El Corte de Madera Open Space (ECdM) aka
"Skeggs Point" Advocacy
The ECdM that we all
know, love and ride is being "redesigned" to protect and improve the environmental quality of the park's watershed. From the beginning, participation in the planning process and volunteerism from mountain bikers has been critical achieving a sustainable trail system plan.
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UPDATES
11/22/2003 - The
MROSD Proposal was presented to the public and released on November 19, 2003.
Click Here to see the first
draft of the full MROSD Proposal:
http://www.openspace.org/resource_management/Draft%20Watershed%20Protection%20Program%20(12-19-03).pdf
Here is MROSD's latest Winter 2004-2005 ECdM Watershed Protection Program Update
click here - HOW CAN I HELP?
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MRSOD is the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District which manages open space in the San Mateo County region of the S.F. Peninsula.
The Mandate: The MROSD must mitigate erosion and silt contribution to riparian habitat by changing the trail and road system in the 2,788 acre ECdM open space preserve as directed by environmental agencies. A proposal has been approved by these agencies. Now a plan is being developed to be approved by the MROSD board and implemented by staff, contractors and volunteer assistance.
A Brief History of the Park & Trails:
1834:
Rancho El Corte de Madera.
1860-1910: Timber clearcutting.
1910-1988: Sporadic
Timber Harvesting.
1953: DC-6 Plane Crash.
1970's: PITS Motorcyle Park.
1972:
Ballot measure to form the MROSD passes.
1970-1988: Last Timber Harvests using
tractor and cable (Big Creek Lumber).
1986 MROSD purchases property & mountain
biking era begins. Since the
1990's The abandoned skids and logging trails became the
framework for a technically challenging trail system valued by cyclists. The
MROSD continues an ad-hoc practice of discovering trails and putting up fences
with "Closed not a trail" signs, and sets up ocassional radar speed traps especially
at the top of Manzanita Trail.
Feb 22, 1999: The MROSD votes to close Devil's Staircase, Broken Ankle, and
Outhouse Trails and replaces them with the contouring Sierra Morena trail.
July 20, 2002: The IMBA Trail Care Crew visits and helps begin the Blue Blossom
reroute and scouts a feasible realignment.
November 7, 2002: The Road and Trail Erosion Inventory document is published.
This was commissioned by the MROSD in response to charges from a private citizen
to the Fish & Game, CRWQCB, and NMFS that ECdM was contributing silt in amounts
that threatened Steelhead habitat in the San Gregorio River watershed. This
report makes recommendations for changes to the road and trail prism which is
the basis a new Trail Master Plan for the preserve.
Jan. 1, 2003: An ordinance is in effect that makes being found off designated
trail in the preserve a misdemeanor.
Mid-September 2003: The MROSD is notified that by Oct. 15, 2003 they must storm
proof the roads or close down the preserve.
October 15, 2003: MROSD Trails Planner succeeds in obtaining compromise by presenting
plans for change and pointing out the public popularity.
October 28, 2003: The CRWQCB mandates that the MROSD has until Oct. 15, 2006
to complete erosion control projects in the preserve.
November 19, 2003: The first public workshop is held to present the proposed
new trail system changes. The MROSD Proposal is released to the public.
01/22/2004 - The Watershed Protection Program for the El Corte de Madera Open Space is approved. Click Here for a report.
MROSD Proposal:
Full Proposal: http://www.openspace.org/resource_management/ECdMProposal.pdf
Click Here for MAP
Mountain Bikers Perspective:
The Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers (ROMP) have been leading the advocacy effort for Skegg's Point. Check out their information at:
http://coecore.homestead.com/Skeggs.html
Participate in trailwork events. Trailwork dates will be posted here when available.