Hatch - City To Rope Off Vernal Pools Monday
THE DRAMA CONTINUES
In the ongoing drama of who did what to the now-infamous Vernal Pool #6, Friday afternoon Costa Mesa CEO Tom Hatch announced a plan to install temporary ropes around it where it abuts the fence that separates Fairview Park and Parsons Field. He goes on to say that a park ambassador will direct visitors and their parents who use a nearby sports field around the protected area. You can read his entire statement HERE. This is going to be very interesting, since there doesn't seem to be any good way around the now-defiled pool without tromping over a similar area at what is known as Vernal Pool #5.
FAILED RESPONSIBILITY
It's truly unfortunate that the city failed to fulfill its custodial responsibilities and mark the pools more than 15 years ago as was agreed with the federal government. You can read some of the various agreements as listed HERE. If the city had been more diligent in years past it's likely that this whole mess might not have ever occurred because the pools and the required 10 foot buffers would have been clearly delineated. It's too late now.
POTENTIAL MITIGATION MEASURES
In an earlier post we discussed the letter that had been sent to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) which included several potential mitigation measures for the segment of Vernal Pool #6 that has been destroyed by the decomposed granite (DG) path. You can read the entirety of that communication HERE.
The fact remains that this mess began with a request by Mayor Pro Tem Steve Mensinger to abate weeds along a user-defined trail that ran parallel to the fence in question about four feet out into Fairview Park. That trail encroached into Vernal Pool #6 at the fence line near Jim Scott Stadium. To date, as far as I know, nobody has taken responsibility for the installation of the DG path. However, investigations continue into this matter and it is VERY likely that the identity of those responsible will soon be known. In my view, it would be far better for them to step up, admit their error and offer to assist in whatever mitigation measures are determined to be necessary and required by the federal government.
In the ongoing drama of who did what to the now-infamous Vernal Pool #6, Friday afternoon Costa Mesa CEO Tom Hatch announced a plan to install temporary ropes around it where it abuts the fence that separates Fairview Park and Parsons Field. He goes on to say that a park ambassador will direct visitors and their parents who use a nearby sports field around the protected area. You can read his entire statement HERE. This is going to be very interesting, since there doesn't seem to be any good way around the now-defiled pool without tromping over a similar area at what is known as Vernal Pool #5.FAILED RESPONSIBILITY
It's truly unfortunate that the city failed to fulfill its custodial responsibilities and mark the pools more than 15 years ago as was agreed with the federal government. You can read some of the various agreements as listed HERE. If the city had been more diligent in years past it's likely that this whole mess might not have ever occurred because the pools and the required 10 foot buffers would have been clearly delineated. It's too late now.
In an earlier post we discussed the letter that had been sent to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) which included several potential mitigation measures for the segment of Vernal Pool #6 that has been destroyed by the decomposed granite (DG) path. You can read the entirety of that communication HERE.
(Image courtesy of LSA Associates)
CULPRITS SHOULD FESS UP! The fact remains that this mess began with a request by Mayor Pro Tem Steve Mensinger to abate weeds along a user-defined trail that ran parallel to the fence in question about four feet out into Fairview Park. That trail encroached into Vernal Pool #6 at the fence line near Jim Scott Stadium. To date, as far as I know, nobody has taken responsibility for the installation of the DG path. However, investigations continue into this matter and it is VERY likely that the identity of those responsible will soon be known. In my view, it would be far better for them to step up, admit their error and offer to assist in whatever mitigation measures are determined to be necessary and required by the federal government.
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Labels: Fairview Park, Steve Mensinger, Tom Hatch, USFWS
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 9/06/2013 10:04:00 PM
7 Comments:
To admit a mistake? That would require integrity, honesty and accountability. I have not seen those character traits from our local government leaders lately. It would be refreshing:)
I thought moral relativity was a very liberal concept. This guy and his dear buddy Jim claim to be conservative. He's doing this for the kids? The kids are getting confused.
It sure would be nice if someone would step forward and admit that they had the DG put out there. I find it hard to believe that there are no cameras at the two schools there or somewhere in the park, or a neighboring home that would show who actually did all of that work out there. Possibly the city yard on Placentia has cameras that would help figure it out. It is right next door to there and might show vehicles or something.
I'm still waiting for the witnesses to point their collective fingers at those involved. Or even better, those who say it's all for the kids (aka "mr. i know nothing messinger") would do those kids a major service by coming forward and taking responsibility. Maybe he's more concerned about his political career than he is the kids? Not to come clean now could end it for him anyway?
Maybe the Park Rangers in Costa Mesa should be investigating this, it is a violation of a the law to have violated the municipal code, as well as federal law.
There were some witnesses somewhere near that area who must have seen something, or maybe the Park Rangers could look into the city warrants and see if any money has been spent at Fairview Park that would give some clue.
Skeptical, don't worry. Its not falling through the cracks.
Yeah, its for the kids. All the deceit, lying, bullying, and "win at any cost" sure teaches our kids great lessons, doesn't it? You listening Steve?
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