1997 Diablo Watch - Summer/Fall Edition, Issue 22

Save New hall Nort h!

Newhall North is a beautiful 161 acre parcel rising up the slopes of Lime Ridge, north of Ygnacio Valley Road and surrounded on three sides by Lime Ridge Open Space. After a development proposal, a citizen's initiative resulting in a rezoning, and the threat of a lawsuit by the landowner, the City of Walnut Creek purchased the parcel in late 1993 .

The City also purchased a 60 acre piece (with East Bay Regional Park District) south of Ygnacio Valley Road, known as Newhall South.

To recoup some of the acquisition price, the council first considered a golf course on the parcel, a plan which proved infeasible. Now the council has been asked to consider allowing limited development-a grave mistake in Save Mount Diablo's opinion .

Because of the potential for development, the City paid $6 million for the Newhall parcels. At 60% of the fair market appraisal, Walnut Creek got a very good deal. Whether to sell part of Newhall to recover some of the purchase price, or celebrate a great deal which protects some of the last, most highly visible open space in the City becomes the question.

Would development of Newhall North be an irreparable loss? YES!

Any development would require grading of a much larger area up onto the steep, landslide prone hills. Newhall is highly visible, and the parcel serves as a buffer to existing open space

THE PARCELS REAL VALUE

Some think that Newhall North is simply "over-grazed grassland". On a summer walk, however (a hot day at high noon), the land's value was hard to overlook. Newhall lli a large, steep, grassland bowl. But the property rises to ridgelines on both sides and is dotted with huge old oaks. Adjacent to the busy Ygnacio Canal Trail, a half mile from Ygnacio Valley Rd., and bordered by development, Newhall is quiet and serene and its fire roads lead to the ridgeline and incredible views.

The steep golden brown hills contrasted dramatically with the brilliant blue of the sky-interrupted only by the silhouettes of continued on page 10

Summer/Fall 1997, No.22

Wa lnut Creek's Urb an Trails

Many citizens of the area are unaware of the wonderful system of urban trails in Contra Costa County. Throughout the county, you can walk, run, bicycle or roller blade on paved trails that provide safe, quiet and often beautiful routes that travel from city to city and from park to park. There are great views of Mount Diablo from many of them.

Because they generally follow canals, streams or railroad right-ofways, urban trails are generally flat or slightly rolling and great for short bike rides or walks. Some of the trails are also suitable for equestrians.

Walnut Creek is the central intersection where many of these trails cross.

Walnut Creek's Ygnacio Canal Trail joins with the Contra Costa Canal Trail in a beautiful 7.88 mile loop between Shell and Lime Ridge. Newhall North is the loveliest spot on this loop, near the eastern intersection of the two trails. It's an easy walk to see mnp 011 pa ge 9

View from near the Canal Trail to the peak of Lime Ridge

MOUNT DIABLO

Board of Directors

Linda Mehlman Pr es ident

All a n Pra ge r Vice-President

Arthur Bo nwell

Vic e Pre s id e nt

Su s an D'Alcamo Se cre tary

Mary L. Bowerman Director

Paul Choisser Director

Don deFremery Director

Steven Joseph Director

Amara Koss Director

St e ven M ehlman Director

Bob Nunn Director

M a lcolm Sproul Di re ctor

Staff

Gerry Keenan Executive Director

Seth Adams Director of Land Programs

Juli a Offi ce Manager

Publisher

Save Mount Diablo

Diablo Watch is published by Save Mount Diablo, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving land on Mou n t Di ablo and educating Lh • pl1bli !{) th mountain's natural values.

CONTAINS 13>., • SOYOIL

Diablo Watch is printed on recycled paper with a soy base ink and can be recycled.

Big Changes for Save Mount Diablo

For 25 years Sa ve Mount Diablo has operated at a grass roots level - and it has been very successful. Committed volunteers and a dedicated board of directors accomplished great things .

Along the way SMD faced the fact that staff was n ee ded to help accomplish its mission of protecting and preserving the op en space on and around Mount Diablo State park. Seth Adams, program director wa s hired in March of 1988.

