magazine of theventana chapter of the ierra · pdf fileperiodical postage paid santa cruz,...

M A G A Z I N E O F T H E V E N T A N A C H A P T E R O F T H E S I E R R A C L U B

Volume 43, Number 1, 2004

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet

Celebrating the Pajaro Watershedp. 6

www.ventana.sierraclub.org

FEB, M

AR, APR

OUTINGS

Lois

Rob

in

The Most Gorgeous RiverWhen

I got thereI was astonished!

The river was like a waving snakeWith fish in its arms

AndEgrets on its sides.

Cattails danced in the wind.Tules twisted and turned

AndCaterpillars crawled

SlowlyAcross the leaves.

—Ian McCaffrey4th grade student

Editor: Debbie Bulger • 457-1036e-mail: [email protected](no change of address calls, please!)

Production:Vivian Larkins, Clove, Debbie Bulger

Writers:Rita Dalessio, Debbie Bulger,David Wright, Bill MagavernPat Veesart

Photographers:Lois Robin, Richard StoverDavid Wright, Debbie BulgerRita Dalessio, Winston Swift Boyer

Proofreaders:Richard Stover, Wolfgang RosenbergCharles Koester, Jeff Alford,Julie Hitchcock

Distribution:Lew Weinstein, Debbie Bulger,Sheila Dunniway, Leslye Lawrence

Advertising Sales:Debbie Bulger

Late Night Food Delivery & Software:Richard Stover

Chapter website:http://ventana.sierraclub.org

Please send all Letters-to-the-Editor to:Editor, c/o Sierra Club • 1603 King St.

Santa Cruz, CA 95060Send e-mail to: [email protected]

F R O M T H E E D I T O R

Printed on Recycled Paper2

While it is the intent of The Ventana toprint articles that reflect the positionof the Ventana Chapter, ideas

expressed in The Ventana are those of theauthors, and do not necessarily reflect theposition of the Sierra Club. Articles, graphicsand photographs are copyrighted by theauthors and artists and may be reprinted onlywith their permission.DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSIONSAll materials for publication must be receivedby the deadlines listed in The Ventana publica-tion schedule (see below). No exceptions.SUBMISSIONS FORMATPlease limit articles to 800 words; letters to300. All submissions may be edited for clarityand length. Submissions are preferred via e-mail or on a high density 3-1/2 inch diskette.Save files as “text” or “ascii.” Mail hard copyto editor, address below.WHERE TO SEND SUBMISSIONS Send submissions to: Debbie Bulger, Editor1603 King Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060e-mail: [email protected] OF ADDRESSDo not call editor! Send address changes toSierra Club, The Ventana, P. O. Box 52968,Boulder, CO 80322-2968.POSTAL NOTICEThe Ventana (015057) is published 6 times ayear, (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec.) paid bysubscription included in membership fee, byThe Ventana Chapter of the Sierra Club,1001 Center St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060.Periodical postage paid Santa Cruz,California, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to SierraClub, The Ventana, P. O. Box 604, SantaCruz, CA 95061-0604.

VENTANA PUBLICATION SCHEDULE:

Issue Deadline Mailing Date#2 Mar. 22 Apr. 8#3 May 17 Jun. 3#4 Jul. 19 Aug. 5#5 Sep. 20 Oct. 7#6 Nov. 15 Dec. 2

Articles received after deadline maynot be published.

The Sierra Club / Ventana Chapter Volume 43 Number 1, 2004

C H A P T E R C H A I R

At the end of 2003, the CaliforniaCoastal Commission staffreleased a draft Periodic Review

of the Monterey County Local CoastalProgram (LCP) which is required by theCalifornia Coastal Act. The purpose isto determine whether or not the Countyis properly implementing their LCP andto study any resource changes in thecoastal zone since the plan was adoptedin 1988.

Sierra Club would like to see the rec-ommendations put forward in the staffreview incorporated into the MontereyCounty General Plan Update now beingconsidered by the Board of Supervisors.

The periodic review emphasizes themany changes that have occurred in the15 years since the LCP was certified.Environmental, scientific, social, legaland political changes as well as popula-tion growth all have serious impacts onplanning in the coastal zone. For exam-ple, since 1988 two species, steelhead andred-legged frog which rely on coastalwaters and drainages, are now listed asthreatened under the federal EndangeredSpecies Act. This means we need toupdate protection of their habitat toensure recovery of these species. There isnow more information available oncoastal resources including more com-prehensive aerial photography to trackhabitat destruction and development.Also, some of the agencies which man-age coastal resources have changed theways in which they work and collabo-

rate with other agencies.The Monterey County LCP includes

four Land Use Plans which includeNorth County, Del Monte Forest,Carmel Area and the Big Sur Coast.Because each of these areas is given care-ful consideration in the periodic review,the document is lengthy and covers awide range of topics. These include thewater supply and watershed planning,agricultural issues, EnvironmentallySensitive Habitat Areas (especially mar-itime chaparral, Monterey Pines, andsand dunes), public access, road capacity,density, coastal resources and recreation.There isn’t space in this column to coverall the categories but some of the mosturgent reassessments of interest to SierraClub members include:

• New information and betterunderstanding of native central maritimechaparral from Elkhorn Slough souththrough the Big Sur coast. Awareness ofthe rarity and fragility of this habitat hasencouraged land acquisitions to protectthe resource, but the LCP has stillallowed too much development in andadjacent to maritime chaparral. Thisdevelopment has incrementally frag-mented the habitat and has negativelyaffected this ESHA.

• Recommendations to conservemuch larger stands of connected

Monterey Pine forests than before inorder to ensure the health of the species.Pitch Canker disease affecting theMonterey Pine has occurred in the last15 years and requires providing morestringent safeguards for the pines as sci-entists research this disease.

• Sand dunes are present on 22 resi-dential parcels and the adjacent golfcourse in Del Monte Forest and havebeen subject to development proposals, aclear violation of the Coastal Act’sESHA guidelines.

When the periodic review wasunveiled to the Board of Supervisors,their reaction was that many of the rec-ommendations were too restrictive andwould remove “local control.” We needto remind local officials that the peopleof California voted to create the powerand authority of the CoastalCommission because it was obviouslocal government was unable to protectour scenic coastline and stand up to spe-cial interests and developers who con-tribute to their campaigns.

To view a copy of the draft PeriodicReview of the Monterey County LCP,go to www.coastal.ca.gov/recap/rctop.html and click on the map where it says“Monterey County” or call the Cali-fornia Coastal Commission, 427-4863.

—Rita Dalessio

Coastal Commission recommendations could strengthenMonterey County General Plan

Unexpected consequences

When I was 11, I learned in a dra-matic way that things don’talways go as planned. I was up

in a tree on the farm of one of myschoolmates. A grazing horse innocentlywandered beneath me. Without think-ing, I jumped from the tree limb ontothe horse’s back. After all, I had seenthat same maneuver on TV countlesstimes.

Only, that particular horse had notrehearsed the scene. He snorted, andtook off like a shot. The next thing Iremember I was sitting on my butt in the

pasture and the horse seemed headed forthe next county.

Today, as I look around, it appears tome that humankind, like the 6th grader Ionce was, is blindly launching itself fromtree branches with no forethought as tothe result. Like a child, our society seemscapable of great gymnastic feats with lit-tle consideration of the consequences.

We build houses far from jobs andstores and then complain about the traf-fic congestion and air quality. Weclearcut steep slopes then bemoan dan-gerous mudslides. We cover our oceancliffs with concrete and wonder why ourbeaches are disappearing. It’s like thatsong from the 1960s: “When will we everlearn?”

Is the human race capable of planningfor the future or are we forever relegatedto the forethought abilities of a grade-school child? I eventually grew up andno longer impulsively fling myself atpassing horses. Is our society capable ofgrowing up too?

—Debbie Bulger

Deborah A. MalkinA T T O R N E Y A T L A W

Specializing in Wills, Living Trusts, Tax-saving Trusts,

and other forms of Estate Planning.Also offering assistance with Conservatorships and Probate.

Free initial consultationDiscount offered to Sierra Club members.

The Creekside Offices at 2425 Porter St., Suite 15 • Soquel, CA 95073 • 831-462-9100

New Executive CommitteeMembers

Ventana ChapterMarilyn BeckJulie EngellDavid Epel

Santa Cruz GroupShandra DobrovolnyKristen RaugustRichard ShullNote: Kelly Hildner has resigned

and relocated to Santa Barbara. Thenew Ex-com has appointed PatriciaMatejcek to fill Kelly’s term.

Please Recycle This Paper Again The Sierra Club / Ventana Chapter Volume 43 Number 1, 2004 3

President George W. BushThe White House1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NWWashington, D.C. 20500Comment line: (202) 456-1111FAX: (202) [email protected]

Vice President Dick Cheney(202) [email protected]

Governor Arnold SchwarzeneggerState Capitol BuildingSacramento, CA 95814(916) 445-2841FAX: (916) 445-4633www.governor.ca.gov

Senator Dianne Feinstein331 Hart Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510(202) 224-3841(415) 393-07071 Post Street, Suite 2450San Francisco, CA [email protected]

Senator Barbara Boxer112 Hart Office BuildingWashington, D. C. 20510(202) 224-3553(415) 403-0100 (Voice)1700 Montgomery StreetSan Francisco, CA [email protected]

U. S. Representative Sam Farr100 W. Alisal Street Salinas, CA 93901

Contact Your Representatives(831) 429-1976 (Santa Cruz)(831) 424-2229 (Salinas)(202) 225-6791 (FAX, Washington, D.C.)[email protected]. Representative Anna Eshoo698 Emerson StreetPalo Alto, CA 94301(408) 245-2339FAX (650) 323-3498eshoo.house.gov/communicate.htmlState Senator Bruce McPherson701 Ocean Street, Room 318-ASanta Cruz, CA 95060(831) 425-0401 (Santa Cruz)(831) 753-6386 (Salinas)toll free: [email protected]

State Senator Jeff Denham369 Main Street, #208Salinas, CA 93901(831) [email protected] Representative Simon Salinas100 W. Alisal Street, Rm. 134Salinas, CA 93901(831) 759-8676FAX (831) [email protected] Representative John Laird701 Ocean Street, Room 318-BSanta Cruz, CA 95060(831) 425-1503100 Campus Center, Building 58Seaside, CA 93955(831) [email protected]

by David Wright

Environmentalists have been hopingfor years that, someday, theymight walk and cycle in the Santa

Cruz County rail right of way, a 31-miletransportation corridor that runs fromDavenport to Watsonville. Until recent-ly, the prospect seemed as though itmight become a reality. Unfortunately,opposition has arisen and now threatensto derail the project.

There isn’t much controversy aroundthe idea of having a rail trail in SantaCruz County. Most people seem gener-ally enthusiastic about the chance towalk or ride their bikes away from carsin the flat, scenic corridor. The trail willencourage tourism, increase propertyvalues along the trail, and provide trans-portation alternatives to Hwy. 1. Thedisagreement begins when discussing thebest way for the county to purchase thecorridor from Union Pacific.

There are two options for buying thecorridor. The first involves accepting $11million of State Prop. 116 money (specif-ically earmarked for Santa Cruz County)and matching it with transportationfunds already allocated by the Santa CruzCounty Regional TransportationCommission (RTC). The second optioninvolves taxing residents as part of thehighway widening sales tax measureplanned for the November ballot.

