Public Planning for Cotoni-Coast Dairies Begins
The public planning process for Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument has begun.
The Bureau of Land Management held two public meetings this week for residents to give feedback to the agency. The meetings officially kick off a lengthy process to expand public access to the roughly 6,000-acre property north of Santa Cruz.
On Wednesday, July 17, the first meeting was held at the Louden Nelson Community Center in Santa Cruz. The second meeting was held on Thursday at Pacific Elementary School in Davenport. This author was present for the Thursday meeting.
Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument is located north of Santa Cruz and Wilder Ranch State Park. Map produced by the BLM.
Residents packed an elementary school room to hear a short presentation by the BLM followed by an hour-long public comment session. Comments included a wide array of topics from recreation opportunities to parking lots, traffic, and protection of natural and cultural resources.
According to a graphic produced by Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz, a local advocacy group, 53 individuals spoke at the meetings. Of that figure, 24 of the comments concerned recreation, and 13 were in favor of mountain bike access in the national monument.
Developing recreation access on the property is a priority, according to the BLM. Therefore, it is likely that there will be trails built for activities such as biking, hiking and horseback riding.
Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz posted this graphic on Facebook.
Parking and traffic was brought up frequently by residents at the Davenport meeting. Local residents are concerned about increased traffic on Swanton Road, which parallels Highway 1 and accesses the highway in two places. According to the speakers, the road is already tricky for motorists to safely navigate, and increased traffic on the road would make it more dangerous.
The BLM encourages individuals who spoke—as well as any other individuals who wish to provide input—to submit a written comment as well. The public comment period ends Aug. 2.
Cotoni-Coast Dairies was first protected 21 years ago, and was donated to the BLM in 2014. The property is a part of the larger California Coastal National Monument.
While the BLM is a national agency, Cotoni-Coast Dairies is managed by the BLM Central Coast Field Office based in Marina. The office also manages nearby Fort Ord National Monument near Monterey. Fort Ord boasts over 86 miles of trails over 14, 658 acres.
More information on the national monument and the public comment period can be found at https://www.blm.gov/press-release/public-meetings-set-access-cotoni-coast-dairies-public-lands.