HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/16/2021 Item 12, McLean (2)
Wilbanks, Megan
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Subject:March 16, 2021 Council mtg. item #12: Cerro San Luis night recreation
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PLEASE PLACE WITH AGENDA CORRESPONDENCE ITEM 12. Thank you.
To: San Luis Obispo Mayor and City Council:
Cerro San Luis is one of the most spectacular and precious natural resources of San Luis Obispo. As
San Luis Obispo is growing the pressures on the Natural Reserve is increasing and the wildlife and
habitat are akin to those on a small island with no other place to move adjacent to their home/habitat.
Those of us who live close to the mountain see less wildlife as the years pass.
Where there used to be one long trail winding to the top of Cerro San Luis with narrow cattle trails
here and there the City has allowed 36 named trails to be established on Cerro San Luis. The wildlife
and their habitat on Cerro San Luis are already being negatively impacted by human activity,
including bright LED lights, bells, noise, off-leash dogs trail-building and off-trail use in the Natural
Reserve. Wildlife needs uninterrupted time in their habitat for survival without human interference.
Extended winter hours of use on the mountain are especially detrimental to nocturnal wildlife and their
habitat. They unfortunately have no voice with which to speak on this issue. Natural Reserves are
not parks. There are large State and County Parks in our area which allow biking and hiking until 10
p.m. Poly Canyon, Los Padres National Forest have unlimited hours for use. Montana de Oro is open
from dawn to 10 p.m. (7,000 acres). Their habitats provide more space for wildlife to avoid humans.
In addition, please consider the nighttime conflicts this creates with the adjacent residential
neighborhoods as many using the mountain access it through unauthorized streets and private
property surrounding the mountain. The mountain is like a sieve with people accessing at Fernandez
(the official trailhead), the end of Hill St., the top of Serrano Dr., Hermosa, La Entrada, Tassajara,
Mountain View, Luneta and countless yards. There is no way to regulate the number of users since
so many enter through Cerro San Luis' adjacent residential neighborhoods and not at the Fernandez
Rd. official entrance. Your 65 per night plan is frankly ridiculous since you're only counting the
1
Fernandez access for permits and there obviously are many more swiftly moving LED lights visible
up there every night.
The 2 year 'pilot' program has now been a 3 year program. Please discontinue what amounts to
wildlife abuse and cruelty on Cerro San Luis. Please consider species equity in your deliberations.
Please do not further degrade the wildlife of Cerro San Luis and do not weaken this longstanding
Natural Reserve/Open Space Protection. The primary purpose of Natural Reserves/Open Space is
protection of wildlife, their habitat and other natural resources. Cerro San Luis is being loved to
death.
Sincerely,
Cheryl McLean
Anholm
San Luis Obispo
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