RPVCCA_CC_SR_2013_03_19_01_PV_Nature_Preserve_PUMPGrrYOF
MEMORANDUM
RANCHO f1\lDS VB
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
REVIEWED:
Project Manager:
HONORABLE MAYOR &CITY COUNCil MEMBERS
JOEL ROJAS,AICP,C UN DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR
MARCH 19,2013
PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE -ADOPTION OF
".<~
THE PUBLIC USE MASTER PLAN (SUPPORTS 2013
CITY COUNCil GOAL TRAil SYSTEM
ENHANCEMENT)~o9L--
CAROLYN lEHR,CITY MANAGER ~
Ara Mihranian,AICP,Deputy Community Development Director
RECOMMENDATION
Approve,via minute order,the Public Use Master Plan (PUMP)document for the Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve.
BACKGROUND
On August 31,2004,the City Council approved the City's Natural Communities
Conservation Planning Subarea Plan (NCCP)that creates a habitat Preserve and identifies
how the Preserve will be assembled,managed and funded.The City's NCCP
contemplates that the habitat Preserve will also be open to the public for compatible
passive recreational use (multi-use trails,some picnicking,etc)and to promote the
understanding and appreciation of natural resources.Furthermore,the NCCP states that
the public use of the Preserve will ultimately be determined by the City Council (with
concurrence from the state and federal wildlife agencies)through the preparation of a
Preserve Public Use Master Plan or PUMP.
On March 5,2013 the PUMP document was transmitted to the City Council and was
released to the public for its review.The City Council is now being asked to adopt the
PUMP document pursuant to the NCCP requirements.
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PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE -PUMP DOCUMENT
MARCH 19,2013
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DISCUSSION
PUMP Document
The PUMP Document (transmitted to the City Council on March 5th )was prepared by City
and PVPLC Staff in concert with the Wildlife Agencies who approved the document on
March 4,2013.The PUMP document is primarily based on the 2004 Council approved
NCCP,the 2011 Council approved Management Agreement between the City and the
PVPLC,and the conservation easements governing the properties included in the
Preserve.Most importantly,the PUMP document represents the culmination of an
extensive public input process which included the involvement of a Council appointed 15-
member PUMP Committee (plus one Ex-Officio member)and public input received at
numerous public meetings,including seven City Council meetings.Between July 12,2006
and January 30,2008,the PUMP Committee held 32 public meetings with the bulk of the
Committee's work focused on recommended trail routes and trail uses for the greater
Preserve.The Committee also lTJ~de recommendations to the City Council on the activities
permitted to occur in the Preserve.
The Preserve Trails Plan (PTP)that was originally approved by the City Council in April
2008,and amended by the City Council in October 2012,is just one component of the
PUMP,albeit the biggest component.Staff is not proposing any revisions to the PTP.
Thus,the PTP approved by the City Council back in October 2012 has been incorporated
into the PUMP document.In summary,the PUMP document encompasses the following
chapters:
1.Introduction -This Chapter provides background information on the 2004 Oouncil
adoption of the NCCP and the formation of the Preserve and PUMP Document.
This Chapter also discusses the PUMP Committee's involvement in preparing the
Preserve Trails Plan and lists the properties (known as "Reserves")and acreages
encompassing the Preserve.
2.Preserve Trails Plan -This Chapter is dedicated to the Council approved PTP for
each of the 11 Reserves that make up the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.Under
each Reserve is a brief site description,a trail use designation chart that includes
mileage for each trail segment,a description of trail access,existing public facilities
(available water fountains and bathrooms)and biological resources,and a trails
map.Additionally,this Chapter describes the general protocol for trail maintenance
and repair,trail guidelines,trail surface,trail routes,and trail uses.Upon adoption
of the PUMP,the PTP will be the governing trails plan for the Preserve,superseding
the Conceptual Trails Plan (CTP)trail routes and uses identified for the Preserve
properties.
3.Activities in the Preserve -This Chapter identifies authorized and prohibited public
activities in the Preserve that were recommended by the PUMP Committee and
approved by the City Council in April 2009 pursuant to the criteria set forth in the
City's NCCP.Examples of authorized public activities (with certain caveats)are
dogs on leash,continued farming at the Upper Point Vicente/Alta Vicente Reserve,
continued operation of the archery range at Abalone Cove Reserve,commercial
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PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE -PUMP DOCUMENT
MARCH 19,2013
PAGE 3
filming or photography,and specimen material collection to name a few.The
authorized public activities are considered conditionally compatible with the NCCP
and include guidelines to minimize impacts to biological resources.Examples of
prohibited public activities include installing bicycle jumps,camping,abandoning
animals,open flames or smoking,motorized vehicles,paragliding,littering and
reckless use of trails to name a few.
4.Preserve Amenities I Improvements -This Chapter identifies amenities and
improvements that are allowed in the Preserve to enhance the public's experience
and recreational use of the Preserve.Examples include the placement of overlooks
and vista points,seating areas,picnic areas,fencing,trail markers and signs,
drinking fountains,bathrooms,and trash bins to name a few.The amenities and
improvements must be consistent with the passive recreational activities that are
pe,rmitted to take place in the Preserve consistent with the City's NCCP.
5.Implementation -This Chepter describes the various protocol for implementing the
PUMP document including closing trails,public involvement,trail project lists for the
Preserve,and future amendments to the PUMP Document.This Chapter is
primarily based on the 2011 City Council adopted Management Agreement between
the City and the PVPLC which identifies the Preserve responsibilities for both
entities.
Proposed Corrections to the PUMP Document
Since the transmittal of the PUMP Document to the City Council,Staff has identified some
corrections to the document that will improve its readability.The corrections are either
typos or wordsmith changes that do not substantially change the content of the document.
Attached for the Council's review is a new PUMP document with the following corrections
shown in a redline format (strikethrough for deleted text and underline for added text):
Table of Contents
•Chapter 5 Implementation -Incorrect page numbers corrected.
Chapter 2
•Page 5 Introduction -modified text to further clarify the 2012 Council adopted PTP
•Page 6 -Grammatical correction
•Page 29 -Updated the Trails Plan for the Forrestal Reserve because certain trail
names were inadvertently left out.
Chapter 3
•Page 42 -Added text to Item No.5 clarifying that individual picnic benches are
permitted in the Preserve,such as the one at Ocean Trails Reserve.
•Page 42 -Added text to Item NO.9 clarifying that night time use of the Preserve is
for hiking only through a City issued permit.
•Page 46 -Added text referencing the Preserve hours of operation pursuant to
Section 12.16.030 of the RPVMC.
•Page 47 -Added text under the bullet points clarifying that organized or
unorganized bike races are prohibited in the Preserve.
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PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE -PUMP DOCUMENT
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Chapter 4
•Page 52 -Clarified permitted picnic activities in the Preserve.
•Page 53 -Deleted superfluous text under the "Signs" section.
•Page 55 -Clarified that bathroom structures are not permitted in the Preserve
except for portable bathrooms.
•Page 55 -grammatical correction under the "Trash Bins"section.
Chapter 5
•Chapter 5 Implementation -Incorrect page numbers corrected.
•Page 57 -Deleted "(see attachment)"reference since the Management Agreement
is not attached to this document in the event future amendments are made to the
Agreement
•Page 58 -Changed "committed"to "committee"
•Page 58 -Grammatical corrections under Sections C and D.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Forrestal Management Plan
In 2001 (and amended in 2004),the City Council adopted the Forrestal Management Plan
that established a trails plan and management protocol for the then 160-acre Forrestal
Nature Preserve.Upon the City Council's adoption of the PUMP document,the Forrestal
Management Plan will no longer be the governing document for the Forrestal Reserve.
The PUMP document will replace the Forrestal Management Plan since the Forrestal
Reserve is a part of the greater Preserve.
Public Notification
In order to ensure that the public was adequately informed regarding the March 19th City
Council meeting on this agenda item,a listserve message was issued on March 5th and the
City's website updated announcing tonight's meeting with a link to the PUMP document
being considered by the City Council.Additionally,once this Staff Report is made available
to the public,City Staff will issue another listserve message announcing the availability of
the March 19th Staff Report with a link to access the Staff Report.
Public Comments
At this time,2 public comment letters have been received by City Staff that recommend
various changes to the sections of the PUMP document.City Staff has reviewed the
comments letters and incorporated some of the suggested changes.Public comments
submitted after the transmittal of this Staff Report will be provided to the Council as late
correspondence at the March 19th meeting.
FISCAL IMPACTS
The adoption of the PUMP document will not result in fiscal impacts on the City's General
Fund since the Plan solely establishes the management tools for the Preserve but does not
actually approve any projects.Actual implementation of the various components identified
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PALOS VERDES NATURE PRESERVE -PUMP DOCUMENT
MARCH 19,2013
PAGES
in the PUMP,such as trail improvements,signs,enforcement,etc.will require separate
funding.However,approval of the PUMP increases the chances of receiving public and
private grants for implementing the PUMP.It has been Staff's past experience with grant
funding that projects that are a part of a City approved plan,such as the PUMP,have a
much better chance of being funded.Receipt of such grant funds would help offset any
future costs borne by the City with project implementation,including the construction and
maintenance of such improvements.
ALTERNATIVES
In addition to the Staff recommendations,based on information considered at the meeting,
including public testimony,the City Council may wish to continue the discussion on the
PUMP so that further changes can be made to the PUMP document prior to rendering a
decision.In this case,Staff would request specific direction on the changes that the
Council b·elieves should be made to the PUMP document.
CONCLUSION
Based on the information provided herein,including the PUMP document,pursuant to the
City's NCCP,Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the PUMP document for the
Palos Verdes Nature Preserve.
ATTACHMENTS
•Revised PUMP Document
•Public Comments
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Adopted: Redline Draft
PALOS VERDES
NATURE PRESERVE
PUBLIC USE
MASTER PLAN
(PUMP)
RANCHO PALOS VERDESRANCHOPALOSVERDES
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PARTICIPANTS PAGE
This Palos Verdes Nature Preserve Public Use Master Plan was created with the involvement of
many different individuals and organizations, including the following:
City Council 2013
Susan Brooks– Mayor
Jerry Duhovic – Mayor Pro-Tem
Brian Campbell
Jim Knight
Anthony Misetich
City Council 2009
Larry Clark – Mayor
Steve Wolowicz – Mayor Pro-Tem
Peter Gardner
Tom Long
Douglas Stern
Public Use Master Plan Committee
Donald Bell
Arlene Block
Barry Bonnickson
Troy Braswell
Eva Cicoria
Al Edgerton
Marc Jacobowitz
Cassie Jones
Gordon Leon
Kurt Loheit (ex-officio member)
Vic Quirarte
Ann Shaw
John Stevens
Paul Tetreault
John Wessel
Bill James
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City Staff
Carloyn Lehr, City Manager
Carolynn Petru, Deputy City Manager
Joel Rojas, Director of Community Development Department
Ara Mihranian, Deputy Director of Community Development Department
Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy Staff
Andrea Vona – Executive Director
Barbara Dye – Executive Director (former)
Danielle LeFer – Conservation Director
Lily Verdone – Conservation Director (former)
Becky Harper – Conservation Director (former)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................1
2. Preserve Trails Plan ........................................................................................... 5
a) Vista del Norte Reserve ................................................................................ 8
b) Agua Amarga Reserve ................................................................................. 10
c) Alta Vicente Reserve .................................................................................... 12
d) Vicente Bluffs Reserve ................................................................................. 15
e) Abalone Cove Reserve ................................................................................. 18
f) Ocean Trails Reserve ................................................................................... 21
g) San Ramon Reserve .................................................................................... 24
h) Forrestal Reserve ......................................................................................... 27
i) Portuguese Bend Reserve ........................................................................... 30
j) Filiorum Reserve .......................................................................................... 34
k) Three Sisters Reserve .................................................................................. 37
3. Activities in the Preserve .................................................................................... 41
a) Public Use Guidelines .................................................................................. 41
b) Authorized public Activities ........................................................................... 43
c) Prohibited Public Activities ........................................................................... 46
4. Preserve Amenities / Improvements .................................................................. 51
5. Implementation .................................................................................................. 547
a) Preserve Management ................................................................................. 547
b) Temporary Trail Closure ............................................................................... 547
c) Preserve Oversight and Opportunity for Public Participation ........................ 558
d) Preserve Trail Improvement Project List ....................................................... 558
e) Amendments to the PUMP Document .......................................................... 569
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Adopted: Draft Page 1
1. INTRODUCTION
The City’s Natural Communities Conservation Plan
The State’s Natural Communities Conservation Planning (NCCP) Act of 1991 provides for
the preparation and implementation of large-scale natural conservation plans. The purpose
of these plans is to identify and provide for the area-wide protection of natural wildlife
diversity, while allowing for compatible and appropriate development and growth. Because
of the relatively high concentration of coastal sage scrub habitat in the City of Rancho
Palos Verdes (RPV), and the growing intensity of development pressures on these areas,
in 1996, the City of RPV entered into a Planning Agreement with the California Department
of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to develop an NCCP subarea plan
that will encompass the entire City of RPV.
