Conservation Issues of the Ventana Chapter | monterey county

In June 2007, the California Coastal Commission (CCC) denied the Pebble Beach Company's (PBC) plan to cut down nearly 18,000 trees and fill in some of the last remaining coastal wetlands in the state. The Chapter had opposed the project in hearings and correspondence for almost 10 years since the introduction of Measure A to alter the Local Coastal Plan (LCP) came before the voters in 2000. At the CCC meeting, represented by our attorney Tom N. Lippe, we argued that the project was unlawful under the Coastal Act and was damaging to the environment and many rare and endangerment species. CCC staff agreed and gave a compelling synopsis of their report of over 200 pages describing the protected habitat that exists in this Monterey Pine Forest, one of 5 remaining in the world. After nearly 10 hours of testimony, the Coastal Commissioners denied the project 8-4.

Since 2007, PBC and CCC met regularly to see if they can agree on a project. The redrafted amendments to the PBC's LCP and Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) were released late last year which were reviewed by Chapter members. Below is a summary of our concerns with the current project which were submitted to the County:

The Chapter has concerns with the new project primarily for the impact of development in and near the Huckleberry Hill Natural Habitat Area (HHNHA) and the S F B Morse Reserve (part of HHNHA). HHNHA, encompassing about 370 acres is one of the most important ecological systems on the Monterey Peninsula and the Del Monte Forest. This habitat is home to such sensitive species as federally threatened Gowen cypress, Eastwood's goldenbush, Hooker's manzanita, Sandmat manzanita, Pine rose and Monterey ceanothus (CNPS "Watch List"). It is largely populated by rare native Monterey Pine Forest in association with Bishop pine and federally listed Yadon's piperia. Wetland and creek areas support federally protected California red-legged frog. This mixed Monterey Pine/Bishop Pine/Gowen Cypress ecosystem is completely unique in the world and represents an irreplaceable living evolutionary classroom for us and our posterity. However, it is fragile and protecting it is essential. Therefore our specific concerns and suggestions for improvement to the project are:

• The proposal to build 10 housing units in the 23 acre Corporation Yard site (Area 10) would create a concentrated in-holding in the midst of this rich ecological treasure - the large preservation block of sensitive forest created by the Huckleberry Hill Natural Habitat Area (HHNHA,) SFB Morse Preserve and the additional preservation areas of Areas originally designated G and H and the adjacent PQR (Pescadero Canyon tract.) Many species of animals and plants would be vulnerable to potential negative impacts from this degree of human density. Predation from human owned cats and the danger of feral populations obtaining a foothold in that part of the forest is of tremendous concern. Ground nesting birds and a variety of other small native prey species will be at risk. Also, the effect of light pollution from that number of residences at night is of great concern, as is the potential for noise pollution in the stillness of that wild forest. The intrusion of non-native plant infestations is another concern. Already, the riparian area on the northwest border with the SFB Morse Preserve, is suffering exotic plant infestation from the dumping of soils from the Corporation Yard. In addition the aesthetic impact from HHNHA of housing in the Corporation Yard could be significant. It would be preferable to eliminate residential development here all together to avoid the creation of such an intrusive in-holding, and rather to restore the area to forest insuring the greatest possible degree of protection for this very sensitive and important block of forest habitat.

• Residential development in Area 16, across from Poppy Hills clubhouse is quite close to the SFB Morse Preserve on its northern border. There is need for a meaningful buffer zone to protect that sensitive Preserve.

On January 24, the Board of Supervisors approved the amendments to the LCP and the project will now go to the CCC possibly as early as April.

Members wishing to review the DEIR may do so at four local libraries, and on the County website at http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/planning/major/Pebble%20Beach%20Company/Pebble_Beach_Company.htm

The four libraries are:

Monterey City Library
Pacific Grove City Library
Harrison Memorial Library in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel Valley County Branch Library

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