CC 06-10-14 Items Rec'd at Mtg.June 9, 2014
Arroyo Grande City Council
300 E. Branch Street
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Re: Funding Request from the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County
for the Pismo Preserve.
Dear Council Member Kristen Barneich,
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MORRO COAST.
AUDUBON
SOCIETY
The Morro Coast Audubon Society, MCAS, appreciates this opportunity to comment on the
proposed Pismo Preserve public open space. This project compliments our Mission Statement,
"to promote the appreciation, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems focusing on the
biological diversity of birds, other wildlife and their habitats, particularly in San Luis Obispo
County."
MCAS, representing over 1,200 members across San Luis Obispo County, strongly supports the
creation of the Pismo Preserve and encourages the Arroyo Grande City Council to allocate
funding to assist the Land Conservancy in the purchase of this unique, and much needed, open
space preserve.
The benefits of this project are clear. Creating the Pismo Preserve will:
- Boost the local economy by creating a new attraction for the Five Cities region's
tourism industry.
- Preserve scenic view sheds.
- Support healthy, active lifestyles.
- Safeguard precious drinking water.
- Provide accessible outdoor recreation opportunities for underserved residents of
the Five Cities region.
These benefits will have a positive and direct benefit to the residents of Arroyo Grande, both
now and into the future.
And of course, MCAS is encouraged that this permanently protected land will benefit the flora
and fauna by safeguarding areas of native oak woodland, coastal scrub, maritime chaparral,
sycamore /willow riparian corridors, and a section of Pismo Creek.
P.O. BOX 1507 MORRO BAY. CA 93443 805- 772 -1991
www.morrocoostaudubon.org
These numerous and worthy benefits coupled with the fact that this project is consistent with
the Parks and Recreation Element of the City of Arroyo Grande should be noted. The City's Park
and Recreation Element states — "It is the overall goal of the City of Arroyo Grande to
adequately provide for the recreational needs of Arroyo Grande area residents and visitors."
Arroyo Grande's Park and Recreation Element have several policies that align with and support
the Pismo Preserve.
Objective PR2 — Cooperation with other Agencies. The city should supplement existing park,
recreation and cultural facilities when needed and economically feasible, and cooperate with
Lucia Mar, the County, and adjoining Cities of Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, and Oceano CSD to
provide for operation and maintenance and to develop additional facilities and services.
PR2 -2.6 — Encourage private development of equestrian facilities in the Oak Park Acres and /or
adjoining unincorporated areas.
PR4— Regional Trails —A network of recreational trails should be established for use by local
residents and visitors to the Arroyo Grande Valley.
It should be noted that these Park and Recreation Element objectives can happen with no
financial burden of development, maintenance, or operation to the City of Arroyo Grande, as
the Land Conservancy is committed to ownership and operation of the Pismo Preserve as a free
public park with no ongoing costs to local government.
MCAS urges you to support this worthy project and join other local and regional governments,
state agencies, foundations, individual donors and local businesses by allocating funds to help
the Land Conservancy make this a reality. A small investment by the City of Arroyo Grande will
provide huge dividends for the City's residents and visitors.
Thank you for your consideration of the proposed Pismo Preserve.
Respectively submitted,
Dofeae W Tar
Douglas Tait, Conservation Chair
Morro Coast Audubon Society
P.O. BOX 1507 MORRO BAY, CA 93443 805- 772 -1991
www. m orro c oastau dubo n. org