During the past nine years, Seth has done an outs tandin g job, but time and circumstances have changed. The cost of doin g busines s has increased dramatically and the need for a s pace in which to do

business has become more and more important. After long and careful consideration, the board of directors decided to expand the scope of the organization and to hire a full time executive director, an office manager, and to secure office space

Staffed by Seth, now director of land programs, Gerry Keenan, the new executiv e director, and Julia, the new office manager, the offic e is locat ed at 2800 Mitchell D rive, Suite. 401A in Walnut Cr ee k. The mailing addre ss continues to be P.O . Box 5376, W alnut Creek, CA 94596. Our teleph one number is s till 510 947-3535.

Gerry Keenan Hired as Executive Director of Save Mount Diablo

It is my pl e asure to introduce mys elf to you the fri ends and supporters of the wonderful mountain island - Mount Diablo My name is Gerry Keenan and I am the new executiv e dir ector of Save Mount Diablo I have been officially on-board since the first of April and have been hired to manage th e day-today operations of Save Mount Diab l o and to design and i mplem ent a fund

raising pro gram that will allow us to continue th e exciting and neces sary work of a cquirin g and pr es erving the mountain's open spaces.

I have worked in the non-profit se ctor for the past twenty y ears. My experience includes pro gram de v elopm ent work for

the City of Oakland and Coyote Po int Museum , and fund raising, marketing and executive management fo r Aid to Adoption of Sp e cial Kids, Bay Are a Community Services and Hori zon, Inc .. As a con s ultant, I have worked with religious or ganico ntinu ed on pa ge 9

L-R Seth Adam s, SMD Director of Land Programs, holding Chessa Mehlman; Gerry Keenan, SMD Exe cut ive Director; and Linda Meh lman, SMD Pres ident at the Black Hills Dedication.

Saturday, May 3 at Mt. Diablo State Park proved that there is a free lunch.

To kick off State Parks Month and thank friends of the mountain, visitors were given free

FreeDay@MT. DIABLO

MAY 3 1997

entrance to the park and served cake at the Summit Museum by their 'public servants'· , who included Senator Richard Rainey, Assemblyman Tom Torlakson and Contra Costa County Supervisor Donna Gerber as well as members of the Boards of Directors of Save Mount Diablo and the Mt. Diablo Interpretive Association. The event was jointly sponsored by the two groups, and by Mt. Diablo State Park and the Contra Costa Newspapers. Special thanks to Superintendent Larry Ferri and the staff of Mt. Diablo State Park.

Note from the President

ril erry Keenan, Save Mount Diablo's new Executive Director, is on board, our new office is functioning smoothly, and we are heading into the year 2000 with a sense of pride, hope, and optimism. We are very proud of the work we have done over the past twenty-six years which has resulted in an increase in open space on and around Mt. Diablo from 6,800 acres to over 54,000. We are hopeful that in this time of dwindling resources that we will be able to secure the funds necessary to complete preservation of the wonderful place we call Mt. Diablo , And we are optimistic that all of you, who have supported us with your time, your talent, and your resources, will continue to do so. It is your support that allows us to do our work

And continue we do, although our work doesn't come without criticism. There are those that think that we had no business "meddling" in Concord's Summit project. There are those who believe that we should have been able to stop the project completely. And there are those of us that revel in the knowledge that a strip mall was eliminated and a proposed residential development was moved off of Lime Ridge's slopes into the scarred quarry area where the commercial development would have been located The icing on the cake is that the ridgeline area will be a gift to the public at no cost.

Then there are those that believe that Save Mount Diablo should have been able to eliminate all the houses at Blackhills, and those of us who delight in preservation of 276 acres out of 300 acres and a gift to the public of 252 of those acres.

We all know that there are trade-offs. The examples above are but two of more than twenty development projects to which we are responding, while working to acquire other parcels. This may help to explain why we often have no choice but to attempt smart, hard-fought, sometimes risky compromises. But we at Save Mount Diablo never lose sight of the mountain that we love, the fact that we are environmentalists and conservationists, and that our work is our legacy to our children and to our children's children.

Thank you for your support.

Carbo loading after a long ride.

