HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/16/2018 Item 9, Mourenza
Lydia Mourenza <
To:E-mail Council Website; Harmon, Heidi; Pease, Andy; Gomez, Aaron; Christianson,
Carlyn; Rivoire, Dan
Subject:City Council 1/16/2018 #9 Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve
PLEASE POST
The purpose of the Cerro San Luis Natural Reserve is the protection of natural resources including wildlife and habitat.
The position of Natural Resources Manager (NRM) was established to ensure protection of our open spaces.
Parks & Recreation is now attempting to usurp authority over our open space and natural reserves which would defeat
the exact reason the NRM position was created. The current attempt to convert open space to nighttime active use
demonstrates the goal of the Parks Director to convert our open spaces and natural reserves from preservation to
recreation. NRM position needs to remain under Administration, as it has been since created to guarantee
independence.
“Passive” Recreation may be allowed in our open space/natural reserves if there is no degradation of the natural
resources. Activities such as hiking, bird watching, plant identification, sketching and painting are reasonably
contemplated.
Mountain biking does not fall in this category. It has caused erosion of the trails readily evidenced by the increase of
mud in the runoff into Old Garden Creek and others adjacent. The damage caused by mountain biking far exceeds the
effects of hiking.
The City residents passed Measure G, taxing ourselves, to fund Open Space Preservation, not active recreation that is
destructive to the land and compromising habitat and wildlife.
I urge you to abandon any trial night use of our natural reserves. If anything is undertaken it should be a valid wildlife
and use assessment including strict enforcement of the current regulations and restrictions, and tracking of all the
common entry points to Cerro San Luis.
Lydia & Bob Mourenza
Anholm
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