemed unanimous based upon staffs recommendations. Board Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Approximately 30 people, mainly bicyclists, attended the Board Ad Hoc Committee meeting on April 28. Those present expressed concerns over trails proposed for closure (Trail Segments 71, 79, 87, and 94 - see Attachment 3) or realignment (Trail Segment 94 - see Attachment 3) under the draft plan. Additional comments focused on use of the newly constructed Sierra Morena Trail, currently designated for hiking use only. Following the public comments, a majority of the Ad Hoc Committee members voted to make three amendments to the draft plan and forward it to the full Board for their consideration. These amendments have been incorporated into this report. Staff does not support two of the three amendments and a separate report (R-98-80) is attached which discusses the amendments and proposes alternative recommendations. R-98-79 Page 3 TRAEL USE Backg onnd The remainder of this report contains a brief discussion of Study Area 2 and a series of recommendations. A map is attached which identifies each trail segment (Attachment 3). An accompanying table (Attachment 4) describes the physical characteristics of each of the trail segments. The trail segment numbers are referenced in the following discussion and recommendations. Prior to developing a trail use plan for Study Area 2, District policies pertaining to resource protection and trail use were reviewed. In order to comply with these policies, the trail plan for Study Area 2 should minimize impacts on the resources, integrate the proposed and adopted trail system, and make the area accessible to a variety of preserve users. The District has been criticized by some preserve users for the impacts of new trail construction. The key to developing a healthy trail system that withstands the test of time is to construct a system that can be easily maintained to minimize the effects of erosion and heavy trail use. Some minor slipouts and slides are to be expected in the rugged terrain of this preserve. Most of the new trail construction and realignment work conducted on the preserve has held up well. The problem areas have occurred where the limits of reasonable trail construction have been exceeded to preserve pre-existing access to remote areas of the preserve. Many of the unauthorized trails within the Study Area are built or used in such a way that significantly limit staff's ability to successfully mitigate resource degradation resulting from trail use. Trail segments with steep chutes trap water and become severely eroded. Maintenance of these routes cannot be accommodated without drastically changing the character of the trail. Criteria The task force and Ad Hoc Committee discussed and reaffirmed the criteria below which were used in creating the adopted Trail Use Plan for the preserve. Several additions were made to apply the criteria to Study Area 2 and they are shown below in bold. To develop a plan that: ■ is consistent with Board-adopted policies, particularly those concerning trail use and resource management, ■ integrates the Study Area 2 trails into the adopted Trail Use Plan for the preserve, ■ serves the proposed preserve parking area, ■ protects the natural resources through the selection of trail corridors and construction techniques which minimize resource impacts, ■ considers the maintenance required to sustain it, ■ considers the safe of the trail user in both the physical characteristics of the trail, and P tY Y in minimizing the potential for user conflicts, R-98-79 Page 4 ■ provides opportunities to a variety of trail user groups, ■ offers a variety of loop trails (both long and short), and ■ is interesting, by making use of the variety of landscapes and plant communities. The District Trail Use Guidelines and Mitigation Measures, adopted on January 27, 1993, establish a procedure for designating appropriate trail use on the Districts trails. This procedure includes a trail classification system (Attachment 2 - Trail Class Designations). The three classes of trails are intended as goals to be used in designating trail use or for developing new trails. When trails do not clearly fit into one of the three classes of trails, they are considered on a case-by-case basis. This situation applies to the unauthorized trail system of Study Area 2. Study Area 2 contains trails which far exceed the District's norm for trail standards. Typically, District staff construct new