Year: 2019

Prescribed Burns in LPNF

Los Padres to begin implementing prescribed fire activities

GOLETA, Calif.— Los Padres National Forest officials today announced plans to begin implementing their annual prescribed burning operations on the Forest over the next few months. When favorable weather conditions are present, specific project locations and dates will be shared on the Forest’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

The objectives of the projects are to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire to people and communities, create conditions which offer a safer and more effective wildfire response, foster more resilient ecosystems, and minimize the effects of large wildfires on the landscape.

When implementing these projects, fire managers follow a burn plan that outlines the “prescription” or environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, fuel moisture, ventilation and relative humidity that need to be present before the project begins. When the criteria are met, crews implement, monitor, and patrol each burn to ensure it meets the goals and objectives outlined by managers. The prescribed fire program will continue through the winter and spring months as permitted by weather and other environmental factors.

Prescribed fires including both understory and pile burning are intended to reduce the amount of vegetation, such as needles, small plants, brush, and small trees which can carry fire from the forest floor into the treetops. Studies and experience have shown that prescribed fires stimulate the growth of grasses, forbs and shrubs that provide food for deer, mountain quail and other wildlife.

The ignition of all prescribed burns is dependent on the availability of personnel and equipment and appropriate conditions. Prescribed burn planning and execution are closely coordinated with the National Weather Service and Air Quality Management Districts in order to manage smoke production and minimize impacts as much as possible.

When these burns occur, information signs will be posted along the roadways to alert the public to the burning activity and subsequent visible smoke in the area.

For questions on the Los Padres National Forest prescribed fire program, please contact Fuels Management Specialist Rebecca Dykes at (805) 961-5764.

Lost Dog – Limekiln State Park

”This is my girl Poppy my therapy dog. She ran away on 12/11/19 at Limekiln State Park Big Sur California. She is a friendly dog. A medium size Terrier Pitbull mix. Short white fur and spots Approximately 3 years old. She has a basic chip.“ She was lost from campsite 15 near the bridge to the beach. He owner is on FB. Randy Swank is Poppy’s human’s name.

And even MORE filming coming to our town

In case you skipped over it, this morning’s notice was for the 19th, 21st, and 22nd. Notice that they skipped a day? Well, now we know why. There is yet ANOTHER filming happening in the same locations on the 20th. Here is that notice:

And if there was ever any question, these are clearly fill-inp-the-blank forms provided by the Monterey Film Commission as the wording is identical (except for the donation in this one)

Notification of Upcoming Film Activity – Big Sur Area
Date: December 14, 2019
To: Big Sur Residents and Businesses
From: Craft Worldwide/ York Production
Re: Film Production Activity in the Big Sur Area (Between Palo Colorado & Point Sur Lighthouse)
Scheduled for Friday December20, 2019
In an effort to better communicate with Big Sur residents and business owners regarding upcoming film activities in the area, this is to notify you of a film shoot to take place Friday December 20 , 2019 in the
Big Sur Area (Between Grimes Ranch @ Point Sur Lighthouse) between 7am and 5pm.
We will be hiring California Highway Patrol officers to facilitate the ITC and to ensure public safety and access with only brief traffic holds. Most of our trucks and equipment will be stationed a few miles away on private property
We have taken all necessary steps to ensure that the required permits have been obtained and will comply with restrictions necessary for a safe and efficient shoot.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. I hope this advance notice is helpful for you to plan your day.
Sincerely yours,
Alan Vasquez
Location Manager
Craft Worldwide/ York Production T.831.402.5668 Alan@locationsscouting.com

More Filming at Bixby


Date: December 19th, 21st, & 22nd, 2019 Big Sur
To: Residents and Businesses
From: Tool of North America
Re: Film Production Activity on Highway 1, Hurricane Point, Near Andrew Molera and Coast Road, in the Big Sur area, scheduled for December 19th, 21st, & 22nd, 2019.
In an effort to better communicate with Big Sur residents and business owners regarding upcoming film activities in the area, this is to notify you of a permitted film shoot to take place on 12/19/2019 from 7:00am to 6:00pm. Our work will require intermittent traffic control (ITC) including stages at and near Bixby Bridge and Hwy 1 to Hurricane Point (Mile Markers 58 to 60). As per our permit, a portion of parking at the Bixby Bridge turnout will also be used for production staging. We will also be filming along Hwy 1 from just beyond Point Sur to the small Redwood groves just North of the River Inn.
We will be hiring California Highway Patrol officers to facilitate the ITC and to ensure public safety and access with only brief traffic holds. Most of our trucks and equipment will be stationed a few miles away on private property. We have taken all necessary steps to ensure that the required permits have been obtained and will comply with restrictions necessary for a safe and efficient shoot.
The production company would like to show its appreciation to the community with a donation to the Mid Coast Fire Brigade. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. I hope this advance notice is helpful for you to plan your day.
Sincerely yours,
Jeff Clark, Locations Dept. Tool of North America
(831) 521-3710 JClark@MrLocationScout.com

