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.

Short term rental meeting

It was 14 years ago when we last visited this issue. I was not involved, I was transistioning in my own life, and wasn’t focused outward as much as I am at this moment.

After the BSMAAC meeting on Friday, May 17th, reported here, we had a working group meeting on Wednesday the 22nd in Salinas. The issue is short term rentals and events, although events is not getting much “air time” at the moment.

There were a lot of good comments on all sides about this issue. However, I was a bit saddened to see the acrimonious behavior of several community members at this meeting. Very disappointed if we allow this conversation to devolve into emotional attacks on one another. Both sides allowed that to happen. I don’t think one person is responsible. How we react is just as important as how we act.

Hopefully each Big Sur resident can assist in keeping this issue organic and not divisive. Lets all try to see the concerns of one another. There are more than just two sides – there are as many “sides” as there are residents of Big Sur.

One thing we all need to look at is the long-term effects of any decision we make today. That is what I have seen time and time again with various laws we have enacted. We haven’t seen beyond the immediate personal desires to the ultimate consequences of our actions. I used as an example what I know – criminal law. We react to a situation, enact laws that don’t take into account the ultimate consequences – such as the three strikes law, which imprisoned people for life when the third strike was a $25 petty theft of DVDs. Eventually, we woke up to the fact that we didn’t want to support these people for life, provide them with their basic needs and better medical care than some of us can afford, because once we, as a society, take over responsibility for these individuals, we must, legally and morally, take care of them humanely. So, once we realized what we had done, and the consequences of our actions, we woke up and changed the law. I have dozens and dozens of example where we were governed by principles of short-sightedness. Let that not rule us here. We need to look first at the larger picture … Our vision of and with Big Sur, THEN take a look at the specific problems and potential solutions.

Let us not start from a place of sleep, but of wakefulness. Rentals in Big Sur, whether long-term or short term, will affect our community. The questions become … How do we want them to affect this beautiful place we call home? What is our vision for this place? Lets start with the big questions, the overall goals we share. Big Sur WILL change. It has changed, it will continue to change. Can we, as a community direct this change? Can we work together, or will we let personal fears and concerns dictate our actions and reactions.

Most of us, after 9/11 were more than happy to give up freedom for personal security. I thought it was an error then, and I watch us, as a nation, proceed further down this path. We let our government dictate what is best for us. That has never been Big Sur.

I have only lived here for just under 30 years. I wasn’t born here, I was born in SF. I wasn’t raised here, I was raised in So Cal. I’ve watched my home state change a lot in my 64 years. I’ve watched Big Sur change a lot in 30 years. One thing about us as a community that I have always loved and respected is our independence and non-reliance on government entities to solve our problems. We solve them ourselves. We fight it out, work together, find solutions and compromise. That has always been who we are. Now we are bringing in government entities, in the form of County Planning, County Health Department, County Law Enforcement, and County Counsel to solve an issue which is ours. Lets find ways to solve this ourselves.

I do not have a pony in this show, I have very dear friends that I deeply care about on all sides of this issue. My main concerns are that we keep this process fair, representative, balanced, and respectful. If living here in Big Sur has taught us anything, She has taught us the need for this. Big Sur is the epitome of Mother Nature. She teaches fairness, balance, and respect, or, as we all know, she spits us out.

I find it absolutely ironic that I am writing this blog post while I am watching the news of follow-up reports on the devastation in the OK tornadoes where 1300 homes were lost, not even considering the children and lives lost. Do you see the irony?

Tomorrow, I will post a potion of the 1982 Big Sur Land Use Plan that details residences and where we were then. We then can see where we are now, and where we want to go in the next 30 years. Please be a part of the conversation, no matter where you stand. Just remember who we are and what we stand for – Big Sur – respect, balance, and beauty.

Controlled Burn at Fort Hunter Liggett

From one of my contacts

“…just got off the horn with the fire sta. …..the boys have got a control burn going on today…..so sounds like they started they’re control burn season….its out by san migieleto loop area….so expect to start seeing some smoke from the ligg for the next couple of weeks…..”

Oh, joy. FHL has a way of letting these things get away from them. Considering the fire restrictions imposed by LPNF, I am surprised they are doing it now, but I do know they will try to be careful. Anyway, heads up, South Coasters.

Cal Fire SLO responds to fire E of Cayucos

5:30update – up to 30 acres, but expect containment in 30 minutes. Lots of retardant being dropped, and looks like it is doing the job!

@CALFIRE_SLO: Responding to a wildland fire east of Cayucos off Cottontail Rd. 2 acres reported by CHP aircraft.

A source for bigsurkate reports two tankers out of Paso sent, and heard on scanner of one dozer. No additional at this time.

BSMAAC Summary

I will just do a quick, general summary of the meeting, as the official draft of the minutes will be out in two weeks, and can be included in the next round-up, for those who don’t have computers or Internet, as they will be posted on the web from now on. I will also provide a link in my link section on Big Sur, to the right, so you can always find the minutes, agendas, and county planning reports.

It was an extremely well attended meeting, with standing room only, due to the interest on all sides of the short-term rental and events topic. Even the county was well attended with Sheriff Scott Miller in attendance, the head of the Health Department, County Counsel, and the head of the Planning Department. Nothing was resolved, but a genuine conversation started. I felt that the overall feeling of those who attended was one of respect for differing points of view. Mary Trotter reminded all that the LUAC (land use advisory council) meets every Monday from 9:30-12:30 – addressing this issue, as well as others that affect us all for the Coastal Land Use Plan. The public is not only invited, but encouraged to attend these meetings and stay in touch with the process.