Between 1996 and 2004, the City of RPV worked with stakeholders, such as major
landowners of open space, state and Federal agency representatives, and environmental
organization representatives to create a subarea NCCP for the City of RPV. The City of
RPV has also prepared a habitat conservation plan (HCP) and is pursuing an incidental
take permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Together, the NCCP and HCP are
referred to as the City of Rancho Palos Verdes NCCP-HCP (herein referenced as the
“NCCP”).
On August 31, 2004, the City Council approved the City’s NCCP Subarea Plan. The City is
currently seeking state and federal permits for the NCCP. In summary, the City’s NCCP
Subarea Plan will identify the creation of a proposed nature Preserve, how the Preserve
will be assembled, how the Preserve will be managed and how much implementation of the
Plan is going to cost and identifies a list of activities and projects that will be covered under
the Plan. More specifically, the City’s NCCP proposes the creation of a n open space
habitat Preserve made up of existing City-owned properties, properties acquired by the City
for inclusion into the Preserve, and any private properties whose owners give their consent
to be included in the Preserve. To provide ample opportunity for the development of active
recreational uses in the City, all of the developed City parks and the developable portions
of the undeveloped City parks were excluded from the Preserve.
NCCP Requirement for Development of a Public Use Master Plan (PUMP)
In addition to protecting state and federally protected wildlife, the NCCP allows the
Preserve to be open to the public for passive recreational uses (as an “NCCP-HCP covered
activity”) that are compatible with and follow certain requirements outlined in the NCCP and
habitat conservation plan (HCP). To ensure that the NCCP Preserve provides the City with
recreational and educational opportunities while conserving the City’s unique biodiversity
and maintaining populations of sensitive resources, the NCCP requires that the City and
the PVPLC prepare a Public Use Master Plan (PUMP) for the Preserve. The PUMP is
intended to be a covered activity under the NCCP and address issues germane to the
Preserve such as public access, trail and trailhead locations, parking, trail use, fencing,
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Adopted: Draft Page 2
signage, lighting to name a few. In addition, the NCCP (section 6.2.5.1) calls out a number
of “Management Recommendations” that will likely be incorporated as part of development
of the PUMP to obtain coverage for these activities, including the development of a
comprehensive Preserve Trails Plan (PTP).
Pursuant to the City’s NCCP, preparation of the PUMP shou ld be based on extensive
public input and must be completed within 2 years of the signing of the NCCP
Implementation Agreement and be approved by the City Council and the Resource
Agencies to be a covered activity. The City’s NCCP Implementing Agreement has not
been signed yet; however, the PUMP preparation is currently underway and well ahead of
the schedule anticipated by the Resource Agencies. The basis of the Resource Agency
review will be to ensure that the PUMP meets the “covered activity” requirements and is
consistent with the biological conservation goals of and of the NCCP.
Upon the City Council’s adoption of the PUMP document, the Forrestal Management Plan
will no longer be the governing document for the Forrestal Reserve. The PUMP document
will replace the Forrestal Management Plan since the Forrestal Reserve is a part of the
greater NCCP Preserve.
Preparation of the PUMP
In March 2006, the City Council endorsed the idea of creating a steering committee to
assist City and PVPLC Staff with the development of the PUMP document. On June 6,
2006, the City Council appointed 15 individuals to a PUMP Committee based on their
geographic relationship with the Preserve, their trail use experience and their special
interest or group affiliation. Listed below (in alphabetical order) are the 15 members of the
PUMP Committee:
Donald Bell
Arlene Block
Barry Bonnickson
Troy Braswell
Eva Cicoria
Al Edgerton
Marc Jacobowitz
Bill James
Cassie Jones
Gordon Leon
Vic Quirarte
Ann Shaw
John Stevens
Paul Tetreault
John Wessel
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The City Council also appointed Kurt Loheit as an Ex Officio member of the PUMP
Committee because of Mr. Loheit’s extensive professional background in trail design,
construction and maintenance.
The PUMP Committee (Committee) began its tenure on July 12, 2006. The Committee met
32 times and spent countless hours familiarizing itself with background information on the
NCCP Preserve, the existing conditions of the Preserve, and the historic public use of the
Preserve. The Preserve, both in regards to trail routes and trail uses, was the subject of
several discussions during the PUMP Committee’s review because of the heavy use of the
certain Reserves and habitat degradation. The Committee developed a trails plan for the
Reserve that represents a balance between public access with habitat preservation and the
interest of various trail user groups to provide compatible access and enjoy the Preserve.
A factor considered by the Committee in its recommendation to the City Council was the
historic use of the properties that now make up the Preserve by various user groups
without any official trails plan or management. The incredible work effort of the PUMP
Committee culminated in the formulation of a Preserve Trails Plan which was adopted by
the City Council on April 29, 2008.
Preserve Map
At this time, the Preserve is approximately 1,367 acres in area, consisting of several
parcels owned (or to be owned) by the City and one parcel owned by the PVPLC. For
management purposes, the Preserve is broken down into the following 11 sub-areas
referred to as “Reserves”:
Vista del Norte Reserve
o The 16.7 acre Crestridge property
Agua Amarga Reserve
o The 20 acre Lunada Canyon property owned by the PVPLC
o The 38.9 acre Agua Amarga Canyon property
Alta Vicente Reserve
o A 51.3 acre portion of the 73.3 acre Upper Point Vicente property
Vicente Bluffs Reserve
o A 52.6 acre portion of the 71.5 acre Ocean Front Estates property
o A 4.5 acre portion of the 27.4 acre Lower Point Vicente property
o A 7.5 acre portion of the 10.5 acre Pelican Cove property
Abalone Cove Reserve
o A 63.2 acre portion of the 80.0 acre Abalone Cove property
o The 39.9 acre portion of the 45.1 coastal property formally owned by the RDA
Ocean Trails Reserve
o A 66.3 acre portion of the 78.8 acre Trump National property (eventually to be
owned by the City)
o A 47.4 acre portion of the 52.8 acre Shoreline Park property
San Ramon Reserve
o The 94.5 acre Switchback property
Forrestal Reserve
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Adopted: Draft Page 4
o The 154.9 acre Forrestal property
Portuguese Bend Reserve
o A 398.7 acre portion of the 423.9 acre Portuguese Bend property
o The 17.4 acre Del Cerro buffer property
Filiorum Reserve
o The 190 acre Filiorum property
Three Sisters Reserve
o The 98.5 acre Barkentine property
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Adopted: Draft Page 5
2. PRESERVE TRAILS PLAN
One of the actions that the City’s NCCP calls for as
part of the development of the PUMP is the creation
of a Preserve Trails Plan (PTP). Specifically, for the
PUMP to be covered under the Plan, Tthe NCCP
requires that the City and the PVPLC develop a
Preserve Trails Plan (PTP) that is consistent with the
City’s Conceptual Trails Plan (CTP) and places an
emphasis on avoiding or minimizing impacts to
coastal sage scrub habitat (CSS) and covered
species in such a way that the identified trails are
compatible with the Preserve and avoid direct access
to sensitive resource areas and major biological
features. Furthermore, the NCCP states that all the
trails designated as unnecessary should be closed to
minimize biological impacts.
After obtaining feedback from the PUMP Committee,
City Staff and the PVPLC, on a proposed Preserve
Trails Plan (PTP), in April 2008, the City Council
adopted a PTP that identifies the trail routes, trail
names and trail uses for the Preserve, as described
herein. The 2008 PTP was further amended by the
City Council in October 2012. The approved PTP
supersedes the trail routes and uses identified in the
City’s Conceptual Trails Plan (CTP), as described
herein,
Trail Implementation, Maintenance and Repair
The City or PVPLC has no obligation with respect to trail maintenance and trail repair.
However, at the PVPLC’s discretion and when funding is available, the PVPLC may
perform trail maintenance or trail repair on existing unimproved trails identified in the
approved PTP. At the City’s sole discretion when funding is available, the City is
responsible for constructing new trails identified in the PTP which currently do not exist.
Improved trails in the Preserve are maintained by the City. As a proposed covered activity
(See Section 5.4.2 and Table 5-1 of the NCCP), all of the monitoring, new construction and
maintenance identified in the PUMP and PTP will be consistent with the requirements of
the NCCP, including the Habitat Impact Avoidance and Minimization Measures for Covered
Activities and compatible public uses in the Preserve (See Sections 5.5 and 9.2.1 of the
NCCP).
Ongoing monitoring of the trails and an ongoing educational effort are important aspects of
trails management and may consist, but not be limited, to the following:
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Adopted: Draft Page 6
1. Signs at the main entry points to the Preserve showing the respective PTP
and the approved uses for each trail.
2. Trail maps and informational brochures available at the main points.
3. Information on the Preserve, including the PTP on the City’s website
Trail Routes
The trails identified in the PTP are located entirely within the City’s Preserve and are for the
most part existing paths that have been used in the past. Where possible, the trails within
the Preserve connect to the trails adjacent to the Preserve. Trails within the Preserve are
not intended to connect to trails that are located on private property unless appropriate
public access easements are in place.
The trail alignments identified for the PTP will be covered under the NCCP and are partly
based on the City’s Conceptual Trails Plan, including trails that are part of, or connect to,
the Palos Verdes Loop Trail. These trails are retained as the basis for the PTP. Other
trails currently in use by the public were added in order to identify a functional trail system
for the Preserve.
Trail Guidelines
For the most part, the trails identified in the PTP are existing trail routes that have been
identified based on line-of-sight, slope, and safety factors, as well as minimal potential for
erosion. Furthermore, the approved trail routes take into consideration the natural
topography, the intent to provide a relatively comfortable user experience, and the intent to
provide access to open areas and vistas while avoiding impacts to sensitive natural areas.
Finally, the public uses and trail routes/configurations are situated to be compatible with the
Preserve, avoid disruption of any native vegetation (including an emphasis on avoiding or
minimizing impacts to CSS), habitat, or wildlife as identified in the Natural Conservation
Communities Plan (NCCP) [See Section 9.2.1 of the NCCP (The Public Use Master Plan)].
Trail Surface
Trails in the Preserve are to be “unimproved” trails and thus should be maintained in their
natural surface material. The use of mulch is discouraged because of the potential to
introduce non-native seeds to the Preserve and interfere with required fuel modification.
Drainage control should be provided at appropriate points in such a way that the trail is not
adversely affected by water erosion. Crossings over watercourses may require separate
environmental review and/or permits (e.g., federal 404 and/or state 1600) that are not
covered under the NCCP.
