HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/16/2021 Item 12, Rowley
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Sandra Rowley <
To:Harmon, Heidi; Christianson, Carlyn; Pease, Andy; Stewart, Erica A; Marx, Jan
Cc:Hill, Robert; Johnson, Derek; CityClerk
Subject:Item 12, Study Session - Open Space Winter Hours
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Dear Mayor Harmon and Members of the Council,
Protection of Open Space extends to wildlife. Aside from the Pilot Program, we have allowed hiking and biking
from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset in order to accommodate people as well as the
wildlife that live in our Natural Reserves.
Unfortunately, Terra Verde Environmental was unable to obtain a true baseline of wildlife activity, i.e.,
without human interference, in the Cerro Vista Natural Reserve in 2017 because of the after-hours nighttime
use which was already (illegally) occurring. Anyone who lives near any of the Natural Reserves knows that
some after-hours hiking/biking has occurred for years. And many residents have seen the videos taken by
mountain bikers on Bishop's Peak who were racing along trails in the dark, headlight blazing; residents report
the same activity occurring on Cerro San Luis.
Although the data is not as thorough as anticipated, there are things we can learn from the knowledge and
the data accumulated by Terra Verde's primary and wildlife biologists.
1. Wildlife can be particularly sensitive to disturbances during the breeding, nesting and rearing season which for most species is
from February through early September. Thus increased use during this period may have the greatest negative impact on
wildlife. Additional data indicates we also have animals who begin their breeding, nesting and rearing season in January.
2. Each year that the Pilot Program was in existence both legal and illegal nighttime hiking and biking increased. * See columns 1
and 2 in the chart below.
The fact that there is a segment of the population that wants to avail themselves of exercise and/or
recreation within our Natural Reserves "after hours" does not make it a good idea. Nor does it mean we must
accommodate them. There are other means and locations for exercise/recreation and/or meditation that can
be substituted during nighttime hours. Simply because someone does not wish to do so does not make it
impossible, nor is it a good enough reason to infringe on the wildlife's breeding, nesting and rearing season.
Recommendations:
1. Discontinue use of the term "Open Space," it denotes wide open spaces with limited flora and fauna. Call these areas what they
are: Natural Reserves.
1
2. Discontinue the expanded hours of use. If the expansion is made permanent, usage will continue to rise creating additional
negative impacts on wildlife and their habitat.
3. Employ maximum use of Ranger Services for enforcement until the public is aware that the expanded hours of use have been
discontinued. Just as there was a build up of use over the three years of the Pilot Program, there will be a learning period associated
with discontinuing the expanded hours.
4. If and only if you believe you absolutely must accommodate those who want expanded hours, confine the expansion to November
and December when breeding, nesting and offspring-rearing will be least affected.
Thank you for your consideration of this input.
Sincerely,
Sandra Rowley
SLO Resident
* From Attachment B, page 28
2
3 Year Overview
Year Total Ranger In OS wo/Permit # Turned Away Hours Citations
Contacts Logged