1 From: Pam Froistad < >
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 3:12 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: Drones
Please use the drones to spot illegal ATV acƟvity in the riverbed. They are ruining the habitat.
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Public Comment Received by Email
7/14/26
City Council Meeting
Item G2
1 From: Bill Miller < >
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 4:20 PM
To: City Clerk
Cc: Audrey Taub; Eli Grinberg
Subject: Law enforcement drones and OHV damage in the Salinas Watershed Greetings
We are 40-year residents of North County and active members of the San Luis Obispo County Beaver Brigade.
We are seeing continued OHV damage and destruction of Salinas River Watershed habitat, including beaver dams and ponds. These ponds support abundant populations of wildlife, and they help recharge the aquifer.
Please adopt use of drones to help protect the natural ecosystem of the Salinas River.
Sincerely,
James W. (Bill) Miller
Ann L. Miller
North County Residents
Members, San Luis Obispo County Beaver Brigade
Public Comment Received by Email
7/14/26
City Council Meeting
Item G2
1 From: Kim Sanders < >
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 4:27 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: Use of Drones to spot illegal activity
Thank you for potenƟally using drones to spot illegal acƟvity in Atascadero.
I am hoping and strongly encouraging the Atascadero police department to include surveillance of the Salinas River for vehicles driving in the river bed, and ciƟng those who do.
Driving through the river bed:
1. And displacing soil is a violaƟon of clean water act secƟon 401 as it is a discharge of fill material, even in small amounts of soil and or branches/debris; 2. And impacƟng nesƟng birds is a violaƟon of the migratory bird treaty act (if nesƟng birds, federally listed, or not, are impacted), 3. Very likely is not in compliance with the central Coast Water Quality Control Board Basin Plan secƟon 3.3.2.1., specifically in terms of turbidity and sediment.
3. Is dangerous for recreaƟonal river users who may not be seen unƟl the last minute by vehicle drivers because of reduced visibility due to naƟve vegetaƟon.
4. Can impair water quality, and destroy wildlife habitat. I have made several observaƟons of destrucƟon of beaver habitat.
Please take this opportunity to take care of an egregious problem in the Salinas River.
Thank you,
Kim Sanders
Atascadero resident
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Public Comment Received by Email
7/14/26
City Council Meeting
Item G2
1 From: Eli Grinberg < >
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 4:42 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: Comment for City Council Meeting
Hello,
My name is Eli Grinberg and I am the Watershed Volunteer Program Coordinator for the SLO Beaver Brigade, a local non-profit dedicated to creating the conditions for beavers to thrive. We do so by:
1. Elevating the health of our watersheds by supporting our original river stewards, the beavers.
2. Educating our County on the benefits of beavers to our watersheds,
3. Leading educational walks out to beaver ponds,
4. Supporting research of beavers and wetlands,
5. Organizing river and creek cleanups,
6. Educating and installing beaver management tools and
7. Implementing beaver restoration techniques.
Beavers are nature’s best water engineers. Through their natural behaviors, they improve riparian areas, make landscapes more resistant to fire, droughts, and flooding, and provide important habitats for other species.
Unfortunately, for some years now, we have witnessed ATV riders, 4WD trucks, and dirtbikes consistently and intentionally destroy beaver dams in the Salinas River in Atascadero, Paso Robles, and Templeton.
We would love to see Atascadero Police monitoring this ongoing issue and preventing this from happening, as it is unlawful to alter the streambed without proper permitting and violates California Game Code Section 1600.
Thank you,
--
Eli Grinberg | He/him/his
Watershed Volunteer Coordinator
Email:
Mobile:
SLO Beaver Brigade
Website | LinkTree
Public Comment Received by Email
7/14/26
City Council Meeting
Item G2
1 From: John Rickenbach < >
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 4:42 PM
To: City Clerk
Subject: Drone Use to Spot Illegal Activity
With respect to the possible use of drones to monitor illegal activity, I'd recommend that if they are to be used, that law enforcement would focus on illegal offroad vehicle activity in the Salinas River. Not only does this activity present a safety hazard, it degrades the habitat value of the river system itself, introducing pollution, disturbing wildlife, and destroying habitat communities that depend on a thriving and healthy river ecosystem. Beaver dams are among those natural systems in jeopardy from such activities, which play a huge role in maintaining water quality and the overall health of the natural riverine community.
Thank you for your consideration.
_________________________
John Rickenbach
Atascadero, CA 93422
Public Comment Received by Email
7/14/26
City Council Meeting
Item G2