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Adopted: Draft Page 7
Trail Names
The trails throughout the Preserve are identified by specific names for each segment. The
trail names were selected from different sources, including but not limited to names listed in
the Conceptual Trails Plan, relevant landmarks, natural elements, or historic significance.
In addition, trails within the Preserve may be named after donors who make monetary
contributions to the City or PVPLC toward acquisition or management of the Preserve,
pursuant to the provisions of the Preserve Management Agreement between the City and
the PVPLC. All trail names must be approved by the City Council.
Trail Uses
The following four trail use designations are available throughout the Preserve:
pedestrian
pedestrian / equestrian
pedestrian / bicycle
multipurpose (pedestrian, equestrian, and bicycle)
The specific trail uses for each trail segment are identified on the PTP Map and on the
respective trail markers. All trail use designations must be approved by the City Council.
Preserve Trails Plan (PTP)
The following pages list the approved trails for each of the 11 Reserves that make up the
entire Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. The trail mileage and user designation for each
approved trail is listed by Reserve in the following sections indicated in the tables Trails that
span multiple Reserves are listed in the table for the Reserve in which the majority of the
trail is located.
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Adopted: Draft Page 8
VISTA DEL NORTE RESERVE
The Vista del Norte Reserve is an isolated
portion of the Preserve that is geographically
removed from the Portuguese Bend area and
located near the intersection of Crestridge
Road and Crenshaw Boulevard. This Reserve
is comprised of the 16.7 acre City-owned
“Crestridge” property. There are 0.56 miles of
trails on this Reserve as described below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
Indian Peak Loop
Trail Yes No No 0.38 Yes
Vista del Norte Trail Yes No No 0.19 Yes
Trail Access
There are two identified trailheads that provide access to the trails in this Reserve, one
along Indian peak Road and one along Crestridge Road via the proposed Crestridge Senior
Housing Project. On-street parking is available along Crestridge Road and designated
public parking is located on a portion of Indian Peak Road across the street from this
Reserve.
Public Facilities
There are no public restroom facilities or drinking fountains available at this Reserve.
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists mainly of grassland with limited CSS located at the western and
eastern ends of the property. The site currently does not contain any known populations of
NCCP covered species. As shown on the trails plan, all trails are located on historically
used trails in grasslands areas that avoid impacts to CSS and NCCP covered species. No
focused monitoring and/or restrictions on designated trail maintenance, new construction
and/or access are anticipated at this site to be consistent with the NCCP.
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Adopted: Draft Page 9
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10.20.2011 1-18
Adopted: Draft Page 10
AGUA AMARGA RESERVE
The Agua Amarga Reserve encompasses
approximately 59 acres consisting of a 39-acre
parcel owned by the City and a 20-acre parcel
owned by the PVPLC. The Reserve is located
in the area between Crest Road and
Hawthorne Blvd, extending to the City
boundary line with Palos Verdes Estates. In
light of the steep topography, this Reserve is
limited to one 0.60 mile trail located at the
northern portion of the site as described below:
Trail Matrix
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
Lunada Canyon
Trail Yes No Yes 0.60 Yes
Trail Access
There are trailheads located on Posey Way and Rock View that provide access to the trails
on this Reserve. Additionally, a trailhead is located at the lower portion of this Reserve at
the boundary line with the City of Palos Verdes Estates. Public street parking is available in
the surrounding neighborhood, specifically along the cul-de-sacs at the entry points to the
Reserve.
Public Facilities
Restroom facilities and drinking fountains are not available at this Reserve.
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, coastal cactus scrub,
grassland and disturbed vegetation. The site currently contains several known populations
of NCCP covered species, including the gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren. As shown
on the trails plan, the trails are located on historically used trails located in the northerly
portion of the Preserve, and minimize impacts to CSS and sensitive species. However,
since the designated trails would still cross some CSS and known locations of sensitive
species, focused monitoring and/or restrictions on maintenance, new construction and
access may be required to be consistent with the NCCP.
1-19
Adopted: Draft Page 11
c:::J Reserve Boundary
lIJ StrJet Parking
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10.20.2011
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1-20
Adopted: Draft Page 12
ALTA VICENTE RESERVE
The Alta Vicente Reserve is located at Upper
Point Vicente adjacent to the Rancho Palos
Verdes Civic Center. The Reserve
encompasses approximately 51 acres and is
adjacent to the approximately 22-acre
developable portion of the property (the
relatively flat civic center campus area).
Some of the trails at this Reserve are part of
the PV Loop Trail system. There is a total of
1.67 miles of trails on this Reserve as
described below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
Alta Vicente Trail
Yes Yes Yes 1.04 Yes
North Spur Trail
Yes Yes Yes 0.12 Yes
South Spur Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.05 Yes
Nike Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.10 Yes
Prickly Pear Trail Yes Yes No 0.36 Yes
Trail Access
There are four trailheads identified for accessing the trails on this Reserve. There is a
trailhead that provides access to this Reserve from the existing City Hall parking lot and
over-flow dirt parking lot. There is a trailhead near the Salvation Army property line
adjacent to Palos Verdes Drive South. Additionally, the trails for this Reserve can also be
accessed from the cul-de-sac adjacent to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Public parking is
available at City Hall and along the cul-de-sac adjacent to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Public Facilities
A public restroom facility (portable bathroom) is available at the Civic Center Campus, west
of the tennis courts. During regular business hours, a public restroom facility is also
available at City Hall. A drinking fountain is available at the Civic Center campus next to
the south lawn.
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, coastal cactus scrub,
grassland and disturbed vegetation. The site currently contains several known populations
1-21
Adopted: Draft Page 13
of NCCP covered species, including the gnatcatcher, and coastal cactus wren. However,
since the designated trails, although historically used trails, would still cross some CSS and
known locations of sensitive species, focused monitoring and/or restrictions on
maintenance, new construction and access may be required to be consistent with the
NCCP.
1-22
Adopted: Draft Page 14
o Reserve Boundary
1i1ir RPV City Hall
1m]Restrooms
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Updated 2.22.2013
1-23
Adopted: Draft Page 15
VICENTE BLUFFS RESERVE
The Vicente Bluffs Reserve is comprised of
three separate parcels, a 52.6-acre portion of
Ocean Front Estates, a 4.5-acre portion of
Lower Point Vicente, and a 7.5-acre portion of
the Pelican Cove Park. Because of the high
volume of walkers in this area, the trails have
been designated as pedestrian only at this
Reserve. Although non-related to the
Preserve, the sidewalk adjacent to the Golden
Cove Trail at Ocean Front Estates is
designated as a bicycle path per the Council
adopted tract conditions. There are three trails
in this Reserve that are part of the City’s
segment of the California Coastal Trail. There
are 2.20 miles of trails in this Reserve as
identified below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
Golden Cove Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.95 Yes
Seascape Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.58 Yes
Terrace Trail Yes No No 0.23 Yes
Interpretative Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.31 Yes
Tomevor Trail Yes No No 0.14 Yes
Trail Access
Access to the trails can be made from four locations throughout this Reserve. Specifically,
trailheads exist at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center at Lower Point Vicente and at
Pelican Cove adjacent to the Terranea Resort and Spa. There are also trailheads at four
locations within the Ocean Front Estates residential tract. Public parking is available at
Ocean Front Estates off Calle Entradero, at the Lower Point Vicente parking lot, and at the
Pelican Cove Parking lot.
Public Facilities
Restroom facilities are available at Lower Point Vicente at the Interpretative Center and at
the Pelican Cove parking lot. Additionally, a portable bathroom is available at the north end
of the Golden Cove Trail adjacent to the public parking lot at Ocean Front Estates.
1-24
Adopted: Draft Page 16
Drinking fountains are available at the Point Vicente Interpretative Center and at Pelican
Cove adjacent to the restroom facilities.
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, southern coastal bluff scrub,
southern cactus scrub, grassland and disturbed vegetation. The site currently contains
several known populations of NCCP covered species, including the gnatcatcher, coastal
cactus wren, dudleya virens, wooly seablight and the El Segundo blue butterfly. Most of
these species are located in the preserved lands located between Palos Verdes Drive
South and Hawthorne Boulevard. As shown on the trails plan, the trails are located in the
westerly portion of the Preserve, along the bluff and away from CSS habitat and west of
Palos Verdes Drive South to avoid sensitive species. However, since the designated trails
would still cross some CSS and known locations of sensitive species, focused monitoring
and/or restrictions on maintenance, new construction and access may be required to be
consistent with the NCCP.
1-25
Adopted: Draft Page 17
Updated 12.04.2012
.J
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1-26
Adopted: Draft Page 18
ABALONE COVE RESERVE
The Abalone Cove Reserve is located between Palos Verdes Drive South and the coastline
and consists of a 63-acre portion of the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park and 40 acres of the
adjoining City-owned property formally owned by the RDA. A portion of this Reserve is
designated by the State as an official Ecological Reserve. The trail routes identified for this
Reserve utilize existing activities and permitted uses for an Ecological Reserve. Some of
the trails in this Reserve are a part of the City’s segment of the California Coastal Trail.
There are a total of 15 trail routes which comprise 3.49 miles of trails extending from the
neighborhood off Sea Cove Drive to the archery club to the south as identified below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
Via de Campo
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No Yes 0.33 Yes
Chapel View Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.17 Yes
Abalone Cove Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.20 Yes
Beach School Trail
(Upper Section)
(California Coastal Trail) Yes Yes Yes 0.13 Yes
Beach School Trail
(Lower Section) Yes No Yes 0.27 Yes
Sea Dahlia Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.23 Yes
Olmstead Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No Yes 0.44 Yes
Portuguese Point
Loop Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No Yes 0.28 Yes
Smugglers Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.10 No
Cave Trail Yes No No 0.07 Yes
Sacred Cove View
Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.47 Yes
Cliffside Trail Yes No No 0.10 Yes
Inspiration Point
Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.18 Yes
Bow and Arrow
Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.55 Yes
Archery Coastal
Trail Yes No No 0.06 Yes
1-27
Adopted: Draft Page 19
Trail Access
There are 7 trailheads located throughout this Reserve. The trailheads are located at the
west portion off Seacove Drive adjacent to the neighborhood, at the parking lot to the
Abalone Cove Shoreline Park, and off Palos Verdes Drive South at the entry gate to the
Beach School Trail, Olmstead Trail, Sacred Cove Trail, Inspiration Point Trail and the Bow
and Arrow Trail. Public parking is available, for a fee, at the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park
parking lot.
Public Facilities
Restroom facilities are available at the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park at the parking lot
grounds. Portable restrooms are located at Abalone Cove beach adjacent to the tide pools,
along Palos Verdes Drive South adjacent to the Sacred Cove Trailhead, and at the archery
club. Drinking fountains are available at the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park and off the
Beach School Trail adjacent to the nursery school building.
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, southern coastal bluff scrub
and grassland. The site currently contains several known populations of NCCP covered
species, including the gnatcatcher, coastal cactus wren, Santa Catalina Island desert-thorn,
wooly seablight, and south coast saltscale, As shown on the trails plan, the trails are
located within existing paths/disturbed areas to minimize impacts to CSS and sensitive
species to the maximum extent practicable and avoid having to create new trails . However,
since the designated trails would still cross CSS and known locations of sensitive species,
focused monitoring and/or restrictions on maintenance, new construction and access may
be required to be consistent with the NCCP.
