What's New!
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
A presentation from Zachary Ormsby, BLM Field Manager, to residents assembled in Davenport for a forum hosted by the DNCA on Sept. 26, included many announcements that pleased listeners and some that didn’t:
BLM will be creating a 500’ wide fuel break along Bonny Doon Road, as well as a 100’ defensible space around Davenport.
He announced that funding is in place to create a Science Plan for the California Coastal National Monument created by staff from USGS. The Science Plan for Cotoni-Coast Dairies will tier off of that plan and become the model for the other 5 units included in the onshore Monument expansion.
Ormsby presented a new assistant field manager Benjamin Hoke, a geologist from inside the office and introduced enforcement officers Tom Holmes and Donny Pham. BLM will be hiring a new chief Ranger for Cotoni-Coast Dairies, expected to be on board in two months, and will thereafter visit the Memorandums of Understanding delineating enforcement arrangements between Sheriff deputies and State Parks’ Rangers.
Less pleasing: Ormsby showed plans for the parking area they began constructing at the foot of Warrenella Road which includes a roundabout and a connection to parking at the Mocettini Barn. Also he characterized relations with TPL as “oil and water” despite TPL’s willingness to donate land to enable the creation of a parking lot at Yellow Bank which would be connected by a pedestrian/bike overcrossing to the Rail Trail at the RTC’s Panther Beach parking area.
A meeting is planned for agency partners on Oct. 23 and BLM is making arrangements to present to the RBDA at their November 8 meeting which will be live-streamed.
A presentation from Zachary Ormsby, BLM Field Manager, to residents assembled in Davenport for a forum hosted by the DNCA on Sept. 26, included many announcements that pleased listeners and some that didn’t:
BLM will be creating a 500’ wide fuel break along Bonny Doon Road, as well as a 100’ defensible space around Davenport.
He announced that funding is in place to create a Science Plan for the California Coastal National Monument created by staff from USGS. The Science Plan for Cotoni-Coast Dairies will tier off of that plan and become the model for the other 5 units included in the onshore Monument expansion.
Ormsby presented a new assistant field manager Benjamin Hoke, a geologist from inside the office and introduced enforcement officers Tom Holmes and Donny Pham. BLM will be hiring a new chief Ranger for Cotoni-Coast Dairies, expected to be on board in two months, and will thereafter visit the Memorandums of Understanding delineating enforcement arrangements between Sheriff deputies and State Parks’ Rangers.
Less pleasing: Ormsby showed plans for the parking area they began constructing at the foot of Warrenella Road which includes a roundabout and a connection to parking at the Mocettini Barn. Also he characterized relations with TPL as “oil and water” despite TPL’s willingness to donate land to enable the creation of a parking lot at Yellow Bank which would be connected by a pedestrian/bike overcrossing to the Rail Trail at the RTC’s Panther Beach parking area.
A meeting is planned for agency partners on Oct. 23 and BLM is making arrangements to present to the RBDA at their November 8 meeting which will be live-streamed.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
To enjoy an interesting and informative presentation on wildlife in our area, listen to Dr. Grey Hayes’ talk "Bonny Doon Wildlife: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” at the Rural Bonny Doon Association’s Sept. 13 public meeting. Go to http://www.rbda.us/public-meeting-video-archives/ where you will find a link to the video. Grey’s talk begin’s about 13:30 minutes into the meeting following Supervisor Cummings’ update to the community.
From Davenport North Coast Association, Friends of the North Coast & Rural Bonny Doon Ass’n
The Federal Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) just released its Order Setting Aside Implementation Actions for Warrenella Road parking lots based on an appeal of Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Implementation Action for the opening of Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument in Santa Cruz County, California. The IBLA ruled in favor of the appealing local community organizations Friends of the North Coast, Davenport North Coast Association and Rural Bonny Doon Association who had appealed 13 months ago because of significant adverse impacts to wildlife, landscapes, and surrounding communities. These community organizations acted because the impacts of the current flawed Implementation Actions would otherwise exist in perpetuity.
