LATEST NEWS - UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS - PRESS COVERAGE -

LATEST NEWS - UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS - PRESS COVERAGE -

Multi-Use Trails Should be the Rule in Rancho Corral de Tierra

During the August 14 2024 Midcoast Community Coucil meeting, GGRNA Superintendent David Smith raised a concern about continuing the designation of multi-use trails in Rancho Corral de Tierra. The NPS is considering that specific trails be re-designated as single-use trails (separating hiking, biking, equestrian, dog walking trails).

Smith claimed at the meeting that at least one community member had complained about Ranch trails being multiuse/user conflicts on the trails, and the draft plan cites “user conflicts.”

A recent FOIA request for “user conflicts” that served as the basis for the plan has revealed that, in fact, there were approximately 9 user-conflict complaints over the course of a 12 year period. That scant evidence forms the basis of the draft plan and hardly seems sufficient (by any stretch) to consider changes to longstanding trail multi-use. The “incident reports” breakdown like this:

  • 5 mountain bikes vs e-bikes

  • 3 off-leash dogs vs commercial dog walkers

  • 1 dog biting a horse

  • 1 brush clearing/fuel reduction related

The multi use trails in Rancho were carefully planned to benefit all users from the start. New trail features developed with NPS staff over years include: rolling water dips, extended lines of sight and “Share the Trail” etiquette signage.

Over the past decade, CHC, in partnership with other community organizations, has hosted multiple, well- attended trails seminars/clinics to educate and demonstrate multi-use trail guidelines. Participants at these seminars covered proper trail etiquette and safety precautions on trails-stable areas at Ember Ridge, Ocean View Farm and other barns both within Rancho and across the Coastside. 

These clinics are part of the reason for the longstanding record of safety for multi-use trails in Rancho.

Cameron’s Pub Fundraiser A Big Success!

Thanks to your support, we had a huge turnout at our first fundraising event at Cameron’s Pub in Half Moon Bay. It was so much fun that Cameron has invited us to throw another one! We raised thousands of dollars to support our mission and the best part was the tremendous warm comments from participants about how much you all appreciate our efforts. THANK YOU!

MCC Meeting on August 14: GGNRA Feedback from the Community

During the MCC Aug. 14 meeting, GGNRA Superintendent David Smith presented feedback (starts at 1:33) from concerned members of the public about the draft plan Rancho Corral de Tierra, which has generated tremendous controversy becuase it had been secretly developed without input from the Coastside.

More than 150 community members paticipated in person or via Zoom in the meeting and, as a result, the MCC subsequently wrote the GGRNA to summarize significant community opposition to elements of the draft plan.

The GGNRA characterized recent community feedback from emails, phone calls and other contacts about the Rancho plan:

  • Equestrian issues were #1. Keep the horses, all of them. There are no nearby boarding facilities. The barn operators operate essential outreach programs for underserved community members (way more than NPS offers). Any reduction in boarded horses would make these businesses untenable economically. Horses are essential to the Coastside economy (50+ businesses). A riding camp is not a good idea.

  • Public safety is #2: A trail south of Ocean View risks becoming a parking lot for beach goers. Need more rangers on the trails to stop rule breakers. Camping is a fire risk. Concerns about homeless camping. Fuel removal should be NPS focus.

  • Infrastructure is #3: Trail maintenance is needed. NPS should be doing this. Need restrooms, better signage, benches, native plants.

    Smith summarized that the community had clearly indicated that they want to “maintain Rancho exactly the way it is already.” There were also concerns expressed that NPS had taken too much input from those outside the Coastside community in the development of their plan. There were repeated requests for the GGNRA to hold a public meeting. Smith then noted that “our next step is to continue to get ideas from you all which will inform Kristen, our (GGNRA) park planner.”

County of San Mateo Planning Department Review of GGNRP Draft Plan for Consistency with Local Coastal Plan

The County of San Mateo Planning Department which administers the Local Coastal Program on behalf of the California Coastal Commission, has taken a proactive stance by agreeing to review all GGNRA plans for consistency with the Coastal Act at their 8-28 meeting (starts at 25:30). All four stables are within the Coastal Zone. CHC has shared the GGNRA draft plan with the Planning Department.

San Francisco Water Control Board Agrees to Meet with CHC

We are pleased to report that the San Francisco Regional Water Control Board has agreed to meet with CHC regarding their concerns about FIB pollution of San Vicente Creek and ways to mitigate these that, we believe, do not need to involve any removal of horses from Rancho.