The US Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a new proposal for designating critical habitat for the California red-legged frog.  While it’s ten times the size of their previous proposal—up to 131,091 acres in San Mateo County from 13,000 acres— it leaves out a lot of areas that are near existing development, including the city of Half Moon Bay, reports the the County Times. The new proposal was required by a lawsuit against the agency, based on interference by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior Julie MacDonald [Wikipedia].

"If you’ve got a house, a shopping center or a parking lot, a lot of those areas are not considered critical habitat areas, even if they lie within the designated area," said Al Donner, a spokesman for the Fish and Wildlife Service in Sacramento.

Sounds confusing, but state biologists based their habitat maps on Geographic Information System models and the location of known red-legged frog breeding ponds, then looked at their range of movement (as much as a mile) and at other potential habitats they could occupy in the immediate area. They assumed no healthy colony of frogs could exist in the back of a subdivision, so they focused on rural areas instead. Many of these, like Crystal Springs Reservoir, are already protected from development.

Jeff Miller, a conservation advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, called the proposal a "partial victory."

"Not even close to everything within those areas will be protected as critical habitat," he said, referring to sites across the entire state. "They’re including a lot of areas that we know have good frog habitat but it doesn’t include all the areas that were historically occupied by red-legged frogs."

The 60-day public comment period ends Nov. 17. To read the proposal online, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20473.pdf. To make a comment or request a public hearing, visit http://www.regulations.gov and follow directions there.

Jan Garrod, general manager of Garrod Farms and Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards in Saratoga and president of the Santa Clara County Farm Bureau, has joined the Board of Directors at Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).

All of us want to thank all the pilots who flew continuously low over us today; displaying very clearly their numbers to be documented.

So they continue to give us the evidence we need for their continuing illegal flying.

They just might want to talk to the manager of the San Carlos Airport to update themselves.  Would be a shame if they weren’t being educated about the ongoing process to protect our locals.

Remember the saying: "what goes around; comes around"?  Still true.

The San Mateo County Resource Conservation District (RCD) needs volunteers to conduct a circulation study to understand how pollution travels within and out of the harbor September 27, 28, or 29.

What would I do?

Volunteers in kayaks, rowboats, canoes, jet skis, or small motorized boats will collect water samples at a series of buoys that will be set up in the harbor.

What supplies or equipment would I need?

A beach coordinator will provide volunteers with tools to collect water samples and record observations. Volunteers are encouraged to provide their own kayaks/ boats/ jet skis, protective clothing, and safety gear if possible. If that is not possible, the RCD will provide a kayak, paddle, and personal flotation device. The RCD will provide snacks and drinks as well.

How long will it take?

Volunteers will arrive an hour before their first shift for training and to get to the first buoy. Water sample collection will take place over a two-hour period. Why not sign up for more than one shift and enjoy a break at a local waterfront restaurant? ?

Where do I sign up?

Visit the project web page, www.sanmateorcd.org/harbor.html. Email the RCD at [email protected]. Or call the RCD at (650)712-7765.

People of all ages can help make San Mateo County cleaner and greener by scouring beaches and watersheds on September 20 during California Coastal Cleanup Day, the largest volunteer event of its kind in the state.
Coastal Cleanup Day is sponsored by the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program and California Coastal Commission. This is the 24th year thousands of Californians will work together along beaches, shorelines and inland waterways to clear cigarette butts, cans, bottles, plastic bags, grocery carts, old tires and other debris.
Last year, more than 2,000 volunteers in San Mateo County removed 19,983 pounds of trash and 4,050 pounds of recyclables. Statewide, more than 60,000 volunteers hauled off nearly 1 million pounds of trash and recyclables that would otherwise soil the state and threaten the health of wildlife.
The vast majority of the debris wasn’t dropped on beaches or tossed into a watershed. Instead, most of the debris started out as garbage on urban streets and was carried by storm drains or blown by the wind.
Volunteers are encouraged to show up at any of the following cleanup locations in San Mateo County at 9 a.m. on September 20. Most cleanups end by noon.
For more information about the San Mateo Countywide Water Pollution Prevention Program or clean-up sites within San Mateo County, visit www.flowstobay.org or call (650) 372-6200. For information on statewide locations and this year’s corporate sponsors, visit the California Coastal Commission at www.coast4u.org.
Click below for a list of Coastside locations

The Coastside Land Trust is holding our monthly restoration event at our Francis Beach properties this coming Saturday,  September 20, 12:30 to 3 pm.  We will spend the day identifying native and invasive plants, discussing the strategy for fall blooming by some native species, pollination strategies, and methods used for seed dispersal, as well as removing invasive plants to help our natives thrive.

