2001 Diablo Watch - SpringEdition, Issue 29

Wright Canyon & Curry Creek

Talking To The Stars, Saying Goodnight To Loved Ones - $640,000 Deal Signed

In a recent appeal, SMD mentioned 'No-Name Canyon' because the deal wasn't complete.

In December a year ago, Dorothy Wright called Save Mount Diablo. She wanted to sell her property, near the mouth of Curry Canyon, to add to Mt. Diablo State Park. Her husband Martin had died several months earlier and her kids did not want to live on the property. Her health was not good but she wanted to continue living at home. We can now announce that on January 29th, Save Mount Diablo signed an option agreement with Dorothy - $640,000 for the seventy-six acre Wright Canyon.

The agreement calls for an immediate payment of $30,000 and another $50,000 in six months. The terms are favorable and in exchange, if SMD successfully acquires the property, a life estate agreement will allow Dorothy to live out her life on the property. The Wright and Olofson families will be given continual access to 'the Gathering Place', a family monument high up between Wright and Curry canyons. We will need your help to raise the funds.

Dorothy Wright

Normally we would start by telling you about this wonderful place. Wright and Curry Canyons can't be separated from the people who

Continued on Page 6

Please Write the Governor! Is The State Forgetting Mt. Diablo?

Last year California voters approved a $2.1 billion resources bond, including hundreds of millions for state parks. Save Mount Diablo pursued funding and received several small appropriations, but many requests were cut by Governor Davis. He stated his intent to allow agencies time to set their own priorities.

Despite this intent, he approved large appropriations for projects, especially in Southern California cities. By comparison, the 1977 State Park bond, only a third as large, included $4 million specifically for acquisition on Mt. Diablo.

In Governor Davis' recently released budget there is not a single appropriation for Mt. Diablo, one of California's oldest and most heavily used state parks. There are no new funds identified for acquisition at Mt. Diablo. There is not a balance between Northern and Southern California. This despite the fact that the Bay Area economy is leading the State's economic growth.

There are thousands of acres of threatened private land on the slopes of Mt. Diablo. Please write Governor Davis and ask for acquisition funding specifically for Mt. Diablo State Park. Send copies of your letter to State Parks Director Rusty Areias and to our State legislators.

• Gov. Gray Davis; Constituent Affairs, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814, FAX: 916 445-4633

• Rusty Areias, Director, Dept. of Parks & Recreation, P.O. Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

• Senator Tom Torlakson, State Capitol, Room 2068, Sacramento, CA 95814

• Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla-916 319-2011-Room 6011, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814

• Assemblywoman Lynne Leach-916 319-2015- State Capitol, Room 4015, Sacramento, CA 95814

the Save Mount Diablo Web Site at

receive email updates about land use issues, events, or purchases, call our office at 925-947-3535 to give us your email address, or send us an email at <savemountdiablo@aol.com>

Dorothy Wright receives an 80th birthday present from Ron Brown and Seth Adams of the SMD Staff- a panoramic photo of her property.

Board

of Directors

Malcolm Sproul President

Arthur Bonwell Vice-President

Allan Prager Vice President

Amara Koss Secretary

Karen Hunt Treasurer

Mary L. Bowerman

Paul Choisser

Donald de Fremery

Stephen Joseph

Robert Marx

Steven Mehlman

Robert Nunn

Dave Sargent Staff

Ronald Brown Executive Director

Seth Adams Director of Land Programs

Lucea Keller Office Manager

Publisher Save Mount Diablo

Masthead Panorama Oak Flat, Mt. Diablo

Photo by Stephen Joseph

Diab lo Watch is published by Save Mount Diablo , a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving land on Mt. Diablo and educating the public to the mountain's natural values.

Diab lo Watch is printed on recycled paper with a soy base ink and can be recycled. •

From the Executive Director ...

I recently completed my first six months as the Executive Director. I wouJd like to thank th - many pe pie who ha e warmly welcomed me as J have been learning about our imp ortant work.

This is an exciting and challenging time for Save Mount Diablo. Community support for the recent change in the Urban Limit Line and for ballot initiatives restricting development are a clear indication of how important the community views our work. We are also blessed due to the strength of the economy which has been brought us increased individual donations and state grants.

In spite of our 29 years of success, the threats to the mountain have never been greater. Significant portions of the mountain are not protected. The value of these privately held lands continues to increa se. We are faced with a twofold challenge: raise more money than we ever have, and do it before we lose the land to development. We need to educate more people about the threats to key properties and about what they can do to help.

Please become part of our team. Help arrange speaking engagements with community groups organize a fundraising event on our behalf help us obtain business and corporate sponsors interested in improving our community's quality of life write letters to local and state officials to support the new Urban Limit Line and to provide funding for more Mt. Diablo purchases.

Equally important, we need you to become a financially contributing member. Membership revenue provides ongoing financial support and, the more members we have, the greater our impact is with legislators, governmental agencies, and funding sources. SMD members of $250 or more will be invited to several exclusive property tours and special events (including a preview tour of our spectacular new Wright Canyon property).

These are the ways you can insure our success in acquiring and protecting the open spaces on and around our mountain. We look forward to having you as active members of our team.

Threads of Hope - SMD Founders

Honored for Lifetime Achievement

Ma ry Bowerman and Art Bonwell, co-founders of Save Mount Diablo, were recently honored by Diablo Magazine with a "Threads of Hope" award for Lifetime Achievement. They were chosen for their 30 year effort to preserve Mt. Diablo and to expand public open space from 6,788 acres to more than 64,000. In addition to an article in the December 2000 issue of Diab/a, Mary and Art were formerly presented with their awards and a cash prize for SMD. The ceremony took place at the Blackhawk Museum on November 29, 2000, emceed by former KRON anchorwoman Elaine Corral-Kendall.