In the first option, the State will pro-vide the $11 million only if the countymoves forward with some form of pas-senger rail service such as the proposedrecreational Trolley. For many, this is afair trade off. In fact, many people liketrains and think the idea of movingaround Santa Cruz by rail attractive.

The second option of a tax measure isfraught with complications. A recentRTC survey showed that the tax mea-sure is likely to fail at the polls.Following on the heels of both astatewide bond measure to compensatefor the deficit and Measure F, a tax mea-sure by the City of Santa Cruz, it seemseven less likely that voters will want to

tax themselves again in order to create awider highway.

Unfortunately, a handful of peoplewho live adjacent to the railroad tracks,particularly in Aptos, are opposed to theTrolley and are working hard to derailthe project. They are now claiming thataccepting Prop. 116 money is financiallyrisky because the Trolley will not beprofitable, forcing repayment of themoney to the State. This argument fallsapart when one examines the facts: since1990, when California voters approvedProposition 116, nearly $2 billion hasbeen distributed to counties all overCalifornia. In that 13-year period therehas never been a case where a county hashad to return money to the State.

Even more important, one of the con-tenders to operate a passenger rail ser-vice, Roaring Camp, has written to theRTC guaranteeing to provide recreation-al rail without fare box subsidies for upto 50 years. Cliff Walters of RoaringCamp wrote, “We would work directlywith the State TransportationCommission to make sure we are incompliance with their requirements ofthe bond funding.”

Further, the State provides a 10-yearperiod to establish a rail project. If theproposed recreational trolley project isnot successful, it is likely that anotherproject will have been established withinthe 10-year period. In late January, theSanta Cruz City Council expressedinterest in a solar-powered rail shuttlepossibly between Long Marine Lab/Seymour Center and the soon-to-be-built Monterey Bay National MarineSanctuary Visitors’ Center.

RTC member Supervisor Ellen Pirieappears to have been swayed by the vocalopponents and has abandoned her cam-paign promise to support alternativetransportation projects. Pirie is now

speaking out against the Trolley proposal.Supporters of the Trolley proposal

include the Sierra Club, the Santa Cruzbicycling industry, and many businessesincluding the Seaside Co. and SeascapeResort, as well as small businesses.

It isn’t clear why people who don’tlike trains purchased homes next to therailroad tracks. What is clear is thatSanta Cruz County needs transportationalternatives. Over 1000 rail trails havebeen developed in the U.S.-—over 50 ofthese in California. Monterey Countyrecently accepted Prop 116 money and isnow developing rail and pathways for itsresidents. Santa Cruz County needs todo the same.

The Sierra Club favors transportationthat is energy and land conserving and is

Help support rail right of way purchase

the least polluting. The Trolley projectand the use of the rail corridor for bicy-cle travel has enormous potential toreduce automobile trips in Santa CruzCounty.How to help

• Contact your Santa Cruz CountySupervisor to support using Prop. 116monies to purchase the rail right of way.

• Write a letter to the editor in sup-port of this purchase and the rail project.

• Attend the RTC public hearing onthis issue, 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 4at the County Supervisors Chambers,701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, to showyour support. Project opponents will bethere, and we must have a good turnoutin support of the project.

The Santa Cruz County rail right of way is a 31-mile transportation corridor that runs fromDavenport to Watsonville.

Dav

e W

righ

t

Open 7 days a weekS.C. Coffee Roasting Co. Coffees

Organic CoffeeHomemade DessertsLots of other goodies!

Pouring our 1996 1st place Stoutand 2000 Bronze Winning

Summer WheatRestaurant open at 11:30 every day

Serving food and grogto 11 PM Weekdays & 12 AM Weekends

The BOULDER CREEKBREWERY

maintain his vegetable garden during thesame water restrictions that promptedSilvia Sweet to purchase her cistern.Since the Augustitus storage pool isbelow the level of the house, Tom uses a3/4 hp pump to bring the water up tothirsty plants.

Mark and Kristin Sullivan ofCapitola didn’t wait forwater restrictions.When they builttheir new strawbale house (seeThe Ventana,Vol. 42, No 1,2003) theyinstalled a2500-gal loncistern intheir back-yard. Thelarge green tankwill soon bescreened by the native bushes theSullivans have planted around it. Theirdrought-tolerant landscaping is fed allsummer from the winter harvest. Thepressurized cistern is gravity-fed fromthe Sullivans’ roof and in turn suppliesdrip irrigation and a few sprinklers inthe yard.French drains

An alternative to installing a cistern is

Printed on Recycled Paper4 The Sierra Club / Ventana Chapter Volume 43 Number 1, 2004

by Debbie Bulger

When it is pouring outside duringa winter storm, have you everwondered if you could some-

how save that water to use on your gar-den during the long, dry summer? Orperhaps keep the water on your proper-ty to nourish the soil and prevent it fromrunning into the gutter and collecting oiland tire dust and depositing them in theMonterey Bay?

Sierra Club member Silvia Sweet start-ed harvesting winter’s bountiful crop ofrain about eight years ago duringMonterey Peninsula water rationing. Hermodest 550-gallon cistern sits next to herdriveway in the front yard of her CarmelValley home. It’s a simple system; thewater flows off the roof into the cistern.Sweet fills her watering can from a spigoton the bottom of the cistern and gives hercontainer plants a drink. She purchasedher cistern from a local nursery.

At their house high up on the hillsideabove Carmel Valley, Tom and RhondaAugustitus use a water collection systemthat Tom built himself. The water is col-lected off the roof in a 500-gallon tankand then transferred to a 6000-gallonabove-ground swimming pool purchasedto be used as a storage vessel. The swim-ming pool was an inexpensive solutionthat appealed to Tom’s do-it-yourselfpersonality. His motivation was to

Drought, in case you’recurious, is one of thosetechnical terms for whathappens when you haveenough water for 1 millionresidents, but not enoughfor 4 million, let alone the10 million that the develop-ers would like to see.

—Ed Quillen, High Country News, 4/28/03

Water savers collect rain for summer useto build French drains which capturewater from downspouts directing it intodry wells filled with crushed rockreplenishing the water table. Frenchdrains can be concealed with filter cloth

and topsoil which can be plant-

ed with flowers or other greenery. Theconnections with the downspouts areburied making the drains virtually invis-ible.

Many people install French drains tocontrol runoff or standing water which

Sierra Club member SilviaSweet started harvesting winter’sbountiful crop of rain abouteight years ago during MontereyPeninsula water rationing.

Tom Augustitusbuilt his ownwater collectionand storage system.

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can cause building damage or erosion.But an additional environmental benefitis that the water is diverted from run-ning into the street and instead is redi-rected into the ground where itrecharges the water table.

Club member Charles Koester ofBoulder Creek installed French drains inan L-shape around part of his garage tokeep the building from sitting in waterafter a rain. At Koester’s house, thewater drips off the garage eaves and intothe French drains below on his gentlysloping property.

When Richard Stover and Debbie

Bulger were remodeling their house in1995, they built French drains as analternative to directing the water intothe street (and ultimately into the Bay)-the other choice presented by the City ofSanta Cruz Planning Department. “Wedidn’t want to send more pollutants intothe Marine Sanctuary,” recalls Stover.Costs

Water storage cisterns are available ina great range of sizes from 55 gallons to5000 gallons and up. They cost fromapproximately $150 for a 55-gallon drumto about $850 for a 2500-gallon size.

Cisterns can be purchased at water sup-ply/sprinkler companies or orderedthrough some nurseries or gardeners.Installation costs are additional andwould depend on your set-up.

ATTENTION:Potential

Advertisers!

ATTENTION:Potential

Advertisers!Sierra Club Member

Profile

Advertising in this newsletter packsmore clout into your advertising dol-lars. Sierra Club members are one of themost valuable audiences in America.They are “opinion leaders” and “influ-entials;” by any name they are some ofAmerica’s most sought-after advertisingtargets. Their own purchasing activity issubstantial. But, more important, theyinfluence others—in everything fromopinion and outlook to choice of prod-ucts. They are not only consumers, butalso doers and leaders.

Club Members are among the mostactive, affluent audiences of adventuretravelers and year-round outdoorsports enthusiasts your advertising dol-lars can buy. It’s an unduplicated audi-ence with the power to buy yourproducts and services.

Sierra Club Members are Great ProspectsMedian Age: 41Male/Female: 63% / 37%Median Household Income: $56,227Attended/Graduated College: 81%Professional/Technical/Managerial: 36%

Outdoor Sports EnthusiastsBackpacking/Hiking 4 times more active

than the average adultMountain Biking 5 times more activeCross-Country Skiing 5 times more activeWhitewater Rafting 5.5 times more activeSource: 1996 MRI Doublebase

For Rate Information, Contact:Debbie Bulger - 457-1036Tom Augustitus uses a 6000 gallon above-ground swimming pool as a water storage vessel.

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Mark and Kristin Sullivan’s 2500-gallon cistern waters their drought tolerant landscape in the summer.

Richard Stover buried the connections to his Frenchdrains, then landscaped over them.

UCSC to sponsor eventsabout native oaks

The Arboretum at UC Santa Cruz willhost an art exhibit and educational displayabout oaks and the threats facing ournative landscape. Accompanying theexhibit will be two lectures:

Sunday, February 29, “Sudden OakDeath: Ecology of an Epidemic” present-ed by Keyt Fischer. 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 7, “California’s OakWoodlands & Forests” presented byGlenn Keator. 1:30-3:00 p.m.

Lecture tickets are $10 members, $15general. For reservations, call 427-2998 by5:00 p.m. Friday before each lecture.Gallery admission is free, closed duringlectures. The Arboretum is located onHigh St. in Santa Cruz, 1/2 mile north ofthe main entrance to campus. For moreinformation visit www2.ucsc.edu/arboretum.

C A L E N D A R

Sierra Club Events

Printed on Recycled Paper6

Non-Sierra Club events of interestThe following activities are not sponsored or administered by the Sierra Club. TheClub makes no representations or warranties about the safety, supervision or manage-ment of such activities. They are published only as a reader service.

The Sierra Club / Ventana Chapter Volume 43 Number 1, 2004

Tuesday, February 24Potluck - GalapagosJoin Polly Thomas to see flamingos andpenguins, fur seals and marine-feedingiguanas, old time whalers’ mailboxes andDarwin’s famous finches. Share in thefun of discovering this bizarre land andits creatures. Bring food to share for 8and your own plate and utensils. Drinksavailable. Carmel. 6:15 p.m. Turn east atHwy. 1 and Rio Road; turn south at thelast stop light at Carmel Center Place;park in the lighted area behind theSafeway and enter the side entrance ofthe mall. For more information callMarion Chilson, 624-3510.

Friday, March 12Potluck - AmazoniaThis slide show will be presented by DonNielsen. The potluck begins at 6:30 p.m.Bring food to share and your own plate,cup, utensils and serving utensils. Welove home-cooked food, but store-boughtitems (minimum value $4) make greatcontributions too. For directions callGeorge, 335-7748.