trails with grades primarily in the 10% range, with grades up to 15% for short stretches. Staff experience indicates that over time, trails constructed at 10% grade resist erosion and require less maintenance. Generally, the steeper the trail grade, the faster water is able to travel across or down the trail, resulting in greater erosion. The Bay Area Ridge Trail at Skyline Ridge or the Stevens Creek Nature Trail are examples of trails built to the 10% standard. Both of these trails require minimal trail tread maintenance and provide access to a wide variety of preserve users without significant resource degradation or erosion. Current Access Study Area 2 is located along the Skyline Boulevard corridor, extending south from Skeggs Point. This area of the preserve receives high use, due to its proximity to the highway. There are five access points to the preserve located within Study Area 2; the Skeggs Point (gate CM01), Methuselah (CM02) and Gordon Mill (CM03) Trailheads are the primary access points. There is also a gate located southeast of the Gordon Mill Trailhead (CM04), and a fifth informal entrance located southeast of gate CM04. The Skeggs Point parking area holds approximately 50 vehicles and usually fills to capacity on busy weekends and some summer evenings. Roadside parking adjacent to the Methuselah and Gordon Mill trailheads also fills to capacity on many weekends. Skeggs Point is designated by Caltrans as a roadside rest area. It is located approximately 0.1 mile from the preserve entrance at gate CM01. Traffic moves quickly in this stretch of Skyline Boulevard. Line of sight for motorists is a problem; Skeggs Point is located on the outside bend of a long sweeping turn. The highway shoulders through this area are minimal. Proposed Access In order to develop on-site parking to serve the preserve, staff is currently working with a landscape architect to design conceptual parking plans for a 50 to 75 vehicle parking area. Several alternatives are currently being evaluated; they will be presented to you at a later date. Line of sight constraints on Skyline Boulevard limit the driveway possibilities to one location R-98-79 Page 5 south of the Gordon Mill trailhead. Trail and Use Characteristics This Study Area has the greatest density of trails, compared to the remaining preserve. This is probably due to the close proximity of the highway. Because the Study Area is relatively small, many of the trail routes duplicate other nearby routes. Many of the trail routes are steep and the surrounding terrain does not lend itself to realignment. Mapping the trail segments and logging the physical characteristics of each trail segment was conducted in the early 1990s. While conducting reconnaissance for the task force meetings for Study Area 2, staff found an alarming increase in the number of unauthorized trails in Study Area 2. Staff estimate that the newly created trails cover about 2.5 miles either within the Study Area or in close proximity. Since these trails were not mapped during the early 1990s inventory, it may be deduced that they did not exist or were receiving no use at that time. Most of these appear to be trails created by "exploring on bicycle." Staff has posted most of these routes closed and will continue to monitor the use on the remainder of the routes. Staff has conducted visitor counts at various times within the last several years. The use of the preserve has increased over the past several years with bicyclists comprising approximately 80% of the preserve users and hikers comprising the remaining 20%. While preserve use has increased over the period of time that visitor count surveys have been conducted, the bicyclist to hiker ratio has remained the same. Thus, use from both user groups has increased at approximately the same rate. Trail Circulation Patterns Developing a Trail Use Plan for Study Area 2 first entails identifying the existing patrol roads. These trails are primarily road width and are used for emergency response, vehicle patrol, and maintenance of the preserve by the District ranger and maintenance staff. They pre-date the District's ownership of the property and were built and used by former owners as logging roads. The patrol roads of El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve were originally identified during review of the Interim Use and Management Plan for the preserve in August 1989 (see report R-89-124). Since these routes are necessary for patrol and maintenance purposes, they