From Sharen Carey:
Alert from Big Sur Health Center
If you received an email with an attachment from info@bigsurhealthcenter.org asking you to confirm a payment, please do not open the attachment or respond to the email. It was sent from an impersonator, phishing for your personal information.
The USGS has collected and released topographic data that show the changes to the Mud Creek landslide of Big Sur during the winter of 2024.
These data were developed from photographs collected in partnership with Ecoscan Resource Data during June 2023 and February 2024. Photos have been processed with a digital technique called structure-from-motion photogrammetry to make accurate elevation models of the coastal landscape. Comparing two sets of data shows “before” and “after” perspectives of the 2024 winter season. These data have been released under USGS Emergency Use Data authorities for data that have immediate or time-sensitive relevance to public health and safety. The aerial photos that were used to build these topographic data are published and available in the USGS Remote Sensing Coastal Change Simple Data Service.
See this link for graphics: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/cmhrp/news/usgs-remote-sensing-data-tracks-big-sur-landslides-2024
Unanimous Coastal Commission decision
upholds prohibitions on San Carpoforo camping
SOLVANG, Calif.— Los Padres National Forest officials announced that overnight camping on San Carpoforo Beach will be prohibited following a unanimous decision from the California Coastal Commission during a hearing in Sacramento last week. The ruling was in response to a Consistency Determination submitted by Monterey District Ranger Fin Eifert that seeks to increase oversight on public use of the beach.
A Forest Order will be issued by mid-April to prohibit overnight camping, campfire use and dogs off leash on the beach. These steps are being taken to address the rise in public use that has led to trash, human waste and disturbance of Snowy Plover habitat. The public will continue to have access to San Carpoforo Beach but are reminded there are no restrooms or trash receptacles, and visitors are strongly encouraged to pack out any refuse and human waste.
The CCC’s unanimous decision came with specific conditions that the U.S. Forest Service must meet during the two-year duration of the Forest Order. These conditions require the USFS to provide baseline data and mapping on sensitive species and habitat types at San Carpoforo Beach; to implement measures to protect the Snowy Plover within its designated habitat; provide bi-annual reports on steps to minimize the loss of recreational camping opportunities; and to coordinate with interested tribal partners prior to implementing any long-term measures on the beach.
“We appreciate the Coastal Commission’s support and shared commitment to managing visitor access in a sustainable manner,” Eifert said. “We’ll continue to work in coordination with our partners to develop a comprehensive solution that provides the greatest good for the people in the long run.”
For more information on Los Padres National Forest, please visit our website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.
Happy Spring!
This is the green I prefer on St. Paddy’s Day…
| Date: | Tuesday, March 12, 2024 |
| District: | 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties |
| Contact: | Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers |
| Phone: | (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATE #3
REPAIRS CONTINUE TO PROGRESS AT THREE SLIDES ON HIGHWAY 1
ON THE BIG SUR COAST
MONTEREY COUNTY – Crews continue to make progress with repairs at three major slide locations on Highway 1. Although a 12.1-mile closure of Highway 1 is in place due to these repairs, the vast majority of Highway 1 remains open for travelers. Highway 1 remains open from the Monterey/Carmel area to just south of the Esalen Institute, and from the Cambria/San Simeon area to just south of Limekiln State Park.
Progress at the three slide locations has been delayed as expected by a series of rain events. However, the repair sites have been able to safeguard progress and return to production in the immediate aftermath of wet weather.
The northernmost of the three repair sites is at the Dolan Point Slide at Post Mile 29.5. Crews have continued to haul slide material away from the slide as spider excavators have worked their way down the slope. Crews have also been able to loosen debris material using equipment stationed in the roadway. Over the next few weeks crews expect to complete the slide repair and install a drapery system over the face of the slide to protect the highway from any rockfall in the future. The final installation of the drapery system will be completed once an assist helicopter has been scheduled. Repairs are estimated to be completed at the Dolan Point Slide by May 1.
Drone radar surveys have been completed at the Regent’s Slide at PM 27.8. This data has been processed and is being used in the development of a final repair design. Parallel efforts are being made to secure necessary environmental clearances for the repair work to begin. Over the coming weeks, it is expected that a final repair design will be completed and once approval from relevant environmental agencies has been issued, an estimate will be provided for the completion of repairs at Regent’s Slide.
Crews have continued to make progress working seven days a week at Paul’s Slide at PM 22 and the estimated date for a full reopening of Highway 1 there continues to be late spring of 2024. Rock scaling crews brought down material from the slopes above the repair site in late February as slide activity has continued to be a feature that has consistently accompanied these repairs.
