Lompico Road washout repair, evacuation review slated to begin

After more than two years since the 2016-2017 winter storms left a major washout on Lompico Road at PM 0.22 (above), we are slated to begin construction on a new soldier pile retaining wall and other roadway improvements designed to restore two-way access. There will be temporary lane closures between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. along with delays of up to 15 minutes in each direction. While the construction contract is for three months, our hope is that we can complete the work sooner. You can stay up to date on repairs on County-maintained roads at sccroadclosure.org. Also, for Lompico, the County is working with fire agencies and other first-responders to evaluate emergency evacuation strategies for Lompico, which was identified in recent media reports as the highest-risk community in the Bay Area for the percentage of residents who would use the same escape route during a wildfire. Lompico Road is the main artery leading into and out of the canyon.

Recycling, wildfire prevention top list of legislative priorities

During the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Executive Committee meeting in Santa Cruz County October 3-5, county supervisors from throughout California had the opportunity to discuss legislative priorities for 2020. As Santa Cruz County's representative and a member of the Executive Committee, I shared my top two legislative priorities: recycling and wildfire prevention. While we continue to look for local solutions, our County has urged the state to address the lack of California Redemption Value (CRV) locations for returning cans and bottles, and to address the amount of recyclable material being diverted into landfills. When it comes to wildfire prevention, while the focus statewide continues to be vegetation management, utility infrastructure improvements and personal preparedness, we also need a new stream of funding for code enforcement. Santa Cruz County is threatened by illegal burning and other code issues that contribute to the risk of wildfire, but the County does not have enough enforcement resources. One other note about CSAC -- Santa Cruz County won three awards from the organization in September: A Challenge Award for our Zero Waste Plan and Merit Awards for our HOPES Team and Accessory Dwelling Unit Toolkit.

Castle Rock State Park premiers new Robert C. Kirkwood entrance

I was very honored to be part of the September 27 grand opening of the new entrance for Castle Rock State Park in the upper reaches of District 5. Joining me here are Assemblymember Mark Stone, California State Parks Director Lisa Mangat, and former California Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird. Congratulations to Sempervirens Fund and Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks for all their hard work to make this happen! The Robert C. Kirkwood Entrance to the park includes a 90-car parking lot with permeable paving, a small office and storage area, six restrooms with flush toilets, a drinking water station, 60-seat amphitheater and interpretive exhibit, to name just a few features.

Mountain Parks Foundation to host 25th annual Lobster Feed

I hope you will join me on October 12 for the 30th annual Lobster Feed fundraiser for the Mountain Parks Foundation, which does wonderful work supporting Big Basin Redwoods and Henry Cowell State Parks. Lobster will be served from 4:30-8 p.m. at Henry Cowell's Picnic Area 1. Tickets are available at mountainparks.org, by calling 831-335-3174 or by visiting the Foundation’s office adjacent to the Nature Store in Henry Cowell. This past year especially has been huge for Big Basin, with the Foundation reinvigorating the historic Nature Museum and Research Center. With the building renovations done and museum exhibit design in the final stages, the target completion is October 2020 for the $1.4 million project funded by the Foundation in partnership with California State Parks and Save the Redwoods League. Congratulations to the Foundation and I want to say thank you to all its donors and supporters.

In This Issue

Lompico Road and Evacuation Strategies

Legislative Priorities

New Castle Rock Entrance

Mountain Parks Foundation 25th Annual Lobster Feed

Scotts Valley Active Transportation Plan Meeting

Boulder Creek Roads, Emergency Preparedness Meeting

CONSTITUENT MEETINGS
12:15-1:30 p.m.

SLV Sheriff's Service Center
6062 Graham Hill Rd.
Felton

Boulder Creek Sheriff's Service Center
13210 Central Ave. (Hwy. 9)
Boulder Creek

Upcoming Dates:
October 16 -- Boulder Creek
November 6 -- Felton
November 20 -- Boulder Creek

BOARD MEETINGS

October 8
October 24
November 5
November 19

Read agendas here.

Scotts Valley bike, pedestrian project meeting set for Oct. 24

I'd like to invite you to the Scotts Valley Active Transportation Plan meeting for the public from 6:30-8 p.m. October 24 at the Scotts Valley Senior Center, 370 Kings Village Road. The City of Scotts Valley is partnering with Ecology Action and Bike Santa Cruz County to create a plan to improve bicycling and pedestrian opportunities. The project is funded through a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Transportation Planning grant.

Roads, emergency readiness meeting Oct. 28

Representatives from the Department of Public Works and the Office of Emergency Services will join me at the Boulder Creek Fire Department, 13230 Highway 9, from 6:30-8 p.m. October 28 for a community meeting regarding the status of road repairs in the San Lorenzo Valley, as well as emergency preparedness as the winter storm season approaches. I look forward to seeing you there, and please bring your questions!

Copyright © 2016 Supervisor Bruce McPherson, All rights reserved.

supervisorbrucemcpherson.org
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5th District Supervisor Bruce McPherson · 701 Ocean Street, Room 500 · santa cruz, CA 95060 · USA