CITY COUNCIL: Approve Letter of Support for Acquisition of Whisler-Wilson Ranch Property by Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District

Meeting Date: 3 July 2012

Prepared by: Jason Stilwell

City Council

Agenda Item Summary

Name: Approve letter of support for the acquisition of the Whisler Wilson Ranch property by the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District.


Description: The Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District is preparing a State Coastal Conservancy grant application to help fund its acquisition of the Whisler Wilson Ranch (map attached) and has requested a letter of support from the City to include in its grant application.


Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/ A
Grant Funds: N/A

Staff Recommendation: Approve sending the letter of support.

Important Considerations: The acquisition of the 317-acre Whisler Wilson Ranch will offer enhanced access into the 4,000 acres ofbackcountry in Palo Corona and the adjacent Lobos Ranch State Park lands. The property has significant avian conservation values of coast redwood and native Monterey pine forest, unusual stands of coast rhododendron (R. macrophyllum), maritime chaparral, two miles of San Jose Creek riparian habitat, and fabulous views of the coast, including nearby Point Lobos State Reserve.


Decision Record: N/ A

Reviewed by:

Jason Stilwell, City Administrator Date

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea

POST OFFICE BOX CC

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, CA 93921

(831) 620-2000

July 5, 2012

Janet Diehl
State Coastal Conservancy
1330 Broadway, 13th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612-2530

Dear Janet:

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Society offers its strong support of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District's effort to acquire the 317-acre Whisler Wilson. Ranch as an addition to its Palo Corona Regional Park. The acquisition will provide enhanced access into the park's 4,000 acres of back country and the adjacent Lobos Ranch State Park lands. The property has significant avian conservation values of coast redwood and native Monterey pine forest, unusual stands of coast rhododendron (R. macrophyllum), maritime chaparral, two miles of San Jose Creek riparian habitat, and fabulous views of the coast, including Point Lobos State Reserve.


On behalf of the City Council of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I offer our support for this project.


Sincerely,

Jason Burnett
Mayor

CC: Tim Jensen, Planning and Conservation Manager
Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District