According to Diablo, "the problem with the accomplishments of Art Bonwell and Mary L. Bowerman is that you can't see them. Literall.y You ca n ' t see th • hund red-p rhaps thousand s- of hc)u es that wou ld hav verrun the foothills during the past thirty years and would be creeping up the slopes of Mount Diablo wer e it not for their work ... Then, as now , Save Mount Diablo faced two obstacles: ignorance and scarcity of financial resources. Most people believe Mount Diablo is state park land that is already "saved." The truth is that much of the land is privately owned ... potentially ripe for development."

Congratulations to Mary and Art for this richly deserved award!

Mary Bowerman & Art Bonwell

Celebrate the 80th anniversary of the creation of Mt. Diablo State Park.

Save Mount Diablo Events

"(l,he Kickoll: e ele6ta.tl111 30 1f ea.ts"

The Shops at Blackhawk- Saturday, March 17

Food, entertainment, and a slide show depicting the four day journey on the Diablo Trail. $30 per person. Call the office at 925-947-3535 to make your reservation.

Clayton Ranch Dedication

& Chaparral Spring Open House - Saturday, April 28

State Senator Tom Torlakson will be the featured speaker at the formal dedication of the 1,030 acre Clayton Ranch. The third and final portion of the property was purchased in late 2000 by the East Bay Regional Park District with assistance from Save Mount Diablo.

Saturday, May 5 Star Gaze & Picnic - Saturday, July 14

Free park entrance all day!

•

Party 11:30 a.m at the Summit Visitor Center

Four Days Diablo

The whole family is invited to a picnic dinner and evening of star gazing at Barbecue Terrace on Mt. Diablo. Following a sumptuous dinner of everyone's favorites, we will enjoy some after dinner stor ytelling, hot chocolate and finally, a tour of the crescent moon and stars Call the SMD office (925-947-3535) to request further information about location and fees.

A Backpack Adventure In Our Own Backyard!

Thursday, May 17 to Sunday May 20, 2001

Picture sparkling streams flowing down canyons below spectacular mountain peaks, a castle of rocks across the way As you leave civilization behind you, notice eagles and falcons flying above a western box canyon riddled with hundreds of caves wildflower meadows and dense woodland views uninterrupted for many miles brilliant sun and valleys below filled with clouds. A snow covered range shines in the distance. Crossing only two small roads in four days, your intimate group will be in the middle of a wilderness just a half hour from home on the 30 mile Diablo Trail - Walnut Creek to Brentwood.

Your day pack is light and as you learn about natural history the hike seems short. When you stroll into camp you're met with cool drinks and, after sunset and a warm dinner, local experts tell stories about your journey-the spectacular scenery , the natural and cultural history. You' ll spend quiet time, and maybe see bobcats or mountain lions. You ' ll fall asleep under the stars, high on a ridge, in an isolated meadow, at an old homestead site on the morning side of the mountain. Four days, three nights, pleasant company and an experience you'll treasure.

Save Mount Diablo proposed the 30 mile Diablo Trail in 1993. The Trail stretches through six different open spaces-Shell Ridge Open Space, Diablo Foothills Regional Park, Mt. Diablo State Park, Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, the Los Vaqueros watershed and Round Valley Regional Preserve--crossing more than 50,000 acres of public land, half of it acquired in the past ten years.

Be among the first. Two groups of ten, ~500 per person, proceeds benefit the programs of Save Mount Diablo. For more information check www.savemountdiablo.org or call 925-947-3535 to reserve your space.

Kno bco ne Poin t- Da y Two of Four Days Diab/a, Sa ve Mou nt Diab/o ' s backpacking trip on th e Diab/ a Trai l

Brushy Peak & Vasco Caves

The Diablo Range's Leading Edge

The Altamont Pass area's windmills and golden eagles have been joined by two new preserves. The secret to much of this preservation lies in small ponds and underne ath the sensual grassland hills, in ground squirrel burrows The Altamont hills are literally crawling, swimming, burrowing and flapping with endangered species. Many of them are dependent on the ground squirrels and their burrows.

Vasco Caves, an important Native American cultural site hidden high on a ridge, joins Los Vaqueros on the east. Brushy Peak, an oak capped pyramid peak northeast of Livermore, is adjacent on the south . It rises to 1,702' and was treasured at the turn of the century by Bay Area resid ents, but has been nearly forgotten until recently.

You've undoubtedly crossed Altamont Pass on Hwy 580. These days you're joined by thousands of commuters. Development pressures are lapping at Altamont' s foothills on both sides. Less visible are several landfills , railway corridors and aqueducts .

Th e North Livermore project is to the west. Byron airport and the state's Byron-Bethany reservoir and state water project pumps are to the north Since Los Vaqueros promised to flood Vasco Road, a n ew road was built further east, revealing Brushy Peak on one side and Vasco Caves on the other. Tracy's massive 4, 800 acre Mountain House proj e ct follows the San Joaquin county line beyond . South of Hwy. 580 are vineyard developments and the campus of Lawrence Livermore labs.

