Jonathan Wittwer Presentation to RBDA
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Opening Remarks
- Jonathan Wittwer introduction
- 1:10 - The involved non-governmental organizations (including a joint proposal for a southern entrance alternative now supported in concept by BLM)
- 5:45 - Background (maps and survey)
- 14:35 - Regulatory context
- 19:25 - Why do we care? Are our concerns important enough to justify the resulting delay when BLM resists? Are we being constructive? Are we just a bunch of NIMBYs?
- 23:5 - Recap
Fire Prevention -
- 24:03 - Remaining Problem: Original Plans for 2nd Terrace Parking Lots in or adjoining mapped Critical Fire Hazard Areas
- 24:45 - Progress re Camping being eliminated (with minor exceptions) and Day use only becoming the rule as well as Campfires being prohibited year-round
Click on the "Play" button in the lower left hand corner to start each video.
Wildlife Protection
- Remaining Problem: Original Plans for 2nd Terrace Parking Lots in mountain lion, bobcat and other wildlife habitat reached by long access roads with high fencing on both sides should be formally abandoned at both Northern and Southern end.
- 4:28 - Remaining Problem – Monarch Clusters and Habitat: Monarch autumnal and overwintering habitat on and adjoining BLM’s Warrenella Gate Parking Lot has been established per determination by expert. This monarch habitat can be avoided by utilizing the adjacent access proposed by NCC.
- 5:20 - BLM Proposal to Access off of Warrenella Road via Roundabout -
- 9:23 - NCC Proposal 5/12/2023 for Access off CPR around north side of knoll up draw where vehicle tracks appear -
- 16:52 - Remaining Problem – Absence of Baseline Inventory: BLM’s Biological Monitoring Plan explicitly states that Wildlife Monitoring is largely not occurring because unfunded and that "formal monitoring protocols for each species discussed in the Proclamation is not recommended or proposed.
- 19:05 - Remaining Problem – Hunting: Resource Management Plan provision allowing archery hunting up to 5 weekends per year in core wildlife preservation area should be formally abandoned.
- 20:45 - Progress re Camping
Sharing The North Coast In A Way That Works For All
- 00:12 - Remaining Problem - Unsafe Traffic Interface at Narrow Stretch of Cement Plant Road.
- 5:18 - Remaining Problem - Inadequate Parking and Roadside Parked Vehicle Hazards
- 6:37 - Progress by Elimination of Aerial Spraying of Herbicides and Pesticides. – 58:17
What's Next?
- Scoping completed 11/28/2022 for “a proposal for a parking area and northern trailhead at Cotoni-Coast Dairies [C-CD] near Davenport, California.”
- 00:35 - New Proposal to be developed and released by BLM for the purpose of complying with the IBLA Decision which set aside BLM’s Implementation Action MA-REC-23 as to access to Cotoni-Coast Dairies north of Davenport and found BLM’s Implementation Action MA-REC-24 impossible to implement as to access at the south end.
How You Can Help
• 1:11 - Letters to BLM and Electeds supporting North Coast Coalition’s preferred Northern and Southern Entrances and funding BLM for a Baseline Inventory of Monument Objects to be preserved and other Wildlife at Cotoni-Coast Dairies
• Donations – PayPal available on FONC Website
• Expert assistance to enable North Coast Coalition to offer help constructing Northern Entrance where NCC prefers (including volunteer labor and equipment for grading and road-building)
• Baseline inventory collection collaboration with BLM or enabling NCC and Sempervirens to provide funding to BLM.
• 1:11 - Letters to BLM and Electeds supporting North Coast Coalition’s preferred Northern and Southern Entrances and funding BLM for a Baseline Inventory of Monument Objects to be preserved and other Wildlife at Cotoni-Coast Dairies
• Donations – PayPal available on FONC Website
• Expert assistance to enable North Coast Coalition to offer help constructing Northern Entrance where NCC prefers (including volunteer labor and equipment for grading and road-building)
• Baseline inventory collection collaboration with BLM or enabling NCC and Sempervirens to provide funding to BLM.
Questions?