First off, thanks to bankerboy for getting this new out so fast. I was working on putting together some facts yesterday, but he's covered them pretty well. Gina's official message is at the end of this, but I wanted to put some thoughts together.
There's a lot of other misinformation and conspiracy theories being passed around here and elsewhere, and I'd just ask that everyone remain calm for now, and let's see how the trail plan emerges in a couple months. Again, it will now be FEBRUARY, not January that the trail plan comes out. And don't be surprised if it gets delayed again. There is a reasonable plan being proposed, and another that is worrisome, but as Gina says, the agencies need to sign off on it. This adds a level of complication that is not typical. As mentioned, Tunnel 5 is not part of it and unfortunately will never be approved as a trail. I've spoken with Rick Thompson at length, and believe that there is no change in the goal to create an enjoyable, sustainable trail plan for all to enjoy. But Del Mar Mesa is unique as a "core habitat" area.
Some notes:
- Your help staying off trails that are posted as such is CRUCIAL right now.
- Sensitive habitat was being damaged and the city was forced to take action to prevent further degradation. They are legally required to protect it.
- Showing restraint now will prove the resources can be protected and recreational use can be managed.
- Please pass the closure information on to everyone you know who may plan to ride or hike here.
- Removing signs will only create friction for all involved.
- The property ownership maps in the RMP and being posted here appear to be outdated, so don't rely on them. Please just obey the posted signs.
- We are lucky to have many other options for riding nearby: Peñasquitos Canyon, Black Mountain, Carmel Mountain, Rose Canyon, San Clemente Canyon, Tecolote Canyon, Lake Hodges and on and on. This is a good time to explore them if you haven't.
There are also a lot of complaints about houses being built nearby, etc. This isn't up to the people managing open space. Many people have fought long and hard to preserve these areas, and for the most part it wasn't us. If we want more open space and would like it to feature multiuse trails, here are four immediate things we can all do:
- Join SDMBA, as mentioned here repeatedly.
http://sdmba.com- Join IMBA, because we don't just ride in San Diego, do we?
http://www.imba.com- Join the Multi-Use Trails Coalition. It's free and it comprises 50% of the voting seats on the Los Pen CAC that are designated for "bike organizations" (since it's pro-multiuse ).
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MultiUseTrails/- Join the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. They are purchasing land from people who might put more of those big houses on the ridgelines and converting it to open space featuring a multiuse trail system from the coast to Vulcan Mountain.
http://www.sdrvc.org- Join the Nature Conservancy. Again, this is how land that might be developed is being protected for everyone. No guarantee the land will feature trails for us, but if there's no land left there won't be the luxury of that option.
http://www.nature.orgRemember guys, this is about more than you or I or mountain biking, hiking or riding a horse. The first goal must be to protect the land. The quality of the trails here is incredible and unmatched in the vicinity, and some will be lost in the end. We need to focus on keeping a reasonable amount here and creating or improving surrounding trails systems to match the quality experience on Del Mar Mesa and Tunnels.
Let's work together on it.
Rob
Gina's message:
Hi everyone, by now I’m sure you’ve heard of the decision to post as off limits, to everyone (bike, hike and horse), everything in Del Mar Mesa Preserve except for the road (it is still open for access). This decision was made to lessen the ongoing impacts to the land. The environmental regulation agencies (state and feds) will make the final call on what trails are maintained and which are rehabilitated. The SDMBA/Multi-use Trails Coalition made their presentation, and then the City Trail Manager and I had to whittle that down b/c there were still too many trails proposed so we made our recommendations and now they are being considered by the environmental regulation agencies based on sustainability, safety and compatibility with the goals of the Natural Resource Management Plan.
This decision is not being motivated or swayed by any other reason than the mandates we have to protect the resources from development or overuse. I have just learned that the final trail plan approval deadline has been moved back to February. I know this is a disappointment but your cooperation during this time is appreciated.
I have attached a Google map of the three separate, yet adjacent, Preserves that are under my jurisdiction. These are rough boundaries of what are known as Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, Carmel Mountain Preserve and Del Mar Mesa Preserve. Within all of these Preserves are different property owners. I would like to speak specifically to Del Mar Mesa Preserve. The City of San Diego owns 234 acres of the publicly owned lands within the boundary of Del Mar Mesa Preserve. The County of San Diego, US Fish & Wildlife, and California Department of Fish & Game own parts of the other 163 acres. There are a few private property parcels with in the boundary of DMM Preserve, some of that land will be deeded over to the City of San Diego in the future as protected land and it is imperative that the habitat be intact (meaning not bisected by unauthorized use). Each property owner is responsible for the maintenance of their land. Most of the trash left over from the illegal encampments is on private property; I cannot authorize or organize cleanups on private property. The Natural Resource Management plan that is being developed outlines goals for the improvement and preservation of this land. A few of the other private parcels may be developed in the future, but that is not absolute in either direction. The NRMP has within its framework the concept of a onsite Land Manager to oversee the day to day management of all the land within the boundary of the Preserve.
All of this information is available in the Natural Resource Management Plan, I would recommend every one that is interested give the whole thing a glance, I think you’ll all be pleased with the overall purpose of the plan as stated in Chapter One “This plan has been prepared to provide guidelines for the protection and maintenance of the preserved natural open space... The natural open space of the Preserves harbors extremely sensitive and depleted vegetation communities and species unique to the San Diego region. The Preserves also act to protect the quality of life for residents of San Diego County and the quality of the experience for visitors by adding to the feeling of openness and interaction with nature that San Diego fosters.”
http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/mscp I know we are all feeling the loss of access in all area of San Diego County, combine the wildfires and development with federal mandates and you have limited areas to recreate. Despite this loss however, I am asking your cooperation in making our three Preserves the best place to live, work and recreate. I appreciate the great response to the call for volunteer patrol, I am working on putting together the training for that to get those interested trained and ready. Thank you again, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or stop me when you see me on the trail. If I can’t answer your question or concern I will connect you with who can. I just want all of you to know that I really enjoy where I get to work and when I meet you on the trail it is a real pleasure to talk to you and hear how much you love this place too.
FYI the clouds are building, it looks like rain. Be on the lookout for rain closures…
Gina Washington
Senior Park Ranger
City of San Diego, Open Space Division
858.538.8066 (PH)
858.536.8334 (FAX)