The se projects hav e fra g m nte d the no r. th rn Di blo Range. They have narrow d Altamont to ju t lw open s pace corridors, each three miles wide, threatening to isolate Mount Diablo from the rest of its range. The mountain's wildlife populations could become genetically isolated and predators such as mountain lions and kit fox could vanish locally

Mt. Diablo to Altamont in Twelve Miles

This year could well be the turning point for Altamont. In 1996 the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District (LARPD) bought 507 acres of Brushy Peak and its northern slopes . As part of the mitigation for Los Vaqueros, East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and the Contra Costa Water District acquired the 723 acre Vasco Caves.

The two preserves are the leading edge of attempts to extend a wildlife corridor from Mt. Diablo through Altamont Pass to regional and state park lands south of Livermore. Since 1987 public lands have been extended in a solid corridor from Mt. Diablo State Park to Hwy 580twelve miles to the south.

The EBRPD has used AA bond funds for other expansions, but the Livermore area was annexed after AA. No funding was included for Eastern Alameda. Yet, in the past three years, the District has increased Brushy Peak from 507 to 2,035 acre s. The growth promises to continue.

The rarity of the Altamont area's wildlife species has been its saving grace. Much of the acquisition is to protect endangered species - to 'mitigate' or make up for the impacts of development projects ranging from housing projects to landfill expansions. (See related article : Fox, Frogs, Snakes and Owls. page 5)

Most recently, the 408 acre Dyer parcel has been added to Brushy Peak. Shapell Industries, a Dougherty Valley developer, paid for the property and for management expenses.

Brushy Peak Preserve's expansion is just the latest mitigation example. East County cities are growing and many development projects impact rare species. The Altamont hills are among the best places to mitigate for these impacts.

In 1997 Save Mount Diablo joined many other community interests in considering East County biodiversity in a two and a half year pilot project study. In 1999 we adopted a regional vision to coordinate our work with other open space entities.

This year the Bay Area Open Space Council began the Diablo Ridgelands project, a network of organizational efforts to connect Mt. Diablo with public lands to the south. It's a grand vision and SMD' s Board of Directors is now considering our organization's role. Brushy Peak is not yet open, but you can visit on Saturday June 9th with EBRPD Asst . Gen Manag er Bob Doyle, a founding SMD Board member. Check the April On The Mountain schedule or call SMD at (925) 9473535 for more info.

San Joaquin kit fox

Fox, Frogs, Snakes and Owls

Mitigation And The Creation Of Wildlife Corridors

Why would developers pay for new preserves? Regulations designed to protect wetland areas led the way, requiring acquisition funding and restoration in exchange for development approvals. One result has been the expansion and restoration of wetlands around San Francisco Bay.

Closer to home, wetland impacts at Dougherty Valley have resulted in mitigation funding to acquire land at the Northgate entrance to Mt. Diablo State Park and to fund the restoration of part of Arroyo del Cerro creek. (See related article: Timing is Everything, page 11.)

In 1970 the state and in 1973 the federal government enacted Endangered Species Acts. As urban development has expanded into isolated areas, more sensitive habitat and rare species have been impacted. More species have been added to Endangered Species lists and environmental analysis has become more rigorous in revealing their presence. Wildlife and development became two trains on a collision course.

Although avoidance is generally attempted, provisions were added in the two Acts to allow for limited 'takings' of rare species in exchange for preservation of large, higher quality areas. Where impacts can't be avoided entirely 'onsite', larger ratios of habitat must be protected nearby (' offsite').

For example, a housing project or a gas pipeline might impact an acre of California red-legged frog habitat but be required to protect three acres on or offsite. Five scattered projects might each impact twenty acres of kit fox habitat, but be required to collectively preserve 500 acres of habitat. While the endangered species might be the trigger for preservation, many other species also benefit.

Mt. Diablo ... is a large expanse of wildlife habitat, much of it privately held, with a large u number of endangered species.

The California red-legged frog i and tiger salamander in wetland 8 areas, Alameda whipsnake in Alameda whipsnake chaparral, burrowing owls and San Joaquin kit fox in East County grasslands, are all threatened by development. When they're identified, mitigation is required.

Private lands acquired by Save Mount Diablo and other park agencies often support these spedes. When the 1600 acre Los Vaqueros reservoir was constructed, for example, regulatory agencies required acquisition and protection of large areas of the surrounding watershed to protect all five of these animal species.

SMD opposes development and attempts to stop or redesign projects that threaten sensitive species and their habitat. We avoid involvement in offsite mitigation when there is a chance that open space can be connected with existing public lands, preferring that developers avoid these sensitive areas. To avoid facilitating development approvals, our Ethics Policy prohibits us from considering offsite mitigation until after developers have received their local approvals.

Some projects are approved anyway and their developers are then required to mitigate for wetlands or species. When we acquired the 427-acre Silva Ranch, for example, we used a loan for most of the $750,000 purchase price. Silva's protection widens the Mt. Diablo to Morgan Territory corridor. It helps make certain that the 19,000 acre State Park, and the 18,500 acre Los Vaqueros watershed will remain a single expanse of open space. The creation of 'islands' of wildlife habitat should be u avoided, as they are are less likely to support long term biodiversity.

California red-legged frog

0 u

We're working on several mitigation deals at Silva to help repay our loan - projects which impact California red-legged frogs. Each development had received all of its local approvals but were required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service afterwards to mitigate for the frog. Both have been required to pay for much larger acreage on Silva.

That acreage will be protected by conservation easements conveyed to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Some uses will be restricted. For example, the protected areas are designed to avoid potential recreational sites, since new trails will not be allowed within protected areas.

Wildlife Corridors

We're not alonejn this work. East Bay Regional Park District is using mitigati~n funding to expand Brushy Peak Regional Preserve. Clayton Ranch's purchase included offsite mitigation funding and stream restoration.

