Year: 2011

February 2011

Posted on | by MMPC

It has been several years since the More Mesa Preservation Coalition has reported on the growth of our supporter base, and how important it is to the success of our mission … to preserve More Mesa forever. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to reemphasize the significance of building this already large and powerful supporter base, especially at this critical juncture.  That is, with the release of the Draft Updated Bio Resources Report, and the significant drop in the asking price for More Mesa, it is imperative that all members of the community who care deeply about More Mesa be aware of everything that is happening in, around, and about this very special place.

2011 c hart

From the few community residents who chose to be supporters of MMPC in 2000, we have increased to more than 1000 strong (see above).  One of MMPCs major goals for 2011 is to increase the size of the supporter data base by at least 25%.  This goal, while ambitious, is extremely important. This is because, should the status of any aspect of More Mesa change, at any time, we want all of the community to know about it … and know about it quickly.  Agility, and the ability to respond to any issue effectively and promptly are essential. To accomplish this growth, we are planning an aggressive outreach program.  It will consist of both tabling and talks, designed to inform our community and engage them in the process of preserving More Mesa.

You can help by talking about More Mesa to your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.  Urge them to be included on the MMPC supporter list, by signing up on the home page of this web site or contacting us at the email address on the Contact page. We ask that supporters supply an e-mail address, and at least one other form of contact (mailing address and/or phone) so that we easily relocate those who change servers.  Please know that all contact information is held in the strictest of confidence and will not be supplied to any other person or organization … ever.

You can also help by letting us know of any fraternal, civic, religious, service, environmental or other, organization that would like to have a uniquely tailored, and illustrated talk on More Mesa.  We can accommodate presentations of any length, or emphasis, and we provide all the necessary AV equipment.

Thanks so much for all your help.

more mesa

January 2011

Posted on | by MMPC

Welcome to a New Year!

Draft of Updated Biological Resources Study: We have excellent news to report this month!
In late December, we received notice that the long awaited Draft of the Updated More Mesa Biological Resource Study has been issued by Santa Barbara County, and is now available on their web site:

http://www.sbcountyplanning.org/projects/07CNS-00116/index.cfm

Please note that the report, as presented, is a draft.  That is, several lengthy additional procedural steps, as required by the Goleta Community Plan, must be taken to finalize the study.  These involve public processes, in which the community as well as decision makers, will participate.

The More Mesa Preservation Coalition is reviewing the draft study and will provide input at appropriate times during the remainder of the process.  A cursory scan of the 429 page report* seems to indicate that Rincon Consultants conclude More Mesa is just as environmentally sensitive as was reported in the original 1981 study by UCSB.  In general they found:

  • An equivalent assemblage of plants and plant species, except that Harding Grass (an invasive species) is more widespread and abundant.
  • There are more bird species.
  • Kite activity on More Mesa is more important than ever, especially from a regional perspective.
  • Kite prey are abundant.
  • Wetlands persist in the same areas as previously reported, and are more extensive.

The report appears thorough and has used more recent technology (such as GPS mapping) to evaluate the environmental sensitivity of More Mesa.  However, additional analysis will be required to evaluate both land use issues, and development potential implications of these findings.  From Rincon’s conclusions, it appears safe to say that More Mesa is as sensitive as ever … and, from that conclusion, we can draw renewed energy to achieve our vision … of preserving More Mesa in perpetuity!!

We are indebted to Alex Tuttle of the County Planning and Development Department for his professional handling of this sensitive project and the part he played in assuring the quality of the material presented in this draft.

As always, thanks for caring about this wonderful place and a very Happy New Year from all of us at the More Mesa Preservation Coalition!

* It may be possible to obtain a hard copy of the Updated Biological Resources Study of More Mesa.  However, because of the size of the report and the large number of detailed foldout maps, the cost will be, understandably, quite high.  We will be posting information on where to obtain such copies on the “Bio Report” section of this web site within a few weeks.

wtk
Thanks to Yuji Kosaki for the wonderful White-tailed Kite image above.