Re: [RC] [Guest] beach closing to horses in ca.? - Barbara McCrary
I'd say it's pretty solid. The snowy
plover nesting is an issue here on the north coast of SC county. The kite
surfers wanted to hold a world championship on Waddell beach (which used to be
open to horses), but the parks denied them a permit because of the
plovers. So they came to us to ask if they could hold the event on our
beach property, which runs about for a mile or so south of
Waddell Creek. We could have said "yes", but the weird thing is that
plovers haven't been nesting on park property, but on ours. So if we say
yes, then we're in trouble with the ESA, and if we say no, the kite surfers have
nowhere to go. This area is world class for the ideal wind and
surf. The parks are supposed to be there for "the people". The parks
are owned "by the people". But "the people" cannot use a good many areas
because there are species that are perceived to be endangered. Many of
these are here because man has created a habitat for them while going about his
business. Many of these are thought to be endangered, but no one really
knows whether they were ever here in any number, or whether they just migrated
here within the past 25 years and were never here historically.
Certain salmon are "endangered", but the truth is that scientists have
never found any evidence that these fish were native here. They were
planted in the local streams for nearly 100 years, and when that practice
was stopped, the salmon population declined. Are we surprised? I
sincerely hope for some semblance of sanity to return to our country on these
issues. It seems that we can be careful without closing down
everything.
There are rumors that the Ca. State
parks have closed beaches in Santa Cruz and now are wanting
to close the few beaches left open to horses in Monterey too. All
because of the Snowy Plover( small bird ) nesting there ... Dogs are
already banned this I know. Does anyone know if this a
solid fact or just a rumor?
I don't
know - but I for one am a little tired of closing areas fo what might be a
well-intentioned preservation plan - just to see hundreds and thousands of
homes, amlls, businesses, etc., go up drowning us ALL in traffic and
ultimately having a much more deleterious effect on that same habitat and
wildlife. In the end, if we don't stop propagating OURSELVES ad nauseum, it
won't matter what they close. JMHO San ( who loves the critters and
outdoors)