Mitigation funding is sometimes controversial and it requires making difficult choices. It can also provide significant funding to acquire public land and to ensure long term benefit to species.

Save Mount Diablo's Board of Directors has spent considerable time discussing mitigation. It is our belief that used appropriately, supported by good wildlife science and analysis, and in concert with our acquisition and land use efforts, it can work well to help 'save' Mount Diablo.

Wright Canyon continued from page 1

have lived there since 1895 or from Curry Creek Park, a picnic grounds the family ran from 1925 to 1938, and from 1946 to 1979.

Dorothy looked much younger than 79 at our first meeting. We were greeted at the barn by her two black Labs, Polly and Tippy, tails wagging, and she had coffee waiting. Large valley oaks shade her home, crowded with memories and lit up by a beautiful stained glass image of the mountain.

Outside the sliding glass doors, fallen oak leaves cover the bottom of a wonderful swimming pool. We talked for a while and then Dorothy took us for a ride and the dogs for a run. What a ride it was! Curry Canyon is one of the biggest unprotected canyons on Mt. Diablo. The State had acquired upper Curry years earlier but the canyon mouth along Morgan Territory Road had been split into smaller parcels. Every once in a while we would hear, "the Wrights are thinking about selling."

Their property's slopes rise from the canyon to a saddle that climbs onto private property, and to North Peak. It's a key parcel, and Dorothy knew it. "I want the public to be able to ride and walk up to the mountain, and my property will allow it," she said, "I want Morgan Territory's rural nature to remain."

She drove us up the blue oak and bay wooded stream canyon, past a dammed pond which is home to California red-legged frogs, and to the top of the knoll. One stormy day we passed six deer and, on another day, found a torpid Alameda whipsnake under a sheet of siding.

Groups of large oaks frame a 360 degree view-you can see both peaks of the mountain across a pastoral scene straight out of Eden, cattle grazing up the slopes. Blackhawk

Then Dorothy started downhill, the dogs running ahead. She delights in popping the jeep gears before the steep part, following the roads Martin built as they drop into Curry Canyon, before winding back to the house.

Working with a landowner who wants her property preserved is a great place to start. Dorothy Wright was exceptional in other ways. She'd had the property appraised, her estate was in order, and she was willing to set a reasonable price in exchange for continuing to live at home. The negotiation was a pleasure and we have all become good friends.

The Olofsons

Homesteaded Above Mitchell Canyon

Anne Homan will soon publish The Morning Side Of Mount Diablo, an illustrated account of the San Francisco Bay Area's historic Morgan Territory Road. We have benefited from her work.

From around 1925 until 1938 Sylvester and Louise Olofson operated a picnic grounds on their property along Curry Creek. Sylvester's dad J. Peter Olofson had left Sweden at age 14 to work on ships, arriving in San Francisco about three years later in 1848. He had married Clarissa Marsh by 1857 and Sylvester was born in 1867. The next years found the family homesteading near Mitchell Canyon. They're remembered today in the name of Olofson Ridge.

Due to health problems related to Sylvester's work as a newspaper printer, he and his brother Alfred, in December 1895,bought land along .<'i Curry Creek. Sylvester and wife -~" Louise Fake Olofson moved there to farm and ranch. A one bedroom i cabin was enlarged with the lumber 1:1 o from the Nortonville schoolhouse, bought for $50. 0

_j u In Homan' s book, daughter Edith Sylvester & Louise Olofson - c. 1937 Olofson Wright, the mother of Ridge and Knobcone Point are visible beyond Curry Canyon.

To the south and east are Windy Point, Highland Ridge and all of Morgan Territory. Near a loop in the road, there is a stone monument and a cross, in memory of four generations of Olofsons and Wrights. Sounds bucolic, right?

Martin Wright, is quoted, [The schoolhouse] "was torn down and rebuilt and we had a nice home with running water three bedrooms-a living room-a big kitchen and a porch all across the front with a cellar under the kitchen and living room Plants were suspended from roof rafters along the porch. A stand outside held a basin of water and towels for the males to wash up "

continued on page 7

Wright Canyon continued/rampage 6

Curry Creek Park 1925-1946

By 1925 Curry Creek Park was opened. According to Dorothy, "People would come to picnic, hike and camp and Martin's grandpa Sylvester would ride his horse from his house two miles down the canyon and charge them two bits a car, his only real source of cash during the Depression. Then he put in a small swimming pool in 1933, and started charging a little more. They built a little cabin closer to the road where Grandpa and Grandma would spend the summer months."

Edith Wright and her daughters , Betti; and Valerie in 1947

Martin Wt'i g ht's p a rents e nt him from Oakland to spe n d his summers. Accordin g to Hom a n, "Martin sl pt with bis grandfather in a big double bed on the porch. Sylv e ster slept there, winter and summer, his whole life on the ranch .. . before they turned in, they walked down to the creek edge, and Sylvester talked aloud to the stars, saying goodnight to deceased relatives."

The Park was well used until 1938 when Sylvester suffered a stroke and then closed the picnic grounds. He died in 1941 and the remaining 110 acres were put on the market.

Martin and Dorothy had met at Roosevelt High School in East Oakland . Dorothy remembers always having to compete with the ranch for his attention, as he'd go out on weekends to help his grandparents Martin went to U.C. Davis in 1939 and Dorothy started at Cal Be rkeley in 1940. When Pear l Harbor was bombed, Martin joined the Navy. They got marri d secretly s inc e it was against th ru les during his officer training . He went overseas to the South Pacific. Dorothy worked for the telephone company and eventually became Personnel Manager over Women at Standard Oil in Richmond.

