September 2016 Advocacy Minutes
Advocacy Meeting
September 6, 2016 6:12 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
4499 Ruffin Road, San Diego
Ben Stone – Advocacy Committee Chairperson/Vice-President SDMBA
Welcome and Introductions (Ben Stone)
Guest Speaker – Lindsey Steinwachs, Recreation & Lands Officer NFS, Laguna Recreation Area-
Mountain biking in Mt. Laguna/Descano Region Update: New District Ranger, 7 months in SD after Sedona; has a recreation background and familiar with mountain biking culture from Sedona experience. Want to focus on and improve trails people actually use; create a “comprehensive, functional and sustainable network of trails that provide a variety of experiences for all skill sets.” Lindsey looking to change things up and improve recreation opportunities. MTBers are one if not top user of Mt. Laguna trails. A new trail basically takes a minimum of three years for planning and implementation. SDMBA to provide a Priority List w/ input from our liaisons. Braiding is a problem in the Lagunas (when primary trail gets “trenched” and people start riding a foot or two over so it creates an additional trail). Trail Work Season begins 10/22/16 will include brushing work at Indian Creek and Campout at Horse Haven.
Recreation Fee Area: Lawsuit challenged four recreation areas. As of 9/10, changes to fee schedule will be in effect. There will be fee amenity sites. To charge a fee, there must be the following six features: designated developed parking, toilets, picnic tables, trash, security and interpretation. If you park outside the fee area and don’t use the amenities, you do not have to pay. Passes can be purchased at Ranger Station in Alpine, REI, Pine Valley, Blue Jay Lodge and at Lake Morena.
Mile marker 19 (meadows). Non-fee parking area must be within a half mile of fee parking but users who park there for free may not use any of the six preceding amenities. Two week grace period: Notice of Required Fee. After that, a Warning Notice. After 9/26 goes into full enforcement. You have to pay to park at bottom of Noble but not if you park at the top at Penny Pines. Agua Dulce trailhead: new picnic table. Presently used primarily by Equestrians. Red Tail Roost: Will be a TH and loop with Port-o-Potties. Mark Constantino and Bill Herold are SDMBA liaisons to Descanso District. Bare bones staff, big staff reduction. Lindsey and two employees that mostly clean bathrooms.
Closures: Short term down RT Roost due to heavy machinery. Don’t park at Roost. Park at Agua Dulce. “Old County Road” is currently closed. Wooded Hill and PCT strictly for hikers/equestrians.
MCAS/Stowe Trail update – (Ben Stone/Kevin Loomis)
SDMBA convinced Congressman Duncan Hunter to go up ranks and confer with Commandant of USMC. Release of progress was a little premature but Marines confirmed news to the Reader in late August. Official SDMBA position: No riding North of the 52 or South of Goodan Ranch. Trail snakes over onto Home Fed land. We are trying to negotiate with them to give us trailhead area. Fanita Ranch has reduced their original footprint.
STC Bill Human-Powered Travel in Wilderness Areas Act, S.3205 (Ben/Kevin) (Sustainable Trails Coalition) We need people to write letters in support. Once Congress reconvenes, they will be considering. STC has a good template on their website.
San Diego River Park Trail: Kelly Ditch Trail thru Heisse, 4 miles of road to SDRP property and enters (recommended) Wilderness at about 12.5 miles. Next 4 miles segment is Recommended Wilderness. Trail leaves Wilderness at 16.5 miles. At 26.5 miles is Lake Jennings/Ramona Four Corners. Can eventually connect with SD River Trail to create a 70-ish mile loop. There is Eagle Peak Road and also electrical lines. (Usually Wilderness Designation is on untouched land, which this is NOT). NFS is not willing to discuss changes in Wilderness designation after meeting with SDMBA in August. SDMBA Proposed Map
Open volunteer positions Review and Additions (Susie/Ben)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-JIlBb5D2gqXE9j4RX-AlgetxRV1aNjIBc5IEao3WXY/edit?usp=sharing
Black Mountain New Trail Building (Rod) Matt and Rod walked and mapped future work for this season last week. Posted new proposed map on FB. Manzanita Loop opened by the City, eastern part still needs a little work. Respect signage; Red Loop is “Tom Property” (mitigation for development) which was just purchased by the City of SD
Bonita Bike Park (Susie)
Meeting with Supervisor Greg Cox and Brian Albright in August. The Pinery Lot in Bonita is the site of a potential bike park. $50k was pledged by the County for feasibility money; Susie and Ben to attend County Parks Advisory Committee Meeting this Friday. Sweetwater Civic Association on board too; Bonita Valley Bikers on board. Community members will form a committee. Scoring system. Property very flat but will be importing dirt.