Did you ever think of Coyote Bushes as sexy?

Coyote Bush (Baccharis pilulari) is the brush that covers our coastal hillsides and terraces. It is also called tick or deer brush, and is the primary plant in our coastal chaparral. It is the first plant to colonize grassy fields, and is host to many plants and animals. Coyote bush provides shelter and cover for animals and creates an environment welcoming to other plants. If you look closely, you will see blackberry vines, reeds, aster, dock, and other plants taking advantage of the shade and wind protection provided by the sturdy coyote bush.

This time of year, September to November, it becomes apparent that not all coyote bushes are alike. Some have blooms with tight flowers that stick to the plant (this is the male) while others have a fuzzy bloom that, when mature floats to the ground and through the air much as thistle seeds do (this the female). Plants like the Coyote Bush with separate plants for the male and female are called dioecious, a Greek/Latin word meaning two houses—specifically having the male and female reproductive organs borne on separate individuals of the same species.

Please join us. Check in at the Francis State Beach kiosk at Kelly and the Pacific Ocean, and proceed north on the maintenance road to the maintenance sheds. Our properties are on the east side of the maintenance road. Refreshments, good humor and appreciation are provided for all ages and abilities.

Jo Chamberlain

There will be a cleanup at Montara State Beach Saturday September 20, from 9am to noon.  Visit http://www.montarabeach.com for full details.

Surfrider San Mateo County and the Live105 Action Team Beach Cleanup

California Coastal Cleanup Day!
Saturday, September 20
10 a.m. to Noon
From Highway 1, turn west on Poplar Ave. (south of Highway 92) in Half Moon Bay.

We’ll be stationed at the Poplar Beach parking lot.  The LIVE 105 Action Team will be onsite with the latest Jack Johnson CD ‘‘Sleep Through The Static’’ (courtesy Universal Republic) and other LIVE 105 goodies for the biggest garbage picker-uppers!

Please wear comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes and sunscreen. Bring gardening or work gloves, or, we are happy to provide you with latex gloves. We also provide the bags, hand sanitizer, and other essentials for cleaning up trash. 

All volunteers are welcome to participate and must sign a liability waiver, but volunteers under 18 MUST have a parent or guardian, present at the beginning of the cleanup, sign the waiver before the minor can participate.

Pre-registration is NOT required unless your group has more than 20 people. 

For more info, catch a wave via Surfrider San Mateo County website, or email.

The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council has opened registration for its third annual Ridge Trail Cruz event for hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians. The event takes place Saturday, September 20. The "Cruz" features a number of hikes, horseback rides and mountain bike rides, starts at the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve and features a long section of the Ridge Trail in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. As part of the program, a family hike suitable for children will also be featured, and families are encouraged to attend.

Hikers may choose to go on a 12-mile hike, or up to 22 miles. A bus will shuttle hikers south to a Santa Clara County Park or the District’s Saratoga Gap Open Space Preserve so they can hike north on the return. A hike appropriate for children is also offered. There are two mountain bike options in District preserves and a variety of equestrian routes. Rest stops with snacks and water, lunch, a detailed map, and outing leaders are provided, along with bus transportation for hikers. The fee is $40. Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. Start time depends on the activity selected. By joining the optional Cruz-a-thon, participants can raise funds through pledges and receive special gifts. Event proceeds will benefit the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council’s efforts to complete the proposed 550-mile trail.

The fee of $40 is required so that the "Cruz" can offer a fully supported day and provide guides, maps, water, and food, as well as a shuttle bus for hikers.

The Council has partnered with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Santa Clara County Parks, ROMP (Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers), and ETRAC (Equestrian Trail Riders Action Committee) on the event. REI donated prizes for the fundraising part of the event.

Click for details.

Ever wondered what was behind the "No Trespassing" signs at the Pilarcitos Quarry [Google map] on Highway 92?  Now is your chance to see, and enjoy food, refreshments, and fun.

Coastside families are invited to the annual public Pilarcitos Quarry Community Day Barbecue, Saturday, Sept 20, from 11am to 2pm. The event will be held at the Quarry, entrance on Highway 92, three miles east of Half Moon Bay.  Look for the balloons at the entrance.

The event is organized by quarry operator West Coast Aggregates.