Curry Creek Park & Wright Canyon 1946-2001 Martin returned in December 1945, as Dorothy's job was winding down. Meanwhile, the 110 acre Curry Creek Park property was still for sale . Martin loved his grandparents' place and he and Dorothy decided to buy it and run the picnic business themselves.

They borrowed money from everyone they could. Eventually they got a loan and paid $20,000 to buy the property They moved to Morgan Territory in 1946 to a two room shack. Dorothy had never cooked on a wood

stove; their bathroom was the rest room at the picnic area.

Curry Creek Park reopened in Spring 1946. Dorothy was pregnant with the first of five kids in six years. In 1952 when the twins Thomas and Judy were born, Westinghouse ran a promotion for people having twins. Dorothy won a washer, dryer and a year's supply of Gerber baby food. That year, "the whole family ate omelets of minced beef baby food."

"When Martin and I reopened the Park, Mary Bowerman showed up and asked 'what are your plans for the property?"' In 1944 Mary had published The Flowering Plants and Ferns of Mount Diablo , California, and 25 years later she co-founded Save Mount Diablo.

"She was talking about us donating it, when we were just starting to buy it. We thought she was crazy, but she'd talk about nature, the future, the mountain, then five or six years later she'd show up again." At age 80, Dorothy says "I re al iz now what a neat thing it is to have your priorities ins mething that will last, into perpetuity ."

Martin worked for the County, coming home to build their house and improve the Park. Dorothy fronted the operation, bought supplies, made sandwiches, took money, and did cleanup. "The dressing rooms were already there, a few tables, lovely country through the canyon with the creek running through it, places where people could picnic. Not much else," said Dorothy, who became well known as the pool lifeguard.

"We had no cash at all and were building the house one board at a time Martin loved working for himself. We built picnic tables as we could afford it."

The picnic area opened eac h year at Easter, w ith a couple of hundr d vi s itor , 20 c nts a person, 25 cents fm a CM. In later years, on the biggest day there might be as many as six big groups and a thousand people

Around 1948 Martin and the three uncles put up a one bedroom "pre-fab" house of about 800 sq. ft. and some porches, for grandma Louise Olofson Eventually, the continued on page 8

Martin and Dorothy in 1946, their first spring after buying Curry Cre ek Park.

The Wright family annual Thanksgiving hike in 1957. Dorothy and Martin are at right.

Wright Canyon continued/rampage 7

Wrights bought her 40 acres. Dorothy's house is there today, where Wright Canyon and Curry Canyon meet.

"When Martin's mother was young, they'd hike to the top of the mountain with picnic lunches," said Dorothy. "She hiked to the summit when she was 74. We always had Thanksgiving here, and we would eat dessert first while the turkey was cooking then go for a hike. At least once a year we would have the 'Hike to the Mountain' to the top of the main peak, a family thing, little and big kids. We would do lots of Spring hikes ."

Finally, with the kids grown, in 1979 they closed Curry Creek Park to the public while continuing operation of a trailer park. Much of the Curry Canyon acreage was eventually sold. Dorothy and Martin continued living at the bottom of Wright Canyon.

'The Gathering Place'

On the knoll above Wright Canyon is 'the Gathering Place.' In 1982 Judy's boyfriend Chris was killed in an accident. Judy scattered his ashes near the property's high point where he'd have the best view.

It was an ideal spot. Louise and Sylvester Olofson's and

their daughter Adella's ashes were in a columbarium in Piedmont, so in 1983 they were scattered at 'the Gathering Place.' Martin made a cross and, with son Tom, constructed a monument.

The family was at 'the Gathering Place' a lot, and made pilgrimages on special days. Other family members' ashes, including those of Judy and Martin's mother Edith, were scattered and Martin made plaques. Family pets have been buried nearby, "but they don't get a plaque."

Martin died in Sept. 1999 a week before the Wright's 57th wedding anniversary. His sense of humor lives on in every conversation with Dorothy. He's at 'the Gathering Place' and she visits nearly every day, running the dogs for their exercise Three months after he died, sixty-five years after Mary Bowerman first asked the Wrights what their plans were, Dorothy called Save Mount Diablo.

"I didn't want our property to go to private owners who wouldn't care about its history. When I stand out my front door I look out and see the huge house on top of the hill across the road. I don't want them on mine, I want it to stay rural and natural," she said.

Check the April On The Mountain schedule for an opportunity to visit Wright Canyon and 'the Gathering Place 'on March 31st or call SMD at (925) 947-3535.

Nigel Ogilvie, Karen Hunt & Marty Breen

Save Mount Diablo recently said goodbye to three good friends on the Board of Directors. Nigel Ogilvie, a Supervising Analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank in San Francisco, joined our Board in 1997 as the Chief Financial Officer. As a member of the Cowell Homeowners Association he worked with SMD on the Sand Quarry project in Concord. He helped reorganize SMD's finances and served on the Finance Committee. He has taken a new job with the Federal Reserve in Washington D.C.

Karen Hunt, the Director of Accounting at Knightsbridge, Inc. and another member of the Finance Committee, also joined the Board in 1997. She has undertaken SMD's tax and audit reporting and succeeded Nigel as CFO in 1999, continuing his good work. It's a mark of Karen's devotion that despite a career move to Las Vegas with Knightsbridge, she will continue to participate in preparation of SMD' s financial returns.