Elected Officials, SMD and MDIA staff and board

The Summit Museum, Free Day @ Mt. Diablo.

Serving cake to visitors at the Free Day were Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, SMD Director Amara Koss, SMD Executive Director Gerry Keenan, Senator Richard Rainey, MDIA Director Karen Synowiec, Contra Costa County Supervisor Donna Gerber, and Kate Patterson.

Visitors enjoy their cake.

Complete The Canyon!

SMD Celebrates the 252-Acre Black Hills Dedication to the State Park.

On April 19th more than a hundr d Diablo love r m e t for th walk down Sycamore Canyon to the Blackh.ills Dedication. Upon arrival , and to the d e li ght of all, hiker and h nored guc: ts wergreeted by an aerial di play put on by a pair of ra re per egr ine falcons. Joining the festiviti w re Sena to r Rkhard Rainey, Assemblywoman Lynne Leach, Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, Contra Costa Colmty Supervisor Donna Gerber and East Bay Regional Park District Director Beverly Lane ,

Former SMD Board member Jud Mygatt; Jim Cutler, the retiring Assistant Director of Contra Costa County's Comprehensive Planning Dept.; Jim Summers, The De Silva Group ' s Blackhills project manager during the pla1min g pro s; and Greystone Homes, which ultimately dedicated the 252 acres to Mt. Diablo State Park, were presented with photos of Blackhills as a tribute to their efforts in securing the addition of the property to Mt. Diablo State Park.

A special note of thanks to those involved in making the state park addition a reality. This group of dedicated people includes DPR Director Donald Murphy, Division Chief Carl

Roller/ Doyle (an11 rnised), Asst. Gt11, Mmmgvr, Ens / /lny Re,~1011nl ('Ork Dishid nmt fotllllfi11g SMO meml!er, lends IJ£'/1rly l,ikcrs tio11111 Syrnmota Cn11yull lo liie Blnckl,111, Dctii,n lim ,

Chavez, Acquisition Chief Warren Westrup and Land Agent

Rob ert B, xter; former SMD dtrectors Robert Doyl e, Jud Mygatt, Chri VaJle-Riestra and . usan Watson; and Seth Adam , our Director of land Program . Thanks also to tho who help ed with the dedication ev nt: SMD President Linda Mehlman; Steve Garrett, Lydia Lyons, and Mary Riehl from Greystone Homes; to our hike leaders, Bob Doyle, 1 ..., Malcolm Sproul, Art J Bonwell, Jud Mygatt, ;;- & Chris Valle-Riestra; f and to our photographers Susan and Keith Kraughto.

The dedication gnng

Assemblyman To111 Torlak so n, SMD Founder Art Bonwell, Pnrk Dist rict Di rtcfor Beverly Lane and Co11tra Cosio County Sup ervis or 001111n Gerber.

View of th e 252-acre B/ackhills open space dedication

SMD Director Malcolm Spro11I does 's how nnd tell"

Keeping Posted

Stice Subdivision in Morgan Territory

In 1989 ave Mow,t Diab! work d witb the Board of u pervior and Lhe ownei: of the Stice prop r ty to craft a compromise s ubdi vision p lan for a parcel on Leon Way Fo w· 5 acre lo t were allow ed, witb design ated bui ldin g sites , plus a 66 acre remaind r with a two '¼ re building s it Th e balance of the 66acre parcel was protected by a conservation easement and a trail easement was incorporated.

Jim Lee, a buy r of 01\ • of the 5- er e parcels, approached SMD la s t year about m ving his building site; the original was compromised by a landslide. The new site is more visible, but SMD supported the proposal in return for extension of the co ll serva tio11 ease 111 e11f on then · ighb ri ng 66 ac re parcel to Mr. Lee's parcel, and tronger ea ement language Most of the parcel is grass land, but the ea ement protect ch parral and a beautiful buck ye grove. The County Pl. anni ng ommission una nim ously app r ved th requested cha nges on Ap ril 22. According t L e, "yo ur co mments... had a s ig nificant influenc e on th e un an imo u s decision from the members of the Commission my thanks to Save Mount Diablo."