Wednesday, March 17Singles St. Patrick’s PartyMeet at 6:00 p.m. at Tony & Alba’s: 226Mt. Hermon Road, Scotts Valley (King’sVillage shopping center). $8.00/person;drinks extra. Please be punctual so weknow how much pizza to order. Weargreen, eat green or be pinched. For moreinformation, call Karen Kaplan after11:00 a.m. 335-3342.

Friday, February 13Potluck - The Grand CanyonJeff West will present slides from his tripto the Grand Canyon. The potluckbegins at 6:30 p.m. Bring food to shareand your own plate, cup, utensils andserving utensils. We love home-cookedfood, but store-bought items (minimumvalue $4) make great contributions too.For directions call George, 335-7748.

Friday, February 20Vegan Potluck and VideoAt this vegan potluck we will watch anentertaining video, ‘Diet for all reasons,’by Dr. Michael Klaper explaining why avegan diet is the healthiest for us. Veganmeans no meat, fish, dairy, eggs orhoney. 6:30 p.m. and will be hosted byRadha Vignola. For directions call Radha,427-3211 or George, 335-7748.

Tuesday, February 10Restore Hetch HetchyRon Good will show slides and an award-winning 15-minute film on Yosemite’slost valley of Hetch Hetchy and currentefforts to restore it. Santa Cruz NaturalHistory Museum, 1305 E. Cliff Drive.7:00 p.m. FREE. For more informationvisit www.hetchhetchy.org.

Saturday - Sunday February 12-22Banff Mountain Film FestivalThe best films and videos from the BanffMountain Film Festival will thrill andinspire you. Different films each day. RioTheatre, Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz. 7:00p.m. $12 general, $10 students. Ticketsavailable at Bugaboo, Pacific Edge,Adventure Sports, and UCSC BoxOffice. Benefit for the UCSC WildernessOrientation Scholarship Program and theUCSC Recreation Adventure OutingsScholarship Fund.

February 21 - April 24Arctic Wildlife PhotosThis exhibit features eight wildlife pho-tographers including Subhankar Banerjee,the photographer whose book SenatorBoxer displayed during Senate debateover oil drilling in the Arctic Refuge, andphotos by Santa Cruz photographerKennan Ward. Santa Cruz Museum ofNatural History, 420-6115.

Sunday, February 22Worm WorkshopLearn how worms can eat your garbageand make beautiful compost. FREEworkshop for Santa Cruz Co. residents,Radonich Ranch, 25140 Highland Way,Los Gatos. 1-3:00 p.m. Optional wormbin $15. Call to reserve bin. Sponsoredby Santa Cruz County Board ofSupervisors. Call Karin Grobe 427-3452.

Thursday, March 4Rail/Trail HearingCome to the Santa Cruz RegionalTransportation Commission meeting atthe County Government Center atOcean & Water to support purchase ofthe rail right of way. We need you. 7:00p.m. See story on p. 3.

Saturday, March 6Clean Waters, Healthy OceansThe annual Monterey Bay NationalMarine Sanctuary Symposium will focuson water quality issues affecting ourcoastal environment. 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.CSUMB, Sixth St., Seaside. FREE.Contact Liz Love, 647-4255,[email protected].

Saturdays (see dates below)Habitat restoration —California Native Plant SocietyVolunteer to restore native habitat inState Parks in Santa Cruz Co. Wear lay-ered work clothing. Bring water &gloves. Tools provided. 10:00 a.m. to 1:00p.m. We work rain or shine, but, ifthings get particularly unpleasant, we callit a day. Contact Linda Brodman, 462-4041, [email protected]. website:www.cruzcnps.org.February 14 Natural BridgesFebruary 28 Scott Creek Co. ParkMarch 13 Quail Hollow Ranch Park

Second and fourth SaturdaysHabitat restoration -WatsonvilleSponsored by Watsonville WetlandsWatch. 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meet inOrchard Supply parking lot at GreenValley Rd. and Main St. in Watsonville.Gloves, tools and lunch provided. CallLaura Kummerer, 728-4106 for moreinformation. No experience needed.

Coastal activist training setfor Feb. 9

Coastal Commissioner SaraWan will conduct the first oftwo 3-hour training sessions

for those interested in becoming effective coastal protection activists.The training is sponsored by ORCA,Organization of Regional CoastalActivists, a group established to teachactivists all they need to know aboutthe Coastal Act and how to be effec-tive advocates for the coast.

Learn how to use the Coastal Act,file appeals, work with CoastalCommission staff, lobby Commis-sioners, and make a memorable pre-sentation at hearings. Plug into thesupport provided by ORCA activistsup and down the California coast.

The training will be held in theSanta Cruz Police CommunityRoom, 155 Center Street, Santa Cruz,6:15 to 9:30 p.m. FREE. For moreinformation call 423-8567.

Tuesday, March 23Potluck - JapanVisit Japan with Polly Thomas as sheexplores the main island of Honshu andsouthern Kyushu and finds beauty andlocal people. Climb Mount Fuji andview nighttime cormorant fishingduring Polly’s two and a half years inJapan. Bring food to share for 8 andyour own plate and utensils. See Feb. 24for directions. For more info. call MarionChilson, 624-3510.

Friday, March 26Singles Potluck and GamesFriday evening potlucks are a great wayto begin the weekend, and provide achance to work out weekend plans. 6:30

p.m. Bring food to share and your ownplate, cup, utensils, and serving

utensils. We love home-cookedfood, but store-bought items(minimum value $4) make great

contributions too. For directionscall George, 335-7748.

Friday, April 9Potluck - Mountain Regions IVilma Siebers will show slides of moun-tain regions in several countries. This isthe first of 2 shows. Potluck begins at6:30 p.m. Bring food to share and yourown plate, cup, utensils and serving uten-sils. We love home-cooked food, butstore-bought items (minimum value $4)make great contributions too. For direc-tions call George, 335-7748.

Rumme is an Ohlone Indian wordthat means the spirit or essence ofa River. The Pajaro Valley Art

Gallery is currently presenting a multi-media installation and art exhibit“Rumme Living River: the Pajaro RiverWatershed” that exemplifies the Indianword. You can follow the course of thisriver system as it flows from the frontdoor to the last room of the Gallery inphotographs, paintings, video and sculp-ture. The exhibit is intended to providea sense of place for all the communitiesof the Watershed: Watsonville, Pajaro,Corralitos, Aromas, San Juan Bautista,Hollister, Gilroy and Morgan Hill, andto link them together so that collectivelythey can find solutions for a healthy, liv-ing River.

The exhibition will be open throughFebruary 29th. The Gallery is located at37 Sudden Street, Watsonville. Open 1-5:00 p.m., Wed - Sun.

The Ventana and Loma PrietaChapters of the Sierra Club supportedthis exhibit by providing funds for theRiver of Photos.

Mary Gale, left and Larry Espinosa, rightadmire the Rumme exhibit with curatorLois Robin, center.

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F E B R U A R Y

Sunday, February 8

HIKE: MOUNT MANUELWe’ll hike up from Big SurState Park. Strenuous 11miles, 3000' elevation gainwith incredible views. Wearboots, bring lunch and lotsof water. Meet at Albertson’sat 8:00 a.m. Heavy rain can-cels. Leader: Steve Legnard,655-3109 (new number).

Sunday, February 8

HIKE: TASSAJARA LOOPThis strenuous hike in the heart of theVentana Wilderness is best done in winter.Expect a great wonderful tour. Call for neces-sary information. Leader: Betsy MacGowan,510-215-9255 or [email protected].

Saturday, February 7

HIKE: PINNACLESWinter is the best time for the Pinnacles.We’ll do the High Peaks, Balconies and caves.9 miles, 1200' elevation gain. Bring lunch,water, a flashlight and $ for carpool and park-ing. Meet at K-Mart in Seaside, next to the gasstation at 8:00 a.m. Heavy rain cancels.Leader: Suzanne Arnold, 626-4042.

Sunday, February 8

WALK: POINT LOBOSEasy 2-mile circle saunter around Whaler’sCove, the Pit and Moss Cove to the south endof Monastery Beach. Splendid or your moneyback. Meet behind Brinton’s at 10:00 a.m.Bring snack, water, and dress for weather-windbreaker advised. Rain cancels. For moreinfo., call leader: Joyce Stevens, 624-3149.

Tuesday, February 10

SENIOR SAUNTER: SALINAS RIV. BEACHWe’ll walk along the beach to see an old ship-wrecked boat half buried in the sand, andthen on to nearby Salinas River. Walk is ondirt road and sand. Easy 3 miles. Meet before9:30 a.m. at Sears 41st Ave. To go direct, takeHwy. 1 south to Marina - Del Monte Blvd.exit and turn right. Meet at dirt parking lot at

10:00 a.m. Bring lunch, jacket and $2 for car-pool. Leader: Grace Hansen, 476-7254.

Wednesday, February 11

HIKE: PT. LOBOSHike thru boldheadlands, coves,and meadows toview spectacularMonterey Bay.We’ll hike alongthe south plateautrail, south shoretrail, over whalersknoll and finish

the 8-miles at Granite Pt. Bring lunch andwater. Meet at Sears 41st Avenue at 9:00 a.m.,or Espress Deli at Rio Del Mar exit at 9:15a.m. or at the park entrance at 10:10 a.m.Leader: Diane Cornell, 423-5925.


HIKE: JACKS PEAK5-mile perimeter loop of the park, with someelevation gain. Great views of Monterey Bay


O U T I N G S

R A T I N G S

GENERAL INFORMATION:All outings begin and end at the trailhead.

Carpooling to and from the trailhead is strict-ly a private arrangement between the driverand his/her guests. Carpool drivers are notagents or employees of the Sierra Club.

GLS = Gay & Lesbian Sierrans. All arewelcome on GLS outings.EXPLANATION OF RATINGS:

The outings described vary in difficultyfrom leisurely walks to strenuous hikes. Thefollowing explanation are general guidelines.(For more information about the difficulty ofa particular hike, call the leader):

Walk: Between 2-5 miles, leisurely pace.Easy: No more than 5 miles a day; slight

elevation gain; easy pace.Moderate: 5-10 miles a day; up to 2,000

ft. elevation gain; 1 to 2 1/2 mph; boots; bet-ter than average fitness required.

Strenuous: Distance variable; may in-volve off-trail hiking; demanding pace; forexperienced hikers in good condition only.

M E E T I N G P L A C E S

DIRECTIONS:Big Sur Land Trust Parking Lot: 3785

Via Nona Marie, Carmel. From Hwy. 1 head-ing south in Carmel, turn left on Rio Road,left on Via Nona Marie, then left into theparking lot behind Monterey County Bank,opposite the Post Office.

Albertson’s/Bagel Bakery: Heading southon Hwy. 1, pass through Monterey. One milepast the Ocean Ave. intersection, turn left onCarmel Valley Road (Hwy. G-16), towardCarmel Valley. Go approximately 0.1 mileand then turn right at the light toward theshopping centers. Albertson’s and the BagelBakery are on the right.

Santa Cruz County Govt. Center: This isthe large grey building at the corner of Oceanand Water Streets in Santa Cruz. We meet atthe corner of the parking lot that is nearest tothe gas station.

Felton Faire: From Santa Cruz takeGraham Hill Rd. toward Felton. Just afteryou pass Roaring Camp (on the left), make aright into Felton Faire shopping center. Wemeet at the edge of the Safeway parking lotnearest Graham Hill Rd.

