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525 Golden Gate Avenue, 13th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
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San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Correspondence Log
May 9, 2023 through May 15, 2023
Date Received From Subject
May 9, 2023 Gregory J. Rubens Proposed Trail Connection from Crestview Drive San Carlos to
Regional Trail
May 15, 2023 Bob Hall O’Shaughnessy Boulevard
Grasslands Damage
May 9, 2023
VIA EMAIL AND FIRST CLASS MAIL
[email protected]
City and County of San Francisco
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Dennis Herrera, General Manager
525 Golden Gate Avenue - 13th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94102
Re: Proposed Trail Connection From Crestview Drive San Carlos To Regional Trails
Dear Mr. Herrera:
I am the City Attorney for the City of San Carlos. Since the early 2000’s, the City of San Carlos has been looking for ways to connect its existing and proposed recreational trail system to trails across the far eastern edge of San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) lands in unincorporated San Mateo County. In 2005 the City went through the Project Review process with the SFPUC in anticipation of a new trail in Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve (“Pulgas Ridge”) that was expected to be completed in 2006. As a result of that process, the City last received communication from the SFPUC via letter dated February 1, 2009 (Attachment 1). In the letter, the SFPUC indicated that a future eastern watershed boundary trail is recommended and would begin as soon as funding became available. Moreover, the SFPUC stated that direct access to Pulgas Ridge would be considered as an alternative for the eastern watershed boundary trail.
As you will see, in the letter, the SFPUC found that the proposed eastern boundary trail is, “Supported at the programmatic level in the Final SFPUC Peninsula Watershed Management plan adopted by the SFPUC in the spring of 2002”. Specifically, the SFPUC Watershed Management Policy WA15.4 provides:
“Support new trail connections that are in zones of lesser vulnerability and risk; that link to adjacent communities and to the trail facilities of other agencies; and that help complete a continuous north-south public trail along the eastern edge of the watershed”
It is our understanding that this policy remains unchanged.
The eastern boundary trail is also described in the San Mateo County Trails Plan P11, which describes the same eastern boundary trail connecting Ralston Trail and the Sheep Camp Trail to Pulgas Ridge and Edgewood Park and Preserve to create a new loop trail.
Mr. Dennis Herrera
May 9, 2023
Importantly, the proposed trail connections are consistent with the SFPUC Community Benefits Policy dated January 11, 2011. The policy includes reference to devotion of “sufficient resources” and “authority” to SFPUC staff achieve outcomes. From our view, the Eastern Boundary Trail and proposed connections would involve nearly all of the Community Benefits Policy goals.
The policy addresses the need to develop processes to engage stakeholders and communities, develop budgets and staffing plans to implement the policy in its application in SFPUC's operations, projects and activities.
We believe the time for development of the Eastern Boundary Trail and associated connections is now. Trails offer free and healthy recreational opportunity for all communities.
Opening a limited access to the SFPUC lands would benefit the diverse population of San Mateo and San Francisco county residents.
Historically a trail existed along the eastern edge to the SFPUC lands. A 1965 aerial photo (Attachment 2) shows this historic trail. It was closed off to public access at some point in the 1970’s around the time the area was being developed. The Eastern Boundary Trail and proposed connections have views of` Mt. Tamalpais and San Francisco in the north to Mount Hamilton and Mt. Umunhum in the south. To the west is the entire expanse of the Peninsula spine of the Coast Range, and to the east, San Francisco Bay and beyond. For perspective, with an elevation over 900 feet, the top of the trail would be nearly as high as the elevation of Twin Peaks in San Francisco. A satellite image with potential trail locations and connections identified is also provided (Attachment 3). As can be seen on this image, the area where the Eastern Boundary Trail would be established is a defined area between Interstate 280 and the western edge of San Carlos and Belmont developed areas. It includes Sheep Camp and Ralston trails as well as the Crystal Springs cross country trails. A closed vista point exists in this area as well. The SFPUC annually tills the soil at the eastern edge of the area for a fire break. This is where the trail would likely be located.
The SFPUC has recently opened another link to the Bay Area Ridge Trail. The Eastern Boundary Trail is a logical and desirable next step to increase public access to SFPUC lands and vistas.
