This page is for comments from you and others about the issues discussed on this website.
Congressman Farr and Forest Service employees are especially encouraged to comment.
Notices on site updates will also be published here.
Email your comments to [email protected] to have them published here.
If you want your comments to be anonymous, or if you want your comments to not be published
on this page, state that clearly at the top of your email.
Congressman Farr and Forest Service employees are especially encouraged to comment.
Notices on site updates will also be published here.
Email your comments to [email protected] to have them published here.
If you want your comments to be anonymous, or if you want your comments to not be published
on this page, state that clearly at the top of your email.
August 3, 2011 Gary Koeppel
I discovered your website today when an acquaintance referred to the infamous five-page memo in 1977 by Bill Turnage about the Big Sur National Park scheme, a copy of which was leaked to me and I mimeographed 200 copies and mailed it to the Big Sur community, thus making Nat Owings and his group go underground with their plans for another year, which gave me time to develop and publish the first issues of the Big Sur Gazette newspaper as a foil to preempt their efforts, which succeeded, at least for a time, and proved the power of the pen over the sword and gave David a victory over Goliath.
I have two bound copies of the 48 issues of the Big Sur Gazette if ever you'd like to see them and a wealth of knowledge about Farr, the Big Sur Land Trust and Panetta, as well as many others and groups. My acquaintance also said you'd published the Bill Bates cartoon that I conceived and Bill created, the Leon Panetta $100,000,000 Big Sur National Park Bill, which I used for a front page cover of the Gazette and printed some leaflets, on the back of which was perhaps my best editorial called "Panetta's Counterfeit Bill", a copy of which is enclosed along with a Federal Land Ownership map.
By the way, it's Farr's bill now, but first it was Cranston's, but all this stuff came from Nat Owings; I wonder if he left money in his will to perpetuate the project of federalizing Big Sur after my Gazette and the Friends of Big Sur soundly whipped his tail in 1980. It wouldn't surprise me given the size of his ego.
Ah, so much has passed by and through me about Big Sur during the past 40 years. Whoever you are, keep shining the light on the dark ones, for it's only the constant light of truth that will defeat them.
Well, whomever you are, if ever you put this into a book, it's a Pulitzer quality effort. If ever you want to talk or meet, give me a call.
Gary Koeppel,
Coast Gallery
Former Publisher Big Sur Gazette
I discovered your website today when an acquaintance referred to the infamous five-page memo in 1977 by Bill Turnage about the Big Sur National Park scheme, a copy of which was leaked to me and I mimeographed 200 copies and mailed it to the Big Sur community, thus making Nat Owings and his group go underground with their plans for another year, which gave me time to develop and publish the first issues of the Big Sur Gazette newspaper as a foil to preempt their efforts, which succeeded, at least for a time, and proved the power of the pen over the sword and gave David a victory over Goliath.
I have two bound copies of the 48 issues of the Big Sur Gazette if ever you'd like to see them and a wealth of knowledge about Farr, the Big Sur Land Trust and Panetta, as well as many others and groups. My acquaintance also said you'd published the Bill Bates cartoon that I conceived and Bill created, the Leon Panetta $100,000,000 Big Sur National Park Bill, which I used for a front page cover of the Gazette and printed some leaflets, on the back of which was perhaps my best editorial called "Panetta's Counterfeit Bill", a copy of which is enclosed along with a Federal Land Ownership map.
By the way, it's Farr's bill now, but first it was Cranston's, but all this stuff came from Nat Owings; I wonder if he left money in his will to perpetuate the project of federalizing Big Sur after my Gazette and the Friends of Big Sur soundly whipped his tail in 1980. It wouldn't surprise me given the size of his ego.
Ah, so much has passed by and through me about Big Sur during the past 40 years. Whoever you are, keep shining the light on the dark ones, for it's only the constant light of truth that will defeat them.
Well, whomever you are, if ever you put this into a book, it's a Pulitzer quality effort. If ever you want to talk or meet, give me a call.
Gary Koeppel,
Coast Gallery
Former Publisher Big Sur Gazette
June 16, 2011 Webmaster's comment
Bill, If the Forest Service is authorized and directed to maintain fuelbreaks and firebreaks before wildfires start, best practices could be used to minimize adverse impacts as compared to what happens when actions are left to wait until after wildfire is approaching. As noted at the bottom of the Firebreaks vs Fuelbreaks page, it appears there was a time when at least some wilderness advocates agreed with that approach, as reported in this newspaper article. |
June 15, 2011 Bill Burleigh
First, without hearing the opposition arguments, I have to say that this approach seems reasonable. I wish the author would identify him/herself. Are you an expert? I would defer to the experts because, although I fought wild fires in Idaho and Montana about two hundred years ago, I don't know anything about the subject. Having lost my home in the Basin Complex fire three years ago, I am very much interested in anything that will avoid another loss like that. I am certainly willing to sacrifice the beauty of the forests, the habitat of wildlife, and the sensitivities of the Sierra Club to save my home. I look forward to the meeting.