On the same evening, the Planning Commission also considered a requ s t to further ubdivide th 66-acre remainder pare-el, whkh had pa sed into th e h ands f Un iv ersa l Fw1d, a mortgage brokerage. In thi s case, Sav Mount Dia blo opposed, given that a ll b ut th 2-acre b uildin g sit e wa protected by th origi na ll y crafted ons rvalio n easement. Aga in , th om rn1 ss1o n un a nim o us ly agree d, rejecting the prop al.. Save Mount Diab lo tha nk s the ontra Co ta ou nly Pla nnin g ommission and taff for their work n t hes tw p~·opo. al

Sand Quarry/Summit project On Lime Ridge

In 1989 SMD led Concord residents in a successful referendum v r h1rning the City ounci l's approval of the rysty l Ra nch proj c-t, located on th s lope f Lim e Ridg and b >low the larg qu arries n ar Mitd1 e ll a n yon. Ultim ate ly SM D upp rted Bra dd ock & L ga n' second plan, w hid1 wa in c-omplia ncwith Lh City' en ral Plan . The seco nd plan decrea se d units from 754 to 454 and ir1crea d ope n pace from 30 to 330 acres n th 512 a r s it •.

Last year the sa me developers prop ed d •ve loprnent of a nearby s i te, the 5 acre and Quauy , also on Lime Ridg , north of Ygna io a nd owell Rd., and s ur ro und don the outh and w t by Lime Ridg e pen Space. Ini tiaJly the d velop -r s propo s d 247 unit and a 17 acr c mmercial ite, includin g dev e lopm nt o.f a hi ghl y vi s ibl ridge area o n the wes t rn 81ird of th >parcel. Af t r th Plann ing ommission approved the proposal, significant opposition rallied before the C i ty o un ci l at its May 13th meeting. The developer and the co u ncil mad dear their intent to work with th community and have met with SMD and neighb rs to construct a compromise.

Significantly, Braddock & Logan has committed to the eliminati n of th e e nt ire c >mm rcial area, to the transfer of hou sin g d ev loprn en t on lhe ridge to w here the commercial area w uld have be n, to Lh d dication. of the ridgeline a rea to the public, and to th c.on struclio n of severa l trai ls and a taging a rea for p ub]i c r ecreation. Th o unci l bas indi cated H u pp rt fr the comp ro mise whid1, ff a pprov ed, w uld remov the bi g t impact on pen pac and Lime Ridge On July 8th th e Co u nc il enl the pr posal ba kt th Planning ommis ion for c-onsiderati n of the change Ulti.m, t ly the plan wi ll return to the Council. The "devil' in the detail ", and Sav Mount Diablo will remain involved as the proposal moves forward.

Chevron Tower on North Peak

On ML Diablo, un ti l 1977, nl y th main peak wa scarre d by loomi ng c-ommunicalion tower All th tchanged wh en the ounty approved a 20 y ai: land u e permit and tower we re re cted on North Peak prop rty owned by Kn x La Rue . Ch vron later bought one 5-ac-re s ite, erected a tower, then in 978 donated the s it e to the ta te excep t for an easement wh r t he tower s tood. In 1960 the Stat pur ch ased the remainin g La Rue prop e rty, in luding Norlh Pea k.

Dming th en uing twenty yea rs th number of npplicnlio11s for towers lt ns ht crcn ed rlrn 111 nticnlly. They are be ing pr p ed on every rid ge and p ak, along freeways and in re idential neighborhood s . SMD ha s regu lar ly pu . hed for a r view f t he County's 20 year old Towers Policy-without success.

On May 27, the o un ty Planning om mi sion approved a 20 year ex ten ion f Ch •vrnn' s tower permit, which ha s been eparnt d fr m La Ru ' Tn d ing so, t hey rejected SMD proposals for a hort r permit pedod to allow for change in t w r structuJe if t chn ology a ll owed and an SMD recommendation to th e BoaJd of Sup ervisor aski ng fol' a n u pdate of the Towers Policy. SMD ha app ·aled t he approval to th Bo ard f Sup erv i or, and wi ll a lso follow !'I, progre s of the .recently ubmiU d La Rue p rmit ren wal. W 'II ke p y u poste d.