1-28
Adopted: Draft Page 20
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Adopted: Draft Page 21
OCEAN TRAILS RESERVE
The Ocean Trails Reserve generally consists
of two properties, approximately 47.4 acres of
the City’s 52.8-acre Shoreline Park and 66.3
acres of the Trump National Golf Course that is
designated as the habitat restoration area
pursuant to the property’s HCP. The trail
routes for this Reserve take into account the
existing project conditions for the Trump
National Golf Course. Some of the trails in this
Reserve are a part of the City’s segment of the
California Coastal Trail. There are a total of
twelve (12) trails including five (5) trails to the
shore that provide 3.43 miles of trails as
identified below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
West Portal Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.12 Yes
West Bluff Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.07 Yes
Sunset Trail Yes No No 0.15 Yes
Sunrise Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.25 Yes
Catalina Trail
(West segment)
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No Yes 0.45 Yes
Catalina Trail
(East segment)
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No No 0.57 Yes
Dudleya Trail Yes No No 0.08 Yes
Coastal Switchback
Trail Yes No No 0.19 Yes
Sagebrush Walk
Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No Yes 0.12 Yes
Southshore Coastal
Trail Yes No No 0.07 Yes
Gnatcatcher Trail Yes No Yes 0.27 Yes
Shoreline Park Trail Yes No Yes 0.57 Yes
East Boundary Trail
(California Coastal Trail) Yes No Yes 0.32 Yes
Access Trails to
Catalina and
Gnatcatcher Trail
Yes No No 0.20 Yes
1-30
Adopted: Draft Page 22
Trail Access
Trailhead access can be made from various locations throughout this Reserve. The Trump
National Golf Course provides trailhead access at Founder’s Park for t he Sunset Trail and
the Catalina Trail, from the La Rotunda Parking Lot to the Catalina Trail, and off Twin
Harbor View Drive to the Gnatcatcher Trail. There are also two trailheads off Palos Verdes
Drive South providing access to the Gnatcatcher Trail and the East Boundary Trail. Public
parking is available off Ocean Trails Drive near the Trump National Club House, at the La
Rotunda Parking Lot off La Rotunda Drive, and on-street public parking on Twin Harbor
View Drive.
Public Facilities
A public restroom facility is available at the basement level of the Trump National Club
House and adjacent to the public parking lot at the end of La Rotunda Drive. A drinking
fountain is available at the basement level of the Trump National Club House, at Founders
Park, and next to the public restrooms at the end of La Rotunda.
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, southern coastal bluff scrub,
grassland and disturbed vegetation. The site currently contains several known populations
of NCCP covered species, including the gnatcatcher, coastal cactus wren , island green
dudleya, wooly seablight, and south coast saltscale. As shown on the trails plan, the trails
have been located within existing paths/disturbed areas to minimize impacts to CSS and
sensitive species to the maximum extent practicable and avoid having to create new trails.
However, since the designated trails would still cross CSS and known locations of sensitive
species, focused monitoring and/or restrictions on maintenance, new construction and
access may be required to be consistent with the NCCP.
1-31
Adopted: Draft Page 23
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Updated 2 13.2013 1-32
Adopted: Draft Page 24
SAN RAMON RESERVE
The San Ramon Reserve is comprised of the
94-acre Switchback parcel which was deeded
to the City in connection with the Sea Cliff Hills
residential development project (11 acres of
the site is currently a part of the Trump
National project’s habitat mitigation). As
shown on the San Ramon trails map, a portion
of the Switchback Trail and the entire San
Ramon Trail are trail routes where the exact
location has yet to be determined. The trails in
the Reserve currently total 0.82miles as
identified below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
San Ramon Trail Yes No Yes TBD No
Lower Palos
Verdes Drive East
Trail
Yes No Yes 0.23 Yes
Marymount Trail Yes No Yes 0.23 Yes
Switchback Trail
(West segment) Yes No Yes 0.36 Yes
Switchback Trail
(East segment) Yes No Yes TBD No
Trail Access
There are several trailheads that provide access to this Reserve. For the Marymount Trail
and the San Ramon Trail, trailheads are located at both the lower and upper portions of
these trails. As for the Lower Palos Verdes Drive East Trail, trailheads exist at the lower
entry point to the trail and at the junction between this trail and the Switchback Trail. There
is no available public parking for this Reserve.
Public Facilities
There is no public restroom facility at this Reserve. A drinking fountain is available at the
lower segment of the Marymount Trail adjacent to the bicycle racks off Palos Verdes Drive
South.
1-33
Adopted: Draft Page 25
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, southern cactus scrub,
grassland and disturbed vegetation. The site currently contains several known populations
of NCCP covered species, including the gnatcatcher and coastal cactus wren. As shown
on the trails plan, the designated trails are located within existing paths/disturbed areas to
minimize impacts to CSS and sensitive species to the maximum extent practicable and
avoid having to create new trails. However, since the designated trails would still cross
CSS and known locations of sensitive species, focused monitoring and/or restrictions on
maintenance, new construction and access may be required to be consistent with the
NCCP.
1-34
Adopted: Draft Page 26
Ocean Trails Reserve
c::J Reserve Boundary
~Trailhead '\~~
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20m C ntour Lines
Ocean Trails Reserve
1-35
Adopted: Draft Page 27
FORRESTAL RESERVE
The 154.9-acre Forrestal Reserve is located at the end of Forrestal Drive adjacent to the
Ladera Linda Community Center and the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District
athletic fields. There are 21 trails in this Reserve totaling 3.93 miles as identified below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
Forrestal Trail
(West segment) Yes Yes Yes 0.15 Yes
Forrestal Trail
(East segment) Yes No Yes 0.25 Yes
Quarry Trail Yes No No 0.32 Yes
Docent Trail (off
Fossil Trail)
Docent
Only No No 0.06 Yes
Docent Walk Only
(Off Quarry Trail)
Docent
Only No No 0.07 Yes
Basalt Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.05 Yes
Crystal Trail Yes Yes No 0.12 No
Pirate Trail Yes No Yes 0.30 Yes
Coolheights Trail Yes No Yes 0.06 Yes
Cristo Que Viento
Trail Yes No No 0.22 Yes
Mariposa Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.48 Yes
Flying Mane Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.45 Yes
Packsaddle Trail Yes Yes No 0.07 Yes
Canyon Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.14 Yes
Red Tail Trail Yes No Yes 0.05 Yes
Dauntless Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.13 Yes
Conqueror Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.23 Yes
Cactus Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.11 Yes
Vista Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.19 Yes
Exultant Trail Yes No No 0.15 Yes
Purple Sage Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.12 Yes
Intrepid Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.15 Yes
1-36
Adopted: Draft Page 28
Trail Access
Trailheads are located at four different locations at this Reserve. A trailhead is located at
the cul-de-sac of Coolheights Drive in the Mediterrania tract, off the Forrestal Trail
(Forrestal Drive) at the trail junctions for the Quarry Trail and the Crystal Trail, and off the
Intrepid Trail (Intrepid Drive) at the Purple Sage Trail junction. Public parking is available
on Forrestal Drive before the entry gate to the Preserve and at the Ladera Linda
Community Center parking lot.
Public Facilities
Restroom facilities are available at the Ladera Linda Community Center and a port-a-potty
is available at the soccer fields off Intrepid Drive. A drinking fountain is available at the
Ladera Linda Community Center and off Forrestal Drive behind the entry gate across from
the Quarry Bowl trail junction (adjacent to the wall enclosing the Verizon mechanical
equipment).
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, southern cactus scrub,
southern coastal bluff scrub, grassland and disturbed vegetation. The site currently
contains several known populations of NCCP covered species, including the gnatcatcher,
coastal cactus wren, and Catalina crossosoma. As shown on the trails plan, the
designated trails are located within existing paths/disturbed areas to minimize impacts to
CSS and sensitive species to the maximum extent practicable and avoid having to create
new trails. However, since the designated trails would still cross CSS and known locations
of sensitive species, focused monitoring and/or restrictions on maintenance, new
construction and access may be required to be consistent with the NCCP.
1-37
Adopted: Draft Page 29
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1-38
Adopted: Draft Page 30
PORTUGUESE BEND RESERVE
The Portuguese Bend Reserve consists of a
399-acre parcel purchased by the City in 2005
and the 17-acre Del Cerro Park buffer parcel.
The trails plan for this Reserve represents a
balance between public access with habitat
preservation and the interest of various user
groups to access and enjoy the Preserve.
This Reserve includes 23 trails, some of which
that connect to the adjoining Forrestal and
Filiorum Reserves. This Reserve contains
9.87 miles of trails as identified below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
Klondike Canyon
Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.26 Yes
Barn Owl Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.17 Yes
Panorama Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.34 Yes
Sandbox Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.18 Yes
North Sandbox
Trail Yes Yes No 0.13 Yes
Ishibashi Farm Trail
(West segment) Yes Yes Yes 0.27 Yes
Ishibashi Farm Trail
(East segment) Yes Yes No 0.20 Yes
Peppertree Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.57 Yes
Landslide Scarp
Trail Yes Yes No 0.25 Yes
Garden Trail Yes Yes No 0.25 Yes
Toyon Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.15 Yes
Water Tank Trail Yes Yes No 0.21 Yes
Vanderlip Trail Yes Yes No 0.51 Yes
Kubota Trail Yes Yes No 0.26 Yes
Burma Road Trail Yes Yes Yes 2.17 Yes
Burma Road
Overlook Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.1 Yes
Rim Trail
(upper segment) Yes Yes No 0.77 Yes
1-39
Adopted: Draft Page 31
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
Rim Trail
(lower segment) Yes No No 0.23 Yes
Paintbrush Trail Yes Yes No 0.34 Yes
Grapevine Trail Yes Yes No 0.36 Yes
Fire Station Trail Yes Yes No 0.20 Yes
Ishibashi Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.88 Yes
Eagle’s Nest Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.50 Yes
Ailor Trail Yes Yes No 0.30 Yes
Peacock Flats Trail Yes Yes No 0.26 Yes
Trail Access
Trailheads are located at eight different locations at this Reserve. At the upper north
portion of this Reserve, trailheads are located at the entry gate off Crenshaw Boulevard at
the Burma Road Trail, and at the City boundary line adjacent to the Fire Station Trail and
the Rim Trail. It should be noted that the latter of these two trailheads serve the residents
of the City of Rolling Hills and visitors with access permits from the City of Rolling Hills. A
Trailhead at the lower portion of the Vanderlip Trail provides access to this Reserve from
the Portuguese Bend Community. This is a gated community and access is by permission
only. There are three trailheads at the lower portion of this Reserve that provide access
from Gateway Park to the Ishibashi Farm Trail, the Peppertree Trail, and the Sandbox Trail.
Lastly, a trailhead is located at the City boundary with Rolling Hills at the lower southern
portion of the Burma Road Trail that serves the residents of the City of Rolling Hills and
visitors with access permits from the City of Rolling Hills.
On-street parking is available along Crenshaw Blvd. prior to the entry gate at the Burma
Road Trail. Construction of a public parking lot is planned at the Gateway Park as part of
the California Coastal Trail project and as part of the proposed future improvements for
Gateway Park as envisioned in the City Council adopted Vision Plan.
Public Facilities
A portable restroom is available at the junction between the Fire Station and Burma Road
Trails and at the Gateway Parking Lot located off Palos Verdes Drive South. A drinking
fountain is not available at this Reserve.
1-40
Adopted: Draft Page 32
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, southern cactus scrub,
grassland, exotic woodland and disturbed vegetation. The site currently contains several
known populations of NCCP covered species, including core populations of the gnatcatcher
and coastal cactus wren. As shown on the trails plan, the designated trails have been
located within existing paths/disturbed areas to minimize impacts to CSS and sensitive
species to the maximum extent practicable and avoid having to create new trails. However,
since the designated trails would still cross CSS and known locations of sensitive species,
focused monitoring and/or restrictions on maintenance, new construction and access may
be required to be consistent with the NCCP.
