DIABLO WATCH
Save Mount Diablo
Protecting the Mountain since 1971
Morgan Territory Regional Preserve Greatly Expanded
Consistently outrunning threats, the East Bay Regional Park District has preserved much of Morgan Territory's incredible landscape and responded to great public concern. The District began acquiring land in the mid-1970's. In the last three years the Park District's Board of Directors has more than doubled the size of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve to 4,056 acres. "It's imperative that these lands be acquired now while prices are still affordable and before development pressure makes them unobtainable," said Kay Petersen, Director, Ward 6which includes the preserve.
In 1969 Hulet Hornbeck, Chief -
Land Management, first evaluated Morgan Territory for the District. He wrote General Manager Trudeau, "This several thousand acre valley comprises the headwaters and watershed of Marsh Creek." Southeast of Marsh Creek road and east of Diablo's summit, it includes a ridge higher than Mt. Tamalpais.
Hornbeck continued, "You climb perhaps 800 or 900 feet through grazing land, woodland and chaparral. The trees are predominantly oak though we saw maple, some very fine specimens of madrone and quite a bit of bay.
"We descended the southern part
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Riggs Canyon Entrance in Jeopardy
Diablo lovers were dealt a blow in May when the 560 acre Musco property, a proposed entrance from Finley Road to the state park and Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, was purchased by its neighbors. One of them, Mark Mariani, began grading next door without permits in early August, and has announced plans to eventually divide his adjacent parcel for estates.
"He's grading on the inside of a hill, that's sort of the plug for the canyon. You'll be looking straight, like a gun barrel, at this house. I respect his desire to live in privacy and splendor, but it's taking too much from the public for one person to have that at our expense," said SMD board member Bob Walker.
Envisioned as a small entrance to the two parks and an equestrian and hiking trailhead, funding for the beautiful Riggs Canyon site was secured by Save Mount Diablo's participation in the 1988 CalPaW Bond. Riggs Canyon is the most pristine area east of Diablo's summit, and the only possible staging area for a seven mile stretch along the south side of the mountain.
The proposed staging area would likely be much like Mitchell Cyn.'s on Diablo's north side or Green Valley on the west. It would afford easier access to Livermore and Danville residents, and to horse owners who have difficulty driving up Southgate rd.
SMD's Morgan property, and
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Beautiful Riggs Canyon. EBRPD 's Perry acquisition in 1988 is in the f oreg round, SMD's Morgan acquisition is in th e cent er. A proposed sou thern en !rrmce to both parks, the Musco property, is on the left. Photo by Bob WalkerMorgan Territory
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of the property following a beautiful rocky stream. About halfway down the slope there is a very high and interesting escarpment. about 100 feet in height and we had to detour to find a way down. At the bottom we met a main source of Marsh Creek. The very large oaks complete a canopy along this stream.
"We passed one picnic family (who) had apparently climbed to the top of the ridge ... you can see the entire Delta to the east and the northeast. "
Designated as open space in the County General Plan and left primarily to ranchers, Morgan Territory had "seemed safe from the bulldozer for at least the near future." The area's isolation was marked by its scenic one-lane road. In the early 1970's, a series of developments threatened that isolation.
A year after Hornbeck's initial visit, a proposal to establish a motorcycle park near the present preserve was opposed and defeated Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, and location map. Maps courtesy of East Bay Regional Park District and Beth Stone
by local ranchers and activists.
In 1971, developers sought county approval to build Morgan Territory Estates, 581 units on 832 acres two miles south of Marsh Creek road. Including substantial office and retail space the project would leapfrog sewers and waterlines far beyond existing boundaries. Manfred Lindner of the Contra Costa Parks Council termed the plan "devastating".
Though planning staff recommended denial, commissioners
planned to approve the project. After massive opposition, proponents conceded on February 10, 1972.
Lindner, at the forefront of the Morgan Territory Estates battle, immediately urged the Park District to give the highest possible priority to Morgan Territory, ".. .it is clear that the days of isolation for this area are surely ending."
Using the age-old tactic of special interest hikes and by lobbying the Board while working with staff,
The Diablo/Morgan Territory Region from 13,000 ft. The proposed Marsh Creek dump feeds between two ridges into Round Valley on the left below Morgan Territory Regional Preseroe. Photo by Bob Walker/Tony Heiderer. Helicopter /Hoffman Co
Lindner, as much as anyone, was responsible for the District's first purchases, 1,524 acres in 1975 and '76. And there it stood for almost a decade, a small, isolated 'land bank' on the maps.
