Author: bigsurkate

Appointed appellate counsel for indigent defendants (retired.) I have lived in Big Sur since 1984, first on the north coast, and on the South Coast since 1989.

Public Comment re Solar Power at PV STation

The USFS has sent out a letter requesting public comment by May 30th regarding the installation of a solar array system to become the primary source of power for the main firefighting station on the South Coast of Big Sur. The existing diesel generating system will be used for back-up power only. It will cover an area of approximately 15,00 sq ft and the total height of the panels will be 7 ft. None of this will be visible from the highway. This is a HUGE step, and I heartily support it, and will let the USFS know that. Of our 5 largest visitor-serving facilities down here (Gorda, Treebones, PV Station, the Hermitage, and Lucia) 2 of them will now be primarily solar powered, Lucia having been the first to take this major step. Both are setting good examples for the rest of us (I have been completely solar for over two years. I run my genie for 2-3 hours maybe 4-5 times a year in the shortest days of the year. BIG savings in gas and emissions.)

I would urge all interested parties to support this endeavor. Email to comments-pacificsouthwest-los-padres-monterey@fs.fed.us in either email, plain text (.txt) rich text (.rtf) or word (.doc). For oral comments or further information, call Jeff Kwasny, Resource Officer, at 831-667-1126. Snail mail comments to Tim Short, District Ranger, at the District Office in King City 406 Mildred, KC 93930

Public Meeting with Cal Trans on 2 South Coast Projects


Caltrans will be hosting a public meeting at the Willow Springs Maintenance Yard on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, at 10:00 AM, to review the Elephant Trunk retaining wall project and the upcoming Big Creek retaining wall project. The purpose of this meeting will be for Caltrans to provide overview of scope of both projects and current traffic management planning as well as to receive input from the public.
 

Unless unforeseen events prevent me, I will attend this meeting and report back.

Unsettled weather

okay, so it’s not REAL rain, yet, but it is wet AND cold up here, only 38 degrees. The “drizzle” is enough to have gotten the dogs wet this am.  SLO Co is still expecting drizzle and scattered rain today and tomorrow. From my SLO forecaster:

“A cold 547 dm upper-level low pressure system will pass over the Central Coast today into Friday with increasing clouds and   extensive night and morning marine stratus, fog and mist/drizzle   and cool temperatures. In fact, today’s maximum temperatures    will only reach the 60s in the North County and coastal valleys, while the beaches will remain in the 50s.

 

 As this late-season system moves closer, scattered rain showers will develop across our area this afternoon into early Friday   morning. As the atmosphere becomes more unstable this afternoon,  thunderstorms could develop throughout the Central Coast, but  more likely in the eastern regions of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Total rainfall amounts will remain below a   quarter of an inch for most locations, except for those areas   impacted by thunderstorms were rainfall amounts could be much greater.  

 

This low will produce thunderstorm and rain showers across the Sierra Nevada mountains with scattered showers possible across  the foothills through Saturday. Snow levels are  expected to  drop to 5,500 feet. “

 

Predictions for Rain

Rain for the next two days is looking pretty good. And snow in the Sierras. Every drop and flake counts. (Love the juxtaposition of the fire restrictions and two days of rain – both posted today.)

Fire Restrictions in LPNF now in effect

 

http://us.vocuspr.com/Publish/530638/vcsPRAsset_530638_85195_e4a2c9c8-38fd-4001-9b24-f63d98e4aeee_0.jpg 

NEWS RELEASE

Los Padres National Forest
For Immediate Release
Contact: Andrew Madsen (805) 961-5759
Twitter: @LosPadresNF

Fire Restrictions Take Effect in Los Padres National Forest

 

 

GOLETA, CA, May 6, 2015…Due to extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials announced that Level III fire restrictions will go into effect beginning today, May 6, 2015.  The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until this Forest Order expires:

 

Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except for designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download at the preventwildfireca.org website:http://www.preventwildfireca.org/Campfire-Permit/. You must clear all flammable material for a distance of 10 feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use.
  

  • Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest unless specifically authorized by a special use permit with the Forest.

 

  • Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction. 

 

  • Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site. 

 

  • Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.)  

 

A list of designated Campfire Use Sites is attached. For further information regarding current conditions and safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website athttp://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.

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EXHIBIT A

Campfire Use Sites

 

Monterey Ranger District 

Arroyo Seco Campground / Group Camp

Arroyo Seco Day Use Area 

Bottchers Gap Campground 

China Camp 

Escondido Campground 

Kirk Creek Campground 

Nacimiento Campground 

Mill Creek Day Use Area 

Plaskett Creek Campground / Group Camp

Ponderosa Campground 

Sand Dollar Day Use Area 

Santa Lucia Memorial Park Campground

White Oaks Camp 

 

Santa Lucia Ranger District 

American Canyon Campground 

Baja Campground 

Bates Canyon Campground 

Brookshire Campground 

Buck Spring Campground 

Cerro Alto Campground 

Colson Campground 

Cumbre Day Use Area 

Davy Brown Campground 

Figueroa Campground 

Friis Campground 

Hi Mountain Campground 

Horseshoe Spring Campground 

La Panza Campground 

Miranda Pine Campground 

Navajo Flat Campground

Nira Campground 

Pino Alto Day Use Area 

 