1-41
Adopted: Draft Page 33
k ._,'..,Abalone Cove ~C~giCal Reserve
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1-42
Adopted: Draft Page 34
FILIORUM RESERVE
The 190-acre Filiorum property was added
to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve on
December 31, 2009. This Reserve links the
Three Sisters and the Portuguese Bend
Reserves. This reserve contains 8 trails
consisting of 3.76 miles of trails as
identified below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Miles Existing
Jack’s Hat Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.76 Yes
Pony Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.61 Yes
Zote’s Cutacross Yes Yes Yes 0.88 Yes
Ford Trail Yes Yes No 0.33 Yes
Kelvin Canyon Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.35 Yes
Rattlesnake Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.32 Yes
Eucalyptus Trail Yes Yes No 0.17 Yes
Gary’s Gulch Trail Yes Yes No 0.33 Yes
Trail Access
Access to the trails can be made via trailheads from various locations at this Reserve.
From the upper portion of this Reserve, there are three trailheads. The westernmost
trailhead is located near the end of Ocean Terrace Drive, the central trailhead is located off
the McBride Trail that connects to the Pacifica Street in the residential neighborhood, and
the eastern trailhead is located off Crenshaw Boulevard via the access stairs that traverse
the Island View residential tract common open space area.
Trailhead parking is currently not available for this Reserve. Public on-street parking is
available on Ocean Terrace Drive, Pacifica Drive and Crenshaw Boulevard. Users of the
public street parking should be mindful of the surrounding residences.
Public Facilities
Restroom facilities and drinking fountains are not available at this Reserve.
1-43
Adopted: Draft Page 35
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, southern cactus scrub,
grassland, exotic woodland and disturbed vegetation. The site currently contains several
known populations of NCCP covered species, including core populations of the gnatcatcher
and coastal cactus wren. As shown on the trails plan, the designated trails have been
located within existing paths/disturbed areas to minimize impacts to CSS and sensitive
species to the maximum extent practicable and avoid having to create new trails. In
addition, certain existing trails will not remain open, and will be restored to provide a
connected block of habitat for sensitive species. However, since the designated trails
would still cross CSS and known locations of sensitive species, focused monitoring and/or
restrictions on maintenance, new construction and access may be required to be consistent
with the NCCP.
1-44
Adopted: Draft Page 36
Updated 2.22.2013
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Adopted: Draft Page 37
THREE SISTERS RESERVE
The Three Sisters Reserve consists of the 98-
acre Barkentine parcel which was purchased
by the City in 2001. This Reserve connects to
the Filiorum Reserve to the east providing a
continuous connection to the greater Palos
Verdes Nature Preserve. This Reserve
contains 4 trails consisting of 1.76 miles of
trails as identified below:
Trail Name Pedestrian Equestrian Bicycle Length Existing
McCarrell Canyon
Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.41 Yes
Three Sisters Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.39 Yes
Barkentine Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.66 Yes
Sunshine Trail Yes Yes Yes 0.31 Yes
Trail Access
Access to the trails can be made via trailheads from various locations at this Reserve.
From the lower portion of this Reserve, there are two trailheads. One trailhead is located
off the Barkentine Drive cul-de-sac accessing the Barkentine and Sunshine Trails, and the
other trailhead is located off the Three Sisters Trail adjacent to the common open space
area for the Tramonto Tract. From the upper portion of this Reserve, a trailhead is located
at the Ocean Terrace cul-de-sac.
Trailhead parking is currently not available for this Reserve. Furthermore, on-street parking
on Barkentine Road or other streets in the Upper Abalone Cove Residential Tract is
restricted and by permit only. Public street parking is available at the Ocean Terrace Drive
cul-de-sac in the residential neighborhood. Users of the public street parking should be
mindful of the surrounding residences.
Public Facilities
Restroom facilities and drinking fountains are not available at this Reserve
1-46
Adopted: Draft Page 38
Biological Resources/Compatibility
This Reserve consists of a combination of coastal sage scrub, southern cactus scrub,
grassland and disturbed vegetation. The site currently contains several known populations
of NCCP covered species, including core populations of the gnatcatcher and coastal cactus
wren. As shown on the trails plan, the designated trails have been located within existing
paths/disturbed areas to minimize impacts to CSS and sensitive species to the maximum
extent practicable and avoid having to create new trails. A connection to the Filiorum
Reserve from this Preserve will have to avoid core populations of sensitive species and
may also require a stream crossing with related federal/state wetland permits. However,
since the designated trails would still cross CSS and known locations of sensitive species,
focused monitoring and/or restrictions on maintenance, new construction and access may
be required to be consistent with the NCCP.
1-47
Adopted: Draft Page 39
PALOS VERI1E.';PENINSULA•
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Updated 2.13.2013
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Filiorum Reserve
Updated 2.13.2013
1-48
Adopted: Draft Page 40
This page is intentionally blank
1-49
Adopted: Draft Page 41
3. ACTIVITIES IN THE PRESERVE
Pursuant to the NCCP (Section 6 – Preserve Management), in order to conserve the
unique biodiversity and maintain sensitive resources in the Preserve while balancing public
recreational opportunities, this chapter identifies authorized and prohibited public activities
in the Preserve. The following public uses and activities are considered conditionally
compatible uses under the NCCP (See Section 5.4.2 and Table 5-1 of the NCCP), provided
these projects/activities comply with the NCCP, including the public use guidelines and
habitat mitigation ratios and Habitat Impact Avoidance and Minimization Measures for
Covered Activities (See Sections 5.5 and 9.2.1 of the NCCP:
PUBLIC USE GUIDELINES
The public uses and activities in the PUMP shall be consistent with the following guidelines
set forth in the NCCP [Section 5.4.2 (Public Use) and 9.2.1 (Public Use Master Plan)]:
1. Development of a Preserve Trail Plan (PTP) that places an emphasis on avoiding or
minimizing impacts to CSS habitat and Covered Species. Future modifications to the
approved PTP that will result in additional impacts to the Covered Species or Preserve
habitat will require the prior written concurrence of the Wildlife Agencies. Existing trails
within the Preserve that are not included in the approved PTP will be closed.
2. Development of a PTP where new trail construction avoids direct access to sensitive
resource areas and major biological features (i.e. 7.6-meter [25-foot] setback to coastal
bluffs) and the following measures are taken into consideration:
a) Limit public use to specified trails where impacts to habitat can be minimized. If trails
become degraded because of heavy use, rotate or limit use during certain seasons
to minimize further degradation.
b) Limit trails for shoreline access to prevent extensive trampling and compaction.
c) Locate new trails away from sensitive resources or restrict their use.
d) Provide a 30-foot upland buffer along major drainages for new trails sited adjacent to
drainages.
3. Determine allowable passive recreational activities within the Preserve, depending on
the resources to be protected, season, and successional stage of the adjacent habitat.
4. Restrict the archery range and any passive recreational uses to areas where impacts to
habitat can be avoided.
5. Develop guidelines for any passive overlook areas, benches, tie rails, portable toilets,
and trash cans, so that no existing native habitat will be lost.
6. Develop litter control measures, such as closed garbage cans and recycling bins, and
restrict such receptacles to access points for the Preserve.
1-50
Adopted: Draft Page 42
The following public uses and activities, which conform to the PUMP, are considered
allowable uses in the Preserve under the NCCP:
1. Public use and implementation of the PTP contained in the Wildlife Agency-approved
PUMP. Section 9.2.1.1 of the NCCP provides the design criteria and guidelines that will
be used for the PTP.
2. Closure of existing trails within the Preserve that are not included in the PTP, as
approved by the City Council and Wildlife Agencies.
3. Passive recreational activities (e.g. horse riding, hiking, bicycling, wildlife viewing) as
described in the PUMP and approved by the City and Wildlife Agencies.
4. Subject to the PUMP, the creation and maintenance of passive overlook or vista areas
with seating benches and trail markers may be located at key vista points near existing
trails in the Preserve, provided no existing habitat will be lost. The location of these
overlooks shall be located to avoid or minimize direct and indirect impacts to biological
resources. The location of these overlooks will be approved by City Council.
5. Installation and maintenance of benches, individual picnic tables, tie rails, portable
toilets, and trash cans within the Preserve and near Preserve boundaries, provided no
existing habitat will be lost. The location of these facilities shall be sited to avoid or
minimize direct and indirect impacts to habitat and Covered Species. Location of
overlooks shall be reviewed for consistency with the PUMP and this Plan and approved
by the City Council prior to initiation of any implementation work.
6. Installation of trailhead signage/kiosks within the Preserve adjacent to existing roads or
other access ways and away from sensitive resource areas. The location of trailhead
signage/kiosks shall be reviewed for consistency with the PUMP and this Plan and
approved by the City prior to initiation of any implementation work.
7. Operation and maintenance of the existing archery range in its current location and
acreage (approximately 8 acres) within the Preserve, provided the appropriate City
permits are maintained and the facility is not expanded.
8. Operation of the existing agricultural use at Upper Point Vicente (Alta Vicente Reserve)
of approximately 5 acres in size provided the appropriate City lease agreement is
maintained and all agricultural practices and improvements remain consistent with this
NCCP. No other agricultural activities are allowed in the Preserve.
9. Night use of the Preserve for hiking only provided use is limited, controlled, monitored,
and managed through a permit issued by the City. Any night use of the Preserve shall
be consistent with the requirements of this Plan.
The following PUMP public uses and activities are considered conditionally compatible
uses under the NCCP:
1-51
Adopted: Draft Page 43
1. Ensure that public access to the Preserve is consistent with the approved PUMP to
provide protection and enhancement of biological resources.
2. If unforeseen circumstances warrant it, close specific approved trails for temporary time
periods to minimize biological impacts.
3. Close unapproved trails using fencing or signage to prevent the use or creation of
unauthorized trails and protect sensitive plant species adjacent to established trails.
4. Monitor existing access points and trails to prevent degradation of the Preserve.
Adverse effects of passive recreation such as trampling vegetation and erosion will be
minimized by taking the following measures:
a) Establish a trail inspection and maintenance program to monitor trail conditions, and
detect vandalism and habitat degradation.
b) Seasonally restrict access to certain trails if deemed necessary to prevent
disturbance of breeding activities of Covered Species.
c) If trails become degraded because of heavy use, rotate or limit use as deemed
appropriate. This can also be during certain seasons to minimize further
degradation.
5. Prepare and maintain trail surfaces to minimize erosion. Do not use materials for trails
that will be a source of seed of invasive exotic species. Prohibit use of eucalyptus chips
that could suppress native plant growth adjacent to trails.
6. Install water-bars on steep trails to minimize erosion and sedimentation.
7. Locate new trails away from sensitive resources or restrict their use.
8. Construct barriers and/or signage at viewpoints or prominent features to discourage
access to sensitive coastal bluff areas. This measure will be appropriate at viewpoints
or prominent features along established trails.
9. Provide litter control measures, such as closed garbage cans and recycling bins, at
access points within the Preserve.
AUTHORIZED PUBLIC ACTIVITIES
Consistent with the covered projects and activities set forth in the NCCP (Section 5.0) and
Preserve Management: PUMP (Section 9.2), the following public activities are considered
conditionally compatible uses in the Preserve:
a. Dog and Other Pet Walking
Pursuant to Section 12.16.050 of the RPVMC, dogs or other pets may be brought
into the Preserve provided that the animal is restrained by a substantial chain or
1-52
Adopted: Draft Page 44
leash not exceeding six feet in length and is in the charge, care, custody and control
of such person. Moreover, dog walking as a commercial activity is permitted in the
Preserve provided that the appropriate City business licenses are obtained and kept
current, and that the proprietor complies with the leash requirements stated herein.