Stone Valley Oaks in Alamo

Th 100 acre A ll en property on Stone Vall y Road w11 s rece ntly propo d for development. The beautiful r ll ing gras land parcel, w hid1 include hu ge va ll ey oak , i one of the lasl two und e veloped parcels a l ng t h road. ro ·sed by th e La Trampa to Mt. Diab.I Reg ional Trail, it abu l a anyo n a n d high knoll on th north lhat' own -d by East Bay Regional Park Di trict. T h Di trict's parce l and the trail conn ct through oth r pre erved o pen p ace a ll the way to Mt. Diablo State Park's Macedo Ran ch staging ar ea al the nd of ree n Valley Road.

continued on page 8

We Need You!!!

There are countless ways you can help. We need your time, your talent and donations of equipment in good working order. Please contact us at 947-3535.

fallu@HddiJ.i

•Office help-A few hours of time on a regular basis, filing, organizing news clippings, copying, answering phones, etc.

• Carpenter-Construct a light weight traveling display that can fit in the average car.

• Heritage Tree Guide-for the Chaparral Spring property. You will be trained.

• Creek Restoration -be a part of The Trout Project by helping with Mitchell Canyon Creek Restoration.

iiP,i@HiP~i

•Director's Chairs, we need four, preferably new, for our office.

•Folding Table, 6', sturdy

• Bulletin boards, 2'x3' and 3'x4'

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

•Slide-Projector-Kodak Carousel, w / Auto Focus

•Camera 'point and shoot', w /b uilt in zoom and fla sh

• Light table, photographic, at least 20" x 20"

•Scanner, at least 300 dpi, preferably color, and OCR

iu015110H€i

• Paper cutter, heavy duty

• Book-Th Econom ic Va 'lu of Open Space: A Review and Sy nth es is-by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy1 available at 1 800 526-3873

WAYS YOU CAN HELP PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR MOUNTAIN

Bequests:

Commemorative Gifts:

Heritage Tree:

Matching Gifts:

Family Land Planning:

Your gift to Save Mount Diablo by will, of money or other personal property, helps to create a legacy of open space.

You can remember a loved one, celebrate a special occasion, or honor someone special with a gift to Save Mount Diablo.

Dedicate an oak tree, a grove of trees, or acreage at Chaparral Springs as an enduring gift to someone you cherish.

Your employer may have a matching gifts program that multiplies your contribution to Save Mount Diablo.

You can preserve yom land and keep it in private ownership. Save Mount Diablo can help.

Gifts of cash1 securities or real property:

Support the work of Save Mount Diablo and are always welcome.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONT ACT: Gerry Keenan (510) 947-3535

Park News

Reputed to be dry and hot in the summer and fall, parks around Mt. Diablo contain cool canyons and thousands of acres of woodland. Diablo's parks are characterized by high ridge lines and peaks, which are often cool and breezy in late afternoon. Because the rains came early, followed by months of dry weather, the wildflower season was compressed and fire danger is high. Get out and enjoy your parks, however, be especially careful during the fire season.

Black Diamond Mines Regional Park (EBRPD-635-0135)- A good way to experience Black Diamond is with a late afternoon hike to the Rose Hill cemetery or along the Ridge Trail. •There have already been several wildfires in the park-the largest burned more than 500 acres near the Rose Hill Cemetery. No major damage and the wildflowers should benefit next spring •The opening of the Mining Museum has been delayed once again, because of under staffing. •The Star Mine Group camp, at the park's eastern end, is particularly sunny and a beautiful new shade pavilion has been constructed in a joint project by District crews and C.C. County Workfare program workers. • East Bay Conservation Corps crews have done a great job rehabilitating a number of trails.

Diablo Foothills Regional Park/Castle Rock Recreational Area (EBRPD-635-0135)-Fall is a great time for a walk from the Castle Rock Recreation Area (at the end of Castle Rock Rd.) to below Castle Rock. • Fire roads have been graded and are in good shape. • Creeks are nearly dry, but wildlife numbers are up. •This is turning into a great quail year, and there have been a lot of rattlesnake, raptor, vulture, coyote and bobcat sightings.

