Volume 43, Number 2, 2004 www.ventana.sierraclub.org M AGAZINE OF THE V ENTANA C HAPTER OF THE S IERRA C LUB APR,OUTINGS MAY, JUN Robin Way 15,000 Monterey pines threatened p. 4 Explore, enjoy and protect the planet hile it is the intent of The Ventana to print articles that reflect the position Wof the Ventana Chapter, ideas CHAPTER CHAIR expressed in The Ventana are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Sierra Club. Articles, graphics Thank you for working for Mountains we are opposing a destructive destructive individual projects such as and photographs are copyrighted by the the environment timber harvest permit which threatens subdivisions in and around Elkhorn authors and artists and may be reprinted only water quality for Lompico residents. Slough, a huge open pit mining quarry with their permission. lub volunteers are actively In Monterey County the General involved in protecting the biotic near Chualar, the 1050-unit housing pro- DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONS Plan Update (GPU) has consumed thou- ject proposed for Marina Heights, the All materials for publication must be received and scenic resources of the mag- C sands of hours of our members’ time Seaside Highlands, and Pebble Beach by the deadlines listed in The Ventana publica- nificent central coast. Throughout Santa tion schedule (see below). No exceptions. over the last four years as we work to Company’s plans to severely damage Cruz and Monterey County, conserva- educate politicians, the press, and SUBMISSIONS FORMAT tion efforts and monitoring by Group rare native Monterey Pine forest habitat Please limit articles to 800 words; letters to Monterey residents about the impor- in Del Monte Forest. In coastal and 300. All submissions may be edited for clarity and Chapter members have made a dif- tance of long-range planning that pro- ference in how government and resi- marine areas we are monitoring cruise and length. Submissions are preferred via e- tects our quality of life, agricultural land ship visits, seawall construction and pol- mail or on a high density 3-1/2 inch diskette. dents view the precious resources we and water supply. Currently, the GPU luted runoff into the Monterey Bay Save files as “text” or “ascii.” Mail hard copy treasure. Environmental Impact Report notes that to editor, address below. In Santa Cruz County our members National Marine Sanctuary. WHERE TO SEND SUBMISSIONS there is more than three times the Sierra Club members are in the fore- are defending the Pajaro River and amount of development in this plan than Send submissions to: Debbie Bulger, Editor Salsipuedes Creek from plans by the front in fighting constant threats to our 1603 King Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 is needed to house our projected popula- Army Corps of Engineers to channel natural world. Thank you to everyone e-mail: [email protected] tion growth! who is working to keep the Central CHANGE OF ADDRESS these waterways. Sierra Club has pro- While the Monterey County GPU is posed more ecologically-friendly solu- Coast a beautiful and healthful place in Do not call editor! Send address changes to the overarching concern of the Chapter, which to live. Sierra Club, The Ventana, P. O. Box 52968, tions recommended by our consulting our volunteers remain active in opposing Boulder, CO 80322-2968. scientists. —Rita Dalessio POSTAL NOTICE On the North Coast, members are The Ventana (015057) is published 6 times a fighting development in the riparian cor- year, (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec.) paid by ridor of Vicente Creek in the coastal subscription included in membership fee, by The Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club, zone in Davenport. In the Santa Cruz 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060. F ROM THE E DITOR Periodical postage paid Santa Cruz, California, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Sierra Club, The Ventana, P. O. Box 604, Santa Amazing discovery Cruz, CA 95061-0604. learned the most amazing thing at a It got me thinking about other ways native plant talk recently. Don the motor vehicle has invaded our lives Editor: Mayall was describing the serpentine and changed the environment. Our auto- Debbie Bulger • 457-1036 I e-mail: [email protected] habitat of Coyote Ridge, the 15-mile mobile use has markedly decreased air (no change of address calls, please!) long undeveloped area east of Highway and water quality causing serious health Production: 101 from San Jose to Morgan Hill. problems and increasing health care Vivian Larkins, Debbie Bulger A year-round resort with cozy log Mayall was explaining that the serpen- costs. The constant din of traffic has Writers: tine habitat lacked many nutrients (such invaded every aspect of our lives. The Rita Dalessio, Debbie Bulger, cottages; a cafe serving hearty Don Hoernschemeyer, Kevin Collins gourmet cuisine and fine California as nitrogen in