January 2017 Advocacy Minutes
Advocacy Meeting
January 9, 2017 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
4499 Ruffin Road, San Diego
Ben Stone – Advocacy Committee Chairperson/Vice-President SDMBA
Meeting started at 6:00pm
Welcome and Introductions (Ben Stone): no speaker this month. Next month will have Kevin Best from Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
Questions or comments? None
County of San Diego Rezoning Forest Areas (Ben):
current bill has expired
conservation groups have reached out and asked for this committee’s support in opposition
everything in the unincorporated area near forest, private land up for rezoning
currently no area zoned less than one house per acre but many 20-40 acres per parcel
potentially denser development will be seen in Alpine & Ramona
SDMBA has decided to not take a prominent stance in this because it relates to private land
SDMBA Top 10 Priority Project List – discussion (Ben)
Needs to be re-examined since it’s been a year since last look
i.e. #1 pending completion soon; others need to be renamed or realigned
Ben seeking suggestions. Email bens@sdmba.com with input.
Tijuana River Valley 12/14/16 meeting update (Jose)
First meeting was Oct 2015 asking for comments and suggestions about the area
a second meeting Dec 2016 with about 100 attendees and good representation of bikers and equestrians
Proposal for kids bike playground/skills area
Local equestrian leaders were in support of kids mountain bike park this meeting contrasting support from first meeting
Current pool of money was slated to this area and needs to be spent
Proposed sites are leaning toward soccer and biking
Follow up meeting to be planned by the County
Pamo Valley/Orosco Ridge Forest Service Waiting for LOI (Ben)
Letter of Intent is drafted but stalled due to head ranger being out of town
Waiting to collect funds until something is on paper
Moving toward a master plan for the area; discussions ongoing with Progressive Trail Design.
Some NEPA issues pending and affecting the corridor size and cost
Approximately 25,000 acres, section of the area was identified as appropriate for mountain biking
Targeting 100-150 miles of high density trail system on west side then loop of wilderness area on east side returning to west side
Anticipated budget of $15,000-$25,000
Forest Service is supportive
Next steps: 1) get LOI signed, 2) raise $15,000 – $20,000…pursue grants 3) wait NEPA completion, find local builder and combine with volunteer work
USFW Mother Miguel/Rock House update (Jose, Jason, Susie)
Everything is approved, some permits pending (SDG&E and other)
First trail work anticipated February 2017
Trail bike repair stand approved- foundation to go in on 1/21/17
MCAS/Stowe Trail update – (Ben Stone/Kevin Loomis)
Last Thursday Kevin met with the Marines and they walked the Stowe Trail to verify the alignment
All posts in place but Kevin asked for a few posts to be moved and they agreed
Signs every 100 feet
Everything west of the signs is what the Marines will patrol
As a community we need to brush areas to promote use of the proper trails; can only use existing brush: brushing top and bottom, moving rock, tossing up soil, about a mile, 10-15 Marines will help
A week from Saturday will put out a blast to the community: anticipating to open end of January or first week of February for riders with permit
Ben is meeting again with them on Wednesday to discuss the logistics for permitting
Application will be via online; date and time for permit to access through East Gate. Full details will be communicated by SDMBA to trail user groups.
Permit valid for one year; children under 16 can ride under parental permit
There will be spot checks that riders have permits
Black Mountain New Trail Building/Arsenic Issue (Matt)
Arsenic mine is in the valley and has been there since early 1900’s
Arsenic is plentiful and naturally occurring in that area
San Diego State University student did studies of arsenic in the area and found rocks with high arsenic level and now the area has been closed
Lower part of Night Hawk trail is closed until they test plants, rocks, animals, and rangers
Rangers enforcing closure of the area
Sycamore Goodan Ranch Update (Ben and Evan)
Ben, Evan and Susie met with County and their consultants: discussed reroutes, interest in military’s access, discussed connection and what will come from Fanita, talked about Rock and Roll trail and suggested it stay open, focused on new trail to be inserted into the plan, fix some steep areas with some go-arounds, drew in two trails.
Anticipate two year timeline for action
Ideal when Stowe opens and this would connect
Call to Action: California State Parks Transformation Team. See template/links
Team in State Parks is accepting comments
Mechanism to voice and address that organizations are following process and rules but approval of trails is being delayed
IMBA is going through major restructuring. Kevin Loomis has spoken with interim Executive Director to assist with a path forward; SDMBA working on being able to break from IMBA if need ever arises
Old Business (Non-discussion items)
Tecolote Trails plan – (Evan) – (In progress 2016 build 2017)
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 2017)
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 October-November)
San Diego County PLDO Funds
Village 13 Projected Date “(First Quarter 2017)”
Mission Trails Master Plan (Summer 2017)
Meeting closed at 7:57pm
Next Meeting: Monday, February 6, 2017
Upcoming events (check SDMBA.com calendar or SDMBA Meetup for all details)
Meeting tomorrow for Otay Village 14 (Proctor Valley; between Jamul and Chula Vista): comments due by 23 Jan
Attendees (20 total):
Minette Ozaki
Kevin Loomis
Ben Stone
Matt Bartelt
Andy Darragh
Seth Hanson
Jose Galaz
Mike Jennings
Bob Ponting
Daniel Briceno
Philip Erdelsky
Kyle Gunderman
Dom Dias
John Steele
Karen St. Germain
Casey Goodrige
Dave Hekel
Jeff Tanzola
Sabrina Medina
Tina Schmitz
January 9, 2017 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.