Photographer Bob Walker discovered Morgan Territory in the early 1980's. Walker was drawn by the late afternoon light and the sensual curves of the hills, "You can look for miles without seeing the hand of man."
Knowing nothing of budget priorities, Walker called the Park District to suggest they buy more land. He lead a new generation of hikes, while the District Land Dept. undertook intensive negotiations, culminating in the purchase of the 640-acre Marshall property in 1986.
In quick order thereafter, a dedicated group of Morgan Territory lovers made sure the Park District Board was kept well aware of each new building pad graded, each oak cut. In 1988 acquisitions included 643 acres rising west up to the crest of Highland ridge and 689 acres of Round Valley, literally the most beautiful valley in the East Bay. In Round Valley, as in most cases, the District established a long term relationship with the property owner and ultimately convinced him the property should be protected.
In April 1989, Save Mount Diablo added the 631-acre Morgan parcel to Mount Diablo State Park and established a connection and trail between the state park and the regional preserve. The trail zigzagged across three properties. Soon after, the group and the state began work to fill the gaps on the State's side of the trail corridor and to add a southern access to the two parks through the Musco property south of Morgan (see cover story.) Meanwhile, EBRPD purchased the 560-acre Cardoza piece, stopping oak cutting there and filling yet another gap.
Despite the District's timely additions to the Park, the threats remain. The area's large ranches are being increasingly fragmented for ranchettes, the proposed dump is still on the drawing board, and land prices continue to climb. Please thank the Board, and urge them to continue expanding Morgan Territory Preserve. Write Boardmember Kay PetersenEBRPD, 11500 Skyline Blvd., Oakland CA 94619.
This may become your Favorite HikeGo north from Hwy 580, N. Livermore exit to Morgan Terr. Rd. and the preserve parking lot. Follow the Coyote Trail along the creek, rise up into the meadow area, to the Volvon loop until the view opens up to the north. You can look across the many ridges of east county; the view includes the Delta and the Central Valley, and on a clear day, the high Sierra from Mt. Lassen to Yosemite. It includes close-ups such as beautiful Round Valley below, the sites of the proposed Marsh Creek Dump two ridges to the east, and the proposed Los Vaqueros reservoir further south. About 6.5 miles.
Riggs Canyon
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regional park district properties, were purchased in the area based on the proposed access (Morgan bounds Musco on the north.) SMD will be holding a public meeting in Danville on Oct. 25th to discuss the issue.
Neighbor Mariani purchased his home on Finley rd. in 1988. Aware of the park plans, he had indicated a
desire to work with park officials. More recently, however, he and his neighbors have moved to block access to the parks from Finley Rd.
Riggs Canyon Public Meeting-Awardwinning photographer Bob Walker will show slides of the Diablo region and discuss Riggs Canyon issues on Oct. 25th at 7:30 pm. Sponsored by SMD, the event takes place in the San Ramon School Dist. Board Rm. at 699 Old Orchard Dr., the corner of Sycamore Valley Rd. east of Hwy. 680. Representatives of the state and regional parks, and Sen. Boatwright's office, will answer questions. Join us to see some of the results of your support.
New Developments
Crystyl Ranch on November 7th Ballot.
YES on Measure E!
Until recently, news about the proposed 'Crystyl Ranch' project appeared daily in local papers. The project was rejected by the city's planning commission in early June, then despite great opposition, the city council approved the project on June 28th; vice-mayor June Bulman eloquently objected to the project and dissented. Opponents including Save Mount Diablo immediately qualified a referendum for the ballot, and survived legal challenge by the developers along the way.
Facing more bad publicity, the developers withdrew their plan in August. Unless the General Plan Amendment is overturned with a yes vote Nov. 7th, identical plans can be filed.
South of Ygnacio Valley road, the beautiful 512 acre site is too expensive to acquire as parkland; Concord's General Plan had been viewed favorably in that it required dedication of up to 300 acres of the steepest parts of the property in the event of development.
