Some more info on this topic:

I was working on putting together some facts yesterday, but someone on
mtbr etc. covered them pretty well. Gina's official message is at the
end of this, but I wanted to put some thoughts together.

There's a lot of other misinformation and conspiracy theories being
passed around here and elsewhere, and I'd just ask that everyone remain
calm for now, and let's see how the trail plan emerges in a couple
months. Again, it will now be FEBRUARY, not January that the trail plan
comes out. And don't be surprised if it gets delayed again. There is a
reasonable plan being proposed, and another that is worrisome, but as
Gina says, the agencies need to sign off on it. This adds a level of
complication that is not typical. As mentioned, Tunnel 5 is not part of
it and unfortunately will never be approved as a trail. I've spoken
with Rick Thompson at length, and believe that there is no change in
the goal to create an enjoyable, sustainable trail plan for all to
enjoy. But Del Mar Mesa is unique as a "core habitat" area.

Some notes:
- Your help staying off trails that are posted as such is CRUCIAL right
now.
- Sensitive habitat was being damaged and the city was forced to take
action to prevent further degradation. They are legally required to
protect it.
- Showing restraint now will prove the resources can be protected and
recreational use can be managed.
- Please pass the closure information on to everyone you know who may
plan to ride or hike here.
- Removing signs will only create friction for all involved.
- The property ownership maps in the RMP and being posted here appear
to be outdated, so don't rely on them. Please just obey the posted
signs.
- We are lucky to have many other options for riding nearby:
Peñasquitos Canyon, Black Mountain, Carmel Mountain, Rose Canyon, San
Clemente Canyon, Tecolote Canyon, Lake Hodges and on and on. This is a
good time to explore them if you haven't.

There are also a lot of complaints about the logic of huge houses being
built nearby this "sensitive area", etc. This isn't up to the people
managing open space. Many people have fought long and hard to preserve
these areas, and for the most part it wasn't us. If we want more open
space and would like it to feature multiuse trails, here are five
immediate things we can all do:

- Join SDMBA, as mentioned here repeatedly. http://sdmba.com
- Join IMBA, because we don't just ride in San Diego, do we?
http://www.imba.com
- Join the Multi-Use Trails Coalition.  It's free and it comprises 50%
of the voting seats on the Los Pen CAC that are designated for "bike
organizations" (since it's pro-multiuse ).
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MultiUseTrails/
- Join the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. They are purchasing
land from people who might put more of those big houses on the
ridgelines and converting it to open space featuring a multiuse trail
system from the coast to Vulcan Mountain. http://www.sdrvc.org
- Join the Nature Conservancy. Again, this is how land that might be
developed is being protected for everyone. No guarantee the land will
feature trails for us, but if there's no land left there won't be the
luxury of that option. http://www.nature.org

Remember guys, this is about more than you or I or mountain biking,
hiking or riding a horse. The first goal must be to protect the land.
The quality of the trails here is incredible and unmatched in the
vicinity, and some will be lost in the end. We need to focus on keeping
a reasonable amount here and creating or improving surrounding trails
systems to match the quality experience on Del Mar Mesa and Tunnels.

Let's work together on it.

Rob Mikuteit

Gina's message:

Hi everyone, by now I’m sure you’ve heard of the decision to post as
off limits, to everyone (bike, hike and horse), everything in Del Mar
Mesa Preserve except for the road (it is still open for access). This
decision was made to lessen the ongoing impacts to the land. The
environmental regulation agencies (state and feds) will make the final
call on what trails are maintained and which are rehabilitated. The
SDMBA/Multi-use Trails Coalition made their presentation, and then the
City Trail Manager and I had to whittle that down b/c there were still
too many trails proposed so we made our recommendations and now they
are being considered by the environmental regulation agencies based on
sustainability, safety and compatibility with the goals of the Natural
Resource Management Plan.

This decision is not being motivated or swayed by any other reason than
the mandates we have to protect the resources from development or
overuse. I have just learned that the final trail plan approval
deadline has been moved back to February. I know this is a
disappointment but your cooperation during this time is appreciated.

I have attached a Google map of the three separate, yet adjacent,
Preserves that are under my jurisdiction (Rob speaking: I did not
include the attachment here). These are rough boundaries of what are
known as Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, Carmel Mountain Preserve and
Del Mar Mesa Preserve. Within all of these Preserves are different
property owners. I would like to speak specifically to Del Mar Mesa
Preserve. The City of San Diego owns 234 acres of the publicly owned
lands within the boundary of Del Mar Mesa Preserve. The County of San
Diego, US Fish & Wildlife, and California Department of Fish & Game
own parts of the other 163 acres. There are a few private property
parcels with in the boundary of DMM Preserve, some of that land will be
deeded over to the City of San Diego in the future as protected land
and it is imperative that the habitat be intact (meaning not bisected
by unauthorized use). Each property owner is responsible for the
maintenance of their land. Most of the trash left over from the illegal
encampments is on private property; I cannot authorize or organize
cleanups on private property. The Natural Resource Management plan that
is being developed outlines goals for the improvement and preservation
of this land. A few of the other private parcels may be developed in
the future, but that is not absolute in either direction. The NRMP has
within its framework the concept of a onsite Land Manager to oversee
the day to day management of all the land within the boundary of the
Preserve.

All of this information is available in the Natural Resource Management
Plan, I would recommend every one that is interested give the whole
thing a glance, I think you’ll all be pleased with the overall purpose
of the plan as stated in Chapter One “This plan has been prepared to
provide guidelines for the protection and maintenance of the preserved
natural open space... The natural open space of the Preserves harbors
extremely sensitive and depleted vegetation communities and species
unique to the San Diego region. The Preserves also act to protect the
quality of life for residents of San Diego County and the quality of
the experience for visitors by adding to the feeling of openness and
interaction with nature that San Diego fosters.”
http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/mscp

I know we are all feeling the loss of access in all area of San Diego
County, combine the wildfires and development with federal mandates and
you have limited areas to recreate. Despite this loss however, I am
asking your cooperation in making our three Preserves the best place to
live, work and recreate. I appreciate the great response to the call
for volunteer patrol, I am working on putting together the training for
that to get those interested trained and ready. Thank you again, if you
have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or stop
me when you see me on the trail. If I can’t answer your question or
concern I will connect you with who can. I just want all of you to know
that I really enjoy where I get to work and when I meet you on the
trail it is a real pleasure to talk to you and hear how much you love
this place too.

FYI the clouds are building, it looks like rain. Be on the lookout for
rain closures…

Gina Washington
Senior Park Ranger
City of San Diego, Open Space Division
858.538.8066 (PH)
858.536.8334 (FAX)

On Dec 12, 2008, at 5:34 PM, MTB Rides wrote:

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