Marty Breen, owner of Forward Motion (with stores in Danville and Walnut Creek), was a member of the Board since 1999 and served on the Development Committee. Due to the rapid growth of his business he has had to resign from the Board, but will continue to work with SMD on fundraising events

We wish all three of these mountain lovers great success in their new endeavors.

Wright family Christmas card photo - 1962. Claudia, Diana, Dorothy, Cynthia & Martin with Judy & Tom on "Shane."

Steven Mehlman

Chair of SMD's Land Committee

"Helph,g negotiate the pmchase of the Silva Ranchi one Qf my pr udes t moments. One of my best memories was hiking there with a don or after w igned the deal, be. for we had the money. lt wa s a cry s tal clear Dec mb r de y, y u could see all the way to the Sierra. lt's a gorgeou piec e f prop rty and a .ignificant addition to the State Park , lt mad e me feel good to play a role i,, preserving it. That day , the donor coul h,' t help but mak a big gift."

Southern California native s and U.C. Berke! y graduates, Steve and Lin,da Mehlman moved to Contra Costa and th en Walnut Creek in the early 1980s. They qui ck ly discovered Mt. Diablo and the local parks. A partner in the law firm of Turner & Mehlman, Steve also served on the city's Planning Commission.

They joined the organization in 1988, donating to a ca mpaign by Contra Costa Times co lumni st Gary Bog ue to p ay for< n option on the 63 1-acre Morgan Ranch. In 1993 they join e d Save Mount Diablo's Board of Directors, jointly editing Diab/a Watch. Before long Steve became Chair of the Land Committee and Linda, a Vice President at Bank of the West, was Treasurer. She became SMD Pres id nt in 1997 and serve d for a year b fore taking a break when their h~ro daughters, C hessa and Haley, were born .

"I like to ride my bike up to the summit. It gives me a chance to relax I l ik the views a I ride up and th e ex hilarati n omiJ1g down. My family loves Oiablo's open pace, we hik ;ind ca mp th.er , My d aug ht r O,essa goes on prop e rly tours and s he a lw ays ays, ·w s hould buy thi on '. " As one of the two attorneys on the Board, Stev e's leg al and plan n in g skill s h, v proved invaluable to Save Mount Diab lo. Most recentl y h , h e lp ed negotiat the Wright Canyon purcha se.. "I join ed the BoaJ'd b ause I wanted to contribute to preserving the mountain ."

After the Storm: Bob Walker and the Art of Environmental Photography

March 3-J une 24

An extraordinary display of evocative color land sca pe photos by this noted environmental photographer. Bob Walker, a former SMD Board member who passed away in 1992, was responsible for the preservation of thous a nds of acres throughout the Ea s t Bay. Oakland Museum , 1000 Oak St., downtown Oakland near the Lake Merritt BART station.

November Elections

Former State Senator

Save Mount Diablo does not endorse candidates, but we work with many elected officials who faced November elections. They have worked with us on projects around Mt. Diablo. Special thanks to former State Senator Richard Rainey who helped support the purchase of the Silva Ranch, Turtle Rock Ranch and gained funding for the Mt. Diablo Gateway project.

Congr ess man George Miller and Congr ess woman Ellen Tauscher have worked hard in support of federal open space funding. State Senator Tom Torlakson was elected to the Senate after serving as a member of the Assembly and was a key supporter of funding for the Clayton Ranch project.

Assemblywoman Lynne Leach was re-elected, was the chief supp rter of th Tmtle Ro k Ranch project and has aided SMO on EBRPD's Ginochio acquisition. Assemblyman Joe Canciamilla was elected to th e Assembly after serving on the County Board of Sup •rvisors and was key in the tighte ning of the County Urban Limit Line. He's already pledg d his upport for tate funding of the Cowell Ran h acquisition. Sup erv isor D011.1,n Gerber led the way in the tightening of the Urban Limit Line and has been the sponsor of the Mt. Diablo Gateway project. We appreciate their help .

WISH LIST

You can help Save Mount Diablo by donating the following items:

• Digital Camera

• Combination TVNCR • Lap Top Computer and projector for Power Point presentations

Volunteers Needed

Save Mount Diablo needs volunteers in the following areas:

R g1:1lar Office Assistance: Several hour per we k - routine office chores - filing , light typing, phones, e tc Project H lp: For periodic mailing project Archhiist: to help catal0gue, lab I and fi l photos and documents.

Events: Coordination and help of all sorts; solicit auction/ raffle items; obtain business/ corporate sponsors.

,ra 1,· • s: To help design flyers, invitations and visual displays.

