Larry's Email...
Dear Friends,
We are writing to let you know about 3 important "Open House" meetings this coming week that will be hosted by Pinnacles National Monument Staff and members of the General Management Team. Your comments and input on the preliminary alternatives are sought by the Planning Team to guide and focus their efforts on issues and priorities important for the future of the Monument and likewise important to you - as an environmentalist and "local" Pinnacles climber. Attending one of the three meetings (listed below) will demonstrate your interest and allow your voice and therefore that of the climbing community at large to be heard.
Traditionally these meetings have been attended by a handful of "neighbors" of the Monument who's primary interest is likely to be more logistical (fence line issues, easements, stray cattle) than environmental and recreational. Carl Brenner, Chief of Interpretation & Education is the point person for the PNM Team and has told me he expects the turn out to be very low - a few dozen at most - as has been the case in previous meetings at these same venues. As a special user group, climbers historically have been very active and supportive of Monument Staff, co-operated with raptor monitoring and area closures and contributed volunteer work - for trail building & improvement, search & rescue and other important tasks. With approximately 100K user days counted by Pinnacles staff it would surely be a good thing to encourage more and diverse input - particularly from a wider area and from those in our community who know the Monument best.
Won't you consider filling a car and pooling with other concerned friends to attend one of these important meetings? Please ask your climbing partners to do the same... and forward this email to others on your list or post in a conspicuous place.
Monday August 25th *** kinda outta the way *** 7:00 - 9:00 pm Jefferson School, Meeting Hall
221 Old Hernandez Rd
Paicines, CA
Tuesday August 26th *** best for N. Salinas, Santa Cruz & bay area friends *** 4:00 - 6:00 pm San Benito County Library 470 Fifth St Hollister, CA
Wednesday Aug 27 *** best for south valley and Monterey Peninsula friends *** 6:00 - 8:00 pm Soledad High School, Mission Room
425 Gabilan Dr.
Soledad, CA
Additionally, information about the General Plan plan can be found here:
http://www.nps.gov/pinn/parkmgmt/planning.htm If you can't make one of the meetings, please submit your comments by email or post.
Best Climbing,
Larry Arthur
Mountain Tools 831 xxxxxxxx
PS: Stay tuned for info about the 2nd Annual Rockpile Rendezvous at the Pinnacles - Spr 2009!
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