The City has established a City Council subcommittee charged by the City Council with exploring the improvement of the City Trail system, including the potential for establishing connections to existing regional (or neighboring) trails.
The City understands that this would be a regional effort with funding coming from the stakeholders. San Carlos proposed budget for the upcoming 2023-24 fiscal year will include funds for this purpose.
Mr. Dennis Herrera
May 9, 2023
The City would like to meet with your staff to receive information on the status of the Eastern Boundary Trail and to expedite the process of establishing the trail and connections at the earliest possible date.
Very truly yours,
Gregory J. Rubens
Steven Ritchie, Assistant General Manager, Water Enterprise San Francisco Public Utilities Commission ([email protected]) Adam Rak, Mayor of San Carlos
John Dugan, Vice Mayor San Carlos
Amy Newby, Park and Recreation Director, San Carlos
Ana Maria Ruiz, Midpeninsula OSD General Manager
Nicholas Calderon, Parks and Recreation Director San Mateo County Brigitte Shearer, Parks and Recreation Director, Belmont
From: CNPS Yerba Buena
To: [email protected]; Commission; Customer Service
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: O’Shaughnessy Boulevard grasslands damage
Date: Monday, May 15, 2023 5:31:48 PM
Attachments: O"Shaun 3.HEIC
O"Shaun damage 1.HEIC
O"Shaun 4.HEIC
O"Shaun 2.HEIC
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
May 15, 2023
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission 525 Golden Gate Avenue, 13TH Floor San Francisco, CA 94102
RE: O’Shaughnessy Grassland Destruction
Dear Commissioners,
I’m writing to call to your attention the destruction of the O’Shaughnessy Boulevard historic native grasslands by a heavy equipment vehicle operator. It appears that during April, 2023 a vehicle, outfitted with metal treads, was hauling lumber from a fallen tree up the hillside (photos attached).
Please investigate the mutilation of this critical habitat and ensure that the area is fully restored.
Two locally-rare plants were present on the site: Lance leaf self heal (Prunella vulgaris var lanceolata)—the only San Francisco occurrence of the plant—and ladies’ tresses orchid (
Spiranthes romanzoffiana), possibly the only San Francisco occurrence. There’s a chance neither survived.
Since the late 1980s the Yerba Buena Chapter of the California Native Plant Society has been conducting volunteer work parties throughout the city–and on this parcel specifically–to preserve San Francisco’s biological heritage.
The SF Board of Supervisors recognized the
importance of such areas, unanimously approving a Biodiversity Resolution in 2017, and placed preservation of biological heritage as a priority.
Grasslands are not just empty fields of lawn but are essential ecosystems that support diverse wildlife, preserve biodiversity, and provide a range of ecological services that benefit human health and well-being.
First and foremost, grasslands are critical habitats for numerous wildlife species. They provide nesting and breeding grounds for songbirds. They also provide habitat for small mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles, including voles, lizards, snakes and salamanders. Protecting grasslands ensures that these species have a place to thrive and contributes to maintaining the balance of nature.
The O’Shaughnessy Boulevard grasslands are home to a variety of plant species seldom seen in the City, including redberry (Rhamnus crocea), coast onion (Allium dichlamydeum) and California horkelia (Horkelia californica). These plant species play a critical role in supporting pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, which are essential to the maintenance of healthy ecosystems. Insects including the sphinx moth to lady beetles to grasshoppers depend on grasslands too while providing food further up the food chain.
Furthermore, grasslands provide a range of ecological services for human health and well- being. For example, grasslands filter pollutants from the air and water. Grasslands are crucial in regulating the water cycle by helping to absorb and retain water, reducing the risk of flooding and erosion. Moreover, grasslands are a reliable source of carbon sequestration, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. Thousands of hours of work by San Francisco RPD Natural Resources Division and volunteers were lost and new entryways for weeds plus a swath of erosion were created in one day of destruction. Please advise us of your action to rehabilitate the site from these damages and establish strong protections for the O’Shaughnessy Boulevard grasslands.
Sincerely,
Bob Hall
CNPS Yerba Buena chapter Conservation Chair
Cc: Nick Jensen CNPS Conservation Program Director
Eddie Bartley CNPS Yerba Buena chapter President
http://cnps-yerbabuena.org