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A visit to the proposed high school site reveals the possible emergence of an ESHA where strawberry fields formerly were cultivated. |
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Peter Nichols
686 Larkin Valley Rd. Watsonville, CA 95076 (831) 763-1895 tellingthetruth.com |
| May 18, 2001 |
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Ms. Tami Grove
Director, California Coastal Commission 725 Front St. Suite 300 Santa Cruz, 95060 Dear Ms. Grove, On May 15, 2001, I had occasion to visit the site of the proposed high school on Harkins Slough Rd. with Mr. Jerry Thomas, a local farmer, and Mr. Randall Morgan a native plant expert. We observed several established willow trees located just east of the existing gate on the southern border of the property near the north side of Harkins Slough Rd. We also observed many willow shoots of approximately three to four feet in height spread out some distance up the hill in a northerly direction from the location of the established trees. Additionally, Thomas and Morgan observed a wild duck being inadvertently flushed from a nest of nine eggs in the same area where the willows were observed.I have enclosed a photo of what was observed. It was suggested that perhaps these willows indicated the existence of a riparian wetland and an ESHA at that location. Previously, strawberries were cultivated there but the land now has a cover crop and remains fallow at this time. Please have one of your experts examine the area to ensure that it is not an ESHA prior to any development there, or refer this matter to the agency most responsible for ESHA protection. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Yours very truly,
original signed
Peter Nichols
cc. Terry McHenry, P.V.U.S.D.
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