Richard Rainey

In Honor of

The Tang Family

The Warner Family

The Yuen/Wong Family

The Shankel/Lopez Family

The Kunz Family

Bob & Sue Benson's holiday donation

Arthur Bonwell & Mary L. Bowerman

Diablo Publications

Ron Brown

Judy & Andy Adler

Fanny & Roger Mazza's 25th wedding anniversary

Richard & Mary Kastner

Robert & Alice Swenson

Paul Swenson

In Memory Of

Dolores Buysse

Paul D. Baxter

William Chapton

Ruth Chapton

Emma Charlotte Christensen

Leslie Janelle Servin

Cyril Coenen

Rose McKinnon

Florence Cummings

Tamra Hege

G.W. & Jessie Balden

Jack Edgar

Rennett Mac Intyre

Master Gardener

Russel G. Erb

William & Kathryn Cappel

In Memory Of

Beverly Evju

Richard & Mary Bowers

Anna Ferri

Larry Ferri

Esther Fultz

Robert & Carol Taylor

Alfred & Irene Petsche

Virgie Shore

Frank & Diane Fries

Kathie L. Hein

Clara Richert

Herbert W. Graves

Mrs. Herbert W. Graves

Thelma Greenwood

Josephine Evans

Jean Hauser

Barbara Hauser

Marci Howard

Philip & Henrietta Dubow

Nel & Victor Ives

Cora Chamberlin

Family Wellness Counseling, LC

George Ann Garms

Helen Barton

Mrs. Lannon Corley

Nancy Riley

Tony & Millie Peterson

Robert H. Leslie

Mrs. Anne Leslie

Glenn London

In memory of my husband's birthday

Joan London

Ruth Chapton

Lena Mahler

James Wilson

Hilda Muzzy

Carolyn & Marvin Shick

Del & Peg Barnekoff

Mildred Shinn

Victor & Lois Matusek

Lois Newhall

Aida Peterson

Robert Ornduff

Dale Johnson

Mary Bowerman

Elizabeth Morey Parrish

Robert & Marian Nielsen

AS & Anne Pande

Don & Eileen Galloway

Tom & Barbara Crosby

Dick & Janet Cotter

Edward Perkins

John & Susan Tullis

Joaquin Enos Santos

Evah S. Ross

Gen & Bill Sattler

Alfred Sattler

Joyce Sattler

Mary Sillano

Phil & Jean Langley

Dorothy Strauss

James & Barbara Stevens

Mabel Washington

Tom & Beverly Gorman

Gifts In Kind

IBM Whee/writer Typewriter

Ronald Siemens

IBM Selectric III Typewriter & Pitney

Bowes Electronic Scale

Bill & Ginny Rei

Plain paper fax and 10 'table & chairs

General Office Equipment

- Geoffrey Dennis

Heritage Tree

The Almond Family Tree dedicated in loving memory of

Jacova Elson Miller

Rosalind Almond Lepawsky

Dorothea K. Almond

Beebe and Knopp families

Gene Beebe

+ Listed contributions were made from August 12, 2000 to January 25, 2001 +

United Way Donor Option

You can designate Save Mount Diablo as the recipient of your United Way Pledge. When you are asked to make a donation, designate it for Save Mount Diablo. If asked, our tax ID number is 94-2681735.

Business Contributions

Many companies will match your charitable contributions to Save Mount Diablo. Ask your employer if they have a matching gift program. Also ask your employer if they have a foundation or corporate donation program to which SMD can apply.

Membership

I Matters

SMD has reactivated its membership program. These tax deductible donations help us in achieving our goals. Members in categories of $250 or higher are invited to special events and preview tours of property. Members in the Peak Guardian & Summit Club receive Stephen Joseph photos. You can use your credit card to become am mbe1· by calling our office at 925-947-3535. We would like to thank the following individuals who have supported our reactivated membership program by becoming members since mid-December. Please join them.

Sum m i

($1,000 or more)

George & Sarah Zimmerman

ak G ardia n ($500 or more)

Franklin & Barbara Varenchik

M a·n Saver ($250 or more)

Anonymous

Anonymous

Lynn & Rick Bergquist

Eric & Debbie Hinze!

James & Beverly Lane

Steve & Linda Mehlman

David & Deborah Trotter

Martin Abrams

Glenn Alex

Anonymous - 6 Donors

Stephen & Joyce Amon

Edward & Mildred Bennett

William Bernell

Bette Boatmun

Diane Brown

Pauline Browne

Raymond & Patrica Buck

Harvey & Phyllis Ceaser

Janice Costella

Vickie Dawes

Don de Fremery

Tony & Marie Emerson

Gus & Sugar Filice

George Finger

Paul & Kathy Fitzpatrick

Lisa & Paul Francis

Jack & Maureen Fritschi

John & Teena Gallagher

Maridale & Gary Garren

Barbara George

Bingham & Larry Gibbs

Susan Gray

Cathy Grossu

Richard & Faye Guarienti

Syd Hammill

Kathy Hart

Donald Hayes

Michael & Nadine Hitchcock

Noel Hurd

R. John Jeffrey

Ted Kloth

HansKorve

Jesse & Sharon Krider

Robert & Lynne Leach

Tom Lee

Jeffrey & Debora Leighton

Winton & Margare McKibben

Mark&Nancy

McLaren/Norland

John & Jill Mercurio

Michael Ogles

Charles & Ann Olsen

Fred & Virginia Peterson

Ed & Gwen Regalia

Sheryl Sankey

Martin Sargent

Gregg & Anne Sorensen

Dean Stoker

Jack & Jo Sudall

Kevin Sullivan

Patricia Thomas

Mary Ulrich

Frank & Edith Valle-Riestra

Valerie Warburton

David Whippy

Bernice Woodhead

John & Betty Woodward

Frien ($35 or more)

212 individuals or familes have joined in this category

Timing is Everything 2nd Ginochio Parcel Acquired

When you enter Mt. Diablo State Park's Northgate entrance, cast your eyes right. You'll see signs of native revegetation along Arroyo de! Cerro creek. The East Bay Regional Park District has acquired this second of two 24 acre Ginochio parcels as an addition to Diablo Foothills Regional Preserve.

The funding came about through a timely opportunity. Lennar Homes, one of the Dougherty Valley developer, was to have restored a creek at Dougherty as part of their project but missed a deadline They must still restore that creek, but were required to do 'temporal' mitigation to provide better creek habitat during the period in which their own creek is yet to be restored. In August Lennar's attorney called Save Mount Diablo staff, who suggested Arroyo de! Cerro creek. By chance, SMD president Malcolm Sproul is also Lennar's biotic consultant. He was well aware of the creek's suitability.

