Proposed Chaparral Pacific Crest National Monument good for everyone
As a lifelong East County resident and former board member of the Volcan Mountain Foundation in Julian, I the proposal to establish a new Chaparral Pacific Crest National Monument, as presented in the April 14 edition of the Ramona Sentinel. It’s good for everyone in our backcountry — flora, fauna and human. We need to protect these lands for future generations.
Some people think national monuments are only intended to preserve a specific landmark. The difference between national monuments and national parks can also be confusing. This was a point of conversation at the April Ramona Community Planning Group meeting.
A new Chaparral Pacific Crest National Monument would protect an entire important landscape, not just one particular spot. And the land would continue to be managed by the Cleveland National Forest and Bureau of Land Management, as opposed to switching hands to a different government agency. Importantly, this proposal would only affect federal lands, and existing uses and activities on the land would be grandfathered in.
Another topic of discussion was whether or not there would be fees. To be clear, no new fees or increased fees are being proposed.
Surrounding communities like Ramona would reap additional tourist dollars into their coffers as the monument is recognized for its unique value. Our jewel of biological diversity in San Diego’s backcountry cannot be understated.
We only need to turn to 29 Palms and Morongo Valley as examples of how they have benefitted, respectively, from nearby Mojave Trails and Sand to Snow national monuments.
Kathleen Beck
Julian
Shop owner a life-saver
I want to thank the owner of the Iron Pony Trading Post for saving my life. I don’t know her name but she is always there running the shop.
I was in the store on April 16. I’m diabetic and I forgot my phone and medication. I wasn’t sure where my husband parked our car. I couldn’t find him.
Feeling ill, I asked the owner if she could call and find my husband. She said, of course. And she called my husband. He arrived at her store and found me.
Thank goodness. Without this woman’s sheer kindness, I might not be alive
Laurel Peters
Escondido
