Tag: big sur multi-agency advisory council

Monterey County Visitors Bureau Response

Hi Kate

Thanks for sharing this feedback. And I’d also like to thank you for sharing with your followers the list of things we are doing to support responsible tourism in Big Sur (https://bigsurkate.blog/2017/07/21/monterey-co-visitors-bureau-outreach/). One of the main points of that list was to illustrate the wide range of ways we are trying to support the businesses in Big Sur and the people they employ – but do so in a way the emphasizes respect for the environment and the people who live in Big Sur.

As much as we are doing to maintain balance, there is always room for more ideas and collaboration. So appreciate your sharing this latest comment. Some feedback on that:

· Bixby Bridge – clearly we know people are going to take pictures. So much of our messaging is designed to encourage people to be safe and smart. To use proper parking/pull-outs and be cautious at all times… We’ve posted such messaging in our social channels, stress this with travelers who come to our Visitor Center and among other things on our website, we have a Dos & Don’ts page for Big Sur on our website that further elaborates on this.
· On the line of copy about “sleep under the stars” – this was vague so we made more specific and refer directly ‘sleep under the stars… at Fernwood Resorts’. This has been updated in our material.
· One of the comments in today’s post (https://bigsurkate.blog/2017/07/26/moco-visitors-bureaus-disconnect-with-big-sur/) was whether MCCVB was directing people – on purpose or inadvertently – to private property. We certainly do not do this, in fact, we ask travelers to be respectful specifically of private property. But we’ll look at our messaging to see how we can further emphasize.

Again, we appreciate your sharing the outreach we are doing with your followers as well as receiving critical comments so that we can address. In fact, we’ve gone to great lengths over the years – not just related to the road closure – to ensure we are not ‘disconnected with Big Sur’. But there is always opportunity for more and better connectivity. So please feel free to reach out to me directly anytime with any suggestions.

Given that Big Sur is one of the most iconic and beautiful places on Earth, we know people are going to travel to experience it. The question is how can we make them more respectful tourists – that is a top priority.

Please let me know of any further questions/suggestions/ideas. We’ll take all the collaboration we can get…

Many thanks

Rob O’Keefe

Thanks, Rob for being so receptive. Now, if we could just find ways to get the “on the ground funding” we need for porta potties, trash collection, and patrolling to prevent campfires and illegal camping. Anything you can do in that regard, we would be very appreciative of, because no matter how much educating we try to do, it will not reach probably more than 1/2 the people it needs to reach. Of the 4000 people a day who contact you, how can we know how many don’t bother?

Friday’s Weather & Last Friday’s Notes

First, the weather report for this coming Friday has eased up a bit for our area. The current NOAA discussion states:

“IMAGERY IS NOT INDC THAT MUCH MOISTURE WILL ENTRAIN INTO THE SYSTEM. THIS UPPER TROUGH WILL STRENGTHEN AS IT MOVES TO THE COAST. AN ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT WILL SWING THROUGH THE DISTRICT FRIDAY INTO FRIDAY EVENING. WINDS WILL INCREASE THUR NIGHT AND FRIDAY AS A SFC LOW INTENSIFIES OFF THE WA COAST. HOWEVER…SINCE THE FRONT WILL BE QUICK MOVING THE AREAL EXTENT AS WELL AS THE DURATION OF THE WINDS SEEM TOO SMALL TO WARRANT ANY WIND PRODUCTS. IT DOESN`T LOOK LIKE
THERE WILL BE MUCH WAA…SO THE MAIN RAINFALL WILL OCCUR WITH THE FRONT.

AFTER THE FRONT PASSES ACROSS THE DISTRICT FRIDAY/FRIDAY EVENING RAIN WILL TURN TO SHOWERS. SHOWERS WILL DECREASE RAPIDLY FRIDAY NIGHT… WITH A SLIGHT CHC MAINLY FOR THE MONTEREY BAY AREA ON SAT IN THE MOIST NW FLOW (A FAVORED LOCATION IN THE MOIST NW FLOW ALOFT).”
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BSMAAC Meeting Notes:
Public Comment Section:
1. Bill Nye reported on the Ft. Ord Veteran’s Cemetery.
2. Lorri Lockwood reported on the draft EIR from the State Water Resources Control Board and the El Sur Ranch’s Water Right Application (No. 30166.) The draft can be read at:
El Sur Draft EIR

comments accepted until December 14, 2009. For questions, contact Paul Murphey at pmurphey@waterboards.ca.gov or (916)341-5435.
3. Linda Sayre reported on the Highway One meeting. The two main subjects are trash and bicycles. Suggestions re: both were discussed. (Ed. note: See Highway Management Plan and Byways Organization for additional)

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Big Sur USFS Management Unit: This topic took the most time. Sam Farr provided copies of the text of HR 4040, as well as summaries and maps. Mike Caplin questioned some of the language of the proposed act, Butch Kronlund questioned putting the Act through without prior public input. Sam Farr agreed to a special meeting to consider amendments to the Act before it is presented for a vote. Will keep everyone posted about this.
2. Coast Highway Management Plan and Byway Oraganization Update Dave Potter stressed the need for a working group with representatives from the South Coast, Big Sur Valley, Carmel Highlands, Chamber of Commerce, and other affected areas. This working group would be the place to consider the trash and bicycle problems previously discussed (Ed. note: I attended the original meeting for this group several years ago at the FireHouse in Carmel Highlands. It seems to have “stalled” since then. Anyone from the south coast interested in this working group, please contact me.)
3. Update on Big Sur Fire Safe Grant and CWPP Frank Pinney brought us up-to-date. The MoCo CWPP is in the final draft stages. Suggestions for Big Sur CWPP and South Coast CWPPs which will feed into the MoCo draft.

REPORTS FROM MEMBER AGENCIES
1. Chamber of Commerce – Kirk Gafill reported on the Ambulance Service, which looks to be able to continue. He also reported business is up and has been good.
2 CPOA – Butch Kronlund reported on upcoming Annual Meeting this past Monday
3. State Parks – Mat Fuzie reported that Limekiln has been given back to the Monterey District (from the SLO District) and they are evaluating the repairs necessary to re-open the Campground, are setting up a timeline to accomplish necessary repairs, and an appropriate ranger found to manage it.
4. USFS – Sherry Tune reported that her district received $600K to repair trails w/i the district, and $ for road work within the forest is also available. She also reported Pine Ridge is now open.
Meeting adjourned at just before 1 pm, a record.

2010 Meeting dates:
February 26th; April 30; July 30th; October 29th.