serve as the framework for the proposed trail system. This is consistent with trail use plans for other District preserves. The use characteristics of the preserve are anticipated to change upon development of a parking area. Once a parking area is completed and roadside signing installed, many other visitors will discover and enjoy the preserve. Trail use by hikers and other low intensity preserve users will tend to be concentrated within several miles of the parking area. A typical preserve visit is several hours in length. For hikers, this means a hike of several miles. Bicyclists are able to travel much greater distances within the same amount of time. The trail circulation patterns proposed in the Trail Use Plan for Study Area 2 use the patrol roads as the foundation for the trail system. The trail system is rounded out with the R-98-79 Page 6 incorporation of existing unauthorized trails segments and new trail construction. Loop trails of approximately two and four miles in length were included in Study Area 2 to create less demanding trail experiences to meet the needs of a variety of visitors. Most hikers and families with children who visit the preserve will use these trails and consider their visit to the preserve complete. Bicyclists who seek a more challenging experience will continue to have access to the remainder of the preserve trail system. In order to lessen the potential for trail conflicts between low intensity trail users and bicyclists, this plan encourages bicyclists to travel through the Study Area to access the remaining interior trail network, while hikers will spend the majority of their preserve visit within the Study Area. The proposed plan does not eliminate bicycle use. However, it does encourage the bicyclists who are seeking a more challenging experience to move through the Study Area and into the interior of the preserve. Staff feels the characteristics of the proposed trail system within Study Area 2 should more closely follow the District's standards for trail construction and maintenance. Preserve visitors who may use the parking area will have certain expectations of the trail system and amenities that they will find on the preserve, particularly within close proximity of the parking area. Trail grades should be at or near the 10% standard employed on other preserves. New trail widths should reflect the District's multiple use standards of five to six feet, to accommodate the heavier use anticipated near the trailhead. This also enables various preserve users to pass each other without having to leave the trail tread. Steeper grades limit access only to the very able-bodied. Bay Area Ridge Trail The task force extended their charge beyond the bounds of Study Area 2 to research a trail connection between the proposed parking area and the Bear Gulch Road access to the preserve. This trail alignment plays an important role in completing the perimeter trail concept introduced in the adopted Trail Use Plan. Further, once constructed, it will become part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail alignment through the preserve. Staff reviewed the proposed trail plan with the San Mateo County Committee of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. At present, the Bay Area Ridge Trail is located on the east side of Skyline Boulevard, linking Hudda.rt County Park and the Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve with Wunderlich County Park opposite the southernmost Skyline Boulevard entrance to the preserve. The Bay Area Ridge Trail also crosses lands of the California Water Service Company. The long range Ridge Trail alignment crosses Skyline Boulevard, travels through El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve, and connects with La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Trails. The Committee recommends crossing Skyline Boulevard at the Methuselah Trailhead (gate CM02). This location provides sufficient visibility on Skyline Boulevard to facilitate a highway crossing for preserve visitors. The designated Ridge Trail alignment is located below the Methuselah Trail on the east side of Skyline Boulevard. Staff should work with Caltrans, the County of San Mateo, and the California Water Service Company to determine if a trail connection can be made at this point. R-98-79 Page 7 Recommendations (Study Area 2) 2.01 Retain the Fir Trail (Segments 62, 63, and 65), Methuselah Trail (Segments 67, 68 and 69), and Gordon Mill Trail (Segments 74, 75 78, 80, 83, 84 and 85) as a multi-use patrol route. 