PD: Work to begin on long-waited laguna public trail

[Barry]

Work to begin on long-waited laguna public trail | PressDemocrat.com
Work to begin on long-waited laguna public trail

By BLEWS W. ROSE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Published: Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 6:02 p.m.

CHRISTOPHER CHUNG / THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
The proposed new multi-purpose trail into the
Laguna de Santa Rosa would enter the south end of
the Kelly Farm, running along the right side of this
fence, as it connects to the existing trail on the
northeast side of the Laguna Wetlands Preserve.

Construction is about to begin on 2.4 miles of a long-delayed trail designed to give nature lovers a walk-up glimpse into the Laguna de Santa Rosa.

The work is proceeding as Sonoma County officials seek federal regulatory permits and also to purchase mitigation banks required because the pathway impinges upon wetlands and tiger salamander habitat.

The project that cuts paths into the Laguna will be an important test of the county’s ability to create public access to an environmentally sensitive watershed, West County Supervisor Efren Carrillo.

“Balancing the recreation component with the preservation of the natural resource is definitely the goal,” Carrillo said. “We want to create a public trail for the opportunity to appreciate a scenic resource, but we have to keep in mind that there must be that balance.”

The Laguna, a 14-mile waterway that extends from Cotati to Forestville, is the North Coast’s largest freshwater complex of wetlands and wildlife breeding grounds.

The first proposed path runs along the western edge of Santa Rosa's Kelly Farm from Highway 12 to Occidental Road. Before construction, the county’s open space district needs permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Water Quality Control Board and California Department of Fish and Game.

The trail plan calls for paths over the Kelly Farm and the Balletto properties, an overlook from Kelly Marsh and two staging areas for groups to gather, one off Highway 12 and the other off Occidental Road.

Construction of more trails into the Laguna is planned, but they depend on available funding, said Sara Press, associate open space planner.

Under plans approved by county supervisors in mid-March, the Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District is negotating with landowners in the Laguna area to buy mitigation rights at a cost of about $240,000. The mitigation bank would compensate for the loss of about 1.5 acres of wetlands and tiger salamander breeding areas where trails are slated to cross the Alpha, Brown, Kelly and Stone farms owned by the City of Santa Rosa.

“We have been working with the regulatory agencies to process the permits that allow us to start construction, which does impact a small amount of wetlands,” said Maria Cipriani, the district's assistant's general manager. “It is a known breeding site for the salamander so we have to purchase mitigation elsewhere.”

Ever since 2001, when the county gained conservation easements over farms that ring the Laguna, county and open space district officials have struggled to balance preservation of wetland habitat with the public’s demand for access into property purchased with the quarter-cent sales tax. In 2006, the district issued a trails plan that called for paved and gravel path access in the Laguna for hikers, cyclists and equestrians.

Initially, open space district officials proposed purchase of onsite mitigation banks, but they were told by federal officials that purchase had to be from an approved mitigation bank. Cipriani said the district is negotiating with the Hazel Mitigation Preserve, a limited liability corporation whose principal is developer Harvey Rich.

Once trail construction begins this summer, the trail will be deeded over to the county regional parks department, said parks deputy director Jim McCray. He said the department will be responsible for maintaining the trails, much like it maintains the nearby Joe Rodota and West County trails.

The Laguna trails plan has been approved for a $500,000 grant from the state Coastal Conservancy, but officials said they’ve been told the money won’t be available until state revenues improve.

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[Dynamique]

Why is the County wasting OUR money on something like this? There are hundreds of other needs that are higher priority and would benefit many more residents. Is getting up close and personal with the Laguna really worth this much trouble and expense? How are the tiger salamanders supposed to get to this offsite "mitigation bank" -- by helicopter or something?

This sounds suspiciously like another Regional Parks "continued employment justification" pet project.

Work to begin on long-waited laguna public trail | PressDemocrat.com
Work to begin on long-waited laguna public trail

By BLEWS W. ROSE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Published: Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 6:02 p.m.

[oliviathunderkitty]

I'm sorry but I just have to ask if this post is serious. Does the poster really not see the value? I'm not being rude, I'm just really rather incredulous and find it hard to take this seriously.

The Laguna is such a treasure and being able to walk through it on a thoughtfully constructed public trail is exactly how I want my tax dollars to be spent.

Why is the County wasting OUR money on something like this? There are hundreds of other needs that are higher priority and would benefit many more residents. Is getting up close and personal with the Laguna really worth this much trouble and expense? How are the tiger salamanders supposed to get to this offsite "mitigation bank" -- by helicopter or something?

This sounds suspiciously like another Regional Parks "continued employment justification" pet project.

[Barrie]

Why is the County wasting OUR money on something like this? There are hundreds of other needs that are higher priority and would benefit many more residents. Is getting up close and personal with the Laguna really worth this much trouble and expense? How are the tiger salamanders supposed to get to this offsite "mitigation bank" -- by helicopter or something?

This sounds suspiciously like another Regional Parks "continued employment justification" pet project.

I'll be really happy to have this access to the Laguna. If it were a significant problem for the wild life it probably wouldn't be built. One of the best ways to get humans to preserve space for nature is to get people out to enjoy nature. People with no connection to nature don't invest in saving natural places. I go on the Laguna Foundation spring bird walk from Willowside road out to the Laguna every spring, go on this walk & you'll see why more people need to appreciate what we have so close to us.

[LenInSebastopol]

Because OUR people want it.
Or at least the majority do not respond the same way as you. If they are silent, then it is their fault. Sorry. That's why we have wine and grass.

Why is the County wasting OUR money on something like this? There are hundreds of other needs that are higher priority and would benefit many more residents. Is getting up close and personal with the Laguna really worth this much trouble and expense? How are the tiger salamanders supposed to get to this offsite "mitigation bank" -- by helicopter or something? This sounds suspiciously like another Regional Parks "continued employment justification" pet project.

[Icssoma]

valuing nature and spending time with her amazing beings is one way to keep us humans sane. places to walk, access to trails are "priceless". we need to balance spending in this tight economy, but better access to special places for the public, our county, makes our lives so much more "livable". the laguna foundation restores, protects,provides education and gives access to one of the richest wildlife areas.

"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in." John Muir. Do check it out, on foot, on line: Laguna de Santa Rosa

i am reminded daily, as i spend more time on the computer than i wish, working to save horses from torture, emailing to change many ways of our world, i become overwhelmed, discouraged. when i make myself walk to the barn & see the horses we save, re-train, and re-home, their soft breath and amazing power of equines is an elixir for the day. my life comes into balance in moments. *****

thank you barrie for frequently bringing symmetry to our lives in this county.

I'll be really happy to have this access to the Laguna. If it were a significant problem for the wild life it probably wouldn't be built. One of the best ways to get humans to preserve space for nature is to get people out to enjoy nature. People with no connection to nature don't invest in saving natural places. I go on the Laguna Foundation spring bird walk from Willowside road out to the Laguna every spring, go on this walk & you'll see why more people need to appreciate what we have so close to us.