Pursuant to Section 6.04.010 of the RPVMC and LA County Code Section
10.40.060, It is unlawful for the owner or person having custody of any dog or other
animal to permit, either willfully or through failure to exercise due care or control, any
such dog or animal to commit any nuisance and to allow such nuisance to thereafter
remain upon any public or private property not owned or possessed by the owner or
person in control of said animal, provided that the person who owns, harbors, keeps
or has charge or control of a dog (other than a sightless person who has charge or
control of a guide dog) shall immediately and securely enclose all feces deposited by
such dog in a bag, wrapper or other container and dispose of the same in a sanitary
manner. Any person (other than a sightless person with a guide dog) who has
charge or control of a dog in a location other than on the property of such person or
the property of the owner of the dog, shall have in his or her possession a suitable
wrapper, bag or container (other than articles of personal clothing) for the purpose of
complying with the requirements of this section. Failure of such person to carry such
wrapper, bag or container when in charge or control of a dog in a location other than
on property of such person or the property of the owner of the dog or animal shal l
constitute a violation of this section
b. Farming
The City’s NCCP allows the continued operation of any farming activities in the
Preserve provided that such activities are not expanded. Farming currently operates
as an existing agricultural use at the Alta Vicente Reserve (Upper Point Vicente /
Civic Center) on the southeastern slopes along the Prickly Pear trail consisting of
approximately 5 acres in size. This farming operation can continue provided the
appropriate City lease agreement is maintained, no habitat restoration is scheduled
for the site, and all agricultural practices and improvements remain consistent with
this NCCP/HCP. No other agricultural activities are allowed in the Preserve.
c. Archery
The City’s NCCP allows the continued operation of an archery club in the Preserve
provided that the area of the archery club is not expanded. The Palos Verdes
Archery Club has been operating a roving field archery range at the Abalone Cove
Reserve (on property owned by the City’s former RDA at Portuguese Bend) since
1989. Permission to use this City land was granted by the City Council in 1989
through the approval of Conditional Use Permit No. 10. The conditions adopted by
the City Council in 1989 specify the parameters for using City land, including the
City’s ability to revoke the approval with a 30-day notice or immediately if incidents
involving landslides or geologic conditions that prove to be an imminent hazard to
health, safety and welfare occur. The Archery Club maintains the fire road on a n
1-53
Adopted: Draft Page 45
annual basis. The Archery Club is used between dawn and dusk in accordance with
the City park hours and occasionally conducts special events, such as tournaments,
competitions, and picnics.
On April 7, 2009, the City Council allowed the Archery Club to continue its operation
under the existing Conditional Use Permit (CUP) in its current location only with the
future review of the CUP, and, consideration of a lease agreement with the Archery
Club. No open flames, barbecues, or smoking is permitted.
d. Commercial Filming or Photography
Pursuant to Section 9.16.020 of the RPVMC, the Preserve may be used for the
purpose of producing, taking or making any motion picture or television production or
engaging in still commercial photography provided a permit is first obtained from the
City. Permit requests for commercial filming and/or photography in the Preserve will
be considered on a case-by-case basis to ensure that potential impacts to biological
resources and public safety are minimized. In considering a commercial film or
photography permit in the Preserve, the following review criteria shall apply:
1. The location is in an area that does not jeopardize or adversely impact
biological resources;
2. No more than 10 persons shall be allowed to participate in the filming or
photography activity;
3. Vehicles are parked outside the Preserve in designated areas;
4. Such activity will not unduly interfere with the public’s use of trails unless City
authorization has been obtained to temporarily close a trail. In such cases,
the temporary closure shall be posted a minimum of five days in advance of
the film or photography shoot.
5. The conduct of such activity will not unduly interfere with normal
governmental or city operations, threaten to result in damage or detriment to
the Preserve, or result in the City incurring costs or expenditures in either
money or personnel not reimbursed in advance by the applicant.
6. The conduct of such activity will not constitute a fire hazard and all proper
safety precautions will be taken.
The decision of the City Manager to issue, conditionally issue, or not issue a film or
photography permit in the Preserve shall be final unless appealed in writing within
five working days of the decision by requesting a hearing of the City Council at the
next available meeting.
e. Specimen Material Collection Policy
Collection of specimen material in the Preserve must be tightly controlled due to the
potential impacts to biological resources. The following collection policies shall
apply to the Preserve:
1-54
Adopted: Draft Page 46
Collecting of native plant material or flowers is forbidden due to potential
impacts to plant reproduction and on fauna which may be dependent on the
plants for food and habitat, and due to the potential impact on soil erosion and
geological stability. Collecting of seeds and cuttings may be permitted only
with the written permission of the City and the PVPLC, with appropriate
permits/authorization from federal and state agencies.
Research on and proposed collection of plants, insects and birds may be
permitted only with the appropriate Resource Agency permits (i.e., permit
under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended and/or state
scientific research/collecting permit) and the written permission of the City
and the PVPLC. All entities listed herein shall receive a copy of the research
results for permitted research activities conducted within the Preserve.
f. Geocaching
Placing and searching for geocaches in the Preserve is permitted, so long as
activities take place on designated trails and does not impact sensitive habitat and
wildlife. Geocaches placed off-designated trails and/or in sensitive areas are not
allowed.
g. Preserve Management
Management of the Preserve in accordance with the provisions described in
Sections 8.0 and 9.0 of the NCCP is a covered activity. Specific management
covered activities anticipated to occur in the Preserve include the following:
a) Monitoring of Covered Species
b) Vehicular access
c) Habitat restoration
d) Invasive species control
e) Predator control
f) Reintroduction of Covered Species
g) Photo documentation
h) Installation of signage
i) Trail maintenance
j) Field research and studies designed to contribute to the long-term protection
of habitats and species and other basic research of habitats and species
included in the Preserve.
h. Preserve Hours
Pursuant to Section 12.16.030 of the RPVMC, no person shall be or remain in the
Preserve at any time between one hour after sundown and one hour before sunrise,
unless attending or participating in city authorized activities, such as City permitted
night hikes.
•
•
•
•
1-55
Adopted: Draft Page 47
PROHIBITED PUBLIC ACTIVITIES
Activities that may affect covered species addressed in the NCCP and are not covered
activities as set for in the NCCP will be prohibited without the proper authorization from the
Resource Agencies. Some, but not limited to, of the following activities are prohibited from
occurring in the Preserve in order to reduce impacts to biological resources and to minimize
hazards to public safety and property within or adjacent to the Preserve:
Commercial or industrial uses
Placement of billboards
Introducing or dispersing non-native or exotic plant or animal species
Altering the surface or general topography
Paintballing
Archery/target shooting (except as authorized herein)
Feeding the animals
New (or expansion) of trails or jumps (see “a.” below)
Organized or unorganized bike races, including night rides
Unauthorized fuel clearing and/or planting
Camping/overnight stay (see “b.” below)
Campfires and BBQ’s in non-designated areas (see “d.” below)
Hunting or collection of wildlife (see “e.” below)
Smoking or any kind (see “d.” below)
Motorized vehicles (see “f.” below)
Paragliding and Parasailing (see “g.” below)
Motorized or Radio-Controlled Models (see “h.” below)
Any other use deemed inappropriate or in conflict with the NCCP.
a. Bicycle Jumps
The creation of man-made or natural jumps, whether on designated trails or off-
trails, is prohibited in the Preserve. Such features promote activities in the Preserve
that directly contradict the passive recreational use intended for the Preserve as
described in the NCCP. Moreover, Section 12.16.010 of the RPVMC states that no
person other than authorized employees or City agents or other authorized persons
in the performance of their duties shall cut, break, dig up, remove, or in any manner
injure any plant, animal, public building, structure or contents therein on public
property.
b. Camping
Overnight camping within the Preserve is inconsistent with the purpose of the
Preserve for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to, lack of adequate and
appropriate sanitary facilities and shelters; adverse impacts upon sensitive plant and
animal communities; increased risk of wildfire due to human activity; and limited
emergency access to the Preserve. As such, pursuant to Section 12.16.140 of the
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RPVMC no person shall camp within the Preserve. For this purpose, “camp” shall
mean to remain on site overnight, whether entirely out of doors or utilizing an
enclosed or semi-enclosed temporary accommodation, including but not limited to, a
tent, tarp, canopy, trailer, recreational vehicle, passenger car or truck. City or PVPLC
covered activities are exempt from this provision.
c. Abandonment of Animals
Pursuant to Section 12.16.150 of the RPVMC, no person shall willfully abandon any
animal on any City-owned property including the Preserve. For the purposes of this
section, “willfully abandon” shall not include the release or rehabilitation and release
of native California wildlife by persons or agencies so authorized pursuant to State
law or regulations of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (formerly “Fish
and Game”) or the NCCP.
d. Fires, Open Flames or Smoking
In consideration of reducing hazards to human safety, private property, and
biological resources as part of the fuel modification program for the Preserve, fires,
open flames or smoking is strictly prohibited in the Preserve. Moreover, pursuant to
Section 12.16.070 of the RPVMC, no persons shall light or maintain any fire in the
Preserve.
e. Hunting
According to Section 12.16.110 of the RPVMC, no person shall, by any means, hunt
any animal, fowl, fish, amphibian, or reptile on city property, including the Preserve,
unless expressly authorized by the City. For the purposes of this Code section,
"hunt" shall mean stalk, pursue, catch, capture, kill, or attempt to stalk, pursue,
catch, capture or kill.
f. Motorized vehicles
Motorized vehicles have the tendency to result in adverse impacts to sensitive
environments, such as the Preserve, because of exhaust, dust, soil erosion and
sedimentation into local waters, noise and habitat degradation. Disturbance from
off-road vehicles can also disrupt breeding activities. For these reasons, off-road
vehicle use, except for emergency, law enforcement, utility maintenance, and City or
PVPLC vehicles, is not compatible with conservation goals and is prohibited in the
Preserve. Moreover, Section 12.16.020 of the RPVMC indicates that no person
shall park or operate any motorized vehicle in the Preserve except in designated
areas, other than authorized park employees or city agents in performance of their
duties.
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g. Paragliding and Parasailing
According to Section 12.16.045 of the RPVMC no person shall land, release, take off
in, or fly in any balloon designed to carry passengers, helicopter, parasail, hang
glider, or other aircraft from any city-owned land except in areas specifically set
aside therefore or with the express written permission from the city. On April 7,
2009, the City Council reviewed a request to allow paragliding in the Preserve, as
well as the PUMP Committee’s recommendation on this activity. After considering
all information, including public testimony, the City Council agreed to prohibit
paragliding and parasailing in the Preserve.
h. Motorized or Radio-Controlled Models
Pursuant to Section 12.16.040, no person shall operate any motorized or radio-
controlled model in the Preserve unless written authorization is obtained from the
city manager or the city manager's designee.
i. Reckless Use of Trails
Pursuant to Section 12.16.130 of the RPVMC, it shall constitute a public nuisance
for any person, including pedestrians, equestrians and bicyclists, to use any trail
within the Preserve in a reckless manner that demonstrates a wanton disregard for
the safety of other human beings or animals or causes injury or harm to others.
j. Littering
No person should throw, place or dispose of any refuse, garbage, waste paper,
bottles or cans, in any place in the Preserve other than into a garbage can or other
receptacle provided for that purpose. In areas that receptacles are not available, the
trash should be taken out of the Preserve and properly disposed.
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4. PRESERVE AMENITIES/IMPROVEMENTS
Public access to the Preserve is allowed for passive recreational purposes and to promote
the understanding and appreciation of natural resources. The following chapter identifies
amenities and improvements intended to enhance the public’s experience and recreationa l
use of the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. The amenities and improvements are
consistent with the passive recreational activities that are permitted to take place in the
Preserve consistent with the City’s NCCP.