These organizations provided professional plans and graphics with easily workable alternatives to the location of the parking lots. Indeed BLM supports our Southern Entrance alternative in concept and will be building a duplicative parking lot at our Northern Entrance alternative where both Trailhead and History Center purposes could be combined. We have even provided a plan which would enable opening to the public by the end of this year or at least next spring. We believe that a facilitated or mediated process would be the most effective means to achieve our shared goals in a collaborative manner.
It is important to note that our organizations had attempted for over two years to communicate and negotiate with BLM. Unfortunately, every request for facilitated brainstorming/mediation was rejected.
BLM’s Management Plan required two entrances in order to spread out visitation impacts and separate bicyclists from equestrians. BLM had proposed a Southern Entrance at Marina Ranch Gate despite the fact that they could not get easement rights across an intervening property because that access would violate an existing Agricultural Conservation Easement. That intervening property owner, Trust for Public Land (TPL) joined with 7 other organizations (Sempervirens, Farm Bureau, Puma Project, Big Creek Lumber, and our three local community organizations to offer an alternative entrance across their property at Yellow Bank. TPL even offered to assist with that alternative Southern Entrance, offering “to draft . . . a formal offer to dedicate additional land to BLM at no cost.” BLM stuck with Marina Ranch Gate in its Management Plan resulting in only a Northern Entrance in violation of their Management Plan. This did not go unnoticed by the IBLA which pointed out the following in their Order:
BLM’s inability to build the Marina Ranch Gate Parking Area was new information or changed circumstances that imposed a duty on BLM to take a “hard look” at whether an additional NEPA analysis was required. Yet, there is no evidence that BLM took a “look”—much less a “hard look.” Instead, the evidence shows BLM gave the “false impression” that the Marina Ranch Gate Parking Area was still going to be built, or there was a possibility of it being built, when it issued the DR [Decision Record] and approved IM MA-REC-23.
BLM must now cease work on the parking area they have begun grading and revisit their Implementation Actions.
Appellants remain committed to working with BLM to resolve the remaining concerns and expedite opening to the public.
To enjoy an interesting and informative presentation on wildlife in our area, listen to Dr. Grey Hayes’ talk "Bonny Doon Wildlife: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” at the Rural Bonny Doon Association’s Sept. 13 public meeting. Go to http://www.rbda.us/public-meeting-video-archives/ where you will find a link to the video. Grey’s talk begin’s about 13:30 minutes into the meeting following Supervisor Cummings’ update to the community.
From Davenport North Coast Association, Friends of the North Coast & Rural Bonny Doon Ass’n
The Federal Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) just released its Order Setting Aside Implementation Actions for Warrenella Road parking lots based on an appeal of Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Implementation Action for the opening of Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument in Santa Cruz County, California. The IBLA ruled in favor of the appealing local community organizations Friends of the North Coast, Davenport North Coast Association and Rural Bonny Doon Association who had appealed 13 months ago because of significant adverse impacts to wildlife, landscapes, and surrounding communities. These community organizations acted because the impacts of the current flawed Implementation Actions would otherwise exist in perpetuity.
These organizations provided professional plans and graphics with easily workable alternatives to the location of the parking lots. Indeed BLM supports our Southern Entrance alternative in concept and will be building a duplicative parking lot at our Northern Entrance alternative where both Trailhead and History Center purposes could be combined. We have even provided a plan which would enable opening to the public by the end of this year or at least next spring. We believe that a facilitated or mediated process would be the most effective means to achieve our shared goals in a collaborative manner.
It is important to note that our organizations had attempted for over two years to communicate and negotiate with BLM. Unfortunately, every request for facilitated brainstorming/mediation was rejected.
