Sunday, June 18, 2006

Del Monte Forest Plan Preservation Areas vs. Mission Trail Nature Preserve

The Del Monte Forest Plan Preservation Areas are naturally regenerating forests, whereas Mission Trail Nature Preserve is not a naturally regenerating forest. That is to say, the Del Monte Forest Plan Preservation Areas consist of, in particular, Monterey Pine trees of all life cycle stages; i.e. seedlings, middle-age trees and mature 150’-200’ trees, whereas Mission Trail Nature Preserve consists of, in general, mature to old Monterey Pine trees. Many of these trees are ivy-covered and surrounded at their bases by dense, overgrown undergrowth of ivy, poison oak, etc.

Pebble Beach has a Preservation Plan for the Del Monte Forest, whereas the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea does not have a comprehensive and effective Preservation/Reforestation Plan.

Finally, as a result of Carmel-by-the-Sea not having a Preservation/Reforestation Plan over many years, Carmel-by-the-Sea’s forest is in a state of senescence, in stark contrast to the Del Monte Forest in Pebble Beach.

Notes: The expense of the City’s ongoing Sunset Center Landscaping Project, (from April 2004), is $231,000, while the proposed Fiscal Year 2006/07 Forest, Parks and Beach Budget is $399,553.

From Fall 2003-present, 441 trees have been removed from Carmel-by-the-Sea, while only approximately 103 trees were planted during the same time period. That's a 338 Carmel-by-the-Sea tree deficit.

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