2.02 Portions of the unnamed patrol route (Segment 86) between gates CM03 and CM04 may require realignment or abandonment upon development of parking in the area. A final determination of this Trail Segment will be considered during the review of the parking lot design. 2.03 Close and restore Trail Segment 64 immediately. It was built as a driveway to a house which has since been demolished and the site restored. This route duplicates the Fir Trail. 2.04 The development of the new Sierra Morena Trail utilized portions of Segment 66. The remaining portions of Segment 66 not incorporated into the new trail alignment should be closed and restored immediately. 2.05 Close and restore Trail Segment 70 immediately. Trail traffic should be directed to the Sierra Morena Trail. 2.06 Close and restore Trail Segment 71 (commonly known as "Nosebreak") immediately. This route is very steep and eroded. In several places as it makes its way down the ridge, it has evolved into a series of braided trails as one area has become eroded and a new travel way created. Tree roots are exposed and water is being channeled downhill. This route cannot be maintained in its current alignment. Rerouting the problem areas would create an entirely new trail and change the trail experience. 2.07 A portion of Trail Segment 72, including the creek crossing near the Timberview Trail junction will be utilized upon construction of a proposed route (see Recommendation 2.17). Until such time as that trail is constructed, Trail Segment 72 should be closed. The remainder of the trail segment will be closed and restored immediately. 2.08 Retain Trail Segment 76 ("Voodoo or Totem"). Realign the lower portion of the trail at its junction with the unnamed patrol road which links Gordon Mill Trail with the Bear Gulch Road gate CM05. This section of trail is extremely steep and eroded. 2.09 Close and restore Trail Segment 79 immediately between its junction with Trail Segment 70 and the Sierra Morena Trail. 2.10 Retain the lower portion of Trail Segment 79 between its junction with the Sierra Morena Trail and its connection with the Gordon Mill Trail. Realignment of approximately 100 feet of Segment 79 is needed at its junction with the Gordon Mill R-98-79 Page 8 Trail. (Please see attached Report R-98-80 for the alternate staff recommendation.) 2.11 Close and restore Trail Segment 81 immediately. The upper section of this route trespasses across private property. 2.12 Retain the Skyline County Water District main water line access route (Trail Segment 82). This route is steep and eroded and would not be recommended for retention were it not for the water district easement. Through the use of signing, encourage trail users to use surrounding trails. 2.13 Close Trail Segment 87. Retain the upper portion of the trail for use during the construction of the trail described in Recommendation 2.16 below. Restore the remainder immediately. 2.14 Close and restore Trail Segment 90. 2.15 Retain Trail Segments 77, 91 and 92. Approximately three areas of Segment 92 are in need of realignment to lessen the grade, and thus lessen the erosion potential. The remainder of the retained trail suffered from this year's winter storms. The trail tread requires restoration and the installation of drainage features to alleviate further erosion. 2.16 Staff will work with a three-person committee of ROMP members to work out an agreement to realign and restore portions of Trail Segment 92, while maintaining the character of the trail. (Staff recommends deleting this amendment; please refer to Report R-98-80) 2.17 Retain the lower portion of Trail Segment 94. Eliminate the gated access from Skyline Boulevard and close and restore the section of trail near the existing gate. 2.18 Construct a new trail linking the upper portion of Trail Segment 87 with Trail Segment 94. This helps to create a perimeter trail system and will most likely become one of the primary routes out of the parking area upon construction of the lot. 2.19 Construct a new trail linking the lower portion of Trail Segment 72 with the Gordon Mill Trail. This new alignment helps to create a four mile loop from the parking area by utilizing the Sierra Morena Trail and Timberview Trail. 2.20 Construct a new trail along the eastern border of the Study Area, extending down toward the CM05 gate at Bear Gulch Road. This route helps to create a perimeter trail system and will become part of the Bay Area Ridge Trail. This trail is a low priority pending determination of through trail access to La Honda Creek Preserve. 