Overlook Areas and Vista Points
Overlooks or vista points located in the Preserve are intended to provide trail users with a
rest area and an enhanced viewing opportunity of the Preserve, including views of the
Pacific Ocean, Catalina Island and the Palos Verdes Coastline. Overlooks and vista points
are to be located adjacent to a designated trail to prevent impacts to natural resources that
may result from walking off-trail. Overlooks or vista points are improvements that include
seating areas and other amenities for the public’s use. Seatin g areas may be in the form of
an improved bench, stone seating, or other natural materials. Overlook and vista point
areas are to utilize vernacular materials so as to keep with the natural setting of the site,
such as decomposed granite and natural stones. Overlooks are typically larger in scale
than vista points. The overlooks and vista points may consist of an identification pilaster
made of Palos Verdes Stone, a stone clad bench, a low stone clad wall, stone edge paving,
and low profile native planting as identified in the Council adopted Rancho Palos Verdes
Coast Vision Plan. Interpretive signs may also be located at an overlook or vista point.
The City-owned Preserve properties or portions thereof, along with scenic points within the
Preserve may be named after donors who make monetary contributions to the City or
PVPLC toward acquisition or management of the Preserve, pursuant to the Preserve
Management Agreement between the City and the PVPLC. The following are existing
Council approved overlooks and vista points to recognize donors who have contributed
significantly towards the acquisition of certain Preserve properties:
Eagle’s Nest
Ridge east of Del Cerro
Education Area
Three sisters Overlook
Fossil Hill Overlook
Abalone Cove (along the existing fence line)
Portuguese Point (at the tip near the Perry Ehlig memorial)
Overlooking the Educational Area
Lower Point Vicente
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Seating Areas
In addition to providing public seating within overlooks and vista points, benches or other
seating may be situated along designated trails. Such seating areas may be improved or
unimproved provided that the seating area is designed to blend with the natural
environment through the use of natural materials such as wood or stone. Benches should
be designed and treated to deter potential vandalism and secured to the ground to prevent
unauthorized removal or relocation.
Picnic Areas
While picnicking Picnics are permitted in the Preserve is permitted provided that it does
they do not occur off designated trails. However., Ddesignated picnic areas, consisting of
grouped benches and tables, are not to be located in the Preserve. However, individual
lone picnic tables may be placed in the Preserve provided habitat impacts are avoided and
serviceable trash cans are provided.
Fencing
Fencing can play an important role in controlling human behavior while visiting the
Preserve. Fences aid in defining the boundary lines and access points in the Preserve,
deterring off-road vehicles from entering the Preserve, and minimizing impacts (i.e.
trespassing) to adjacent neighborhoods. Fencing, however, also can restrict normal wildlife
movement and access to food and water, and guide wildlife onto roads. Although fencing
should be considered on a case-by-case basis, general guidelines for Preserve fencing are
as follows:
In order to protect the scenic aspects and experience of the preserve, fencing
should generally not exceed 3 feet in height except in areas adjacent to private
property.
Fencing may be used to delineate a trail and/or to close areas off from public
use, such as restoration areas.
Fencing should provide adequate barrier to prevent vehicular access to the
Preserve, except for through gates to existing access roads intended to provide
controlled access for emergency and service vehicles for maintenance purposes.
The fencing system shall allow a number of convenient and safe pedestrian
access points around the perimeter of the preserve.
Fencing should be constructed of economic and durable material that is marine
resistant and will require minimum maintenance. Where possible, fences should
be made of natural materials that blend well with the surrounding environment
such as post and cable/rope.
Fencing should be compatible with the scenic, cultural and historical aspects of
the surrounding community.
As set forth in the NCCP (Section 9.2.3/Fencing and Signage), existing fencing
inside the Preserve shall be dismantled and no new fencing shall be installed
except as necessary to:
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a) Protect particularly sensitive species or habitats. For example, perimeter
fencing could be used in habitat linkage areas where Preserve widths are
narrower and there is greater exposure to adverse edge effects.
b) Direct human access away from sensitive resource areas. Efforts to limit
human access will involve the use of natural vegetation, topography, signs,
and limited fencing.
c) Protect from natural hazards or other public safety needs.
d) Design and locate new fences within the Preserve so they do not impede
wildlife movement or impact Covered Species.
Signs
Signs educate, provide direction, and promote the sensitive use and enjoyment of natural
areas by the visiting public. As identification devices, signs should not subject the public to
excessive visual competition, but rather be an appropriate identification device that
naturally blends with the surrounding environment and other signs in the Preserve. The
use of signs that may attract attention to sensitive species should be used minimally in the
Preserve because such signs may invite disturbance of their habitat. Signs should perform
the following functions:
The following types of informational and regulatory signs may be located in the Preserve:
Trail markers as informational and identification signs that provide basic trail
information to trail users. Trail markers provide identification to the trail ahead, uses
allowed and not allowed on the trail route, a directional arrow, and if applicable, the
City’s trail system (i.e. Palos Verdes Loop Trail). Trail markers should be located at
the starting point to a trail, as well as at key trail junctions where trails cross or
intersect. In cases where two or more trails intersect, trail markers should be
provided to identify each trail.
Trailhead signs at key public access points to provide the name of the Reserve and
to identify that Reserve’s trail system. Additionally, City regulations should be
posted on the Trailhead Sign.
Kiosks signs should be located near main entrances (i.e. those adjacent to public
parking areas) and include the name of the preserve/reserve, contact information for
law enforcement, and management staff, educational brochures, an overview map of
the preserve’s trails network, and additional information about trail locations and
uses.
Temporary signs, as deemed necessary, may be installed to indicate habitat
restoration, erosion-control areas, temporary trail closures, etc.
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Interpretive signs may be installed adjacent to trails when necessary to enhance
public understanding of the history, geology, wildlife, habitat and special
characteristics of an area. Interpretation should work in service of the visitor and the
missions of the governing institutions. Interpretation is meant to increase awareness
and understanding, build personal connections, and foster stewardship behaviors
that help manage and protect resources.
Precautionary “warning signs” may be installed at designated areas deemed to
be hazardous based on concerns pertaining to geologic instability, The City’s Public
Works Director and the City’s geotechnical consultants should identify the exact on -
site location for each precautionary “warning sign.”
Precautionary “warning signs” relating to the temporary closure of certain trail segments
should be posted at strategic and visible locations, pursuant to the City Attorney’s
guidance. These signs should feature graphic representations of the potential danger,
based on the nature and location of the hazard.
Regulatory Signs may be installed to advise the public of rules and regulations.
Sign Installation Process
Pursuant to the Preserve Management Agreement between the City and the PVPLC, the
PVPLC is generally responsible for providing trail information signs while the City is
generally responsible for providing entry signs/kiosks and/or warning signs beyond
PVPLC’s responsibilities. As determined necessary by the PVPLC, the PVPLC is
responsible for the installation or replacement of up to 25 signs per year that provide trail
direction and way finding; trail location and identification; donor recognition, trail closure,
protection of habitat and species, and geologic, historic features and education. The
specifications regarding signs in the Preserve, including their general placement, should be
reviewed at the monthly team meetings between the City and the PVPLC prior to
installation. Signs that are in a state of disrepair, vandalized, weathered or removed should
be repaired immediately by the responsible entity.
Signs that explain the rules of the Preserve (e.g., hiking, bicycle riding and horseback
riding) are most effective at public entrance points. Signs for educational nature trails and
on roads near wildlife corridors (to reduce road kills) shall be posted at appropriate
locations. As set forth in the NCCP (Section 9.2.3/Fencing and Signage), the following
recommendations shall be considered in the placement of all Preserve signage:
a) Provide educational brochures, interpretive kiosks, and signs to educate the public
about the resources and goals of the NCCP and Preserve.
b) Establish signs for access control and education at the periphery of the Preserve
that are accessible to individuals. Post signs to prohibit firearms and unleashed pets.
d) Install signs for educational nature trails.
e) Limit the use and/or language of signs that might attract attention to sensitive
species, because such designation may invite disturbance of their habitat.
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f) Install temporary signs to indicate habitat restoration or erosion-control areas.
g) Install barriers and informational signs to discourage shortcuts between established
trails.
h) Establish road signs near wildlife corridors to help reduce road kills.
i) Consider signs denoting reduced speed limits along roads that have relatively high
incidence of road killed wildlife.
j) Include, where appropriate, contact information for law enforcement, and
management staff.
Lighting
With the exception of temporary safety or security lighting for NCCP covered activities;
lighting shall not be permitted within the Preserve.
Drinking Fountains
Typically, water facilities, such as drinking fountains, are not available within the Preserve
because of the lack of utilities. In cases where existing water and sewer lines are available,
drinking fountains may be located at certain trailheads. In such cases, the drinking
fountains should also include doggie bowls.
Bathrooms
While Bathrooms structures are not allowed in the Preserve, portable bathrooms may be
located at trailheads within the Preserve or at other appropriate locations that are easily
accessible to City maintenance crews.
Trash Bins
As a means of encouraging the public’s role in the maintenance of the trails and the
surrounding grounds, trash bins should be installed in the Preserve by the City at strategic
locations that are accessible to the general public and City maintenance crews. The trash
bins shall be wildlife proof and be constructed from materials that blend with the natural
terrain and shall be placed at locations that are easily accessible to City maintenance
crews. For security reasons, it is recommended that the trash bins are be mounted to the
ground or chained to a solid structure, such as a sign pole or bench, to prevent tampering.
Trash bins should be designed with an enclosure to ensure that trash is not removed by
humans or animals.
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5. IMPLEMENTATION
a. Preserve Management
To ensure that appropriate management practices are put into place, the City’s NCCP
devotes an entire chapter (Chapter 6) to “Preserve Management”. According to the NCCP,
the PVPLC is the City’s Habitat Manager for the NCCP Preserve. In this role, the PVPLC is
responsible for completing specific habitat management and monitoring tasks within the
entire Preserve pursuant to the NCCP. The NCCP also delegates various other
responsibilities for overall Preserve management to the City and the PVPLC. Pursuant to
the Preserve Management Agreement approved by the City Council on November 1, 2011
(see attachment), the City and PVPLC each have the following major responsibilities for
managing the Preserve:
PVPLC Areas of Responsibility
o Habitat restoration/enhancement (5 acres every year), periodic biotic surveys,
invasive plant control and habitat monitoring (annual reports)
o Installation or replacement of up to 25 signs per year on an as needed basis
o Fuel modification on PVPLC owned lands
City of RPV Areas of Responsibility
o Access Control to maintain City gates and other City barriers that
prevent/control unauthorized access
o Waste management on as needed basis, including maintaining and refilling
pet waste bag dispensers
o Public safety (Ranger patrols, City staff or the L.A. County Sherriff) to enforce
the City’s municipal code
o Regulatory signage installation and maintenance
o Maintenance of any roads (i.e. Burma Road)
o Fuel Modification on City owned lands
A detailed list of specific responsibilities for both the PVPLC and the City is attached to the
Management Agreement on file with the City.
b. Temporary Trail Closures
In cases where the protection of the public interest, health, welfare, or safety occurs,
Section 12.16.090 of the RPVMC provides the City Manager or the City Manager's
designee the authority to close from public access the Preserve or portion thereof
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(including trails) on a temporary and/or permanent basis. This may include seasonal
closures to protect wildlife and/or changes in use designations of trails if incompatibility
among user groups exists. Likewise, pursuant to the Preserve Management Agreement
between the City and the PVPLC, the PVPLC has the ability to recommend that certain
trails be closed or designated trail users removed if impacts to habitat are occurring.
c. Preserve Oversight and Opportunity for Public Involvement
It is anticipated that public use issues will be encountered and brought to the City’s and
PVPLC’s attention by Preserve users and nearby residents. When public use issues are
brought to the PVPLC’s attention, the PVPLC will either take the appropriate action to
address the issue in accordance with its mandatory or permissive obligations under the
Preserve Management Agreement or request the City to take certain action if the issue falls
under the City’s Preserve responsibilities described above or in the Preserve Management
Agreement. If issues are brought to the City’s attention directly falls under the City’s
Preserve responsibilities they City will take appropriate action. These issues will be
addressed at the monthly team meetings between the City and the PVPLC.