In the faste tr cent ample of government action, the Dept. of Fish & Game and the Park Distri t Board approv d th revegetation in Fall. Lennar funded two-thirds of the $525,000 purchase price plus the restoration, just in time to meet the option deadline on the parcel. Acquisition and planting were completed before Christmas. Thanks to all parties, including Clark Morrison, Sproul, and District staff.

Save Mount Diablo Celebrates Its 30th Year!

A series of events are planned throughout the year to celebrate Save Mount Diablo's 30th anniv rsary year. The organization was founded on D cember 7, 1971 by Mary Bowerman and Art Bonwell.

See page 3 for details of several events and watch the mail for announcements of other events, including SMD's Thirtieth Anniversary Gala in December!!! We will honor 30 Mountain Stars, i.e. individuals who have been significant in accomplishing our mission of protecting and preserving the mountain.

Bob Doyle and Mary Bowerman enjoy the festivities at SMD 's 25th anniversary party in 1996. Bob was a founding member of SMD's Board of Directors in 1971.

Urban Limit Line Threatened

San Ramon, Brentwood, Roddy Ranch Sue The CountyAntioch Attempts To Break The Line With 11,700 units

In our last issue we reported that the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors had tightened the County's Urban Limit Line (ULL). The move was led by Supervisors Donna Gerber and Joe Canciamilla and overwhelmingly supported by the public and civic organizations including Save Mount Diablo.

Since then, the cities of San Ramon and Brentwood, and the developers proposing a thousand houses at Roddy Ranch, have all sued to overturn the Environmental Impact Report that supported the Supervisors action. The action is especially egregious since San Ramon has yet to digest the ongoing development of the 11,000 unit Dougherty Valley project and Brentwood is one of the fastest growing cities in the State.

In addition, there are two significant efforts by the City of Antioch to break the line. Antioch is seeking approval, by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), for annexation of two projects outside the line-the 1,000 unit Roddy Ranch project and the 4,000 unit Nunn-Ginochio. These 5000 units would be in addition to as many as 6,700 units the city would like to develop on the 2,700 acre FUA#l (Future Urban Area) already within the city limits. Both Roddy Ranch and the Ginochio property, on unincorporated county land, were placed outside the Urban Limit Line by the Supervisors.

Public support is key in maintaining the ULL, especially since Sup. Canciamilla was elected to the Assembly. Sup. Federal Glover has been elected to the East County supervisorial seat and appointed to LAFCO Glover campaigned in support of tightening the line but has yet to vote on the issue. Sup. Gayle Uilkema is also on LAFCO.

Save Mount Diablo's Mission ...

... to secure through acquisition and preservation, the open space necessary to support the full range of biological diversity and to insure the integrity of Mt. Diablo's natural beauty

In support of our mission, Save Mount Diablo:

• Creates dedicated open space from land acquired through gifts, purchases & cooperative efforts with public and private entities;

• Educates the public about threats to the mountain;

s a V e

Post Office Box 5376 Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Address Service Requested

We Need Your Help

Letters from the public will help iri. maintaining the Urban Limit Line. Show your support by writing to the following:

• Contra Costa Board of Supervisors - urge them to continue their defense of the ULL EIR at: Board of Supervisors, Contra Costa County, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553, FAX 925-335-1913

• Supervisor Federal Glover - urge him to join that defense, to support the line, and to lead LAFCO in maintaining the ULL at: Sup. Federal Glover, FAX 925-427-8142, E-mail: dist 5@supervisors.co.contra-costa.ca.us

• Supervisor Gayle Uilkema - urge her to support the line, and to lead LAFCO in maintaining the ULL at: Sup Gayle Uilkema, FAX 925-335-1076, E-mail: dist.2@supervisors co contra-costa.ca us

• LAFCO - urge them to support the Supervisors' action and to maintain the ULL by opposing annexations outside of the ULL at: Commissioners, LAFCO, 651 Pine Street, 8th Floor, Martinez, CA 94553

• City of Antioch - urge them to stop efforts to develop outside the ULL at: Antioch City Council, P.O. Box 5007, Antioch, CA 94531-5007, FAX 925-779-7034, E-mail (in care of City Manager): mike_ramsey@ci antioch.ca.us

• San Ramon and Brentwood - urge them to drop their lawsuit against the County at: San Ramon City Council, 2222 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, CA 94583 and Brentwood City Council, 708 Third Street, Brentwood, CA 94513

• Letters to the Editor (short, signed, with your address and phone number) can be sent to:

Ledger Dispatch, 1650 Cavallo Rd., Antioch, CA 94509, FAX: 925-706-2305

Contra Costa Times, 2640 Shadelands Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, FAX: 925-943-8362, E-Mail: letters@cctimes.com

The S.F. Chronicle, 901 Mission Street, S.F., CA 94103, FAX: 415-543-7708 E-Mail: letters@sfchronicle.com

• Works with landowners to preserve their property while realizing economic benefits;

• Works in pattnership with Mt. Diablo State Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and other organizations to increase open space;

• Monitors land-use planning;

• Aids in the restoration of habitat and preservation of rare species;

• Offers technical assistance to agencies and neighborhood groups with regard to securing open space;

• Works diligently to raise 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 63,000 acres.

For more information, please write or call:

Save Mount Diablo

P.O. Box 5376 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 (925) 947-3535

Fax : 925-947-3603

Email: savemtdiablo@aol.com

Web: www.savemountdiablo.org