August 2017 Advocacy Minutes

Advocacy Meeting

August 7, 2017 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

4499 Ruffin Road, San Diego

Ben Stone - Advocacy Committee Chairperson/Vice-President SDMBA

 

Meeting begins at 6:06 PM

 
  1. Welcome and Introductions (Susie Murphy)

Susie Murphy - Executive Director

Ben Stone - Vice President/Advocacy Chairperson

Siobhan Baloochi - Secretary

    Matt Bartelt - PQ/Black Mountain Liaison

    Jose Galaz - South Bay/

    Dom Dias

Mark Webb

Kelsey

Chase Roberts

Justin Andrews- Alpine Ride Shop

Evan Solberger

Seth Hanson

Minette Ozaki

Bob Wilcox

Philip Erdelsky

Matt Allen

  • More to be added by Minette

 

2. Guest Speaker:  Ranger Melanie Fontana, Rancho Penasquitos Preserve, Del Mar Mesa, Carmel Mountain, Lopez Canyon, Carmel Mountain Ranch

  • This land is set aside for the preservation of federal and state listed endangered species, including plants and animals.

    • With motion capture cameras, rangers are able to capture wildlife movement throughout the area

  • About a decade ago, migrant workers originally built “Tunnels”. Later on, cyclists, equestrians, and hikers adopted and worked on these trails

  • There has since been a decade long process of natural resource management, including looking toward a viable trail system.

  • With input from SDMBA liaisons Matt Bartelt and Rod Simmons and many others, a new map has been created including the legal trails.

    • Environmental document went through, and “future” trails that are itemized on the map may be built. The current trails that are on this map are complete. There is no flexibility for other trails to be added to current map.

    • Bowtie to Rim Trail area: there is fencing out there, please do not go through, over or around the fences! These have been created to help preserve endangered species. This section is closed, even though signs have been vandalized, and efforts are being concentrated on that area.

      1. Citations will be issued if there is not compliance in the area

      2. Other agencies originally prefered to close the whole trail system, but we established a compromise.  Existing legal trails will remain.

 
  • Private property notes/ changes

a. Pardee owns some land for development that may be given over to the city. The land needs to be cleaned up and fixed.

b.  Private property to the west should not and cannot be accessed- there have been concerns about OHV access, bike, equestrian, and hiking access. The owners there are not interested in an easement.

c. Caltrans or SANDAG would be a good purchaser for that land, which would make easements much easier.

d. Deputy Director of Open Space (Casey) - when there is a willing easement giver, they will put resources behind buying that easement.

e. Archdiocese property on the east side has been sold Buyer wants to turn it into a business park called “The Preserve”

  • PQ community is fighting this hard right now, because the 56 cannot handle the traffic

  • We always knew that this area was going to be developed

  • Future of what will be seen - Park Village will connect up through business center/community - this is in future plans but there is currently no connector.

 
  • East to west connector along CDFW property - part of the conversation, but has been denied by CDFW - ecological reserve (no passing activity)

  • Trail to the west - there will be no access from the bike path along the 56

 
  • This is not an ideal situation, as tunnel system is mostly off the map.

  • Comparisons are being made between habitat here and in Mission trails/East Elliot to support access restrictions. This hurts our ability elsewhere to get trail.

  • These are the ONLY legal trails that are available - DO NOT RIDE illegal trails that have been fenced. This will detract from our ability to gain new trail.

    • Melanie + police officers from North and West divisions will be patrolling the area.

    • Melanie has worked very hard to set up barriers, decommission trails, and it is very frustrating to see all of this hard work go to waste.

    • These are our own tax dollars that we are burning - time and effort could be much better spent.

    • The idea is not to confiscate bikes - it is user compliance in the area.

 
  • Comment from Bill Wilcox regarding Black Mountain/Manzanita trail - found fishing line of over 300 feet across the trail

    • Fishing line around Black Loop close to Little Black Loop - was up there 2 weeks ago, approximately the 24th at 3 o’clock in the afternoon

    • One long string in each location, chest high

    • Matt will mention to rangers

 

3. Del Mar Mesa/Tunnels update (Matt Bartelt)

  • Proposed connector through McGonagall Canyon - through Barcheski property

  • Bakersfield area with downhill lines and jumps is on private property

  • If the trail doesn’t get built, it is because this land didn’t sell and fences will stay up

  • Guaranteed trail running down through McGonagall if the land gets sold

  • This could take decades, potentially

 