41st Avenue Sears: From Hwy. 1 inCapitola, take the 41st Avenue exit and con-tinue toward the ocean on 41st Avenuetoward the Mall. Pass the main Mall entranceand turn right into the next entrance headingtoward Sears. We meet behind the bank locat-ed at 41st and Capitola Road. Senior Sauntermeets in Sears parking lot close to 41stAvenue.

MPC Parking Lot: Monterey PeninsulaCollege Parking Lot. From Hwy. 1 take theFisherman’s Wharf exit, go straight one block,turn left and left again into the first parkinglot, parking lot A. This is the site of theThursday Farmers Market. Plenty of parkingwithout a fee on weekends.

In the interests of facilitating the logistics of some outings, it is customary thatparticipants make carpooling arrangements. The Sierra Club does not haveinsurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for them.Carpooling, ride sharing or anything similar is strictly a private arrangementamong the participants. Participants assume the risks associated with this travel.

and Pt. Lobos. Bring water and lunch. Meet atK-mart parking lot (gas station side) in Seasideat 10:00 a.m. Rain cancels. Leader: AndreaPhelps, [email protected].

Sunday, February 15

WALK: SOMEWHERE IN MONTEREY CO.We’ll hike where the whim will take us. Dressfor weather. Bring water and lunch. Meet atAlbertson’s in Carmel at 9:00 a.m. Definitelycall for more information. Leader: HarryRockey, 625-7632.


SENIOR SAUNTER: WILDER RANCHWe’ll climb up the Baldwin Loop Trail, a 3.5mile steep uphill with great ocean vistas. Bringsit-upon for wet ground. Dress for weather.Meet at Sears 41st Ave. before 9:30 a.m. or at9:50 a.m. at Mission and King next to Shen’sGallery. Bring lunch, water and $3 for car-pool. Leader: Beverly Meschi, 662-2434.

Wednesday, February 18

HIKE: EL SERENO OPEN SPACEThis 1411-acre preserve, named for Mt. El

Club events such as potlucks, slideshows and other

get-togethers are on page 6 in theCalendar listings.

Notice

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field guides, bird books, videos,cassettes, t-shirts, posters,

binoculars, note cardsseeds, and more.

A Birder’s EmporiumThe Bird Feeder

M A R C H

Tuesday, March 2

SENIOR SAUNTER: FRANKLIN POINTFranklin Pt., part of Año Nuevo State Park,is located 3.5 miles north of park entrance.We’ll walk thru sand dunes and onto marineterraces. Great views. It will be low tide, sowe should be able to enjoy beach walking. 2+miles, some on loose sand, Meet at Sears 41stAve. before 9:30 a.m. or at Mission and Kingat 9:50 a.m. Dress for weather. Bring lunch,water $3 carpool and share of entrance $.Leader: Robert Franson 251-7042.

Friday - Sunday, March 5 - 7

SKI: CLAIR TAPPAAN LODGEWe have a 12-person room at Clair TappaanLodge. Cost for weekend is $105/membersand $111/non-members. Price includes allmeals (Vegetarian available). X-country skirentals and lessons available (for a fee) at thelodge. Free access to groomed trails from theback door. Free shuttle bus from the lodge tocross-country and down-hill ski areas.Participants will have one chore each day.For reservation and trip information, sendthe completed form below, a check for thetotal amount (payable to Sierra Club) and aSASE or e-mail address to Clair Tappaan Ski,P.O. Box 604 Santa Cruz 95061. Mail-inreservations must be received by Feb. 25.Information will be sent to you on Feb. 26.Refunds for cancellations are 90% before Feb.27, 75% by Mar. 4, 50% after the 4th. Formore details call leader, George Jammal at335-7748.

Saturday, March 6

HIKE: POINT LOBOSExplore the beach coves and points of PointLobos, one of the grandest spots on God’sgreen earth. Maximum 5 miles, easy hiking.Bring lunch and water. Binoculars recom-mended. Meet at Albertson’s at 10:00 a.m.Leader: Charles Gagarin, 659-1062, co-leader:Charlotte Anderson, 624-3101.

Sunday, March 7

HIKE: POGONIPWe’ll see the haunted meadow, sacred oak,kilns, and other thrilling sights. Meet at 11:30a.m. at the Santa Cruz County Government

The Sierra Club / Ventana Chapter Volume 43 Number 1, 2004 Printed on Recycled Paper8

O U T I N G S

Sereno, is part of a prominent ridge locatedsouth of Saratoga and west of Los Gatos onthe hillside west of Lexington Reservoir. 7miles on trail through chaparral withpanoramic views of the South Bay. Bringlunch and water. Meet at Sears 41st Avenue at9:00 a.m. or at the trailhead 3 miles upMontevina Rd. from Hwy. 17 near LexingtonReservoir. Leader: Diane Cornell, 423-5925.


HIKE: ALMADEN QUICKSILVER CO. PARKExplore this former mercury mining area. Atone mine entrance, you’ll get to feel 50-degreeair which has been circulating for years inalmost 100 miles of underground tunnels andshafts. 11 miles with 2000' elevation gain.Meet at the Santa Cruz County GovernmentCenter at 9:30 a.m. to carpool. Leader: NickWyckoff, 462-3101.


HIKE: KAHN RANCHWe’ll watch for early spring flowers as wetake a short but steep loop on the HitchcockCanyon and Manzanita trails. 5 miles, 600'elevation gain. Slow pace uphill. Becauseaccess to this area of Garland Park is strictlylimited, phone leader for meeting time andplace. Bring lunch, water, sun and/or raingear, and your own transportation to CarmelValley. Leader: Mary Gale, 626-3565.


HIKE: LOWER PEBBLE BEACHEnjoy spectacular ocean views on this 9-milehike starting near Asilomar down the coast toBird Rock, then east through Del MonteForest, Poppy Hills, and the S.F.B. MorseReserve. We’ll proceed along Spanish BayGolf Course. Bring water, lunch, and wearhiking shoes. Meet in front of the FishwifeRestaurant on Sunset Dr. at Asilomar Ave. inPacific Grove at 9:30 a.m. Leader: StacySmith, 625-5256.

Sunday, February 22

HIKE: PINNACLESThe Pinnacles are beautiful in winter! We’llhike the North Wilderness Trail. 10 mileswith 1,000' elevation gain. Bring lunch, water,a flashlight and wear boots. Meet at K-Mart inSeaside near the gas station to carpool at 8:00a.m. or at the West Pinnacles parking lot at9:00 a.m. Call leader: Steve Legnard, 402-1422.


SENIOR SAUNTER: POGONIP FROMHARVEY WEST4 miles with slight climbs from Harvey Westto Pogonip clubhouse, to Sacred Tree to limekilns for lunch. Then walk back to SpringStreet and down hidden staircase to HarveyWest. Dress for weather. Meet at Sears 41stAve. before 9:30 a.m. or 9:50 a.m. at HarveyWest parking lot by pool. Bring lunch, water,and $1 carpool. Leader: Pat Herzog 458-9841.

Friday, February 27

HIKE: PINNACLESFrom the west side, we’ll hike an 8+ mileloop that takes in the highlights: JuniperCanyon, High Peaks, Balconies and Caves.Wonderful views. Terrain includes some nar-row, steep and maybe wet stretches. We’lltake it at a leisurely pace. Bring lunch, water,sturdy shoes and a flashlight for the caves.Meet at MPC parking lot A at 8:30 a.m. (bringchange for the modest parking fee on a week-day) or Chaparral parking lot, WestPinnacles, at 10:00 a.m. (entrance fee). Raincancels. Leaders: Cath Farrant and MaryDainton, 372-7427, [email protected].


HIKE: CASTLE ROCK9 miles with 1000' elevation gain. Greatviews. Meet at the Santa Cruz CountyGovernment Center at 8:30 a.m. or at theCastle Rock main parking lot at 9:45 a.m.Bring lunch and water. Wear hiking boots.Leader: Jim Danaher, 465-6818.


HIKE: VICENTE FLATGreat views on this 11-mile hike in redwoods,and meadows. 2000' elevation gain. One-hourcarpool down Big Sur Coast. Bring water,lunch and $ for carpool. Wear boots. Heavyrain cancels. Meet at Carmel Bagel Bakery at8:00 a.m. Leader: Suzanne Arnold, 626-4042.

Sunday, February 29

HIKE: ASILOMAR/PEBBLE BEACHEasy 4-mile loop, starting on neighborhoodstreets, then through dunes, and more. Wehope to see spring wildflowers and possiblywhale spouts. Meet across from the FishwifeRestaurant on Sunset Drive in Pacific Groveat 9:00 a.m. Back by noon. Bring a snack andwater. Leader: Martha Saylor, 372-9215.

Names __________________________________________________________

Street___________________________________________________________

City___________________ZIP___________Eve Phone__________________

# of members _________ @ $105 each = _________

# of non-members _________ @ $111 each = _________

Total enclosed (make checks payable to Sierra Club) = _________

Departing day/time _____________ Returning day/time ___________Carpooling information: r I/we have room for _______ riders

r I/we need a rider You may give my name and phone number to other participants. Rides cannot be guaranteed, reserve at your own risk.r A Self Addressed Stamped Envelope is enclosed OR email: _________________-_________

DD DD

If 1% of CaliforniaSierra Club membershad 1 kilowatt solar PV systems, each year theywould replace power produced by 3,330,000pounds of coal, and avoidreleasing 3200 tons of CO2.

www.AppliedSolarEnergy.com/choices333-1919 x 20

Clair Tappaan Lodge Ski TripFriday - Monday, March 5-7(Read the write-up for more details)


O U T I N G S

Center. 6 miles. Bring lunch and water.Leader: Sheila Dunniway, 336-2325.

Sunday, March 7

HIKE: PICO BLANCO CAMPStrenuous 12-mile hike with 2,200' elevationgain from Botcher’s Gapto Pico Blanco Camp toLittle Sur River Trail-head. Car shuttle. See themost beautiful pool andwaterfall on the LittleSur River. Wear boots,bring lunch and water,and $ for car pooling.Meet at Albertson’s at8:00 a.m. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: SteveLegnard, 402-1422.

Sunday, March 7

WALK: CARMEL CIRCLECome on a 3-mile rambling loop in Carmel.We’ll start at Carmel River Beach, pastMission Ranch, up Mission Trails Park, backalong the Carmel Beach. Pine trees, postcardhouses, ocean beaches, spring gardens-we’llsee it all. Meet at Carmel River State Beachparking lot, south end of Carmello Street inCarmel at 10:00 a.m. Bring water and a snack.Wear comfortable shoes and a windbreaker.Rain cancels. Leader: Joyce Stevens, 624-3149.

Tuesday, March 9

SENIOR SAUNTER: POGONIPVIA SPRING STREETModerate 5-mile hike in this diverse city park.Enjoy fresh clean air and nice views. No bath-room until lunch. Meet at Sears 41st Ave.before 9:30 a.m. or at the north end of SpringSt. at 10:00 a.m. Bring lunch, water and $1 forcarpool. Leader: Joan Brohmer and PeterLazo 462-3803.

chance to visit the park’s mining museum.Bring lunch and water. Meet at 9:00 a.m. atSears 41st Ave. or at 10:00 a.m. at HaciendaPark Entrance at the end of Almaden Rd. offHwy. 85 exit Almaden Expwy. Leader: DianeCornell, 423-5925.

