The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space district will hold a hearing on the master plan for the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Tuesday, May 19, at Hatch Elementary School, Half Moon Bay, in the multipurpose room from 6:30 to 9pm.

The 2,056-acre La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve, considered by many as a gateway to the San Mateo coast, features forests of redwood and Douglas fir, contrasting open grassland hilltops, and spectacular panoramic views leading to the coast. This Preserve’s potential has only just begun to be scratched as historically only a portion of the preserve has been open to hikers and equestrians on a permit basis.

In July 2004, the District and a team of consultants kicked off the master planning process for this Preserve with an on-site meeting to review the scope of work, schedule, and budget for this project. The District master planning process aims to provide the public with greater opportunities for recreation access, interpretation, and education, while expanding livestock grazing and protecting the rural heritage, natural, cultural, and historic resources of the landscape for the long-term.

In December 2007, the District held an open house to discuss the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve Draft Master Plan. A concise list of the draft plan recommendations, true to the District’s mission and incorporating many of the comments and ideas the District received from neighbors, agencies, Preserve users, and local organizations, was released. (See Draft Implementation Table and Draft Plan Maps).

We fixed a problem that caused our analysis of Jim Larimer’s column and the attached comments to display improperly or not at all in Internet Explorer.

If you’re using Internet Explorer and you had problems reading the article, you might want to try it again.

I have to admit from a real estate perspective I found the eminent domain lawsuit very interesting.  I read the Federal’s judge’s ruling and found it very direct.  I understand that MWSD a few days ago appealed the decision and I’m curious as to what their reasons were.  Not much has been written about it in the Review and nothing has been mentioned here.

I also know many have wanted for HMB to appeal its loss in Federal Court so now all of us will get to see how the process goes and what it costs. 

Steven Hyman

The Bay Area Green Business Program last week announced it has presented Reece Computer Systems with a Green Business Certification. Reece is one of only two computer or technology-related businesses that have achieved this status in San Mateo County.

“Reece contacted us about achieving this certification approximately two years ago, before Half Moon Bay was included in our program”, said Danielle Lee, green business coordinator for San Mateo County. “Reece not only met our stringent requirements, but they far exceeded them when designing their office headquarters”.

Seabirds are once again dying along the coast from San Francisco as far South as Oxnard, according to WildCare.

Brandt’s Cormorants, grebes and loons are those that seem to be most commonly found. The largest numbers of dead birds reported so far include 67 Brandt’s and 13 grebes at Ocean Beach. This event seems to have coincided with the large wind storms that came through around April 15 but no one knows if that’s relevant.

So far preliminary necropsy findings show emaciation as the only issue that some of the dead birds had in common BUT many of the dead birds have been within normal healthy body weights.

However, IBRRC (the International Bird Rescue and Research Center)  reports that of the over 30 live birds they have treated all were emaciated and had very heavy parasite loads and low blood levels. The birds ate well, were treated for the parasites and were banded and released when healthy.

Lab results on May 4 were negative for Avian Influenza, West Nile Virus, Newcastle Disease and domoic acid poisoning.

The Coastside Land Trust is holding a nature tour of Pilarcitos riparian area, Saturday, May 9, 10am-noon. 

• Learn about the importance of the Pilarcitos watershed to the sustainability of water on the coast.
• Enjoy identifying native and non-native plants with Neal Kramer of Kramer Botanical in El Granada.
• Become acquainted with many bird species with the help of Gary Deghi, local wildlife biologist.

Meet at Stone Pine parking lot, 20 Stone Pine Road, Half Moon Bay. Bring binoculars, wear sturdy shoes and dress in layers. This event is free and is suitable for families. Refreshments will be served.

Jo Chamberlain

Montara water and Sanitary District is holding a special item recycling day Saturday, May 9, at Farallone View Elementary. Electronics, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, styrofoam, scrap metal, furniture, bed parts, up to 4 tires, and 1 appliance per houshold will be accepted. Only one trip per household, please.

Eucalyptus near Coral Reef Ave in El Granada will be cut back to reduce the risk of wildfire beginning Monday, May 11. According to San Mateo County Resource Conservation District press release:

Limbs will be removed from eucalyptus trees up to approximately 12 feet.  Trees up to 6 inches in diameter will be removed using chain saws and chipped on site.  Vegetative debris that has accumulated on the ground and could potentially ignite will be piled in safe locations and burned under appropriate weather conditions by Cal Fire crews.  ...  This demonstration project is the first step toward the goal of creating a defensible space within 100 feet of all the homes in this neighborhood.

CalFire identified this area as a priority for fuel reduction because of the forest type and structure, adjacency to homes, and current use patterns by the public.  They recommended this site as an excellent demonstration opportunity because of its safe accessibility and visibility to the surrounding community.

As a demonstration, the project will also test fuel reduction methods. A meeting to discuss the findings will be held when it is complete. The project website, with details, schedule, a site map, and contact info is at http://www.sanmateorcd.org/coralreef.html

The project is a partnership of CalFire, the Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD), Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), and the San Mateo County Resource Conservation District (RCD).

If you like your noise long and loud, this has been a great week to live on Cedar Street, Montara.  In addition to the usual power mowers, leaf blowers, unmuffled cars, motorcycles and overflights from HMB Airport that punctuate the silence continuously around here, we’ve been treated to 5 straight hours of power-washer - a neighbor decided they needed to revive a fence.  Plus, we’ve had tree trimmers in the neighborhood for 6 of the last 7 days with the loudest wood chipper I’ve ever heard.  How loud?  This Saturday afternoon, yes, Saturday at 4:30PM, I tried sitting in my living room, all windows closed, using -33db earplugs AND Bose noise reduction headphones, and I could STILL hear the wood chipper!  These guys not only chipped branches - they chipped the entire tree.  Unbelievable noise level.  They drove me out of my house every day this week - I have become very familiar with the "Strand" in Moss Beach.

Do we as the public have any recourse to this cacaphony?  Are there any regulations?

I’m really suspicious as to whether any of these were done with permits.  They are close enough that I should have received notice.  Never happened.

As it is, any realtor claiming Montara is a quiet, peaceful community should be hauled in for false advertising.

Stephen Lowens