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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter of Support for the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve Trail Project Menchaca, Clarissa From: Snyder,Ashley Sent: Friday,June 8, 2018 1:45 PM To: BOS Cc: Schmidt, Dennis; McCracken, Shari; Moak, Peggy; Menchaca, Clarissa Subject: Board Correspondence - Letter of Support for the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve Trail Project Attachments: Signed Butte County Letter of Support Table Mnt Trail 6-8-18.pdf All — Por Dennis Schmidt's request, please see the attached correspondence regarding a Letter of Support for the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve Trail Project that was sent this afternoon. Take care, AsKe� N. Sv,,UL�er Assistant Clerk of the Board Butte County Administration 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965 T: 530.552.3300 1 F: 530.538.7120 Twitter I Faceboolc I YouTube I Pinterest From:Schmidt, Dennis Sent: Friday,June 08, 2018 12:52 PM To: Snyder,Ashley<ansnyder@buttecountynet> Cc: McCracken, Shari<SMcCracken @buttecounty.net>; Hatcher, Casey<CHatcher@buttecounty.net>; Moak, Peggy <pmoak@buttecounty.net> Subject: Letter of Support for the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve Trail Project Good afternoon,Ashley, Will you please forward this letter to all of the Board of Supervisors? This letter went out this afternoon. Thanks, Vewe& P. SAae& Director of Public Works T"I U t t e.-,,qu n ty Butte County Department of Public Works 7 County Center Drive, Oroville, CA 95965 (1) (530) 538-7681 l . (530) 538-7171 > J dschmidt@buttecounty.net CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachment thereto may contain private, confidential, and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review, copying, or distribution of this email (or any attachments thereto) by other than the County of Butte or the intended recipient is strictly prohibited. If you are NOT the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copies of this email and any attachments thereto. 2 "yy BUTTE COUNTY FEDERAL/STATE LAND-USE xt �6,� %fz;' . COORDINATING COMMITTEE •CALIFORNIA. 7 County Center Drive Oroville, CA 95965 June 8, 2018 Wildlife Conservation Board Attention: Public Access Grant Proposal 1416 9th Street, Suite 1266 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Wildlife Conservation Board: The Butte County Federal/State Land-Use Coordinating Committee (Committee) supports the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve Trail Project ("Trail Project"), proposed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The Committee understands that this project will provide improved public access to the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve (NTMER),while also reducing ecological damage and human safety concerns.This project falls within guidelines established in Butte County's General Plan 2030. Butte County's General Plan 2030 addresses Butte County's commitment to protection, enhancement, utilization and management of natural resources;the importance of agricultural enterprises, and the need for parks and recreation opportunities. The Committee based its support for the project on the recommendation from the Butte County Forest Advisory Committee (FAC). The Butte County Board of Supervisors established the FAC to facilitate public involvement and assist the County in its quest to meet these guiding principles of the Butte General Plan 2030 as it pertains to use of public lands.The FAC serves to gather information and opinions from interested parties,to present pertinent recommendations to the Butte County Board of Supervisors through the Committee, and to serve as a resource in Coordination efforts. We understand that 1.2 miles of trail will be developed, with various designs being used to best preserve the existing natural resources. This is important as the NTMER is known for the wide array of native flowering forbs and grasses, including many rare and endangered and threatened species.The NTMER is also home to various wildlife species, including songbirds, raptors, lizards, and newts, as well as mammals such as foxes, bobcats, and deer.The Committee and FAC based its support for the Trail Project with the assumption that the planned property acquisition is also approved. We request another opportunity to comment if the plan must be altered due to lack of the designated parcel acquisition. Butte County is in need of more trails on public lands, especially in the foothills areas of the county.The NTMERTP is consistent with Butte County's General Plan 2030, and will promote further nature recreation,which is important to Butte County.Surveys have shown that as many as 28,000 to 30,000 people visit this site annually, so having an established and accessible trail is important. One issue that needs to be considered is the need for improved parking and a plan to remedy the problem of gravel from the parking area migrating to the county road, as this creates challenges for traffic on Cherokee Road (both vehicular and bicycle), and also can contribute to a premature failure of the roadway surfacing.The Committee is willing to support and collaborate with the CDFW on the Trail Project, and also hopes for collaboration with Fish &Wildlife on a means to remedy the parking issue in the lot and along the roadway over the upcoming months. In summary,the Butte County Federal-State Land Use Coordinating Committee supports the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve Trail Project, and asks for your favorable consideration of the CDFW grant application. Approval of this project will greatly improve access, reduce the impact on the ecological environment, and increase safety for visitors. Thank you for the opportunity to comment. Si cerely, 1 Schmidt Butte County Federal/State Land Use Committee cc: Butte County Forest Advisory Committee Butte County Board of Supervisors Bruce Forman, CA Fish &Wildlife