Saturday, March 20

HIKE: BUTANO STATE PARKCelebrate the spring equinox with a 10-milehike through magnificent old-growth red-woods to the headwaters of Butano Creek.Hike along the north ridge, with fine views.We should see many wildflowers includingperhaps a colony or two of the uncommonCalypso orchids (John Muir’s favorite wild-flower). Meet at 8:45 a.m. at the Santa CruzCounty Government Center to carpool.Bring lunch and water. Leaders: Peter andCelia Scott, 423-0796 or [email protected].

Saturday, March 20

HIKE: MOUNT MANUELAscend the long sunny ridge from Big SurState Park. Strenuous 11-mile, 3,000' eleva-tion gain. Panoramic views. Bring lunch,plenty of water, sun hat and sun block, $ forcarpool and park fee. Meet at the BagelBakery in Carmel at 8:30 a.m. Heavy rain can-cels. Leader: Suzanne Arnold, 626-4042.

Saturday, March 20

HIKE: BLOMQUIST RANCHEnjoy an easy 6-mile hike in upper CarmelValley. We’ll walk up a moderately inclined

dirt road to the old cabin site. Expect won-derful wildflowers and perhaps some mush-rooms along the way. Bring water and lunch.Meet at Mid-Valley Shopping Center near thebank at 9:00 a.m. Heavy rain cancels. Leader:Larry Parrish, 622-7455.

Sunday, March 21

SWEEP AND HIKE: GLEN DEVEN RANCHLet’s combine some habitat restoration with ashort hike on this beautiful property belong-ing to the Big Sur Land Trust. No experienceneeded, just willingness to help out and adesire to explore a lovely bit of Big Sur. Thenumber of participants is limited, so call forsign up and more information. Leader: MaryGale, 626-3565.

Sunday, March 21

HIKE: TIN HOUSE6-mile loop starting at Tan Bark Trail topanoramic viewpoint above the ocean. Weshould see some wildflowers and possiblysome whales when we descend the fire road.Bring hat, water, lunch, and $ for hour-longcarpool. Meet at Albertson’s in Carmel at10:00 a.m. Leader: Andrea Phelps,[email protected].

Tuesday, March 23

SENIOR SAUNTER: DE LAVEAGA PARKFeel as if you’re in the forest in your ownback yard. Hike by Branciforte Creek, red-woods, laurels and oaks. Some uphill. 3 miles.Dress for weather. Meet at Sears 41st Ave.

Saturday, March 13

BIKE/HIKE: PEBBLE BEACHThis outing was rained out in November:bike and hike in Pebble Beach. Meet and startby bike from Fishwife Restaurant at Hwy. 68and Asilomar Blvd. in Pacific Grove at 9:00

a.m. Gentle uphill 4miles to Morse Reserve.Hike about 3 miles, tosee trees generally foundnowhere else. Bringwater and lunch. Heavyrain cancels (not again!).Leader: Marilyn Beck,372-6860 [email protected].

Sunday, March 14

WALK: SOMEWHERE IN MONTEREY CO.See Feb. 15 for description. Leader: HarryRockey, 625-7632.

Tuesday, March 16

SENIOR SAUNTER: QUAIL HOLLOWDocent Mike Fisher will join us for a hikearound Quail Hollow Ranch County Park tosee unique sandhills and a variety of otherhabitats. We’ll walk the Discovery Loop, flatand less than 1 mile. Those who wish can con-tinue on the Italian Trail and Chaparral Loopfor other 1+ mi. with moderate uphill. Meetat Sears 41st Ave. before 9:30 a.m. or at 9:50a.m. at Felton Faire. Bring lunch, water and$2 for carpool. Leaders: Jean Harrison, 425-5447 and Mary Lou Schneider, 479-1859.

Wednesday, March 17

HIKE: ALMADEN QUICKSILVER CO. PARKAlmaden Quicksilver Park is the site of over135 years of mining activity and an area ofnatural diversity with one of the most spec-tacular wildflower displays in the region. 8miles. At the end of the hike we’ll have a

Sierra Club encourages outingsparticipants to walk, bicycle, andtake the bus to outings meetingplaces.

b

Getting to outings

XX

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before 9:30 a.m. or at the park by restroom.Bring lunch, water and $1 for carpool. Leader:Beverly Meschi 662-2434.

Wednesday, March 24

HIKE: GARLAND PARKStarting at the willow-covered banks of theCarmel River, we’ll hike 8 miles throughreminders of the Rumsien Indians, loggingsites, homesteads, livestock ponds, and theranch house. We’ll start at the lupine loop andgo past the waterfall to find wildflowers.Bring lunch and water. Some uphill. Meet atSears 41st Ave. at 9:00 a.m. or at 9:15 a.m. at

Express Deli, Rio Del Mar exit Hwy 1 or10:10 a.m. at the parking lot for Garland, 8.6miles east of Hwy. 1 on Carmel Valley Rd.Leader: Diane Cornell 423-5925.

Saturday, March 27

HIKE: HENRY COE STATE PARKOur exact path will depend on weather con-ditions. Hopefully we’ll see wildflowers. 11miles with 2000' elevation gain. Steep andstrenuous. Meet at the Santa Cruz CountyGovernment Center at 9:30 a.m. to carpool.Leader: Nick Wyckoff, 462-3101.

Saturday, March 27

HIKE: UPPER PEBBLE BEACH8 miles through old Del Monte Forest. Weleave from Carmel Beach traveling throughPescadero Canyon, on to Huckleberry Point,down through S.F.B. Morse Reserve, and outthrough Poppy Hills. Bring water, lunch, andwear hiking shoes. Meet on Carmel Beach atthe west end of Ocean Avenue at 10:00 a.m.Leader: Stacy Smith, 625-5256.

Sunday, March 28

WALK: NORTH RECREATION TRAILExplore a part of the Monterey Seaside Rec.Trail. We’ll walk about 2 hours or moredepending on the will of the group. Wearcomfortable shoes. Bring water and a snack.Meet in the Dennis the Menace playgroundparking lot at 10:00 a.m. Heavy rain cancels.Leaders: Chat and Bevy Gaudier, 375-8995.

Tuesday, March 30

SENIOR SAUNTER: FORT ORDThe Fort Ord Public Lands are managed byBureau of Land Management to protect 35species of rare plants and animals and theirnative coastal habitats. In the past, we haveenjoyed good displays of wildflowers. 4 to 5miles. Meet at Sears 41st Ave. before 9:30 a.m.Bring lunch, water, $4 carpool and wear hik-ing shoes. Dress for weather. Call leader if

O U T I N G S

you go direct. Leader: Robert Franson,251-7042.

A P R I L

Saturday, April 3

HIKE: PINNACLES WILDFLOWERSA slow-paced, 8-mile hike with 1200' eleva-tion gain to enjoy and identify the wide vari-ety of blooming plants. Bring your flowerbook, field lens and camera. Meet at the SantaCruz County Government Center at 8:30a.m. or at the Chaparral parking lot at 10:30a.m. (on the West side, off Hwy. 101). Bringlunch, water, sun protection and hikingshoes. Leader: George Jammal, 335-7748.

Saturday, April 3

HIKE: HUCKLEBERRY HILLWe’ll find our thrill on Huckleberry Hill, onthe east side of Point Lobos. Moderate climbthrough a series of ecosystems from MontereyPine to oak to chaparral to grassland withwildflowers to pine. Possible side trip to theredwoods of Gibson creek. 4 miles with 900'elevation gain. Meet at Albertson’s at 10:00a.m. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: CharlesGagarin, 659-1062, work: 659-8009, co leader:Larry Parrish, 622-7455.

Sunday, April 4

HIKE: ROCKY RIDGEThis is the place where we find the most wild-flowers, in numbers and in variation. Let’sdedicate this outing to the memory of theVentana Chapter’s unforgettable leader JoanDiStefano who loved this hike so much andled it several times each year. We’ll go upthrough Soberanes Cyn., hike as far as wewant or to the park border, and will return onthe Rocky Ridge Trail. A loop of about 5-8miles, very steep, about 2,000' elevation gainbut we’ll go slowly with many breaks. Bringwater and lunch, wear shoes with a goodtread. Camera and binoculars optional. Meetat Albertson’s at 10:00 a.m. Heavy rain can-cels. Leader: Anneliese Suter, 624-1467.

Tuesday, April 6

SENIOR SAUNTER: ANO NUEVOHike around the sand dunes and see elephantseals and lots of pups. 3+ miles, some in sand.We’ll return to the Visitor Center for lunch.Entrance fee is $8. Dress for weather. Meet atSears 41st Ave. before 9:30 a.m. Bring lunch,water and $4 for carpool, plus part ofentrance fee. Leader: Grace Hansen, 476-7254.

Friday, April 9

HIKE: VEEDER TRAIL & REDWOOD CYN.In spring the Veeder Trail in Garland Parkhosts a profusion of wildflowers. Our 3 to 4mile loop hike will be very steep. Bring waterand lunch. Meet behind Brinton’s at 9:30 a.m.to carpool. Heavy rain cancels. Leaders: CathFarrant and Mary Dainton, 372-7427.

Saturday, April 10

SPRING SAUNTER: BLOMQUIST RANCHWe have special permission from the RegionalPark District to visit the Carmel ValleyRanch. Join us for an easy saunter of up to 6miles. No trail burners. We’ll enjoy beautifulvistas of mature Valley Oaks and spring beau-ty. Bring lunch, water and a windbreaker.Reservations required; space is limited. Callleader: Joyce Stevens, 624-3149.

Sunday, April 11

HIKE: POST SUMMITVery strenuous hike in Big Sur, over PostSummit to Pico Blanco Public Camp viaMount Manuel trail, and down to the CoastRoad on the Little Sur trail. 15 miles, 3400'elevation gain. Bring lunch and water, wearboots and be prepared for brush (small clip-pers recommended). Meet at Albertson’s at8:00 a.m. Heavy rain cancels. Leader: SteveLegnard, 402-1422.

Wednesday, April 14

HIKE: FT. ORDHike over oak-studded hillsides and rollinggrasslands near Laguna Seca. Ridgetops affordgreat views and a chance to see raptors andhillsides of wildflowers. Bring water andlunch. 8 miles. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at Sears 41stAve.; at 9:15 a.m. at Express Deli at Rio DelMar exit off Hwy. 1; or at 10:00 a.m. at trail-head 10.4 mi. from the junction of Hwy. 1and Hwy. 68 in Monterey on the north sideof the highway up from redwood carving dis-play. Leader: Diane Cornell, 423-5925.

Saturday, April 17

HIKE: GARZAS CREEKWe’ll check out the blooms along the TerraceTrail and then drop down to Garzas Canyonto return along the creek. 5 miles, little eleva-tion gain. The flowers should make it allworthwhile. Meet at 9:30 a.m. in the mainparking lot of Garland Ranch (on CarmelValley Road). Bring lunch and water. Leader:Mary Gale, 626-3565.