4499 Ruffin Road, San Diego
Ben Stone – Advocacy Committee Chairperson/Vice-President SDMBA
Meeting started at 6:00pm
Welcome and Introductions (Ben Stone): no speaker this month. Next month will have Kevin Best from Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.
Questions or comments? None
County of San Diego Rezoning Forest Areas (Ben):
current bill has expired
conservation groups have reached out and asked for this committee’s support in opposition
everything in the unincorporated area near forest, private land up for rezoning
currently no area zoned less than one house per acre but many 20-40 acres per parcel
potentially denser development will be seen in Alpine & Ramona
SDMBA has decided to not take a prominent stance in this because it relates to private land
SDMBA Top 10 Priority Project List – discussion (Ben)
Needs to be re-examined since it’s been a year since last look
i.e. #1 pending completion soon; others need to be renamed or realigned
Ben seeking suggestions. Email bens@sdmba.com with input.
Tijuana River Valley 12/14/16 meeting update (Jose)
First meeting was Oct 2015 asking for comments and suggestions about the area
a second meeting Dec 2016 with about 100 attendees and good representation of bikers and equestrians
Proposal for kids bike playground/skills area
Local equestrian leaders were in support of kids mountain bike park this meeting contrasting support from first meeting
Current pool of money was slated to this area and needs to be spent
Proposed sites are leaning toward soccer and biking
Follow up meeting to be planned by the County
Pamo Valley/Orosco Ridge Forest Service Waiting for LOI (Ben)
Letter of Intent is drafted but stalled due to head ranger being out of town
Waiting to collect funds until something is on paper
Moving toward a master plan for the area; discussions ongoing with Progressive Trail Design.
Some NEPA issues pending and affecting the corridor size and cost
Approximately 25,000 acres, section of the area was identified as appropriate for mountain biking
Targeting 100-150 miles of high density trail system on west side then loop of wilderness area on east side returning to west side
Anticipated budget of $15,000-$25,000
Forest Service is supportive
Next steps: 1) get LOI signed, 2) raise $15,000 – $20,000…pursue grants 3) wait NEPA completion, find local builder and combine with volunteer work
USFW Mother Miguel/Rock House update (Jose, Jason, Susie)
Everything is approved, some permits pending (SDG&E and other)
First trail work anticipated February 2017
Trail bike repair stand approved- foundation to go in on 1/21/17
MCAS/Stowe Trail update – (Ben Stone/Kevin Loomis)
Last Thursday Kevin met with the Marines and they walked the Stowe Trail to verify the alignment
All posts in place but Kevin asked for a few posts to be moved and they agreed
Signs every 100 feet
Everything west of the signs is what the Marines will patrol
As a community we need to brush areas to promote use of the proper trails; can only use existing brush: brushing top and bottom, moving rock, tossing up soil, about a mile, 10-15 Marines will help
A week from Saturday will put out a blast to the community: anticipating to open end of January or first week of February for riders with permit
Ben is meeting again with them on Wednesday to discuss the logistics for permitting
Application will be via online; date and time for permit to access through East Gate. Full details will be communicated by SDMBA to trail user groups.
Permit valid for one year; children under 16 can ride under parental permit
There will be spot checks that riders have permits
Black Mountain New Trail Building/Arsenic Issue (Matt)
Arsenic mine is in the valley and has been there since early 1900’s
Arsenic is plentiful and naturally occurring in that area
San Diego State University student did studies of arsenic in the area and found rocks with high arsenic level and now the area has been closed
Lower part of Night Hawk trail is closed until they test plants, rocks, animals, and rangers
Rangers enforcing closure of the area
Sycamore Goodan Ranch Update (Ben and Evan)
Ben, Evan and Susie met with County and their consultants: discussed reroutes, interest in military’s access, discussed connection and what will come from Fanita, talked about Rock and Roll trail and suggested it stay open, focused on new trail to be inserted into the plan, fix some steep areas with some go-arounds, drew in two trails.
Anticipate two year timeline for action
Ideal when Stowe opens and this would connect
Call to Action: California State Parks Transformation Team. See template/links
Team in State Parks is accepting comments
Mechanism to voice and address that organizations are following process and rules but approval of trails is being delayed
IMBA is going through major restructuring. Kevin Loomis has spoken with interim Executive Director to assist with a path forward; SDMBA working on being able to break from IMBA if need ever arises
Old Business (Non-discussion items)
Tecolote Trails plan – (Evan) – (In progress 2016 build 2017)
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 2017)
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 October-November)
San Diego County PLDO Funds
Village 13 Projected Date “(First Quarter 2017)”
Mission Trails Master Plan (Summer 2017)
Meeting closed at 7:57pm
Next Meeting: Monday, February 6, 2017
Upcoming events (check SDMBA.com calendar or SDMBA Meetup for all details)
Meeting tomorrow for Otay Village 14 (Proctor Valley; between Jamul and Chula Vista): comments due by 23 Jan
Attendees (20 total):
Minette Ozaki
Kevin Loomis
Ben Stone
Matt Bartelt
Andy Darragh
Seth Hanson
Jose Galaz
Mike Jennings
Bob Ponting
Daniel Briceno
Philip Erdelsky
Kyle Gunderman
Dom Dias
John Steele
Karen St. Germain
Casey Goodrige
Dave Hekel
Jeff Tanzola
Sabrina Medina
Tina Schmitz