4. Update of Top 10 Projects list (Ben Stone)

1. Pamo Valley Master Plan

2. Mt laguna recreational area trails plan

3. Mission trails master plan update

4. Mother miguel/rock house realignment/rehab

5. Sweetwater bike skills park

6. Sycamore/goodan ranch re-routes

7. CDFW lands and trails access

8. Del mar mesa loop connection (north west and north east)

9. Anderson Truck trail

10. Black Mountain Trail (Black Widow) - currently have $15k allocated for this

 
  • Notes about these areas: Flynn Springs has been graded. This trail comes down from east Crestridge and is now 12 foot wide fire road

  • Move things that are more shovel ready higher up the list

  • Mission trails master plan - stuck on east elliot with CDFW and the city battling between access

  • MSCP program - city could technically make the master plan go more quickly but could lose massive state funding

  • Evan - would like to prioritize areas where bigger gains are possible

 

5. USFS Project Updates (Ben Stone)

  • PAMO VALLEY

    • Budget meetings with forest service - they have no money for recreation.

    • Palomar - SDMBA paid IMBA Trail Solutions with grant money and donations  to identify miles of trail corridor in Pamo Valley. Palomar ranger district wants to get this trail system done, along with Cleveland NF office.

    • Under one NEPA, it would take multiple years for staff time. We will have to take this project in pieces.

    • First phase - Orosco, MTB directional trails.

    • Forest service needs cash in hand in order to complete the studies - cause share agreement so that staff time can be allocated in 2018.


  • Going to move to an RFP (Request for proposal) on Orosco area - to apply for county grants, we need to have bids to apply for $.

  • Santa Cruz trail builders - interested in working on this area. This will be the main focus on our fundraising this year.

  • Other project part - outside agencies to do archaeological and biological studies. Forest service is allowing us to outsource this.

  • Focus on Orosco to build this part of the project for the time being.

  • To build 12-15 miles of flow trail, around $100,000. Could be cut down with volunteer labor and donated machinery.

 
  • Public facing map at the next advocacy meeting or sooner, including all 80 miles of potential, identified trails

.

  • Descanso - fared worse without much fundraising - got into 2019 budget

  • Higher costs

  • Keeping the meadow trails, signing off on reroutes

  • Wooded Hill - 2.5 to 3 miles to build cool flow trail with features - forest service request.

  • Cultivate local talent to work with professionals. The goal is to strike a deal between bureaucratic and building.

  • Will need volunteers to work on forest service lands

  • Gatos Ravine reroutes still on the table

  • Red Tail Roost reroutes

  • Pioneer Mail to Penny Pines, Lucky 5 - both still in area and part of the plan

  • No west side trails, unfortunately. Ben warned that without this, unauthorized trails area are a much greater possibility.

  • In 2019, this will be on the forest service plan and we will have to come up with funding

    1. Forest service has lost 17% of budget and will more than likely lose more over time

  • We want to make Cleveland NF a mountain biking friendly place


  • Anderson Truck Trail

    • holding pattern until full legal access. Leave singletrack trail in place. There has to be a lot of erosion sustainability put in to create trails that will last.

    • Continue dialog and cooperation with  alpine ride shop and other local shops so everyone knows that this is coming

    • Forest service - the only way to get significant amounts of trail built

 
  • If you are taking Cleveland National Forest stickers, please make sure they are getting on cars!

 

6. Sweetwater Bike Skills Park Update (Jose Galaz/Susie Murphy)

  • Parcel has been identified in east bonita next to regional park for a bike skills park. Between 3 and 5 acres. County allocated $500,000 for the project and 50,000 from Supervisor Cox’s funds for feasibility studies

  • Community meeting for Sweetwater Planning Group - 25 cyclists showed up - Community, board, and equestrians gave positive feedback

  • Greg Cox gave a state of Bonita address in front of Sweetwater Civic Assoc - talked about trail and bike park - also positive feedback

  • San Miguel Road will access the new bike park

    • There were issues with traffic, community had been pushing for 3 way stop sign and this has been approved

  • Next meeting will be scheduled soon - a dedicated bike park meeting, people can come and give input on what elements they would like to see

  • This will be everybody’s bike park! Wall ride, pump track, etc.

  • Come to the date for the next advocacy meeting to give input. This will be the model for us to show for other sites such as Flynn Springs

  • Momentum is moving forward, Cox wants this to be finished before he leaves office in 2 years

  • Company will design it, county will make final decisions, and maintenance will need to be done by volunteers

 

7. Black Mountain update (Matt Bartelt)

  • Miner’s Ridge loop closure continues - testing will be in September but indications are that it will be opened back up. Listen in late december to January for potential news

  • Area covered with woodrats! - arsenic is rat poison, so there may be “non-toxic arsenic”

  • Land is being developed near Manzanita, trail will hook into development. There will be a new point to point trail with some interpretation. 1.5 years out.