Overtourism

I ended my multi-year discussion of overtourism in Big Sur through my Tourist Tuesday posts sometime ago and how it relates to other destinations in the world. It seemed to be on a trajectory where nothing could be done. I am not convinced, one way or the other, that it is a problem than will be solved, only that it must. Unsustainable population translates into unsustainable tourism, which in turn contributes more than its share to climate change. As we know from other studies, systems here on this finite planet are intimately interwoven and interconnected. Overtourism is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

The Atlantic wrote and created video on this problem, published yesterday.

Mass Tourism Is Destroying the Planet

Dec 12, 2019 | 12 videos 
Video by  The Atlantic

Last year, 1.4 billion people traveled the world. That’s up from just 25 million in 1950. In China alone, overseas trips have risen from 10 million to 150 million in less than two decades.

This dramatic surge in mass tourism can be attributed to the emergence of the global middle class, and in some ways, it’s a good thing. But the consequences are grave—particularly for the planet. In a new episode of The Idea File, the staff writer Annie Lowrey explains how overtourism has contributed to large-scale environmental degradation, dangerous conditions, and the immiseration and pricing-out of locals.

“Tourists can alter the experience of visiting something such that they ruin the very experience that they’ve been trying to have,” Lowrey says in the video. “That’s the essential definition of overtourism.”

To watch the Idea File Video (less than 5 minutes), click https://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/603451/overtourism/

For more, read Lowrey’s article, “Too Many People Want to Travel.”

Overnight Closure of Highway One, 12/19

HIGHWAY 1 FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURE NORTH OF RAGGED POINT NEXT WEEK

MONTEREY COUNTY – A full closure of Highway 1 in both directions approximately two miles north (typo, it is at Polar Star which is SOUTH) of Ragged Point in southern Monterey County will take place onThursday, Dec. 19 during the overnight hours from 9 pm until 5 am, weather permitting. 

This closure will extend from the traffic signals which maintain 24/7 traffic control north and south of the project area between the San Carpoforo Creek Bridge and Ragged Point. 

Local resident’s will be able to proceed through the closed area when heavy equipment is not on the highway.  Delays are anticipated not to exceed one hour.Electronic message boards will be posted to alert the public.

This full highway closure is necessary so that Caltrans can install pre-cast beams as part of a project to construct a viaduct and retaining wall along this portion of Highway 1. 

This $4.1 million project is Souza Engineering of San Luis Obispo, CA.  It’s scheduled to be complete by Spring of 2020.

December’s Full Moon

Traditionally called the “Cold Moon” or “Long Nights Moon” by Native Americans, December’s full moon is named appropriately, as it foreshadows the coldest and longest nights of the year.

Ancient European pagans called it the “Moon Before Yule,” in honor of the Yuletide festival celebrating the return of the sun heralded by the year’s longest night on December 21, Winter Solstice.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac says the timing of this year’s Cold Moon is a  good omen.

According to NASA, it will reach its peak fullness at 12:12 a.m. on the 12th day of the 12th month.

(Thanks to Lois DeFord and to see the rest of this go to: http://Returntothenow.net)

Coastal Commission 5-year Plan, Public Comment


California Coastal CommissionPublic Review Draft Strategic Plan PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Commission has released the 2020 – 2025 Public Review Draft Strategic Plan and is now seeking public input on the draft plan through February 14, 2020.
The Commission has released the Public Review Draft of the 2020-2025 California Coastal Commission Strategic Plan. The Draft Strategic Plan provides a framework of goals, objectives, and actions to set priorities and guide the agency’s performance for the next five years. It can be viewed at: https://www.coastal.ca.gov/strategicplan/spindex-2.htmlThe Draft Strategic Plan identifies 189 priority action items intended to be undertaken in the next five years, organized under 9 separate goals related to: Internal Agency Capacity and Effectiveness; Public Access; Coastal Resources; Climate Change and Sea Level Rise; Environmental Justice, Diversity, and Tribal Relations; Coastal Planning and Permitting; Enforcement; Public Presence and Partnerships; and Information Management and E-Government.The public is invited to provide comments on the Draft Strategic Plan in writing or verbally at the Commission’s December 2019 or February 2020 meetings. Written comments must be received by February 14, 2020.
Comments can be mailed to:
California Coastal Commission   Executive Division45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000San Francisco, CA 94105
Or sent via email to:StrategicPlanComments@coastal.ca.govA final plan is anticipated to be adopted by the Commission in April or May 2020.
California Coastal Commission | 45 Fremont St, Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94105