Friday - Sunday, April 23 - 25

BACKPACK: VENTANA WILDERNESSEscondido to Arroyo Seco. We’ll start fromEscondido Camp to Lost Valley (5.8 miles).Saturday, we’ll pass Indian Valley and thegrinding rocks before we lunch at a beautifulwaterfall near Tan Oak Camp. After spendingthe night at Strawberry Valley Camp (8.7miles), we’ll continue to Arroyo Seco (8.4miles). 21.9 miles total; rated 3B. IndividualCommissary. Contact leader: Henry Leinen,[email protected]. Cost $5. Car shuttle onFriday afternoon.

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email__________________________________

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Check enclosed, made payable to Sierra ClubPlease charge my Mastercard Visa

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Threat to hills countywidePlanning Commission vote could set precedent for steep slope vineyards

Monterey County currently pro-hibits cultivation on slopesexceeding 25%. The Chapter has

successfully fought to uphold this lawrepeatedly over the past several years.We filed a legal challenge in 1998 whichresulted in the County reversing its deci-sion to allow an exception for viticul-ture. Currently, the protective ordi-nance faces a threat from a seeminglyinsignificant source: a small vineyard in aresidential neighborhood in CarmelValley.

County staff agreed the steep slopeordinance had been violated on thisproperty, but the Planning Commissionvoted 7 to 3 to overturn the violation.This decision threatens to be a precedent.

Why is this important? The SierraClub, Carmel Valley Association, and aPrunedale neighborhood group spoke atthe hearing about how dangerous itwould be to set such a precedent whichwould affect the whole county.According to county staff, there are162,000 acres of land between 25% and30% in Monterey County. This figure

does not includesteeper slopes over30% which could beopened to cultivation ifthis ordinance is weak-ened.

Steep slopes abound in coastal areas inCarmel Valley, North County, andSalinas. The local chapter of theCalifornia Native Plant Society supportsprohibitions on steep slope conversionand does not want to see the ordinanceweakened.

From an environmental perspective,cultivation on steep slopes presents ero-sion problems; increases run off; anddestroys native habitat, wildlife corri-dors, and viewsheds. In addition, con-verting land in residential neighbor-hoods to agriculture establishes conflictswith residents because of pesticide,fungicide and herbicide use; truck trafficto plant, tend and harvest; associatednoise and air pollution; and increased useof water.

In short, the law must be enforced toprotect both the environment and resi-dents’ health, safety and quality of life.

Big WineMonterey Supervisors approve Gallo project without EIR

CNPS testified that the plan to replacelost trees with saplings, even 2 to 1, willnot replace the habitat value and loss ofbiomass from destruction of the existingmature oaks. Ecosystem services provid-ed by mature oaks include cover and foodfor wildlife, soil enrichment, increasedwater absorption, and slope stabilization.

In addition, the Supervisors acceptedas a “mitigation” a conservation ease-ment on land that is too steep to plantlegally and as such is no mitigation at all.The maps for the easement propertywere misleading and drawn to make theland in question look less steep—a factthat the Club helpfully pointed out.

The Club was joined in its concernsabout this project by the United FarmWorkers who are challenging Gallo onthe environmental impacts of the pro-ject, Gallo’s labor practices and the pro-ject’s benefits to the wine industry inMonterey County. Together, we calledfor Gallo to be both a good steward ofthe land, and a good employer.

As we go to press, the MontereyBoard of Supervisors voted 3 to 2(Potter and Armenta against) to

approve a 350-acre-foot reservoir oneight acres near Soledad to accommodatea vineyard expansion by corporate wine-maker, Gallo.

Sierra Club did not oppose the vine-yard expansion itself, but argued for athorough environmental review of thishuge project The Club called for an EIRto consider where the best site would befor the proposed reservoir, dam anddrainage ditch. The site selected byGallo, and now approved by theSupervisors, would require cutting down321 mature native oaks adjacent to awildlife corridor. As Supervisor DavePotter noted, the 913,125 cubic yards ofgrading required by the project is morethan seen in most subdivisions andshould warrant environmental review.

The inadequate environmental analy-sis was further compounded by the factthat environmental documents werearriving at the last minute, too late forindependent review. Gallo’s past envi-ronmental track record has not beensterling; the company has been assessedsignificant fines in Sonoma for damageto nearby waterways. Proper environ-mental review might determine a lesssensitive site for the water structures onGallo’s 2100-acre ranch.

The Monterey Bay Chapter of theCalifornia Native Plant Society (CNPS)also expressed concern about the conclu-sions of the weak environmental review.

Wilderness First Aid ClassesTwo-day course (16 hours) includespatient assessment, shock, fractures,hypothermia, altitude sickness andmore. $145 for non-UCSC students.Weekends: Mar. 6-7, Apr.l 17-18, May 1-2, May 15-16, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Stevenson College, UCSC. Call formore details, 459-2806 or contact theWilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS,(307) 332-8802 or http://wmi.nols.edu.


The Sierra Club endorses formerAssembly Member Ted Lempert in the11th State Senate District, whereLempert and current Assembly MemberJoe Simitian are vying for theDemocratic nomination to replace term-limited State Senator Byron Sher. Sher

Sierra Club endorses incumbentRepresentative Sam Farr for re-election.Congressmember Farr was awardedNational Sierra Club’s prestigious EdWayburn Award in September for hisstrong leadership in environmental legis-lation and causes.

In 2003, he spent time on a broadarray of issues, all of which tie in to thequality of life on the Central Coastincluding:

• Sponsored the Southern Sea OtterResearch and Recovery act, a bill thatwill help bring back California’s belovedsea otters by authorizing a recovery pro-gram administered by the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service. The bill will also aidMonterey Bay area marine scientists indetermining the causes of poor sea otterhealth and assist in population recoveryby authorizing a research programadministered by the Dept. of Interior.

• Began drafting, and will continueto work on a piece of comprehensiveoceans legislation in response to thesoon-to-be released U.S. Commission onOcean Policy report.

• Secured funds for the planningand design of a new AgricultureResearch Service facility in Salinas, aswell as funds for research into pests anddiseases that impact crops in the 17th dis-trict (i.e. Verticillium Wilt and Pierce’sdisease.)

• Introduced the Puppy ProtectionAct which would stop the overbreedingof female dogs in puppy mills and createa “three strikes you’re out” policy forchronically abusive breeders.

Vote yes on Proposition 56,the Budget Accountability Actby Bill Magavern, Senior LegislativeRepresentative, Sierra Club California

Proposition 56, the BudgetAccountability Act on the Marchprimary ballot, will reform the

State budget process. California is one ofonly three states that routinely require avote of two-thirds or more in each houseof the legislature to pass a budget. Thetwo-thirds requirement enables a minor-ity of members who may oppose envi-ronmental funding, to block budgetadoption. The requirement is profound-ly anti-democratic.

Proposition 56 reduces the votethreshold to adopt the State budget andrelated tax legislation from two-thirds to55%. This sensible reform will allow thewill of the people to be expressedthrough budgets that adequately protectour resources and public health.

Prop. 56 holds politicians accountableby withholding the Governor’s and leg-islators’ pay until they pass a budget. Itencourages responsible budget decisionsby the legislature, restrains partisanextremes, eases budget gridlock, andrequires a real “rainy day” fund to helpbalance the budget in hard times.

Through the Voter InformationGuide and a website, Proposition 56 alsoprovides voters with information onhow the State spends its funds and howlegislators voted on budget issues. Thisinformation enables voters to hold elect-ed officials accountable for budgets thatshortchange the environment.

Over the past few years, hundreds ofmillions of dollars have been cut fromState programs that would reduce air pol-lution, decrease asthma, clean up toxicsites, and encourage smart growth. Thisyear’s budget crisis, like others in thepast, endangers our environment, as sci-entists and enforcers at State agencies donot have the resources to do their jobs.

The coalition opposing Proposition56 is funded by big oil, alcohol, tobaccoand other industries who are clearlyinterested in protecting the status quo inorder to preserve their own pollutinginterests. They benefit when a small

minority retains a disproportionateamount of influence.

Public opinion polls and the approvalof several recent bond measures showthat voters strongly support fundingclean air, clean water, coastal protectionand open-space preservation. Budgetaccountability reform is essential to pre-vent an anti-environment minority fromfrustrating the wishes of the voters.

Prop. 56 is a good-government mea-sure that will increase accountability. Asthe Sacramento Bee editorialized: “Thetwo-thirds rule creates a system designedto produce a late budget, and usually anirresponsible one, but leaves no oneaccountable for the failure. It under-mines democracy.”

Make legislators and the governoraccountable to Californians and not topolluting special interests. Prop. 56 isendorsed not only by Sierra Club, butalso by over 150 other organizationsincluding the American LungAssociation of California, the League ofWomen Voters of California, CaliforniaCommon Cause, California BudgetProject, California State PTA andCalifornia League of ConservationVoters.

Go to www.budgetaccountabilitynow.org to learn more about this importantinitiative. Vote YES on Prop. 56. Donot confuse it with Prop 57. or Prop. 58.

Sierra Club endorses

Check website for additionalendorsements

www.ventana.sierraclub.orgAt press time the Chapter and Grouphad not completed endorsements forlocal races in the March 2 primary.

11th State SenateDistrict

John Laird27th StateAssemblyDistrict

Central Coast Candidates

Sam FarrU.S. Houseof Represen-tatives17th District

Sierra Club endorses John Laird for27th Assembly District. 2003 was JohnLaird’s first year in the State Assembly.No other first-term member had morebills signed into law last year than JohnLaird. Twelve of his 13 bills were signedby the Governor, and Laird was alsonamed Chair of the Committee onEnvironmental Safety and ToxicMaterials.

Several bills focused on environmen-tal issues, including:

• AB 1492 strengthens the William-son Act by increasing penalties and clos-ing loopholes for those who would vio-late the Williamson Act’s agriculturalland preservation contracts;

• AB 1700 preserves federal fundingof toxic cleanup programs at former mil-itary installations, such as Fort Ord,helping spur economic revitalization atthese sites;

• AB 1420 establishes a statewide elkmanagement plan and increases the effec-tiveness of the Department of Fish &Game’s code and regulatory enforce-ment without additional cost; and

• AB 1640 enables tighter enforce-ment of Certified Unified ProgramAgency (CUPA) programs, ensuring bet-ter administration of hazardous wasteand hazardous materials programs at thelocal level.

Assembly Member Laird was also thelead author of AB 1702, which strength-ens the state’s Underground StorageTank (UST) regulations through tough-er reporting requirements and specifica-tion that owners and operators of USTsare responsible for legal compliance.

Highlighting Assembly Member

Laird’s deeply held commitment toongoing protection of the Monterey BayNational Marine Sanctuary, he jointlyauthored AB 121 & AB 906. Together,these bills prohibit discharge of sewage,sludge, oily bilge water or hazardouswaste into State waters and nationalmarine sanctuaries along the State’scoast.

TedLempert

has endorsed Lempert as his successor.The 11th Senate District, includes theSanta Cruz and San Mateo County coast-line.

Lempert occupied the Assembly seatcurrently held by Simitian for eightyears until term limits forced him toleave. As an Assembly Member,Lempert’s environmental voting recordwas rated 100% by the California Leagueof Conservation Voters.

As an Assembly Member TedLempert authored the Oil SpillPrevention and Response Act thatbecame a model for the country in pre-venting and responding to oil spills alongthe coast. He also authored theCalifornia Coastal Sanctuary Act thatbanned new offshore oil and gas drillingand established a permanent ban on allnew offshore oil and gas leases in statewaters between San Simeon and theFarallons.