2.21 Designate all of the retained, realigned or new trails outlined in the Trail Use Plan for Study Area 2 as multi-use trails (including the Sierra Morena Trail). R-98-79 Page 9 2.22 Work with Caltrans, the County of San Mateo and California Water Service Company staff to determine if a trail connection can be made to link El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve trails to the Bay Area Ridge Trail located on the east side of Skyline Boulevard near the Methuselah Trailhead. If successful, designate the Ridge Trail route through the preserve upon completion of the proposed trail routes outlined above. implementation Upon adoption of the trailplan, the unauthorized trails which are proposed for retention in Po P P Po their current alignment will become designated trails. Other trails will become designated trails as realignments are completed or as new trails are constructed. Until the trail plan is completely implemented, the public map and designated trail system will continue to change, as new additions to the designated trail system are added. The maintenance needs of the proposed trail system will require additional field staff time. Initial trail alignment investigations are general. When the trail alignment is determined prior to construction, a resource specialist or botanist will field check the layout to assure the finalized alignment does not impact any threatened or endangered plant species. Staff has spoken to a consultant who is familiar with the area and is ready to participate in the project. CFEQA COMPI.IANCF. Project Descrip ion This project includes the development of a Trail Use Plan for a small area of El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve, known as Study Area 2. The project also includes the implementation of the Trail Use Plan which will entail closure and restoration of some unauthorized trail routes, realignment of other routes, and new trail construction of approximately 2.2 miles of multiple use trail. Implementation of this Trail Use Plan will retain approximately the same number of trail miles (7.0) by constructing 2.2 miles of new trails, repairing 1.7 miles of trail, and eliminating 1.6 miles of unauthorized trails. If the amendments contained in report R-98-80 are approved, an additional 0.3 miles of unauthorized trail would be closed and restored. Fences, gates and signs will be installed to direct trail users to designated trails and restrict entry into areas undergoing restoration. In addition, a trail bridge will be constructed at the creek crossing near the Timberview Trail as part of the trail development. A trail crossing on Skyline Boulevard is recommended to connect the Bay Area Ridge Trail to trails on the preserve. To accomplish this, trail rights or easements will need to be obtained. Trail construction on the east side of Skyline Boulevard is proposed on private property and within Caltrans right of way. Preliminary investigation indicates the crossing can be safely provided by installing appropriate signs required by Caltrans. It is not clear at this time who the appropriate lead agency is in undertaking this aspect of the Trail Use Plan. R-98-79 Page 10 PrQ.ject Determination under CEQA The project is categorically exempt under sections 15303, 15304 and 15061 of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines. Categorical Exemption 15303 - New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures The trail bridge to be installed near the Timberview Trail will be approximately six feet wide g PP Y and approximately 20 feet in length. Footings will be small and placed on existing banks with no disruption to the creekbed. Gates and fences will be under five feet in height and not obstruct wildlife movement. Categorical Exemption 15304 - Minor Alterations to Land Trail construction will consist of minor grading and clearing of vegetation in order to provide four- to six-foot-wide trails with unobtrusive cut and fill side slopes. Trail grades will generally be under 10% and drainage designed to minimize soil erosion. Trail alignments in the Trail Use Plan are general and subject to minor changes during the construction phase to protect sensitive resources. Techniques for eliminating and restoring unauthorized trails will be site specific and may include soil decompaction, brush packing, seeding and drainage controls. A trail