A meeting will be held at the Government Center, Monterey Room, Wednesday, May 22, where this conversation will continue. It has been suggested that another meeting be scheduled for Big Sur, so that more participation can occur.

Additionally, Cal Trans reported on their two existing projects, and two others in the works. One is the widening of an area we call The Elephants Trunk, down by the county line before Ragged Point. This project is not due to start for 18 months, and will take 18 months to complete. It will be one lane, traffic light controls, just as Rain Rocks/Pitkins Curve and Rocky Creek are. Just as with Rocky Creek, there will be a few full overnight closures, and the same notification system utilized. The second project is interpretive signs at select Vista points. Public input will be sought.

Bill Monning reported on the Coastal Trail State-wide project, and specifically, the Big Sur portion. Jeff Kwazny, USFS, for District Ranger Tim Short, reported that fire restrictions are now in effect. No campfire allowed in any but developed campgrounds. Fire permits required for stoves. Frank Pinney reminded all that the BSVFD muster will be held June 8, presumably at the State Park where it is always held.

Okay, those are the highlights. The full official draft of the minutes will be in the next Round-up.

bigsurkate, on a mountain top in Big Sur

Fracking in California -public comments

I am sorry I can’t get these links up, but one can copy and paste them into one’s browser.

Hydraulic Fracturing Draft Regulations –What Happens Next?

The California Department of Conservation and its Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources conducted five workshops in 2013 to hear public comments on the “discussion draft” of hydraulic fracturing regulations prior to the start of the formal rulemaking process. During 2012, seven workshops were held to gain public input on hydraulic fracturing. So, what happens next? All comments – including those given orally or in writing at the workshops, and electronically through the online comment links located on the Department’s and Division’s Web sites – will be taken into consideration as the process of developing the next draft of the regulations moves forward. Once the next draft and the required supporting documents are complete, the Department will begin the formal rulemaking process. These next steps in the rulemaking process are expected to take several months, and the public can continue to submit comments during this time via the Department and Division online links. There will also be an opportunity for public input during the formal rulemaking process.

Additional details on many of the important requirements involved in the process can be found on the Department’s and Division’s home pages:
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/Index/Pages/Index.aspx
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Pages/index.aspx

Also:

-A version of the Discussion Draft Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations document is now available with hyperlinks. The hyperlinks provide additional information regarding the content contained in the draft regulations. Links to both the original and hyperlink versions of the Discussion Draft Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations can be found on the Department’s and Division’s home pages:
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/Index/Pages/Index.aspx
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Pages/index.aspx

-A link to videos of the five 2013 Discussion Draft Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations workshops can be found on the Department’s and Division’s home pages:
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/Index/Pages/Index.aspx
http://www.conservation.ca.gov/dog/Pages/index.aspx

Life with Missy, the Mystery Dog

If you’ve missed the saga of Missy, the Mystery Dog, she has her own page under “pages” to the right. You can catch up and read her story, and how she came to join us, as much as I know.

She has completely and totally adapted to my tribe, or pack, or whatever you want to call us. She is a little leery of Dakota, the Alpha female, after the non-injury threats to put Missy in her place and teach her who is who in the hierarchy. Dakota has accepted her as one of her own, willing to groom her, if Missy would allow.

Right now, there are four of us who are miserable. Missy is going through her first heat. I have two intact males. All my time is spent making sure Gideon and Bear are inside when I let Missy out, and Missy is inside when they want out, and that Missy is in the bedroom when both are in, except when everyone is eating, which means Missy is in the bathroom, Gideon is in the bedroom, and Bear, Dakota and mellow Miranda are in the great room. Got that? Yes, the dance gets complicated – way more than I’d like. I thought of changing the feeding places to accommodate this new condition, but I really want as much consistency and routine as they like.

What amazes me, is that despite the very strong call of her instincts, minding and pleasing me come first. She is so wonderful. The dance of moving her from the bedroom to the bathroom for eating, passing through the great room past two intact males is accomplished with no problems. I carry a spray bottle, just in case. Never had to use it.

Missy has always required twice as much attention as all four of my others combined … she is young, and she is a Border Collie. Even this has doubled. I thought I had infinite patience, but at least once a day, I have to tell her to go lay down in her own bed and leave me be.

It looks like I am in for another week! It is like having three toddlers and a couple of teenagers in the house. Sleep is hard to come by! Bear has torn off the trim in the bathroom, bent my back screen door, and otherwise caused havoc. Gideon spends a lot of time “marking” his territory – inside – and I am spending an inordinate amount of time spraying a natural odor eliminator, and cleaning up. My whole life seems to be centered on this dance, and if I shared ALL the details of keeping this dance going, most, if not all of you, would say TMI! TMI!

Yes, we are going to the vet for spaying. I’ve heard owners should wait 2-3 months after a heat. I will, but I’m not going through this again! Oh, goddess, please let it stop! I really need to sleep sometime this month!

Hiker at Salmon Creek breaks leg, rescue underway

A hiker in Salmon Creek has broken his leg, and rescue is underway. An ambulance has been dispatched from Cambria, and a helicopter has landed at Ragged Point. Cal Fire is assisting in rescue attempt, probably our own Fire Brigade members as well, as they know the area well.