During his second four years in theState Assembly, Lempert authored theBallast Water Management Program, thefirst of its kind in the country, to controlthe invasion of nonnative species alongthe coast.

BARBARABOXERU.S. Senate


The Ventana Chapter endorses JaneParker for Monterey County Supervisorfor the 4th District. The 4th District isan open race as pro-growth incumbentEdith Johnson will be vacating her seat.This is an opportunity to put someonewith environmental priorities and asocial conscience on the Board ofSupervisors. Jane Parker plans to advo-cate for policies to protect the quality ofMonterey County’s land, air, and water;to pursue sound land use principles suchas city-centered growth and a jobs/hous-ing balance; to bring about more afford-able housing to the community, and towork to ensure access to communityhealth care and county health services.

Jane Parker currently serves as Chairof the Monterey Peninsula CollegeBoard where she is an advocate for qual-ity education-opposing unfair educationcuts proposed by Sacramento-and lead-ing efforts to attract and retain qualityfaculty and teaching staff.

Parker also serves as a Vice Presidentfor Planned Parenthood Mar Montewhere she raises $5 million/year for pro-vision of essential family health services,education, and counseling. Prior to serv-ing with Planned Parenthood, Janefounded and managed a healthy mealpreparation and delivery service target-ing working families and homebound

The Ventana Chapter endorsesincumbent Dave Potter for MontereyCounty Board of Supervisor’s FifthDistrict, now representing Big Sur,Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey,Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, the Hwy.68 corridor and Las Palmas in Salinas.Potter is running for his third term, hav-ing served since November, 1996.During this time, his accomplishmentshave included:

Jane ParkerMontereyCountySupervisor4th District

DavePotterMontereyCountySupervisor5th District

VoteMarch 2

Monterey County• Opposing the proposed Hatton

Canyon Freeway and supporting thecanyon as open space.

• Opposing the proposed new LosPadres Dam on the Carmel River.

• Initiating the County requirementfor proof of water supply before issuanceof building permits.

• Supporting the countywide banon transferring water credits at theMonterey Peninsula Water ManagementDistrict.

• Supporting a General Plan Updatefor Monterey County based on the guid-ing objectives that reflect values and pri-orities established during an inclusivepublic process.

• Opposing construction of a newhotel on Monterey Bay at Sand City.

• Obtaining funding for returningrail service to the Peninsula.

• Assisting and encouraging the for-mation of local citizen-based watershedorganizations such as the Carmel RiverWatershed Council and the GarrapataCreek Watershed Council.

• Acting as the Monterey Countyrepresentative to the statewide task forceon Sudden Oak Death.

• Acting as the Monterey Countyrepresentative to FishNet 4c, an organi-zation sponsored by NOAA Fisheries toimprove compliance with rules protect-ing threatened steelhead trout.

• Preserving the local economy byworking to keep agricultural lands inproduction.

Statewide environmental leaders suchas Mike Reilly, chair of the CaliforniaCoastal Commission, and Fred Keeley,endorse Potter.

N E W S C L I P S

Sierra Club cruises to benefitpolitical candidates

The Sierra Club is offering fourcruises to Channel IslandsNational Park with a park ranger

to lead hikes on each island and helpidentify the animal and plant life.

All cruises depart from Santa Barbaraaboard the 68' boat Truth.

Cruise dates:March 26-28: San Miguel, Santa Rosa

and Santa Cruz Islands, $480.April 3: Santa Cruz Island, $125.April 17-18: San Miguel and Santa

Rosa Islands, $320.August 26-31: All 5 islands, $725.To make a reservation, send a check

for $100 payable to Sierra ClubCalifornia PAC to Joan Jones Holtz,11826 The Wye St., El Monte, CA91732. For more information contact626-443-0706 or [email protected].

Would you wear a rainforest?Co-op America’s “Woodwise

Consumer Guide” has found a surprisein our closets: wood products. Rayon,Tencel, and acetate are made from virginwood pulp. Much of our rayon comesfrom developing countries, such asIndonesia, where environmental laws areweak. You just might want to switch tosilk, wool, linen, recycled fleece, organiccotton, and hemp. Buying used clothesand donating your old clothes to theneedy or selling them at a consignmentstore are good ways to recycle.

Bad air daysEPA data on air quality in the United

States list five California cities as thehighest ranking in the number of days ofunhealthy air quality (total for 2000 to2002). Riverside/San Bernadino toppedthe list with 445 days of unhealthy airfollowed by Fresno with 421, Bakersfieldwith 409, Los Angeles/Long Beach with255, and Sacramento with 163. Also inthe top 50 nationwide were San Diegowith 82 unhealthy air days, OrangeCounty with 81, Ventura with 67, SanJose with 49 and Oakland with 40.

California is home to 10 of the top 50metro areas with the greatest number ofbad air days, more than any other state.And while our air quality is generallygood here on the central coast, remem-ber, our pollution blows east.

Reason to take the trainThe U.S. Department of Transpor-

tation reports that almost 43,000 peoplewere killed in traffic collisions in 2002.That’s more people killed each monththan died from the attack on the WorldTrade Center Towers.

Mercury threatOn December 10th, the Bush admin-

istration joined 45 states warningAmericans not to eat fish with high mer-cury levels that can cause birth defectsand learning disabilities. But days later,the administration said it wanted to givepower plants permission to shower moremercury onto our lakes and streams for

10 years longer than the law allows.

There is a better way. The BushAdministration should enforce clean airand clean water laws; hold pollutersresponsible for the damage they do; andcreate jobs and clean up our environ-ment by investing in modern technolo-gy, energy efficiency, and renewableenergy sources like wind and solarpower to create a clean and affordableenergy future.

Clean up dutyThe Superfund clean-up program ran

out of polluter-contributed funds inOctober 2003 leaving taxpayers to pickup the tab for polluting industries.George W. Bush is the first president torefuse to push for renewal of the pol-luter-pays tax since Ronald Reagansigned the superfund reauthorizationinto law in 1986.

WITTWER & PARKIN, LLP

147 S. River St., Ste. 221Santa Cruz, CA 95060Phone (831) 429-4055

Fax (831) 429-4057

Practicing in the areas of Environmental and Land Use Law

If highways had to be built accord-ing to procedures required of transit:

• Only 50% of their capital costswould be paid from

federal sourcesinstead of 80to 90%.

• Theywould need a

congre s s iona l“ s p o n s o r ”

who would helpsecure scarce funds.

• Local governments would have todemonstrate they could pay for theirshare and could operate and maintain thehighways.

• Highway projects would have tocompete with police, fire, education andother programs for funding. In lean bud-get years, highways could be closed someof the time to save money.

If transit rules applied to highways,highway construction would be subjectto intense political scrutiny and somecities, states and metropolitan areaswould never be able to build any high-ways, even if the public wanted themvery much. Only a few highway seg-ments could begin construction each

Rates: $4.00 per l ine for S ier ra Club members.Payment must accompany a l l ads. Make checkspayable to : S ier ra Club. Approx imate ly 35 char-acters per l ine. Spaces and punctuat ion countas characters . Typewr i t ten or computer gener-ated copy prefer red.

CLASSIFIEDS


Sam Hopkins dies at 89

Long-time Sierra Club memberSamuel Hopkins died peacefullyon December 30, 2003 of pneumo-

nia. He was 89. Sam was born in SanFrancisco and educated on the EastCoast, attending St. George’s in RhodeIsland and Yale University. As a youngman, he was drafted into the army wherehe served 5 years during World War IIincluding several months spent inGermany as a prisoner of war.

In 1947, he met his future wife, Nancyon a Sierra Club backpacking trip in theHigh Sierra. A year later, they marriedand moved into a home Sam and a neigh-bor had built on Partington Ridge in BigSur. The Hopkins raised five children,dividing their time between Big Sur andanother home in Carmel Valley.Throughout his long and active life, Sampursued his passions for fishing, hunting,woodcutting, bicycling and skin-divingfor abalone.

An avid hiker, known for his fast andlight style, Sam was often seen walkingthe trails of the Ventana and GarlandPark. Close friends fondly rememberhim as appearing in the wilderness as abronzed Greek god so radiant was he inthese surroundings. Locally, Sam and hiswife were ardent conservationists andcommunity leaders who supportedmany worthwhile causes. Nancy died in2001. Sam is survived by his five chil-dren: Jory Hopkins of Mucuge, Brazil;Darien Raistrick of Los Alamos, NewMexico; Heidi Hopkins, of Lee Vining,California; Craig Hopkins, of Big Sur;Kip Hopkins, of Carmel Valley; andthree grandchildren.

Transit - highway rules unfairby Debbie Bulger

Areport released in December bythe Brookings Institution con-firms what transportation reform

advocates have learned from their expe-rience in the field: there is in fact anunlevel playing field between transit andhighway projects.

Authored by Edward Beimborn andRobert Puentes, the report, “Highwaysand Transit: Leveling the Playing Fieldin Federal Transportation Policy,” docu-ments that transit and highways aretreated very differently in federal policy,law and regulations. Highways are givena big leg up.

year.Given the uneven playing field docu-

mented by this report, it’s a miracle thatwe have any transit in this country at all.

To remedy the inequity betweenhighway and transit regulations, theauthors recommend the following:

• Require the same land use guide-lines for highway construction as fortransit projects. Currently the federalgovernment will only support transitprojects where land use policies providefor efficient development patterns.

• Require cost-effectiveness proce-dures for highway expenditures.Currently there is no requirement forcost-effectiveness for highways. As hasbeen observed, “an empty bus is bad; anempty highway is good.”

• Implement peer comparisons forhighway projects as is required of transitprojects to encourage use of best prac-tices.

• Additional recommendations forleveling the playing field are included inthis well-referenced report.

Communities should not be facedwith the choice of an effective transitproject that requires mostly local fund-ing or a highway project that is mostlyfunded from state and federal sources.The double standard for highway andtransit projects heavily favors the mostpolluting and least efficient form oftransportation. The Sierra Club favorsthe most energy and land conservingtransportation modes. A level playingfield between highways and transitwould go far to achieving this goal.

To view the report visit www.brookings.edu/urban.

HIKE AND SIGHTSEE state and nat’l parks,Sept. & Oct., bus & motels, under $100/day,reserve Now! Call Harry, 831-625-7632.

TREASURER. Volunteer Treasurer for theSanta Cruz County Group. Duties includeproducing financial reports, making deposits,paying bills and attending Santa CruzExecutive Committee meetings. It may bepossible to share these responsibilities withanother volunteer. Computer and email skillsa plus. Call Leda Beth, 426-4453.

WEBMASTER. Volunteer needed to updatethe Ventana Chapter web site (www.ven-tana.org). Regular updates 6 times per yearplus new content as needed. HTML and webpublishing experience required. Call LedaBeth, 426-4453.

TAKE MINUTES at Sierra Club meetingsonce a month. We are looking for a capable,computer-literate volunteer who can take,transcribe and distribute minutes for anevening meeting once a month. Limited timecommitment. Contact Leda Beth, 426-4453.

DO YOU BIKE to school or work? Tell usabout your experiences. What got you start-ed? How often do you bike? Email [email protected]. Include your phone numberand full name.