crossing on Skyline Boulevard will also be a minor alteration and replicate other similar highway crossings permitted by Caltrans. They will require sufficient line-of- sight and a crossing sign to provide safe access across the road. The Trail Use Plan qualifies under both sections. In addition, the actions proposed in the Trail Use Plan are exempt under section 15061, as there is no possibility the actions may have a significant effect on the environment. Prepared by: Mary de Beauvieres, Acting Senior Planner John Escobar, Operations Supervisor Ad Hoc Committee: Directors Betsy Crowder, David Smemoff, Jed Cyr Contact person: Mary de Beauvieres, Acting Senior Planner Ad Hoc Committee: Directors Betsy Crowder, David Smemoff, Jed Cyr El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve TRAIL USE PLAN STUDY AREAS Hiking Only Trails Multi-Use Trails Swett Road Patrol Routes/Multi-Use Trails ® Temporarily Closed Trails (6/98) e�V/P b 22no ad�a = rc FI Co `JF. de'3 C,'e!k T�,11 f y v� 7 ... (CMO1) i on1 Trai/ n TaT \ ro .T o. S eggs Point Sandstone U�'� U.9 1.0Formation i�•\p"' Point 1.0 & DY.AREA l ) •1.5 (CM07)'� US �• 2200 ahj1 Vista BOO ,F 21100 Point�/. 0.2 -.0 0.1�.\\\! (CM02) A �O5i ••0.1 0.s 0.6 2200 STUDY AREA 5,(1 ,3 2��(, 2000 NG r A 0.8 1600 �6• �� C. r 0.7 0.2 ` ` (CM03) 0.5 1 , 0'4 °' STUDY AREA 3 .STUDY AREA'2 CM04 44. rider 0.9 t 0.2 ,o��. ✓O ��a 2 �a Old Gm 0rc 0.3 14(10 ` Redw ra* 1.3 3 c 1800 a ` , "1 1600 4 14001 d /k boa / 0.1(�5) !I V1rg1P`� ®� STUDY AREA 4 V 0.2. t r' ��\ 1.3 1y� 1-- \ . (CM06) N 0.6 0.2 2 2.5 2.5 .- ypsaM ;rai/ /awrence� Trail-`\ / 1600 800 1000 16(Itl 6198 ON 0.0 .1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 1.0 '. One Mlle Attachment 1 Proposed ail Use Plan : Audy Area 2 El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve (CMO1) Multi-Use Trails 64 654f Skeggs o Point Patrol Routes (Multi-Use) 0 Close and Restore ' 66; •. New Construction/Realignment (Multi-Use) O" bTrad (CM02) G`' ,67 69`O 68 a ; - 70 ; 82 0e ON�o �i--- - -o 0 2200r,'� 72� �,.._ 81, 2000 79 ' 2160' 41#* 83'= = 84 (CM03} Proposed '7a75- o Parking Area 4'' 91 87 -�85{•. ��n (CM04)% G) •' ;78P 00 86 v � 2000 76 ;C • ` 92 Trail �; ` ' ad too Study Area 2 +�•== lei Context Map (CMOs) not to scale Attachment 3 6/98 ATTTACHMENT 3 Trail Class Designations Class A Trail Trail Use Suitability Hiking Equestrian Running Bicycling � Examples Monte Bello - Upper & Lower Canyon Trail \ :1 Russian Ridge - Ridge Trail 10 feet Statistics G-- 6feet -p Represents approximately 60% of District trails Width: 6 to 10 feet Grade: Varying grade Significant Problems Side Slope: Varying slope Speed increases on wide trails and roads Line of Sight: More than 75 feet Class B Trail • ti Trail Use Suitability Hiking Equestrian Running Bicycling -� Examples Long Ridge -Parking to Peters Creek Monte Bello - Parking lot to Skyline sRz6 fed - a—/feet Statistics Width: 4 to 6 feet Represents approximately 10% of District trails Grade: Las than 15% Side Slope: Lets than 30% Significant Problems Line of Sight:More than 100 feet Passing often requires moving off trail Class C Trail Trail Use Suitability Hiking Running Examples Purisima Creek Redwoods -Soda Gulch Trail St. Joseph's Hill -Jones Trail 4 feet Statistics 2 feet Represents approximately S% of District trails Width: 2 to 4 feet Grade: Varying grade Side Slope: More than 30°,6 Significant Problems Line of Sight: Mort than SO feet Speed is alarming on blind turns i Attachment 4 El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve Trail Use Plan for Study Area 2 Physical Characteristics of Trail Segments Y � Segment Length Width Average Grade Max. Grade Segment 62 0.1 mi. 8+ ft 0-5% n/a Segment 63 0.03 mi. 8+ ft 0-5% n/a Segment 64 0.11 mi. 8+ ft 11-25% 25% Segment 65 0.16 mi. 8+ ft 6-10% 10% Segment 66 0.37 mi. 6+ ft 0-30% 37% Segment 67 0.34 mi 8 ft 0-15% 11% Segment 68 0.07 mi. 8+ ft 0-10% 10% Segment 69 0.01 mi. 8+ ft 0-5% n/a Segment 70 0.10 mi. 8+ ft 6-20% 24% Segment 71 0.48 mi. 6+ ft 15-35+% 45% Segment 72 0.14 mi. 3 ft 6-15% 42% Segment 74 0.19 mi. 8 ft 6-10% 8% Segment 75 0.51 mi. 8 ft 0-15% 12% Segment 76 0.51 mi. 6+ ft 0-30% 39 Segment 77 0.03 mi. 8 ft 6-10% 9% Segment 78 0.01 mi. 8 ft 6-10% 8% Segment 79 0.40 mi. 8 ft 21-30% 37% Segment 80 0.24 mi. 8 ft 6-10% 8% Segment 81 0.08 mi. 8 ft 31+ 40% Segment 82 0.27 mi. 8 ft 0-20% 35% Segment 83 0.30 mi. 8 ft 6-15% 11% Segment 84 0.01 mi. 8 ft 6-10% 8% Segment 85 0.02 mi. 8 ft 6-10% 870 Segment 86 0.26 mi. 8 ft 0-10% 17% Segment