Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/16/2021 Item 12, Cooper Wilbanks, Megan From:Allan Cooper < To:Hermann, Greg; Hill, Robert; E-mail Council Website; Harmon, Heidi; Christianson, Carlyn; Stewart, Erica A; Pease, Andy; Marx, Jan Subject:Letter To The Council Attachments:703_14_21...lettertocouncil.pdf This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond. Dear Greg and Robert - Would you kindly forward this letter to the City Council? This letter pertains to the Council's March 16, 2021 Study Session #12 "Open Space Winter Evening Hours of Use". Thanks! - Allan 1 To: San Luis Obispo City Council Re: March 16, 2021 Study Session #12 - Open Space Winter Evening Hours of Use Pilot Program From: Allan Cooper, San Luis Obispo CA Date: March 14, 2021 Honorable Mayor Harmon and Council Members - I am urging you to request that staff provide additional information and analysis prior to taking further action. Permit me to explain why additional information might be needed by citing the following bullet points: •No wildlife monitoring has so far been reported (or taken place?) over the past several years. Mr. Robert Hill, the City’s Natural Resources Manager, has claimed in the past that such wildlife monitoring is either technically or economically infeasible. This is patently untrue. This monitoring is commonly achieved by methods such as 1) directly observing animals and their behavior in situ; 2) looking for signs of animals (e.g. tracks, dung); 3) radar; thermal cameras; capture/mark/release of animals; or 4) attaching or implanting monitoring devices (e.g. collars, leg bands, back packs or data loggers). •The City has had on its payroll Terre Verde Environmental to do this wildlife monitoring. How much money has literally been thrown away because the Council has been asked in the past (and is currently being asked today) to make a decision on the continuation of this “pilot” program without the benefit of any input from this consultant? •Staff has recommended that the City retain the services of (presumably another) professional environmental consulting firm to determine the need for any technical studies should the Council agree to some form of continuation of the expanded hours of use. Shouldn’t these services be undertaken before the Council makes this decision? These findings could and should influence the Council's final decision. Regarding concerns regarding night time mountain biking: •Mountain biking is an “extreme sport” (see: https://www.diymountainbike.com/mountain- biking-extreme-sport/). •Extreme sports should not be allowed in parkland settings specifically set aside for “passive” recreation. •Night time mountain biking is extremely dangerous. I’m sure you’ve heard the saying,“there are two types of mountain bikers: those that have crashed and those who will.” •Allowing night time mountain bikers to share their trails with hikers is reckless. That a City government would condone such a combination of activities is a dereliction of its duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of its citizens. Finally, regarding the City’s priorities relative to our Climate Action Plan: •Our planet is currently experiencing a mass extinction crisis largely due to over urbanization. Humanity has wiped out 60% of all animal populations since 1970. In light of this, wildlife conservation should be a highly prioritized goal on the City’s Climate Action Plan for Community Recovery. Sadly, this goal does not appear in either Volume I or Volume II of the City’s Climate Action Plan. •Finally, the City is confronting a fiscal crisis. Staff has noted that this program has been very burdensome on our Natural Resources and Ranger Service personnel and it is anticipated that moving forward with some form of a permanent program will come at the expense of other Council priorities. Where does this fit into the context of the Council’s recently articulated goals for 2021-2023? The Council prioritized "preservation and enhancement of open space and urban forest” under the heading of “Climate Action, Open Space and Sustainable Transportation”. •But where is the priority of preservation and enhancement of our wildlife community? Converting wildlife preserves into active recreational zones may be considered by some as “open space” enhancement, but this runs completely counter to the continued preservation and enhancement of our wildlife community. Should you decide instead to continue this Open Space Winter Hours of Use program, then please exercise your due diligence by removing henceforth any night time mountain biking on Cerro San Luis. Thank you!