Santa Barbara Ranger District

Falls Day Use Area 

First Crossing Day Use Area 

Fremont Campground 

Live Oak Day Use Area 

Los Prietos Campground 

Lower Oso Day Use Area 

Middle Santa Ynez Campground 

Mono Campground 

P-Bar Flat Campground 

Paradise Campground 

Red Rock Day Use Area 

Rock Camp 

Sage Hill Campground 

Upper Oso Campground 

White Rock Day Use Area

 

 

Ojai Ranger District 

Holiday Group Campground 

Middle Lion Campground 

Pine Moutain Campground 

Reyes Peak Campground 

Rose Valley Campground 

Wheeler Gorge Campground 

 

 

Mount Pinos Ranger District 

Aliso Park Campground 

Ballinger Campground 

Caballo Campground 

Campo Alto Campground 

Chuchupate Campground 

Chula Vista Campground 

Dome Springs Campground 

Dutchman Campground 

Halfmoon Campground 

Kings Camp Campground 

Marian Campground 

McGill Campground 

McGill Group Campground 

Mt. Pinos Campground 

Pine Springs Campground 

Rancho Nuevo Campground 

Reyes Creek Campground 

Thorn Meadows Campground 

Toad Springs Campground 

Valle Vista Campground 

 

 

 

 

Elephant’s Trunk overnight closures Mid-May to Mid-Sept.

Today’s Date: Monday, May 4, 2015

District:          05–Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa 

                         Cruz Counties

Contact:          Jim Shivers or Susana Z. Cruz (Bilingual)

Phone:                         (805) 549-3237 or (805) 549-3138

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                               

STATE ROUTE 1 RETAINING WALL PROJECT BEGINS NEAR THE SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY COUNTY LINE

 

SAN LUIS OBISPO/MONTEREY COUNTIES – A project to construct a retaining wall on State Route 1 in northern San Luis Obispo/southern Monterey Counties is now under way.  It is expected to serve as a permanent restoration effort in this area known for major slides.

 

Full overnight closures on State Route 1 from Gorda to Ragged Point are expected to begin in mid-May through mid-September, Sunday night through Friday morning from 9 pm until 6 am.  

 

Motorists traveling north/south of these closures are advised to reach their destinations before 9 pm.  Access will be maintained for local residents and all businesses along the coast will remain open during the roadwork.

 

Motorists can expect one-way reversing traffic control via a temporary traffic signal Monday through Fridayfrom 7 am until 4 pm with delays not expected to exceed ten minutes.

 

Electronic Message Boards will be activated on US Highway 101 in Paso Robles and Hwy. 1 in Carmel and Cambria to inform motorists of these highway closures.  

All local businesses will remain open during this project.

                                                              (more)

 

 

This contractor for this $9.5 million dollar project is Madonna Construction of San Luis Obispo, CA.  This project is expected to be completed in 2017.

 

Caltrans reminds motorists to move over and slow down when driving through highway construction zones.

For traffic updates on other state highways in San Luis Obispo County, motorists can call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at 805-549-3318 or can visit the District 5 website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm   

Elephant Trunk Retaining Wall Project Map 050115

# # #        

 

Susana Z. Cruz

Caltrans District 5

Public Information Officer/

Portavoz de Relaciones Públicas

para Caltrans en el Distrito 5

805. 549.3138

805.549.3326–fax

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2015-2016 winter El Niño predictions

Okay, I am reading predictions of a super El Niño, rivaling 1998. So how accurate are these predictions? Per NOAA, it depends on when the prediction is made. In Spring, NO reliability, but as we move away from Spring, the predictions become more accurate.there is a great chart that demonstrates this.  

In the meantime, this is what forecasters are saying:

“NOAA’s CFSv2 model is forecasting a strong El Nino event will develop this summer and continue through 2015. Warm water along the west coast, combined with weaker than normal winds caused by El Nino will prevent nutrient rich cold water from welling up along the coast. Species that depend on nutrient upwelling will face starvation. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has an excellent El Nino forecasting model which is also predicting a strong El Nino. Because the jet stream has already gone into an El Nino pattern by moving south over the eastern Pacific ocean and Mexico and further north than normal over the eastern Atlantic ocean, the likelihood of El Nino failing to strengthen is small. Last year’s Kelvin wave failed to bring on a strong El Nino because trade winds in the south Pacific didn’t weaken but this year they have and waters along the west coast of south America have already warmed. The south Pacific has moved out of the cool mode it was in a year ago.”  

I will continue to explore and discuss this possibility as it developers, and IF it developers as predicted, I will explore what that means in terms of road closures for Big Sur by looking at what happened in 1998, the last Super El Niño.

Road Trip, Part 2, 2015

also Reno

   
   

   

  

  

  

  

  

 Home tomorrow to keep a closer eye on Big Sur. Big news about El Niño building, but I’ll believe it when I see it!