In addition, the PVPLC will use reasonable efforts to ensure public involvement and
participation in the management and periodic evaluation of the Preserve. Such efforts may
include, but are not limited to, PVPLC’s participation in the Annual Report presentation to
the City Council; involving members of the community as “keepers” to provide regular
monitoring of the Preserve; soliciting public comments through outreach such as comment
boxes, mailings, events and workshops; and inclusion of members of the public on
committesd that the PVPLC may from time to time establish.
d. Preserve Trail Improvement Projects List
Working together, the PVPLC and the City may will prepare an Annual Preserve Trail
Project List that will identify any trail projects in the Preserve planned for the coming year.
The Project List will demonstrate how it is consistent with the NCCP and may designate the
priority for completing each project ranging between a high and low priority. High priority
projects should include, but are not limited to, public safety projects. Projects not
completed in the time period specified in the List can be continued on the following year’s
Project List. The project list is a best attempt at providing projects that may be conducted in
the year ahead. However, lack of inclusion on a project list shall not prevent a project fro m
occurring, as it is a permissive activity pursuant to the Management Agreement. The
Project List should be submitted at the same time the Annual Report, as described above,
is submitted to the City for City Council review.
The completion of trail projects as described above will be at the discretion of the City and
the PVPLC and will be based on available funding opportunities, such as grants and
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volunteer efforts. The majority of work will typically be conducted outside the gnatcatcher
breeding season (February 15 through August 31), except for work that will not impact
habitat.
e. Amendments to the PUMP Document
Pursuant to the NCCP and the Preserve Management Agreement, the City and the PVPLC
are responsible for completing any amendments or modifications to the PUMP or any
replacements or substitutions of the PUMP. Any amendments to the PUMP must include
PVPLC advice on and consent to matters that in the reasonable judgment of the PVPLC
impact biological protection, such as open space preservation, habitat preservation and
restoration and species protections. The PVPLC will make any recommendations to amend
the PUMP document as part of the Annual Report that the PVPLC is required to submit to
the City Council every spring. This may also include recommendations to modify use
access based on incompatibility with habitat conservation and protection of covered
species. Any amendments to the PUMP must be approved by the City Council and the
Wildlife Agencies per the NCCP (See Section 6.0), and take into account impacts to
biological protection, such as open space preservation, habitat preservation and restoration
and species protection.
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Ara Mihranian
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Eva Cicoria <cicoriae@aol.com>
Tuesday,March 12,201311:17 AM
Ara Mihranian
PUMP comments
Hi Ara,
I read the draft of the PUMP that was released last week and I have a few comments that you mayor
may not have thought about and I hope you will consider.
PUBLIC USE GUIDELINES
One general comment regarding the Public Use Guidelines that begin on page 41 of the draft PUMP
is the tendency to treat all user groups the same ignoring fundamental differences in their uses and
the potential impact their uses have on the biological resources that the PUMP seeks to protect.
Preserve Hours
The general public enjoys the quiet serenity of the Preserve at sunrise and sunset without,I believe,
having much,if any,greater impact on the Preserve resources at that time than during full daylight
hours,so I support the current hours established for the Preserve and other City parks:open one
hour before sunrise and one hour after sunset to allow time for somebody on foot to enter/exit after
sunrise/sunset.The rules should be different for archery range users and bicyclists,however,
because of the potential impact their uses can have in less than full daylight on biological resources
(and potentially other users)and because they are able to exit the Preserve more quickly in/on their
vehicles than those of us on foot.
Archery.Archers,it seems to me,should not be shooting in the Preserve at times when visibility is
impaired,such as during the sunrise and sunset hours and the City should consider limiting their
hours to begin one hour after sunrise and end one hour before sunset.I frequently see their vehicles
exiting the Preserve after dark.
Bicycling.Similarly,bicyclists should not be riding in the Preserve at times when visibility is impaired.
Much of the illegal activity by bicyclists has been documented to occur during these times.They pose
a threat to biological resources as well as to other users.Moreover,the volunteer foot patrol will be at
a disadvantage monitoring bicyclists at sunset,for example,when those on foot have to leave areas
deep in the Preserve earlier than those on bikes would have to leave in order to comply with the
existing hours.The City should consider limiting the bicyclists'hours to begin one hour after sunrise
and end one hour before sunset.Of course it goes without saying that they have the opportunity to
enjoy the sunrise and sunset in the Preserve on foot.
Allowable Uses
Passive Use.Please consider modifying the list of passive recreational activities by modifying
"bicycling"to "slow bicycling".This modification,I believe,would reinforce the message that we want
to allow access for all these user groups,but this is a preserve intended to protect biological
resources--not a mountain bike playground.It's not a perfect solution-there may be quibbling over
what is "slow"riding,but that doesn't matter so much as what is "not slow"which I think just about
everybody will be able to "know when they see it".I (and many,many others)have always believed
that fast bicycling cannot be considered a passive use.In fact,initially,City Council approved the
Preserve Trails Plan on the condition that speed limits',along with other conditions such as.
enforcement,would be imposed.(Watch the long Saturday City Council meeting at which these
concerns were raised.Without those conditions,the trails permitting bikes on them would likely have
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been reduced substantially.It wasn't until a follow up meeting that Staff determined it wouldn't be
feasible to set speed limits and by then City Council had acquiesced to allow bikes on many trails that
they knew were inappropriate for them based on public testimony and their own observations on the
trails.)We know bicyclists frequently careen off trails and into habitat;we know wildlife is killed by
bikes;and we know other users have been injured by bicyclists riding fast.Slow bicycling reduces
the likelihood that this particular use will adversely impact habitat as well as wildlife and other users.
Picnic tables.Item 5 of allowable uses indicates that picnic tables are allowed in the Preserve,yet
later there is a paragraph discussing picnic areas that says they are not.My recollection from PUMP
Committee discussions was that there would not be picnic tables because of trash concerns,so I
believe picnic tables should be deleted here.
Night use.Item 9 of allowable uses refers to night use.City Council specifically allowed use by
permit for hiking only and not bikes,so I believe this item should specify "Night use of the Preserve
for hiking,provided...."
Farming.Regarding farming,special attention should be paid to the farm's agricultural practices,for
example what pesticides and herbicides are used within the Preserve lands and if there are not
limitations on the types of ancillary activities allowed (such as changing and disposal of oil)in the
terms of the lease there should be.
Prohibited Public Activities.
Regarding prohibited public activities,one item listed is "organized bike races,including night rides."
There should be at least three separate activities prohibited here:1)Night bike riding 2)Bike racing,
whether organized,spontaneous,or otherwise,and 3)Stunt riding.
PRESERVE TRAILS PLAN
Please consider closing Ishibashi Trail to bike use.This trail,more than any other,has been the site
of numerous user conflicts,in particular accidents,to the extent that many hikers and horseback
riders are afraid to use the trail at all.Consequently,with the closure of the connection between Fire
Station and Rim Trails (due in no small part to bicycles on these horse and hiking trails raising the
homeowner's fear of an accident),there is no functional access to most of upper Portuguese Bend
Reserve for those of us who want to avoid the dangers of Ishibashi Trail.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Eva
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Ara Mihranian
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
March 12,2013
SunshineRPV@aol.com
Tuesday,March 12,20135:28 PM
CC
Ara Mihranian
Draft PV Nature Preserve Public Use Master Plan hearing March 19
MEMO from Sunshine
TO:RPV City Council
RE:Draft PV Nature Preserve Public Use Master Plan
Please send Staff back to the proverbial drawing board.They have presented you with 57 pages which are
of no practical use by the public.To make matters worse,the document is formatted in such a way that it need
not be referenced by Staff or the PVP Land Conservancy.Like the RPV General Plan,RPV Parks Master Plan
and RPV Trails Network Plan,it is likely to be put in a drawer,never updated in a timely fashion and only
referenced when the public brings up sometlJ,ing Staff doesn't like.That is the way Council approved plans are
used around here.'
A City Council approved "Plan"should be a directive to the future not a history lesson.It is not in the least bit
helpful that several pages of the draft PV Nature Preserve Public Use Master Plan are devoted to the process
which created it.And,the date when the Council last approved an amendment seems to have been omitted.
The City has a Trails Network Plan to direct us all in pursuit of the goals in the RPV General Plan.Now that
the City has several miles of Category I and Category III trails,what we need is a city wide Trail User's Guide
to only these trails.The PUMP is not such a thing.
Have all ofthe necessary State Agencies approved the RPV Natural Communities Conservation Plan?(NCCP)
If so,it did not make the front page of the PV News.Ifnot,this PV Preserve Public Use Master Plan (PUMP)
has no more standing than the City's Parks Master Plan and Trails Network Plan.
What the PVP Land Conservancy is responsible for and how much they are paid to do it is totally documented
in the Agreement between the City and the Conservancy.The "jist"of it or any rephrasing of said Agreement is
inappropriate in the PV Nature Preserve Public Use Master Plan.
The PV Nature Preserve is special only to a certain extent.It is City owned property,the use of which should
be compliant with previously approved plans or said plans should go through the established amendment
processes.If the PUMP is to be of use by Staff,it should provide updates which are incorporated into the RPV
Parks Master Plan and/or the RPV Trails Network Plan so that the whole City is managed consistently.
That is the big picture.On to the petty details:
Listing the members of the PUMP Committee,twice,is redundant.Do notice that the 2009 City Council never
selected a Chairman for the Committee.The Committee's work product is not in the least bit "incredible".
This was a very blatant use ofthe Delphi Technique.Lots of people got to speak but most everything they said
came to naught or has been used against them.
Overall,take the San Ramon Reserve as an example.I have provided Staff with similar information about all
11 Reserves.This draft PUMP is a fraud.
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The City acquired the property and did not bother to amend the General Plan Land Use Map.(Ding.)
The City stopped having the County do the fire fuel abatement which the previous property owner had paid for
so the Switchback Trail (CTP SECTION FOUR F3)was fine only until San Ramon Canyon eroded away.
(Ding.)
Staff has claimed there was no funding to include the design to restore the Switchback Trail in with the design
to repair the San Ramon Canyon drainage.Per Amendment 22 of the RPV General Plan,the RPV Public
Works Department is responsible for requesting a budget adjustment when such an opportunity presents itself.
(Ding.)
Staffhas changed the graphic oval location of a "conceptual"trail in the current draft from where it was on the
Preserve Trails Plan map that Council approved last year.(Ding.)
The PUMP Committee was never permitted to finish recommending which amenities should be provided at
which trailheads.Unlike what is shown on the Preserve Trail Plan (PTP)maps,a "trailhead"is not simply a
place where a pathway crosses a property line even if a little info kiosk is provided.Friendship Park should be
the primary entrance to the San Ramon Reserve.The water fountain and bike rack on PV Drive South is the
closest thing to a trailhead which presently exists.Now is the time for Staff to fess up to the fact that they and
the PVP Land Conservancy want as few unescorted people as possible to visit the PV Nature Preserve.That is
not "passive"recreation.Per the latest draft update of the General Plan,guided tours have participation rules
and Umpires.That is "active"recreation.(Ding.)
Trail graphics should indicate where both ends of a trail name are located.(The Task Force's Open Space
Subcommittee recommended a way to designate trail intersections with a reference to its GPS location.)In an
emergency,people should be able to say which trail they are on.(Ding.)
The City's "signage program"is a mess all on its own.(Ding.)
How many "dings"do you need to stop this manipulation of the City's resources?
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