HOW DO YOU reduce your driving? TheEditor wants to know. Call 457-1036 or [email protected].

222 River Street, Santa Cruz831-423-9078 • Tues - Sat 10 - 5 PM

Osprey packs • DownWorks custom down bags Western Mountaineering down bags Mountain Hardwear bags and tents

Walrus and Moss tents Vasque, Montrail, Garmont boots • Old Town and Navarro canoes

Gillespie outrigger canoe paddles • Expert sewing repair and down additionswww.ventanawild.org P.O. Box 506, Santa Cruz, CA 95061 831-423-3191

Windows, Doors, & MoreEnhance energy and sound efficiency. Remodels and

new construction. Electrical and plumbing.Advice on photovoltaics (solar power)and straw bale construction.

Professional journeyman carpenter; contractors license.

476-8044

Moving?Please fill out and mail the change

of address form on page 15.

The post office charges us 70 cents each ifthey handle the address change. Please helpthe Club by using the coupon on page 15.

Thank you

Win

ston

Sw

ift B

oyer

Brookings Institution notes Federal transportation policy favors highway construction

D I R E C T O R Y O F C L U B L E A D E R S


Mail to: Sierra Club - P.O. Box 52968 - Boulder, CO 80322-2968

MOVING? Please use this coupon. Attach current mailing labelhere and write in new address below. (Please allow 4-6 weeks processing time)

Name

Address

City State Zip

Ventana Chapter (Monterey Co.)

Information: 624-8032Executive Committee:Last Thursday of the month; Call formeeting place & time.Conservation Committee:Alternate 3rd Saturdays, 2:00 p.m.Beck’s house: 23765 Spectacular Bid,Monterey. Take Hwy 68 to York Rd. toSpectacular Bid.Saturday, March 20 at 2:00 p.m.

M E E T I N G S C H E D U L E

Santa Cruz Regional Group

Information: 426-HIKE (426-4453)Meeting place: Sierra Club Office 1001 Center St, Santa Cruz, Suite 11

Executive Committee:Wednesday, February 11, at 7:00 p.m.Wednesday, March 10, at 7:00 p.m.

Conservation Committee:Wednesday, March 3, at 7:00 p.m.Wednesday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m.

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1055 17th Avenue • Santa Cruz, CA 95062 • (831) 462-1280 • FAX (831) 462-9431Distributed By Falcon Trading Company

Chapter Office – Sierra Club Book Store –CarmelLas Tiendas Building, Ocean Avenue between Dolores and San Carlos, Carmel

Mailing Address – The Ventana Chapter, P.O. Box 5667, Carmel, CA, 93921, e-mail:[email protected] – 624-8032 Fax - 624-3371 (Santa Cruz Group Phone – 426-4453) Website:www.ventana.sierraclub.org

Sierra Club BookstoreManager Gil Gilbreath 24351 San Juan Rd. Carmel, CA 93923 624-7501Buyer Mary Gale 25430 Telarana Way Carmel, CA 93923 626-3565Treasurer Bruce Rauch 2655 Walker Ave. Carmel, CA 93923 626-9213Volunteer Chair Rita Summers P.O. Box 646 Pacific Grove, CA 93950 655-2526Chapter Executive CommitteeChapter Chair Rita Dalessio 16 Via Las Encinas Carmel Valley, CA 93924 659-7046Vice Chair D’Anne Albers P.O. Box 2532 Carmel, CA 93921 624-7717Admin Chair/Sec Mary Gale 25430 Telarana Way Carmel, CA 93923 626-3565Treasurer Stephanie Kearns 740 30th Ave. #67 Santa Cruz, CA 95062 475-1308Other Members Larry Espinosa 19240 Reavis Way Salinas, CA 93907 663-2753

David Epel 25847 Carmel Knolls Dr. Carmel, CA 93923 625-3137Alan Church 1251 Josselyn Cyn Rd. Monterey, CA 93940 375-6138Joel Weinstein 140 Carmel Riviera Dr. Carmel, CA 93923 625-5586Julie Engell 15040 Charter Oak Blvd. Prunedale, CA 93907 633-8709Marilyn Beck 528 Crocker Ave. Pacific Grove, CA 93950 372-6860Gudrun Beck 23765 Spectacular Bid Monterey, CA 93940 655-8586

Coastal Chair D’Anne Albers P.O. Box 2532 Carmel, CA 93921 624-7717Conservation CommitteeCo-Chairs Gudrun Beck 23765 Spectacular Bid Monterey, CA 93940 655-8586

Gillian Taylor 52 La Rancheria Carmel Valley, CA 93924 659-0298Forestry CommitteeChair Robin Way 748 Pine Ave. Pacific Grove, CA 93950 646-8649Local Wilderness CommitteeChair Steve Chambers 319 Caledonia St. Santa Cruz, CA 95062 425-1787Membership CommitteeChair Joel Weinstein 140 Carmel Riviera Dr. Carmel, CA 93923 625-5586NC/NRCC Reps. George Jammal 601 Manzanita Ave. Felton, CA 95018 335-7748

Patricia Matejcek P.O. Box 2067 Santa Cruz, CA 95063 423-8567Alternates Mary Gale 1310 Prima Vera #122 Salinas, CA 93901 422-6970

Lorri Lockwood P.O. Box 264 Big Sur, CA 93920 667-2564Outings Chair Anneliese Suter 9500 Center St. #53 Carmel, CA 93923 624-1467Population CommitteeChair Harriet Mitteldorf 942 Coral Dr. Pebble Beach, CA 93953 373-3694Political CommitteeChair Terry Hallock P.O. Box 486 Carmel, CA 93921 625-1477Pot Luck CommitteeChair Marion Chilson 6060 Brookdale Dr. Carmel, CA 93923 624-3510Sierra Club CouncilDelegate David Epel 25847 Carmel Knolls Dr. Carmel, CA 93923 625-3137Alternate Rita Dalessio 16 Via Las Encinas Carmel Valley, CA 93924 659-7046Transportation CommitteeChair Neil Agron 26122 Carmel Knolls Dr. Carmel, CA 93923 624-3038Ventana Editor Debbie Bulger 1603 King Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 457-1036Pajaro River CommitteeCo-Chairs Lois Robin 4701 Nova Dr. Santa Cruz, 95062 464-1184

JoAnn Baumgartner P.O. Box 1766. Watsonville, CA 95077 722-5556

Santa Cruz County Group of the Ventana ChapterGroup Office: 1001 Center St., Santa Cruz, near Actors’ Theatre Website:www.ventana.sierraclub.org

Mailing Address: Sierra Club, Santa Cruz Group, P.O. Box 604, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-0604 Phone: 831-426-HIKE (426-4453), Fax: (831) 426-LEAD (426-5323), e-mail: [email protected]

Executive CommitteeCo-Chair George Jammal 601 Manzanita Ave. Felton, CA 95018 335-7748Co-Chair Marilyn Demos Fravel 51 Ocean St. Davenport, CA 95017 458-1959Treasurer Keith Wood 606 Calle del Sol. Aptos, CA 95003 684-1404Other members Patricia Matejcek P.O. Box 2067 Santa Cruz, CA 95063 423-8567

Kristen Raugust 454 Swanton Road Davenport, CA 95017 423-8566Kelly Hildner 139 Peach Terrace Santa Cruz, CA 95060 457-2689Renée Flower 1747 King Street Santa Cruz, CA 95060 427-2202Lois Robin 4701 Nova Dr. Santa Cruz, CA 95062 464-1184Irvin E. Lindsey 150 Lions Field Dr. Santa Cruz, CA 95065 423-5925Kevin Collins P.O. Box 722 Felton, CA 95018 335-4196

Growth Management CommitteeChair Kelly Hildner 139 Peach Terrace Santa Cruz, CA 95060 457-2689Conservation CommitteeChair Marilyn Fravel, interim, 51 Ocean St. Davenport, CA 95017 458-1959Forestry Task ForceChair Jodi Frediani 1015 Smith Grade Santa Cruz, CA 95060 426-1697Membership CommitteeChair Marilyn Demos Fravel 51 Ocean St. Davenport, CA 95017 458-1959Outings Chair George Jammal 601 Manzanita Ave. Felton, CA 95018 335-7748 Transportation CommitteeChair Jim Danaher 340 Soquel Ave. #205 Santa Cruz, CA 95062 427-2727Water Resources CommitteeCo-Chairs Carol Hamilton 2220 Pleasant Valley Rd. Aptos, CA 95003 724-2059

Ned Spencer 4778 SoquelCreek Rd. Soquel, CA 95073 476-9197Political CommitteeChair vacant

Now featuring the Sierra Clubclothing collection

for women and menStop in today

untary efforts generally have failed toslow the loss of California’s oak wood-

lands.Senate Bill 711,

introduced in thestate legislaturelast year bySenator Sheila

Kuehl (D-L o sAngeles),w o u l dr e q u i r e

C a l i f o r -nia’s counties to prepare Oak

Woodland Management plans or ordi-nances that require mitigation for theloss of oak woodlands and specify mini-mum mitigation measures. Unfor-tunately, SB 711 was bottled up in theAssembly Appropriations Committeebecause of opposition from development

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California’s oak woodlands need your help!by Pat Veesart

Close your eyes and try to pictureCalifornia in your mind. What doyou see? The snow-capped Sierra

Nevada? Towering redwoods shroudedin mist? The steep cliffs and crashingwaves of the Big Sur coastline? Or per-haps golden hills studded with gray-green oak trees under a cyanic sky? Oakwoodlands are one of California’s signa-ture landscapes—a natural icon of theGolden State.

Oak woodlands are the richest terres-trial wildlife habitat in California. Over330 species of birds, mammals, reptiles,and amphibians depend upon them.These woodlands are also home to hun-dreds of species of plants and play a crit-ical role in protecting soils, regulatingwater flow in watersheds, and maintain-ing water quality in streams and rivers.

In the last 250 years, California has

lost 90% of its majestic valley oaks andone third of all species of oaks com-bined. Of an estimated 10-12 millionacres of original oak woodlands, onlysome seven million acres remain.Most are degraded to somedegree, and only about 4%enjoy protected status.

Oak woodlands continueto be impacted by intensiveurbanization and agriculture.The California ResourcesAgency estimates that more than14,000 acres of oaks are lost annually todevelopment, rangeland “improve-ment,” and conversion to more intensiveagricultural uses such as vineyards.

Because oaks are considered “non-commercial” species, they are not subjectto state laws which regulate timber har-vest. Local protections through GeneralPlans, resolutions, ordinances, and vol-

and agriculture interests. The authorintends to move it out of committee andto a vote in 2004.

SB 711 is a common-sense approach toprotecting California’s vanishing oakwoodlands that has the flexibility toallow development and agriculturalactivities to continue in areas where oaksoccur.

California’s oak woodlands need anddeserve protection. If our children andgrandchildren are to enjoy California’sunique oak-studded landscape, then it isincumbent upon us to take the steps nec-essary to preserve them now. Please callor write your legislators and ask them tosupport SB 711, or join Sierra ClubCalifornia’s Legislative Action Network(http://cal-legalert.sierraclubaction.org)to receive alerts on this and other impor-tant state legislation.

See related article on p. 11.

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