Lime Ridge Open Space (Cities of Walnut Creek and Concord943-5854)-Get ready for the great views from Lime Ridge as Walnut Creek intends to open upper Lime Ridge to the public late this summer. •Most of the Open Space's planned trails have been built- two sections were re-routed across a ridge to avoid the Mt. Diab lo fairy lantern (globe lily) and the Mt. Diab lo manzanita. The fencing project is a big one, and necessary approvals are taking some time; various sections of fencing will be re-routed or installed and a number of gates will be put in place.

Los Vaqueros Reservoir Watershed (CCWD-688-8175)- is best viewed from the eastern ridgeline in Morgan Territory Regional Preserve. •The District has also been considering recreational options within the watershed. •CCWD is continuing to fence areas along Kellogg Creek to protect red-legged frog habitat. • David Sterner has been hired as the new Watershed Resources Specialist for the Los Vaqueros project.

Morgan Territory Regional Park (EBRPD-635-0135)-MT has gorgeous, long views of the Central Valley and Mt. Diablo. Summer's a great time for hikes through any of the bay woodland canyons (the Coyote, Raven or Fox trails) up to the

ridgeline. • A backpacking camp has been approved along the Diablo Trail, and should be in place in the next year. •The Finley Rd./ Riggs Canyon trailhead (east of Blackhawk), opening soon, will tie the State Park's Oyster Point to Highland Ridge through

Morgan Territory. This connection is

Dragon Oak key to access in this remote area within the two parks, however, it has limited value until a good staging area can be established.

Mt. Diablo State Park (State Dept. of Parks and Recreation837-2525)-For the first time in five years, the State Park budget has been adequate to fill all of the park's vacant positions. Welcome to new rangers, Ed Stuckrath and Richard Dennison. • Mitchell Canyon rainbow trout are one of three remaining pure strains of rainbows; the rest have interbred with domestically altered hatchery fish. SMD and MDSP are considering a joint creek restoration project for Mitchell Canyon. •The Pine Canyon Restoration Project continues under the leadership of Mara Noell with dedicated group of volunteers. Additional funding is needed to keep the project going beyond October. •Contracts are being developed for roadwork in Mitchell Canyon and on the Summit Road. • A prescribed burn was held in Dan Cook Canyon to help control yellow star thistle. •Three or four pairs of nesting peregrine falcons have been sighted on the mountain.

Round Valley Regional Park (EBRPD-635-0135)- In order to protect several state and federally endangered species, the District is required to comply with regulations by various agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers, County Flood Control, Regional Water Quality Control Board, Fish & Game and Fish & Wildlife. While necessary for the protection of rare species, implementation of the regulations continues to delay the opening of the Preserve. Access to the Preserve is via a canyon, requiring numerous bridges and stream crossings and where red-legged frogs live, to a valley in which San continued on page 9

Heritage Tree Sponsors

Save Mount Diablo wishes to thank the following individuals for their contributions and pledges to the Heritage Trees and Commemorative Grove Programs.

Robert G. Adams

Doris Banfield

Barbara & Richard Eakin

Thomas, Barbara, Cari, Portia & Ty Preston Gayle Stevens

Peter Oakshott

Jeanne Thomas

Chris & Teri Wills

Robert Woolley

Save Mount Diablo wishes to recognize the following gifts made in honor of or in memory of others. These gifts were received between January 1, 1997 and July 15, 1997.