  • Black Widow - pavers can potentially be used to create a contoured trail. Goal is to be shovel ready by the end of the year. Laying out, getting parts built, reinforcing upper areas - will work with some Big Bear builders to do this

  • Some building on Black Mountain either way!

 

8. Calaveras, CDFW Issues (Ben Stone)

  • Nothing new, sent over maps to ask for feedback. No feedback has been given

  • No legal trails currently

  • Develop a trails plan with CDFW - this is not working well

    • In this area and others, we want public access and are not proposing any new trail

      • Identifying desired routes and getting rid of mediocre trail

      • They own ted’s as well

  • Is there a plan to put up better barriers there? All is takes is people not hearing for a week for many to start riding again

  • Continued offers to try to reach out to CDFW and to the city are what matters the most

  • Even if everyone was 100% compliant at Tunnels and East Elliot, problems would still probably happen.

 

9. USFS Trail Stewardship Summit Update November 2-5, 2017 (Susie Murphy)

  • In the process of fine tuning agenda and speakers/presenters. Sent out a save the date to people last week, please reach out to Susie if you did not get it.

  • 2nd and 3rd Thursday-Friday sessions

    • geared toward land managers, non profit, government agencies building trails through partnerships and communities, fundraising

    • Speakers from Tahoe/Big Bear

  • Friday-Saturday: trail building

    • Advanced trail building group from 15-20 people with advanced leaders. Partially classroom and partially outside.

    • Up to 50 people with beginning maintenance class. Not sure yet about location for field work.

  • Plenty of room in beginning/novice group. Advanced group: contact executivedirector@sdmba.com Susie Murphy

  • $50 fee for trail work sessions. No USFW official trail work certification, but we want these people to be able to dedicate a certain amount of time to forest service to help. Certificate and “blue” trail helmets possible?

  • There will be some IMBA people there helping with instruction - trying to make it more local talent that is involved

 

10. September 11, 2017 Advocacy meeting 6 p.m. -  Sweetwater Summit Campground Community Building

  • Advocacy schedule for rest of the year will be somewhat adjusted. This next meeting is in Bonita near the bike park parcel.

  • This will be a South Bay focused meeting pushing back one week because of holiday. Address of location is posted on calendars.

  • There will be a full schedule with USFW to talk about rock house, county to talk about bike park, Chula vista Councilman Mike Diaz to talk about CV trails ideas.

  • Need someone to take over writing a proposal to write up Otay Lakes trails plan - Sean Murphy?

  • Talk about October meeting in Alpine - possible location at Alpine Beer

  • November meeting would be Monday after trails summit. Currently, there is a plan to take November off.

 

Save the Dates and Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Volunteer Appreciation Party on September 28th at Second Chance Beer Co

  • Bike the Bay

  • Beer Garden

  • Miramar Air Show

  • Take a Kid MTB day

  • Tacos for Trails Benefit Ride - October 12th - a portion will go to Pamo Valley, and a portion to other forest service projects. 50k has already been raised!

  • Trails Stewardship Summit

 

Notes about IMBA:

  • Working out details with IMBA - proposal with IMBA and SDMBA going back and forth to finalize

  • It is looking like we will be staying together and are at a good spot

  • There will be at least a 1 year agreement with IMBA and SDMBA

 

Old Business (Non-discussion items)

  1. Tecolote Trails plan - (Evan) - (In progress 2016 build 2017)

  2. Sycamore Goodan Ranch Update (Ben late 2017)

  3. Fanita Ranch Trails Plan (Ben Stone) (Unknown)

  4. Castlerock project date June 2016 grading has begun (One year) Ben

  5. Black Mountain/Black Widow (Matt 2017)

  6. Sweetwater Summit Bike  Park (Jason Showalter)

  7. Del Mar Mesa Surrounding Development

  8. Rock House / San Diego Wildlife Refuge- update (Jose/Jason)

  9. Otay Valley Regional Park - (Jose)

  10. Tijuana River Valley (Jose)

  11. Palm Canyon Update (in Progress October-November)

  12. San Diego County PLDO Funds

  13. Village 13 Projected Date “(First Quarter 2017)”

  14. Mission Trails Master Plan (Summer 2017)


Next meeting: Monday, September 11, 2017   (date adjusted due to holiday + location change - Sweetwater Regional Park Community Building)

 

Meeting ends at 8:25 PM

Minutes recorded by: Siobhan Baloochi, SDMBA Secretary









 

      








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