Instead, the developers proposed dismantling the City's General Plan and Hillside Development ordinance, 725 rather than 454 units and a private 18-hole golf course. Only 40 acres of public open space was
required by the City Council. 80% of the 512 acres would be graded. 'Crystyl Ranch' would be the highest development on Diablo's north face.
Organizers fear a last minute advertising blitz. If you can volunteer a few hours to the campaign, call 687-9961 or 947-1951. 'Crystyl Ranch' Walks-Sat. Oct. 14,21,28, Nov 4 at 9:45 am. The Bay Chapter, Cal. Native Plant Society and SMD will lead walks in Lime Ridge Open Space to view the project. Bring water, wind breakers and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at Walnut Creek's Boundary Oaks golf course for the 2 hour loop into Lime Ridge Open Space. End of Valley Vista Road. Call 843-4247 for info.
Rancho Paraiso Compromise Reached
In addition to direct purchase, one of the ways in which Save Mount Diablo has most successfully added land to parks on Mount Diablo is through negotiations with developers. In Blackhawk, 3000 of 4800 acres were saved. Although things can look bad during the grading phase of a development, these negotiations are sometimes the only way to save any part of a parcel.
In March, friends of Mount Diablo were asked to call supervisors about the proposed Rancho Paraiso development above Walnut Creek. Calls numbered in the hundreds and greatly increased pressure, allowing a negotiated settlement. After weeks of talks between SMD board member Bob Doyle, Randy and Bruce Smith, Supervisors Schroder and McPeak and Walnut Creek council members, the 210 acre project was redesigned to protect more of Lime Ridge's western face According to Doyle, "This property should have been added to Lime Ridge Open Space; sadly, that opportunity was lost years ago."
The Smith's original plan cut the site's ridges, and partially filled its draws. The revised project decreased grading overall by 15%; within dedicated open space grading was decreased by 40%.
Redesign included a small reduction in units from 219 to 205,
dedication of the most visible southern ridge, shifts of units to unite fragmented open space and improved public access to Walnut Creek's adjacent Lime Ridge Open Space.
The Smith Companies will restore four riparian zones to benefit wildlife and half the site will be added to Lime Ridge Open Space at no cost to the citizens or City of Walrtut Creek.Thanks for Your Help.
Rare Species
Threaten Blackhills Project
Discovery of the Alameda Whipsnake and the Diablo Rock Rose (Helianthella castanea) on the proposed Blackhills development site may aid preservation of the site.
The rare snake and flower were found during environmental studies requested by Save Mount Diablo. Sue Watson, the group's president, noted, "Rare species are 'canaries in a coal mine'; they serve as indicators of the overall health of an area."
Blackhills, 80% surrounded by the State Park, is an extremely steep and beautiful canyon rising up to the Southgate entrance of the Park. Its developers propose donating the steepest 2/3 s of its 300 acres to the park, but bury the stream canyon and intensely grade the rest to create 40 high-priced lots. The rare species are found on the highest lots.
Write the Clerk, Board of Supervisors-P.O. Box 911, Martinez, CA 94553 supporting less grading, no culverting of the stream, no terracing
to create building lots on the high slopes, and protection of rare species' habitat. Your support is essential. View the Canyon-The Bay chapter, Cal. Native Plant Society will sponsor walks on Saturday, Nov 11, 18, 25, and Dec 2,9,16. Walks will loop through the narrow canyons and towering trees of Sycamore creek. View the site of the proposed Blackhills subdivision, perhaps a controlled burn site on Fossil Ridge, and the rare Mt. Diablo manzanita. 3-5 miles. Trails can be muddy so wear appropriate shoes. 9 am at the Curry Pt view area on Southgate rd . Call 530-3066 for more info.
'Peregrine' Means Wanderer
Discovery this spring of breeding prairie falcons high on a Mount Diablo cliff provided a chance to reintroduce endangered peregrine falcons to the mountain.
Working with eight state and local agencies, wildlife biologist Gary Beeman and SMD program director Seth Adams quickly put together a program to substitute peregrine chicks for prairies. Adams developed funding and coordinated agencies, and Beeman handled the release and round the clock surveillance of the two rare chicks.
News of the peregrines was released in July, after the birds began flying. Although they might have wandered up the coast for the summer seeking prey, both birds are still on Diablo. Plans to release more birds this year are already under way
The Alameda whipsnake in hunting posture. Photo by Sewell/Beeman