In Honor Of

Larry & Margy Banfield

Doris C. Banfield

David M. Eakin & Dottie Eakin

Barbara & Richard Eakin

Robert G. Adams

Jeanne Thomas

Pat Boyle

Carol Boyle

Mary Bowerman

Miss Joanne Taylor

Betty Campbell's birthday

Jacqueline Buettner

Ellen & Charles Hunt

Karen Hnnt

The birth of Natalie Blair Stephens

Rebecca Knox

Gene & Bill Sattler

Mr. Alfred Sattler

Joyce 8. Sattler

In Memory Of

Helen Coogan Adams

Robert G. Adams

Larry Ashworth

Mr. & Mrs. R. L. Ashworth

Alice Bailey

Carole C. Allen

Bandit, the cat

Ms Vi L. Bruene

Edna Baker

Mr. William Baker

Ron Beagley

Joyce Kelly

Chester 0. Bianchi

Warren & Norma Cabral

Virgil & Mildred Bozarth

Sandra L. Bozarth

Eug. Butkowski

Dennis Butkowski

Cindy, the dog

Susan & John Tullis

Abby Cushenberry

Jeannie S. Harmon

Craig Desch

Mrs. Dottie Dorsett

Marie Escola

Bechtel Wives of Contra Costa

Mrs. Susan Watson

Barbara Eliason & Charles Kreck

Marvin & Carolyn Schick

Betteja Franichevich

Mrs. Gladys Laston

Irma J. Fleming

Mr Alan K. Lipton

John H. Finger

Mrs. Dorothy Finger

Harry Grossman

Evelina Tse

continued from page 5

The applicant has proposed 67 lots for $700,000 to million dollar houses. If the parcel is developed, the neighboring 100acre parcel is likely to be the next target for development. The County is preparing an Environmental Impact Report which will be released in the fall.

Leon Grabowski

Mrs. Lucy Grabowski

Betty Holzwarth

William W. Holzwarth

Gene Albert Haynes

Raymond & Dorothy Gaschk

Jean P. Hauser

Barbara Hauser

Jim Howard

Lynn & Butch Brear

Joan Kenston

Mr. Joseph C. Kenston

Robert H Leslie

Mrs. Robert H. Leslie

Clara J. Lindsay

Mr. Edward M. Lindsay

Gene Logan

Jane Logan

Florence Ludins-Katz

Elias Katz

Steve Maltz

Frank & Barbara Strehlitz

G. Lawrence Mowery

Margaret E. Mowery

Phyllis Moore & Betty Wilson

Ms. Gayle Stevens

Leonard Nevill

Chris & Teri Wills

Angela Nuzum

Mrs. Margaret Inderbitzen

Katherine Rogers Oakeshott

Mr. Peter Oakeshott

Robert P. Obrecht

Eugenia Obrecht

Matthew Thomas Orvik

Sue Orvik

Loie Owens

Ms. Carly Owens

Mariana Preston

Thomas, Barbara, Cari, Portia & Ty Preston

John A. Raventos

Patricia C. Donegan

Edd L. Reyes

Gerald R. Wirth

Josephine Rued

Mrs. Jenny Bell Hannon

Howard Russell

Jennifer Russell

Poppy Shea

Jeanne Thomas

Miriam Souza

Ruth Young

Linda Stubbs

Mrs. Jenny Bell Harmon

Barbara Tabler

Alfred P. Weiler

To be added to the mailing list for information about this project, contact Senior Planner Debbie Chamberlain at 3351213, or write her at Comm. Dev. Dept. County Administration Building, 651 Pine St., 4th Floor North Wing, Martinez, CA 94553. Save Mount Diablo will sponsor hikes on the trail crossing the parcel this fall; contact Julia at SMD, 947-3535 if you'd like to receive notice.

Something Fishy!

THE TROUT PROJECT MITCHELL CANYON RESTORATION

There was a flurry of publicity this summer about whether or not wild rainbow trout survive in Mitchell Creek. The jury is still out, but Save Mount Diablo and Mt. Diablo State Park are cosponsoring a project to restore areas within Mitchell Canyon, which will benefit the creek and enhance trout habitat.

A lot of the canyon is in good condition, however, the staging area, eroded areas and an old dam site need improvement. Some of the ideas under consideration include modification of

Gerry Keenan . ..

continued from page 2

zations, schools, social services agencies, and museums throughout the Bay Area. I have a degree in biology from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, and have been involved in environmental issues for most of my adult life. My passions are black and white fine art photography and three wonderful grown kids.

"On a very personal level, I believe that the heart and soul of a community are interconnected with the land and its natural inhabitants - and that securing and protecting the natural resources and wonders that we have left is vital to a civilized life."

Gerry Keenan

culverts, removal of non-native and invasive plants, and native re-planting. A restoration plan is in the works.

