Felton Watershed To be Topic of Public Workshop, Nov. 14

Public planning meeting for SLV Water District’s Felton Watershed property

Thursday, November 14, 7 – 9:30 p.m., Felton Fire House, 131 Kirby St. in Felton

The SLV Water District wants your input about future management of the District’s 252 acre Felton Watershed property. San Lorenzo Valley Water District will hold a special public meeting to address future management of the District’s Felton Watershed property.

The District invites members of the public to learn from experts about this property, which serves as the source of water for the community of Felton. Members of the public will also have the opportunity to express their concerns, ideas, and recommendations for the property’s future management, resource protection, and visitor use.

Maps and photographs will be on display as local experts give brief presentations about the history, geology, aquatic and biotic resources of the Felton Watershed property. This steeply-sloped and rugged forested property was clear-cut in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the same period that it served as the center of the lime industry in Santa Cruz County. The regenerated second growth mixed redwood forest is now permanently restricted from future logging, as a result of the District’s acquisition agreement with the California-American Water in September 2008.

District environmental analyst Betsy Herbert will introduce the property and the planning process, author and historian Frank Perry will highlight the history of the lime industry and its influences on the property, geologist Jeff Nolan will describe the potential value of karst geology to the water supply, fisheries biologist Don Alley will describe aquatic habitat and an ongoing fish ladder project, and ecologist Portia Halbert will address the biotic resources of the local area.

District staff will be available to answer questions about management challenges for the Felton Watershed property, such as hazardous quarries and cliffs, preservation and restoration of historic and biotic resources, control of invasive species, fire management, and extremely limited recreational access.