Dear Editor,
I was inspired this spring when I heard hundreds of birds in the towering tree tops recently and saw Monarch Butterflies floating around. I believe that the only way to really treasure Sweet Springs, as it exists in today's world, is to visit it several different times of the day and different times of the year - it is truly magical! Please let us focus on what is there now and then make sure that we do not, in any efforts to "turn the clock back", eradicate what is necessary for the present day's survival of nature and mankind.
A few days ago I was astonished to see a squirrel in the very top of one of the towering trees on the East Side!
Visiting Sweet Springs also puts into perspective how large the areas with new plantings in Sweet Springs Central are and the immense open grass area in Sweet Springs East that will be cleared and planted. When we realize the extent of the new plants which are each in their own separate water berms and how long it is going to take for them to get large enough to grow together and then look at the Eucalyptus area and notice already established habitats in the lower, middle & upper areas, which are providing shelter & food for birds and other life-forms, we become aware of what is really happening.
My awareness especially "perked up" this spring when I was talking to a visiting couple about the hundreds of bird sounds above us. They in particular were interested in a Rufus hummingbird which comes through our area and uses these trees for resting & the tree flower's nectar for energy before moving on.
The woman pointed out the new plants that hummingbirds would eventually enjoy and then to the immense foliage in the tree tops - the size comparison brought home the reality: we cannot replace the trees - what we can do is grow the natives in the open areas to increase the variety of habitat available for them and other species. I have also enjoyed the increase in Monarch Butterflies this year (they were scarce the past few years when before that they were here in great numbers).
Remembering that everything is interconnected, we need to be careful of any changes to their habitat so that we can continue to see them here.
From: Carol Georgi and Karl Kempton
We thank Tom Roff for his response to our February, 2012 SLO Coast Journal article, Proposal For Protecting Local Fishing Fleet: Create a Heritage Fishing Area. The article floated the idea of creating a local heritage fishing area.
Our near shore ocean waters are a treasure to SLO County. Surfers and swimmers are in our waters tasting the pollution from wastewater outfall and pesticide and fertilizer runoff. We need non-polluted ocean water for safe ocean recreation and for healthy seafood. A marine sanctuary could offer protection against such pollutants.
Some impacts to our coastal waters include:
The Santa Maria River contains pesticides and legacy toxins DDT, dieldrin, endrin, and toxaphene.
Oso Flaco Lake fish tissue contains the highest level of dieldrin and DDT in the United States.
Seven wastewater treatment plants release outfall to our coastal waters. Morro Bay wastewater treatment plant does not meet pollution standards set in 1972 by releasing over 1 million gallons a day of partially treated sewage into the ocean, half a mile off the beach.
Once through cooling at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant kills about 1.5 billion eggs and fish larvae each year.
As our local population grows, more ocean pollution will follow unless changes are made focusing on conservation and sustainability. We hope our local fishermen are speaking up about these threats to maintaining a healthy ocean.
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From: Rosalie Valvo
Morro Bay
I have seen many letters and heard many comments about the plan Morro Coast Audubon Society has to remove eucalyptus trees at Sweet Springs East in Los Osos. Opinion is one thing. But some of the letters and comments present disinformation as though the person has scientific knowledge.
Audubon has no intent to be willy nilly about things. There are scientific surveys going on regarding butterflies and nesting birds. The results of these surveys will tell which trees to avoid removing. Trees will be removed gradually and replaced with native trees and shrubs.
Eucalyptus trees do not make for a varied habitat in this part of the world. Limited species, both flora and fauna, can live with them. It will make for a much better natural experience when these trees are removed.
For more information, people can go to Morro Coast Audubon. An informational handout was created to address many of the concerns and misconceptions floating about.
I am writing in response to Tom Roff’s "In Response: Marine Sanctuaries Article", February, 2012
The expression is, "Me thinks, that this man protests too much."
Of course he wades in with a full history about what has happened and where his industry has suffered. The however is that this industry overfished when it managed its own resources and nothing he says denies this. Look at how many boats have been scrapped.
This industry was affected by the human condition Greed. Just look at the Scottish black fish industry. They undertook a massive $100,000,000 fraud on the quota system, their punishment when they were caught was just $1,000,000 fine. Who says crime doesn't pay, and who says that your industry is not tainted with corruption too.
Where money is involved bad practices normally follow. This fisherman may also be concerned about jobs and related industries to the fishing industry and that is a factor. They should ask the Newfoundland fishing industry what ecosystem collapse meant for them when it happened. But of course the Californian fishing industry are exempt from overfishing!!
Oh really. The fact is that the global market has a huge desire for fish and marine food and without proper conservation greed will fish and fish till ecosystem collapse, and the signs are there for all to see. This fisherman should get on board with conservation notake marine reserves and his role should change to management of his seas and conservation of marine life so that it exists in years to come. Now, that is a job worthy of family values and humanity.
From: Jeanmarie Dancer
Toronto, Kansas
I peek into the SLO Coast Journal from time to time and want to let you know what a great publication you have. I'm particularly interested in SLO Coast Arts and enjoy the offerings of Jane Elsdon, her writings and her husband Gene's watercolors that enhance her fine writing and poetry.
In the past I have enjoyed living on the Central Coast - Templeton, Atascadero and San Luis Obispo. Now I find myself back in my home state of Kansas in the very small and rural community of Toronto in the southeast part of the state. The SLO Coast Journal keeps me up on what's going on in my former arena.
So, now you know you have a fan in Kansas. Keep up the good work and thank you.
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