Conservation News by David Chipping

Last month I discussed the Santa Margarita Ranch DEIR for the agricultural cluster development and its long list of Class I impacts that cannot be fully mitigated. That project, also known as Tract 2568, is only part of the project. About half of the document is a so-called Program EIR for the rest of the project, and I have serious reservations regarding the cumulative impacts on biological resources that are produced by both Tract 2568 and the remainder of the project. I have already attended three meetings, and it turns out that the most gigantic issue of all is the availability of water. The DEIR basically states that there is not enough water, and that water will have to be imported. We then run into the manner in which imported water will be used on the ranch, including on a proposed golf course. Whether Nacimiento Lake water or State Water project water is used, there has to be a higher better use than putting on a golf course, particularly one which destroys habitat. Everybody is cheering Atascadero for completing an inventory of its native trees. I noticed that the March 6 agenda of the Atascadero Planning Commission had a lot split at 8200 Coramar that would result in the removal of 17 live oaks, 7 blue oaks, 1 valley oak, and 1 tyrone (sic) ranging in size from 2-inches to 21-inches. An additional thirty-one (31) native trees will be impacted during construction (approximate). As SNL’s Church Lady would have remarked ….“Isn’t that special”. At least they counted them. There are a whole bunch of CNPS members in Atascadero. They can find the Commission agendas at “www.atascadero.org”.

SAVE A TREE. HOW ABOUT AN ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER? The Chapter Board is exploring the possibility of both saving paper and money by sending an electronic pdf –file version of the newsletter to those that request it. It all depends on your desires. If you would like this, send David Chipping (dchippin@calpoly.edu) your name and e-mail address and clearly state if you (a) would like an electronic letter INSTEAD of a paper letter (b) would like to be on a chapter e-mail list for last minute communication such as outings, speaker changes and the like. Note that (a) and (b) are two totally different things, so responding to (b) will not affect your newsletter. David would also like to hear from you on any other ideas you might have to make us all more efficient.

Conservation

There are many issues of concern to the Society regarding the native flora of the area.

The loss of vernal pools to housing and vineyards in the Paso Robles area.
The cutting of oak in the North County and the failure to secure a Tree Ordinance.
The Morros and the plan for their management.
The Salinas Dam expansion and the loss of oak and riparian vegetation.
The development of the Black Lake Canyon area and the Nipomo Mesa.
Development in rare dune scrub habitat in Los Osos and a proposed Green Belt.
Green Belt planning for the San Luis Obispo City fringe.
The Hearst Ranch development of coastal bluffs north of San Simeon.
Monitoring land management of public lands.
The protection of dunes on the Unocal oil field.
Development in rare plant habitat on the Pismo Beach fringe.

Keep watching this page and we will attempt to fill you in on these and other areas of concern during the Spring.