In the meantime, the first steps are being undertaken which include historical research, creek flow measurement, native plant propagation and a series of walks and workshops. Volunteers will be needed and Clayton resident John Roskelley has generously agreed to coordinate them.

If you'd like to get involved, call the SMD Office at 947-3535, and leave your name, number and address.

Urban Trails

continued from pnge 1

some of the area's best views and will allow you to experience the beauty of the parcel (see related article, "Save Newhall North!").

Park on Bayberry below the Open Space to reach Newhall. Travel north on the trail, away from Ygnacio and in less than a quarter mile a steep-sided bowl

Park News

continued from page 7

Joaquin kit foxes are found. Both species are federally protected.

Shell Ridge Open Space (City of Walnut Creek-943-5854)-Shell Ridge has great trails for late afternoon walks. Check out the Briones to Mt. Diablo Trail in Indian Valley (once the site of a huge housing development proposal) at the end of Marshall Dr., and the nearby Ridge Top Trail just above Indian Valley. Although volunteer oak restoration activities continue (933-5732 for info), city staff have been spending much of their time preparing to open Lime Ridge.

The 7.9 mile Canal Trail loop between Shell Ridge and Lime Ridge Open Spaces is primarily fiat and easy. A good starting point is at the juncture with Citrus.

opens up, split by a fire road rising back to Ygnacio. This is Newhall North. A gate and a new interpretive sign mark the entrance.

To request a "Contra Costa County Regional Trails" map, call the East Bay Regional Park District at 635-0135.

Save Newhall North

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magnificent oaks. Folds in the hill s funneled runoff and spring seepage into half a dozen rivulet s that joined into one in an oth e rwise dry landscape. Swallow s skimmed the surface of one pool after another and the sound s on the wind were tho se of the meadow larks and the cry of a hawk.

The Canal trail at the bottom of the parcel is higher than most of Walnut Creek and allows incredible views-a sea of hou se s and trees below, rimmed by beautiful open space hills on all sides. One can imagine th e beauty of a sunrise or s un se t from this parcel of land. One can also imagine this open spac e grad e d, paved over and covered with development.

In Central County, we've managed to preserve ridgelines so that the views of and from the hills are open to everyone. From Newhall North you look out at the Carquinez Strait, Briones, Las Trampas beyond Shell Ridge, the Oakland and Berkeley Hills, and Mount Diablo.

The citizens of Walnut Creek own those views, they own that open space, and they own the wildlife habitat. Will these

Save Mount Diablo is a non-profit organization whose mission is to acquire, protect and preserve open space on and around Mount Diablo. In support of our mission Save Mount Diablo: Creates dedicated open space from land acquired through gifts, purchases and cooperative efforts with public and private entities; Educates the public about threats to the mountain; Works with landowners to preserve their property while realizing economic benefits; Works in partnership with Mt. Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Parks District, and other agencies to increase open space; Monitors land use plam1ing; Aides in the restoration of habitat and the preservation of rare species; Offers technical advice to agencies and neighborhood groups with regard to securing open space; Works diligently to raise the funds necessary to support Save Mount Diablo's mission.

Founded in 1971, Save Mount Diablo has been instrumental in increasing open space on and around the mountain from 6,788 acres to more than 54,000 acres For more information, please write or call: Save Mount Diablo, P.O. Box 5376, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, (510) 947-3535. 5 a v e

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treasures be available only to the few who could afford to live there?

CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL

Compared with any city in the East Bay, Walnut Creek has done a very good job of preserving open space. It's all the more important that opportunities such as Newhall North not be lost and that already preserved open s pac e not be impacted by development.

Because Newhall is owned by the City, and therefor the people of Walnut Creek, the Council can on their behalf vote to preserve Newhall North for us, for our children and for our future.

Please let the Council members know that you support the complete prese r vation of Newhall North at: City Council, c/ o City Clerk, 1666 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, CA 94596 FAX: 256-3595, E-mail: Rivara@ci.walnutcreek.ca. us We ' d appreciate getting a copy of your comments at our address, at FAX 947-3603, or mtsaver@aol.com

SMD and ils supporters helped preserve North Peak in 1976. Most of the eastern slopes of North Peak remain threatened in private ownership.