the soil) that invasive automobile culture promotes sprawl, paves over productive land, destroys city Photographers: wines. A High Sierra hideaway European grasses need to thrive. That’s Robin Way, Bruce Bettencourt why Coyote Ridge is home to so many centers, and diverts resources from other offering many choices...fishing, Jodi Frediani, Debbie Bulger, special status native flowers. investments. courses in fly-tying, fly-rod building, Tom Hopkins, Coastal Watershed Council But one of Mayall’s slides showed the The convenience and comfort of auto- Proofreaders: & fly-casting, hiking, cross-country growing intrusion of non-native grasses mobiles is undeniable. But studies show Richard Stover, Vivian Larkins, skiing, historic walks & hot springs. Charles Koester, Jeff Alford. which crowd out the native plants. that our driving could be cut by a factor Distribution: “Where do you think these invasive of three to four without loss of accessi- Lew Weinstein, Debbie Bulger, Its backdrop...the grandeur of plants are getting their nitrogen?” he bility. That’s why it’s valuable to exam- Sheila Dunniway, Leslye Lawrence Hope Valley, with its wide-open meadows, asked. The answer was startling. ine ways in which we can decrease our Advertising Sales: towering rugged peaks, and clear, Debbie Bulger Researchers have discovered that the motor vehicle use by combining trips, rushing streams teeming with trout. Late Night Food Delivery & Software: non-native grasses are getting their nitro- carpooling, and using other transporta- Richard Stover gen from automobile emissions from the tion modes for some trips. Chapter website: For innkeepers Patty and John nearby highway. Back before the motor May 15-22 is Bike Week. Let’s take http://ventana.sierraclub.org Bissenden, hospitality and first-class vehicle, native plants had evolved to live this time to consider whether we can Please send all Letters-to-the-Editor to: service are trademarks. and grow on nitrogen-poor soil, but the convert some of our car trips to this Editor, c/o Sierra Club • 1603 King St. Come and be pampered at Sorensen’s. growing motor vehicle traffic is now healthful non-polluting fun way to trav- Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Send e-mail to: [email protected] upsetting the delicate balance of that el. Call or write for a free brochure. habitat and allowing non-natives to Happy Bike Week! make inroads. —Debbie Bulger Deborah A. Malkin VENTANA PUBLICATION SCHEDULE: ATTORNEY AT LAW Issue Deadline Mailing Date #3 May 17 Jun. 3 Specializing in #4 Jul. 19 Aug. 5 Wills, Living Trusts, Tax-saving Trusts, #5 Sep. 20 Oct. 7 #6 Nov. 15 Dec. 2 and other forms of Estate Planning. Also offering assistance with Conservatorships and Probate. Hope Valley, CA 96120 Free initial consultation Articles received after deadline may 1-800-423-9949 Discount offered to Sierra Club members. not be published. www.sorensensresort.com The Creekside Offices at 2425 Porter St., Suite 15 • Soquel, CA 95073 • 831-462-9100 2 The Sierra Club / Ventana Chapter Volume 43 Number 2, 2004 Printed on Recycled Paper State Parks agrees to settlement in Castle Rock suit LETTERS adoption of the criteria for this analysis to ensure that they are science based. The Ventana welcomes letters. Send to: The Club would like to thank both LETTERS TO THE EDITOR attorney Deborah Sivas from The Ventana, 1603 King Street Earthjustice, and the Stanford Law Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Clinic for their unfailing help with this or email to [email protected] important litigation. This lawsuit has Please include a phone number with your letter. Anonymous letters are demonstrated to the State Department of not accepted. Letters may be edited Parks and Recreation that it must imple- for length. ment both legal requirements and mod- ern scientific methodologies for park Best vacation deal in America planning that will conserve resources Thanks to our newsletter and some good while providing for high-quality recre- friends I have discovered the best vacation ational experiences. deal in America, Clair Tappaan Lodge. For $36.00 per night we received a comfortable bunk with futon type mattress (bring your own favorite pillow), use of a well-running communal bathroom, access to a lovely Bruce Bettencourt library and great room, a fridge in the base- The settlement of the lawsuit provides for consideration of alternatives to the proposed The BOULDER CREEK ment for perishable foods and beverages and, campground and parking lot adjacent to the black oak forest. best of all, three great meals as well. In the BREWERY morning you make your bag lunch, then eat hen the California Department and no personal financial or professional a hearty breakfast, then at the end of the day of Parks and Recreation adopt- stake in the outcome. even the most ravenous appetite is greeted Wed an inadequate General Plan State Parks also agreed to collect exist- with great comfort food.