The Coastal Commission approved a plan by the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) to build an access trail to the beach at Whaler’s Cove, according to a great story from the Daily Journal. The appeal by San Gregorio rancher Ron Sturgeon was denied.

The Coastal Commission approved plans for four hiking trails, a seating area, an informational kiosk and an overlook to Whaler’s Cove just north of Pigeon Point Light Station.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service released its estimate of the economic impact of designating 35 spots on the Pacific coast as critical habitat for the western snowy plover [PDF of report, Press release , FAQ ]. One designated area is Half Moon Bay State Beach, north of Kelly Ave.

The proposal is in response to a lawsuit filed by the Coos County Board of County Commissioners. Today’s action re-opens a 30-day comment period on the proposed rule.

It will be the responsibility of the California Department of Parks and Recreation to determine the impact this designation will have on recreation.

The report estimates the loss over the next 20 years to be between $273 million and $645 million, mostly due to beach recreation losses. Other losses may be due to plover management and in impacts to real estate development, military base operations and gravel extraction. Over three-quarters of the projected impact occurs in Monterey Bay, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay and Coronado’s Silver Strand.

How to comment:

1. Submit written comments and information to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2800 Cottage Way, W-2605, Sacramento, California 95825.

2. Hand deliver written comments to the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, at the address above.

3. Submit comments by e-mail to [email protected]

NOTE: This story has been modified significantly from its original version. I spent some time talking to Jack Olsen from the Farm Bureau and have updated it to reflect some of his concerns.

Coastside farmers are not at all convinced that they want or need recycled water, according to the County Times.

I talked with Jack Olsen, of the San Mateo County Farm Bureau, who’s quoted in the story. He feels it doesn’t properly present farmers’ interest in recycled water, saying "We’re very open to looking at it if it’s safe, reliable, and affordable."

That could be a tough challenge for recycled water to meet.  The County Times cites Olsen in saying that recycled water could cost $300 or $400 a month compared to $90-$100 for the electricity needed to operate a pump.

The story also quotes farmers concerned that no one will want to eat produce grown with "sewer water", no matter how many times it’s treated. However, it doesn’t cite any evidence that consumers would have concerns about the source of the water.

The one farmer who was quoted as enthusiastic about recycled water was Coastside County Water District board member John Muller. In our conversation, Olsen named a number of other large Coastside farmers who are supportive of recycled water.

The story also notes a dispute over the effect of pumping on Pilarcitos Creek. Half Moon Bay City Council member David Gorn is quoted as saying that the pumping is depleting the creek. I know of other people who have looked into the problem and are convinced the evidence shows that pumping, particularly by the Half Moon Bay Golf Links, is a big problem for the Creek. Olsen’s not so sure, noting that creek is complex system with multiple dams manipulating its flow and the Pillar Point breakwater affecting its mouth, and that agriculture in the Pilarcitos watershed is down significantly from past levels.

A whale washed ashore late Saturday night or early Sunday morning on Half Moon Bay State Beach at Poplar Street. The whale, tentatively identified as a humpback, had been seen floating off the coast on Saturday, according to ranger Nell Lyons.

The Senate passed a bill that would add 4,500 acres—including Rancho Corral de Tierra surrounding Moss Beach and Montara— to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.  The Peninsula Open Space Trust bought the property save it from development and has agreed to sell it for half what they paid for it.

The House of Representatives must now pass a similar bill by Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo, before they can be signed.

We’ll be running more information on Coastal Cleanup Day as the day approaches, but right now I just wanted an excuse to run this graphic. From the press release:

Coastal Cleanup Day is the highlight of the California Coastal Commission’s year ‘round Adopt-A-Beach program and takes place every year on the third Saturday of September, from 9 a.m. to Noon. In 2005, that day falls on September 17.

Coming at the end of the summer beach season and right near the start of the school year, Coastal Cleanup Day is the kick-off event for Coastweeks—three weeks of coastal and water-related events for the whole family.

Opposition from neighboring farmers is holding up the building of coastal trails on State Parks property at Whaler’s Cove, near Pigeon Point Lighthouse, according to the Examiner.

The Peninsula Open Space Trust bought the land for $2.6 million in 2000 from a hotel developer.  After tearing down the partially-built hotel, they gave the land to the state Parks Department with the agreement that POST would build four trails, including one to the beach.

The construction of the trails has been held up by neighboring farmers who are concerned that public access could mean exposure to chemicals for hikers, trespass, and theft of produce.

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has given farmers and conservationists 90 days to come to agreement. But that could be appealed to the Coastal Commission.

Solar Photovoltaics working group meet Saturday July 9, at 229 Correas Ave in Half Moon Bay. It will start at 9:00 am and run for about 2 hours. This meeting is designed for people who are considering whether a solar system is right for them.

Dan Pellegrini, President & CEO of CCEnergy, a solar design and installation cooperative, will talk on current solar legislation at the state and federal level.

Mark Fallin, with Bay Solar Power Design, will talk about how to make your home more energy efficient. Mark lives in Pacifica, so he knows all about our local weather.

Dennis Paull will speak briefly on the performance of his recently installed solar system. He has 18 Sharp 165 Watt panels and a 2500 Watt SunnyBoy inverter. His system will have been running for just over two foggy weeks. He will also show off the system for those who are interested.

Click "read more" for directions and phone number.

The otter population is holding its own, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.  Between Half Moon Bay and Santa Barbara, the population is down slightly from last year, but the more significant three-year average population is still rising.

This year, researchers counted 2,375 otters, down a little from 2,825 last year.  The count in 1983 was 1,277, according to the Chronicle.

"It’s too early to tell whether or not the decrease this year marks the beginning of a new downward trend," Hatfield said, "and it will take fresh counts next year and the year after before we know what the state of the animals really is."

The target three-year average is 3,090 for removing southern sea otters from "threatened" designation under the Endangered Species Act.

In writing the earlier story of live Web pictures of the common murres at Devil’s Slide Rock, I found this picture at Jim Rosso’s Birdcentral site. I just got his permission to use the photo and wanted to share it with you.