Upcoming Events (Susie)
Tour de Fat and other event details printed on back of agenda. Volunteers needed for Tour De Fat. 2nd largest fundraiser of the year for SDMBA.
Old Business (Non-discussion items)
Tecolote Trails plan – (Evan) – (In progress 2016 build 2017) A couple new trails will be made official that were previously not. Plus new trails. Waiting for approval of plan. May not be any work this season.
San Diego River Park Foundation- (Ben) Waiting on plan of action
Fanita Ranch Trails Plan (Ben Stone) (end of 2016)
Castlerock project date June 2016 grading has begun (One year) Ben
Black Mountain/Black Widow (Matt/Susie Winter 2016)
San Diego County Bike Park (Jason Showalter)
Del Mar Mesa Surrounding Development
Rock House / San Diego Wildlife Refuge- update (Jose/Jason)
Otay Valley Regional Park – (Jose)
Tijuana River Valley (Jose)
Palm Canyon Update (in Progress Decision September) Still awaiting a response. Were supposed to hear last October.
San Diego County PLDO Funds
Village 13 Projected Date?
Mission Trails Master Plan (Summer 2017)
Next meeting: Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Attendance: (19)
Minette Ozaki
Tom Cook
Walt Devine
Ken Oertle
Josh Bonnici
Evan Solberger
Mike Lawry
Mike Jennings
Daniel Pitard
Susie Murphy
Andy Darragh
Julie Warner
Ben Stone
Gordon Parham
Jon White
Mark Webb
Philip Erdelsky
Chuck Hickey
Rod Simmons
September 6, 2016 6:12 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
4499 Ruffin Road, San Diego
Ben Stone – Advocacy Committee Chairperson/Vice-President SDMBA
Welcome and Introductions (Ben Stone)
Guest Speaker – Lindsey Steinwachs, Recreation & Lands Officer NFS, Laguna Recreation Area-
Mountain biking in Mt. Laguna/Descano Region Update: New District Ranger, 7 months in SD after Sedona; has a recreation background and familiar with mountain biking culture from Sedona experience. Want to focus on and improve trails people actually use; create a “comprehensive, functional and sustainable network of trails that provide a variety of experiences for all skill sets.” Lindsey looking to change things up and improve recreation opportunities. MTBers are one if not top user of Mt. Laguna trails. A new trail basically takes a minimum of three years for planning and implementation. SDMBA to provide a Priority List w/ input from our liaisons. Braiding is a problem in the Lagunas (when primary trail gets “trenched” and people start riding a foot or two over so it creates an additional trail). Trail Work Season begins 10/22/16 will include brushing work at Indian Creek and Campout at Horse Haven.
Recreation Fee Area: Lawsuit challenged four recreation areas. As of 9/10, changes to fee schedule will be in effect. There will be fee amenity sites. To charge a fee, there must be the following six features: designated developed parking, toilets, picnic tables, trash, security and interpretation. If you park outside the fee area and don’t use the amenities, you do not have to pay. Passes can be purchased at Ranger Station in Alpine, REI, Pine Valley, Blue Jay Lodge and at Lake Morena.
Mile marker 19 (meadows). Non-fee parking area must be within a half mile of fee parking but users who park there for free may not use any of the six preceding amenities. Two week grace period: Notice of Required Fee. After that, a Warning Notice. After 9/26 goes into full enforcement. You have to pay to park at bottom of Noble but not if you park at the top at Penny Pines. Agua Dulce trailhead: new picnic table. Presently used primarily by Equestrians. Red Tail Roost: Will be a TH and loop with Port-o-Potties. Mark Constantino and Bill Herold are SDMBA liaisons to Descanso District. Bare bones staff, big staff reduction. Lindsey and two employees that mostly clean bathrooms.