Daily convoys have continued to be scheduled through Paul’s Slide in the north and southbound direction at 8 am and 4 pm. These convoys allow for local residents living north of Paul’s Slide to travel south through Paul’s Slide to secure supplies now that travel to the north is blocked by the Dolan Point and Regent’s Slides. Because passage through Paul’s Slide is by way of a dirt roadbed, convoys will continue as long as site conditions and weather make for safe travel.
As a result of ongoing repairs at these three slides, the northern closure point on Highway 1 remains at Lime Creek at PM 32.1. The southern closure point remains at PM 20, just south of Limekiln State Park, making for a 12.1-mile closure on the coast.
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
This is the slide at Dolan Point. No photo of Regent Slide or Paul’s provided.
Anyone who has traveled Highway One between Cambria and Gorda lately, has seen, been behind, or almost been hit by the large trucks that have been carrying rocks up the coast to reinforce a sea wall south of Mud Creek. At two spots, there are flaggers to stop vehicles when the trucks need to use both sides of the highway. At other places, the trucks just take a chance. it was one of those that almost hit me, had I not be driving slow, pulled as far right as I could, and came to a complete stop.
Ten trucks a day, making three trips each, have been bringing these rocks up the coast from a quarry just south of Cambria. They have just about exhausted that quarry. They will be going to Porterville soon to get the rocks, per the flagger with whom I spoke. I can only imagine that logistical nightmare.
Mike Harlan, the son of the original road warrior, Don Harlan, sent me these and I know some of you will remember this.
And here is another postcard from the 60’s, sent to me by Janet
| Date: | Thursday, March 7, 2024 |
| District: | 05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties |
| Contact: | Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers |
| Phone: | (805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237 |
CALTRANS ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC STUDY MOVES SPEED LIMITS LOWER ON 44.5 MILES OF HIGHWAY 1 ON THE BIG SUR COAST
MONTEREY COUNTY– Caltrans announced today that it will be reducing the speed limit along 44.5 miles of State Route 1 in Monterey County on the Big Sur coast.
The decision was based on results of a recent engineering and traffic survey of this corridor which found the lower speed limits to be appropriate to facilitate the safe and orderly movement of traffic. This study was initiated as part of the California Department of Transportation program to periodically evaluate speed limit zones on state highways in Caltrans District 5.
Speed limits will be lowered on three segments Highway 1 north of the San Luis Obispo and Monterey County line.
· For the 14-mile segment of Highway 1 between Post Mile 0.0 and Post Mile 14 (from county line to just north of the Sand Dollar Beach Picnic Area), the recommendation is to decrease the existing 55-mph speed limit to 45-mph.
· For the 22.5-mile segment of Highway 1 between Post Mile 14 and Post Mile 36.5 (from just north of Sand Dollar Beach Picnic Area to just north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park), the recommendation is to decrease the existing 55-mph speed limit to 50-mph.
· For the 8-mile segment of Highway 1 between Post Mile 36.5 and Post Mile 44.5 (from north of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park to just south of Coast Ridge Road), the recommendation is to decrease the existing 55-mph speed limit to 40-mph.
The analysis conducted for this corridor showed common elements of concern for all three segments subject to the lowered speed limits. These elements include limited shoulder width, a high density of bicyclists, and the presence of pedestrians.
The California Highway Patrol Monterey Area expressed their full support for the recommendations by Caltrans to lower the speed limits on these segments of Highway 1. Ian Troxell, Monterey Area CHP Captain noted, “Slower speeds will afford motorists greater reaction time in navigating the roadway, reducing the likelihood of collisions, and enhancing overall road safety. It is imperative that we take proactive steps to address the unique challenges posed by the infrastructure and traffic dynamics of this corridor.”
Enforcement of the new lower speeds will begin once all speed limit signs have been updated. These updates are expected to be completed within the next 30 days.
Caltrans uses a number of resources when making speed limit determinations on state highways. These include the California Vehicle Code (CVC), the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (which is based on the CVC), the Safe Systems Approach by way of Caltrans Director’s Policy 36 (DP-36), as well as engineering judgement and engineering evaluation.
This decision is made in the full spirit of the Caltrans Director’s Policy 36 which is intended to establish a corporate expectation to prioritize safety in order to achieve its goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. The Policy clearly directs that all divisions of Caltrans shall align their programs, plans, policies, procedures, and practices with the Safe System approach as appropriate to their division. Safe and prudent speed zones are an integral aspect of the Safe System Approach and the Caltrans 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.
Additional Resources
The CA Office of Traffic Safety: https://www.ots.ca.gov/the-safe-system/
US Department of Transportation Safe System Approach: https://www.transportation.gov/NRSS/SafeSystem
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.