BLM’s Management Plan required two entrances in order to spread out visitation impacts and separate bicyclists from equestrians. BLM had proposed a Southern Entrance at Marina Ranch Gate despite the fact that they could not get easement rights across an intervening property because that access would violate an existing Agricultural Conservation Easement. That intervening property owner, Trust for Public Land (TPL) joined with 7 other organizations (Sempervirens, Farm Bureau, Puma Project, Big Creek Lumber, and our three local community organizations to offer an alternative entrance across their property at Yellow Bank. TPL even offered to assist with that alternative Southern Entrance, offering “to draft . . . a formal offer to dedicate additional land to BLM at no cost.” BLM stuck with Marina Ranch Gate in its Management Plan resulting in only a Northern Entrance in violation of their Management Plan. This did not go unnoticed by the IBLA which pointed out the following in their Order:
BLM’s inability to build the Marina Ranch Gate Parking Area was new information or changed circumstances that imposed a duty on BLM to take a “hard look” at whether an additional NEPA analysis was required. Yet, there is no evidence that BLM took a “look”—much less a “hard look.” Instead, the evidence shows BLM gave the “false impression” that the Marina Ranch Gate Parking Area was still going to be built, or there was a possibility of it being built, when it issued the DR [Decision Record] and approved IM MA-REC-23.
BLM must now cease work on the parking area they have begun grading and revisit their Implementation Actions.
Appellants remain committed to working with BLM to resolve the remaining concerns and expedite opening to the public.
December 22, 2022 - BLM installs Zachary Ormsby as new Central Coast Field Manager who will oversee planning and management of Cotoni-Coast Dairies
November 22, 2022 - DNCA/FONC/RBDA Scoping Comments
After the Department of the Interior’s Interior Board of Land Appeals rejected the Resource Management Plan Amendment, the BLM was required to stop work and revisit their plans for public access parking off Cement Plant Road that was begun without compliance with BLM’s own rules or compliance with NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act. The revision process begins with creation of a Scoping document which includes a public comment period. FONC joined DNCA and the RBDA to submit comments on Nov. 28. Click HERE for the Scoping Comments and Appendices
After the Department of the Interior’s Interior Board of Land Appeals rejected the Resource Management Plan Amendment, the BLM was required to stop work and revisit their plans for public access parking off Cement Plant Road that was begun without compliance with BLM’s own rules or compliance with NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act. The revision process begins with creation of a Scoping document which includes a public comment period. FONC joined DNCA and the RBDA to submit comments on Nov. 28. Click HERE for the Scoping Comments and Appendices
November 17, 2022 - DNCA/FONC/RBDA Preferred Northern Entrance Package
Since 2018, DNCA (subsequently joined by FONC and RBDA) has been fighting for the sole (non-emergency) Northern Trailhead and Parking Lot to be the Mocettini Barn Alternative at the foot and immediately north of the knoll on which BLM’s Warrenella Road Gate Parking Area was proposed. Click HERE for the latest DNCA/FONC/RBDA preferred proposal.
To compare the DNCA/FONC/RBDA and BLM parking proposals, click HERE.
Since 2018, DNCA (subsequently joined by FONC and RBDA) has been fighting for the sole (non-emergency) Northern Trailhead and Parking Lot to be the Mocettini Barn Alternative at the foot and immediately north of the knoll on which BLM’s Warrenella Road Gate Parking Area was proposed. Click HERE for the latest DNCA/FONC/RBDA preferred proposal.
To compare the DNCA/FONC/RBDA and BLM parking proposals, click HERE.
- July13, 2022 - CRUNCH-TIME FOR COTONI-COAST DAIRIES!
- June 6, 2022 - The County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department hosted an AmeriCorps Team at Scott Creek Beach for habitat restoration. They planted over 300 native plants and removed invasive Ice Plant.
- May 11, 2022 - FONC joins DNCA in requesting a stay to prevent BLM from commencing parking lot construction in June.
The BLM has reduced the lot to an inadequate size and relocated the entrance too close to Warrenella Road, creating unsafe traffic interference between multitudes of visitors and Warrenella commercial users, without seeking required approval from the California Coastal Commission.