Closures: Short term down RT Roost due to heavy machinery. Don’t park at Roost. Park at Agua Dulce. “Old County Road” is currently closed. Wooded Hill and PCT strictly for hikers/equestrians.
MCAS/Stowe Trail update – (Ben Stone/Kevin Loomis)
SDMBA convinced Congressman Duncan Hunter to go up ranks and confer with Commandant of USMC. Release of progress was a little premature but Marines confirmed news to the Reader in late August. Official SDMBA position: No riding North of the 52 or South of Goodan Ranch. Trail snakes over onto Home Fed land. We are trying to negotiate with them to give us trailhead area. Fanita Ranch has reduced their original footprint.
STC Bill Human-Powered Travel in Wilderness Areas Act, S.3205 (Ben/Kevin) (Sustainable Trails Coalition) We need people to write letters in support. Once Congress reconvenes, they will be considering. STC has a good template on their website.
San Diego River Park Trail: Kelly Ditch Trail thru Heisse, 4 miles of road to SDRP property and enters (recommended) Wilderness at about 12.5 miles. Next 4 miles segment is Recommended Wilderness. Trail leaves Wilderness at 16.5 miles. At 26.5 miles is Lake Jennings/Ramona Four Corners. Can eventually connect with SD River Trail to create a 70-ish mile loop. There is Eagle Peak Road and also electrical lines. (Usually Wilderness Designation is on untouched land, which this is NOT). NFS is not willing to discuss changes in Wilderness designation after meeting with SDMBA in August. SDMBA Proposed Map
Open volunteer positions Review and Additions (Susie/Ben)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-JIlBb5D2gqXE9j4RX-AlgetxRV1aNjIBc5IEao3WXY/edit?usp=sharing
Black Mountain New Trail Building (Rod) Matt and Rod walked and mapped future work for this season last week. Posted new proposed map on FB. Manzanita Loop opened by the City, eastern part still needs a little work. Respect signage; Red Loop is “Tom Property” (mitigation for development) which was just purchased by the City of SD
Bonita Bike Park (Susie)
Meeting with Supervisor Greg Cox and Brian Albright in August. The Pinery Lot in Bonita is the site of a potential bike park. $50k was pledged by the County for feasibility money; Susie and Ben to attend County Parks Advisory Committee Meeting this Friday. Sweetwater Civic Association on board too; Bonita Valley Bikers on board. Community members will form a committee. Scoring system. Property very flat but will be importing dirt.
Upcoming Events (Susie)
Tour de Fat and other event details printed on back of agenda. Volunteers needed for Tour De Fat. 2nd largest fundraiser of the year for SDMBA.
Old Business (Non-discussion items)
Tecolote Trails plan – (Evan) – (In progress 2016 build 2017) A couple new trails will be made official that were previously not. Plus new trails. Waiting for approval of plan. May not be any work this season.
San Diego River Park Foundation- (Ben) Waiting on plan of action
Fanita Ranch Trails Plan (Ben Stone) (end of 2016)
Castlerock project date June 2016 grading has begun (One year) Ben
Black Mountain/Black Widow (Matt/Susie Winter 2016)
San Diego County Bike Park (Jason Showalter)
Del Mar Mesa Surrounding Development
Rock House / San Diego Wildlife Refuge- update (Jose/Jason)
Otay Valley Regional Park – (Jose)
Tijuana River Valley (Jose)
Palm Canyon Update (in Progress Decision September) Still awaiting a response. Were supposed to hear last October.
San Diego County PLDO Funds
Village 13 Projected Date?
Mission Trails Master Plan (Summer 2017)
Next meeting: Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Attendance: (19)
Minette Ozaki
Tom Cook
Walt Devine
Ken Oertle
Josh Bonnici
Evan Solberger
Mike Lawry
Mike Jennings
Daniel Pitard
Susie Murphy
Andy Darragh
Julie Warner
Ben Stone
Gordon Parham
Jon White
Mark Webb
Philip Erdelsky
Chuck Hickey
Rod Simmons