Length Width Average Grade Max Grade Segment 87 0.36 mi. 8 ft 0-20% 35% Segment 90 0.06 mi 8 ft 16-30% 27% Segment 91 0.15 mi. 5 ft 0-20% 21% .4 - 25% 40% Segment 92 0 5 mi 8 f t 11 g Segment 94 0.28 mi. 8 ft 16-20% 17% Regional Open ace R-98-80 MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT Meeting 98-14 June 17, 1998 AGENDA ITEM -I R REPORT June 10, 1998 To: Board of Directors From: L. Craig Britton, General Manager Prepared by: Mary de Beauvieres, Acting Senior Planner John Escobar, Operations Manager Subject: Alternate Staff Recommendation on the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve GENERAL MANAGER'S ALTERNATE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS Amend the Comprehensive Use and Management Plan for El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve to include the Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan as contained in report R-98-79, replacing Recommendation 2.10 with the amended recommendation listed below, and delete Recommendation 2.16. Discussion At the April 28 meeting of the El Corte de Madera Creek Trail Ad Hoc Committee, three amendments to the task force Study Area 2 Trail Use Plan were proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee. The amendments were supported by two of the three committee members. The amendments are discussed in detail below. Staff does not support two of the three amendments. District Policy Review In order to develop a Trail Use Plan for this Study Area, existing District policies relating to management and use of the land were considered. These policies were developed to help direct staff efforts for proper planning and management of open space lands. Basic Policy Objective #1 (draft dated May 6, 1998), states the District's mission is: To acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity; protect and restore the natural environment; and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. 330 Distel Circle • Los Altos, CA 94022-1404 • Phone:650-691-1200 FAX:650-691-0485 • E-mail:mrosd@openspace.org • web site:www.openspace.org Board of Directors:Pete Siemens,Mary C.Davey,led Cyr,David T.Smernoff,Nonette Hanko,Betsy Crowder,Kenneth C.Nitz • General Manager:L.Craig Britton R-98-80 Page 2 :Basic Policy Objective #2 (draft dated May 6, 1998), states: Open Space Management: The District follows management policies that ensure proper care of the land, that provide public access appropriate to the nature of the land, and that are consistent with ecological values and public safety. The District's Resource Management Mission Statement reads: The District will protect and restore the diversity and integrity of its resources for their value to the environment and to people, and will provide for the use of the preserves consistent with resource protection. In order to achieve its resource management mission, the District will employ various strategies. For example, the following strategies apply to the conditions at El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. ■ Favor protection of resources when use significantly interferes with resource protection and preservation. ■ Prevent or minimize human-caused and accelerated impacts, including erosion, invasion by non-native species, disruption of the natural flow of water, degradation of water quality, trampling of vegetation, and displacement of wildlife. Ad Hoc Committee Amendments ■ Amendment 1 (Included in Recommendation 2.21, report R-98-79): Designate all of the retained, realigned or new trails outlined in the Trail Use Plan for Study Area 2 as multi-use trails (including the Sierra Morena Trail). The Plan proposed by the task force showed a section of the Sierra Morena Trail as open to hiking traffic only. Staff proposed designating the entire Sierra Morena Trail for multi-use based upon feedback obtained from District field staff after the task force had concluded its proceedings. Designation as a multi-use trail is consistent with the standards with which this trail was constructed. It is wide enough to allow for safe passage by various user groups. ■ Amendment 2 (Recommendation 2.10, report R-98-79): Retain the lower portion of Trail Segment 79 between its junction with the Sierra Morena Trail and its connection with the f Segment T i n i Mill Trail. Realignment of approximately 100 feet o Se e t 9 s needed at is Gordon � 1'r y s junction with the Gordon Mill Trail. R-98-80 Page 3 This trail is an old logging skid road. It begins its descent from the Sierra