First, without hearing the opposition arguments, I have to say that this approach seems reasonable. I wish the author would identify him/herself. Are you an expert? I would defer to the experts because, although I fought wild fires in Idaho and Montana about two hundred years ago, I don't know anything about the subject. Having lost my home in the Basin Complex fire three years ago, I am very much interested in anything that will avoid another loss like that. I am certainly willing to sacrifice the beauty of the forests, the habitat of wildlife, and the sensitivities of the Sierra Club to save my home. I look forward to the meeting.
June 11, 2011 Webmaster's note on site change
The Wildfire page has been updated to include that Forest Service fire crews also helped to open and man the Bixby Mountain firebreak that protected the Palo Colorado area during the Basin Complex Fire.
The Wildfire page has been updated to include that Forest Service fire crews also helped to open and man the Bixby Mountain firebreak that protected the Palo Colorado area during the Basin Complex Fire.
June 1, 2011 Timothy Bottoms, Salsipuedes Ranch
I just looked at the map of the designated rivers to be placed in wild and scenic status. The south fork San Antonio once named Salsipuedes Creek then San Antonio Creek is now San Antonio River. USFS loves to change names of places and things. The north fork which was Milpitas Creek then San Antonio River is un-named.
My boundary is south of the San Antonio as monumented by Dept. of Interior Dec. 1999. All previous land surveys by Dept. of Interior were deemed fraudulent by the Dept. of Interior. Anyway this is clearly not shown on Sam Farr's map. The confluence of these two drainages comes together on the old Hidalgo/Kirk Ranch now called Merle Ranch.
Less than 800 ft of San Antonio River proper runs on USFS land. The majority on Fort Hunter Liggett. No environmental protection on military land, majority of San Antonio River above the lake/dam is dry summer thru early winter every year. The north fork is seasonal and the south fork is the size of Salmon Creek. USFS has the San Antonio river dammed during summer at what they call Merle Ranch. They also run a mile of 4" aqueduct line in and up the river for domestic use. Sounds real wild and scenic. Public is not allowed on that portion of river. Cool huh? Hope to have a word with the congressman about my home and neighborhood on 18th.
I just looked at the map of the designated rivers to be placed in wild and scenic status. The south fork San Antonio once named Salsipuedes Creek then San Antonio Creek is now San Antonio River. USFS loves to change names of places and things. The north fork which was Milpitas Creek then San Antonio River is un-named.
My boundary is south of the San Antonio as monumented by Dept. of Interior Dec. 1999. All previous land surveys by Dept. of Interior were deemed fraudulent by the Dept. of Interior. Anyway this is clearly not shown on Sam Farr's map. The confluence of these two drainages comes together on the old Hidalgo/Kirk Ranch now called Merle Ranch.
Less than 800 ft of San Antonio River proper runs on USFS land. The majority on Fort Hunter Liggett. No environmental protection on military land, majority of San Antonio River above the lake/dam is dry summer thru early winter every year. The north fork is seasonal and the south fork is the size of Salmon Creek. USFS has the San Antonio river dammed during summer at what they call Merle Ranch. They also run a mile of 4" aqueduct line in and up the river for domestic use. Sounds real wild and scenic. Public is not allowed on that portion of river. Cool huh? Hope to have a word with the congressman about my home and neighborhood on 18th.
May 31, 2011 Tauria Linala, San Luis Obispo
Please keep me informed of meetings, actions, updates to legislation and your commentary. Thank you for providing so much information and a well documented, well developed web site. Your concerns and your work are appreciated.
Please keep me informed of meetings, actions, updates to legislation and your commentary. Thank you for providing so much information and a well documented, well developed web site. Your concerns and your work are appreciated.
May 25 and 31, 2011 Timothy Bottoms, Salsipuedes Ranch
I am the last and only private land owner on the entire San Antonio drainage system. My home is older than the USA. I have been on a USFS hit list for 40 years. Use my name.
Congressman Farr is being heavily lobbied by USFS in DC. Check out what committees he sits on. I think he needs to be reminded who he works for.
I am the last and only private land owner on the entire San Antonio drainage system. My home is older than the USA. I have been on a USFS hit list for 40 years. Use my name.
Congressman Farr is being heavily lobbied by USFS in DC. Check out what committees he sits on. I think he needs to be reminded who he works for.