The request was filed with the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) which has yet to respond to the pending appeal. See May 4 "What’s New" The Board's mission is to provide an impartial forum within the Department of the Interior for the fair resolution of disputes involving public lands and natural resources under the Department's jurisdiction. A stay pending the appeal would ensure that a successful appeal set the stage for BLM to alter its decisions to avoid these impacts and meet the objectives of the RMPA, the Presidential Proclamation, and the National Landscape Conservation System. The stay will allow Appellants and BLM to jointly consult with the Coastal Commission to discuss a compromise enabling an appropriately conditioned approval and the relocation of this access area to the Mocettini Barn Alternative which Petitioners believe would facilitate BLM in its efforts to open Cotoni-Coast Dairies this November. Read the documents HERE |
- May 4, 2020 - Davenport North Coast Association and FONC push back when BLM breaks Federal and State law to advance poorly sited parking lot. Click HERE for the documents.
- April 27, 2022 - Requests for phone conference concerning the need for a baseline inventory at Cotoni-Coast Dairies
- April 14, 2022 - Breeding Bird Atlas manager Alex Rinkert submitted to BLM a proposal for volunteers to begin survey efforts to collect baseline biotic data. Click HERE for the proposal.
- April 12, 2022 - The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved PlaceWorks' Multi-Agency Working Group Management Plan Proposal, including the timeline for completion.
- April 12, 2022 - FONC & RBDA write letter of support for the DNCA proposal.
- April 12, 2022 - County Board of Supervisors Meeting - Consent Agenda
- 42. The Board of Supervisors approved agreement with PlaceWorks in the amount of $192,256, which includes a $17,478 contingency amount, to prepare the North Coast Facilities and Management Plan and take related actions, as recommended by the Director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services.
- Click HERE for the Staff Report and PlaceWorks Proposal.
- 4/22 - BLM has secured $2,500,000 funding to restore the Mocettini Barn, which would potentially display interpretive information about the cultural and natural history of the area for visitors and school groups. A lot near the barn is the parking location preferred by nearby Davenport residents.
- On March 23, 2022 a Court of Appeal Decision in Friends, Artists, Neighbors of Elkhorn Slough v. California Coastal Commission has become the final citable appellate precedent holding that the “failure to complete the requisite environmental review before approving the application requires that the [Coastal Commission’s] approval be vacated.” The decision bears directly on the Coastal Commission’s imposition of a requirement for 24/7 hours of operation for the RTC’s rail trail and associated parking lots. Click HERE for the court document.
- 1/7/22 - County Parks Department receives grant money to organize a North Coast Multi-Agency Working Group and create a North Coast Facilities and Management Plan.
- 8/19/21 - Cal Poly’s Swanton Pacific Ranch Receives $4.7 million Grant to Assist with Post-Fire Recovery Efforts, Increase Fire Resilience Strategies.
- 3/21 - Congressman Panetta visits North Coast to meet local residents and learn about their preferred access options at Cotoni-Coast Dairies. He listens as FONC President Wittwer explains preferred parking location for BLM trail head.
- March 27, 2023 - What Went Wrong with Cotoni-Coasta Dairies?
- January 30, 2023 - DNCA/FONC/RBDA Comments on BLM proposed Supplementary Rule
- September 1, 2022 - The Federal Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) just released its Order Setting Aside Implementation Actions for Warrenella Road parking lots based on an appeal of Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Implementation Action for the opening of Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument in Santa Cruz County, California. Click HERE for the details.
- July 14, 2022 - FONC and allies make a presentation to the California Coastal Commission
- July13, 2022 - CRUNCH-TIME FOR COTONI-COAST DAIRIES!
- June 6, 2022 - The County Parks, Recreation and Open Space Department hosted an AmeriCorps Team at Scott Creek Beach for habitat restoration. They planted over 300 native plants and removed invasive Ice Plant.
- May 11, 2022 - FONC joins DNCA in requesting a stay to prevent BLM from commencing parking lot construction in June. Click HERE for details.