Morena Trail, steepening to grades of up to 37% as it nears the Gordon Mill Trail. In its steepest section, the skid road has eroded to create a deep trough. Since water has had nowhere to go but down the trough, it has eroded over time, depositing the spoils at a flattened area below. At the lowest point of the trough, bedrock and large tree roots are exposed. The trail's common name of "Devil's Staircase" comes from this section of the trail. Erosion has already taken its toll on the lower parts of the trail. With the bedrock exposed, erosion has slowed considerably. The upper portions of the trail, nearer its junction with the Sierra Morena Trail, could be maintained with drainage features. However, where water has created the trough, drainage features will not prevent continued erosion. To effectively move water off the trail the trail tread would need to be reconstructed to the outside edge of the old skid road and the existing alignment restored. This would dramatically change the characteristics of the trail, removing the "technical challenge" and replacing it with a smoother, but very steep (37%) trail. However, given the steepness of this alignment, erosion would continue to be a significant degradation of the preserve's natural resources. If incorporated into the District's trail system, this trail would be one of the steepest, most eroded trails of the entire preserve, and maybe within the entire District. Its physical characteristics are far outside any District standard. It cannot be brought closer to a District standard with minor rerouting or the addition of drainage features. With the anticipated increase in use that will accompany parking area development, this trail gives unsuspecting trail users a false sense of what they can expect to find here. "Devil's Staircase" is centrally located in the area anticipated to have the highest concentration of low intensity users upon completion of the parking area and development of the associated trails. Injecting a trail with a grade of 37% into an area catering to low intensity uses may increase the potential for user conflicts. Staff strongly recommends closing and restoring this route immediately. ■ Amendment 3 (see Recommendation 2.16, report R-98-79): Staff will work with a three- person committee of ROMP members to work out an agreement to realign and restore portions of Trail Segment 92, while maintaining the character of the trail. This amendment allows the bicycling community, one of many stakeholders in the District- wide trail system, to help determine how a multi-use trail, available to all preserve users, should be realigned and restored. Staff has over 20 years of experience in constructing and maintaining multi-use trails. The high standards for trail construction and maintenance which have been developed over this period of time are reflected in the District's trail system. The bicycling community, represented in this case by ROMP (Responsible Organized R-98-80 Page 4 Mountain Pedalers), is one of many stakeholders in the District-wide trail system. Staff feels it is inappropriate for a single stakeholder group to determine the standards to which multi-use public trails should be realigned, restored or maintained. This trail segment will become part of a two mile loop trail from the proposed parking area. It will undoubtedly become one of the most heavily traveled hiker and low intensity use trails on the preserve and should accommodate a wide range of abilities. Staff worked with ROMP volunteers to determine the layout of the extension of the Leaf Trail. Volunteers provided by ROMP have built the trail; the construction is nearing completion. The Leaf Trail extension project is located in a remote area of the preserve which limits its accessibility to bicyclists and very able hikers. In contrast, the trail affected by this amendment is much more accessible to a wider variety of preserve visitors and should be constructed to the same multi-use standards as employed in the remainder of the District's preserves. The trail was heavily damaged during this year's winter storms and is in need of major trail tread work. Staff recommends deleting this amendment, allowing staff to determine the best approach to realign and restore this trail to serve the needs of multiple use. mm a of Recommendations (Amended) 2.10 Close and restore Trail Segment 79 immediately between its junction with the Sierra Morena Trail and its connection with the Gordon Mill Trail. 2.16 Delete