Wildlife & Miscellaneous - 12/28/10

Deer Photos.  The last set of deer photos we forwarded received some interesting comments.

Multi-Colored Deer.  Over the years we have heard many comment about the white markings on a good number of the deer in Illahee.  We thought it was the remnant (recessive) markings from a reported big albino buck from many years ago.  What we received the other day in an email indicates it could be otherwise.  Here is what we received (note we have removed the names, since we only use them if given specific permission, and we italicize the responses, so you know they were written by others): 

I think this has come up before but I thought I would forward it anyway.  I showed my brother-in-law the photo of the multi-colored deer that you sent.  He became very interested and looked up what he could find about it.  We recently saw a piebald deer in our yard but it we don't think it was the same one as in your picture.  If this information is of any value do with it as you wish.

You have a Piebald Blacktail Deer living in your neighborhood.  Pretty rare.  In fact this may be one of the best close up pictures on the internet.

Piebalds:

The term Piebald means "of different colors".  This term is usually associated with horses, though we normally refer to such horses as pintos, paints, or Appaloosas. A piebald animal is one whose hair or fur has a spotted, rather than a solid color pattern.  Depending on what part of the U.S you are from piebald deer are sometimes referred to as pintos.

A genetic variation or "defect" is what produces the piebald condition in deer.  It is not a result of parasites or diseases. Piebald deer are colored white and brown similar to a pinto horse. Sometimes they appear almost entirely white.

Many piebald deer have some of the following conditions associated with the coloration; bowing of the nose (Roman nose), short legs, arching spine (scoliosis), and short lower jaws.

It is said that Piebalds consist of less than 1% of the deer population

Many people confuse the piebald deer with the albino deer.


Albino:

Albino deer are totally white, and true albinos have pink eyes from a lack of pigement in their eyes. Albanism results from recessive genes.

White deer are naturally easily mistaken for albinos, which they are not. The true albino, besides having all white hair, also has pink eyes and pink hooves, something the white deer do not have.

Both the white deer and the albino deer, and perhaps, to a lesser extent the piebald deer, are at a disadvantage in the wild as they are easily spotted except in conditions of heavy snow. This lack of camouflage, along with poorer health keep the population of these abnormally colored deer low.

Melanistic:

Melanistic deer are the complete opposite of an Albino.  Being very dark, often approaching totally black. Melanism results from overproduction of pigment and is far less common than albinism or Piebald.

Biologists Often Respond.  We have several biologist who receive these Updates and will respond on issues like these.  We will let you know if they do and what they say.

Another Culvert Cleanout?  While on a walk on Monday (12/27/10) it appeared the County was cleaning out the Illahee Creek culvert again.  Upon a closer look (see attached photos), they were removing logs from the cleanout area where they were last week.  Why they would be removing logs, or woody debris at the downstream end of a culvert is beyond understanding.  Normally biologists look at adding what they call LWD, or large woody debris, into streams.  We could understand them wanting to remove it if it was blocking a culvert, but to remove it at the downstream end, and close to the mouth of the stream, just doesn't make sense to us.  We did hear it was at the request of the landowner, and it could be that the sediment removal caused a nearby tree to fall into the stream, but at some point we need to let streams go where they want to go.  That is why we have channel migration zones, or a CMZ.  Theoretically streams are supposed to be able to flow unimpeded in a CMZ and especially in a flood plain.  Upstream Illahee Creek migrates back and forth in the flood plain, which has caused problems for some of the property owners, and is understood to be part of the natural processes.  We hope a biologist will step in and help us understand why there are different approaches taking place upstream and downstream.

Other Input?  We know there are others concerned about the culvert and would like to know your thoughts.  In a later Update we will discuss the massive deposition of sediment that has been deposited at the mouth of the creek.

Jim Aho  

Preserve "The Good, Bad & Ugly" - 12/27/10

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.  The Illahee Preserve is confronted regularly with "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly," (the title of a Clint Eastwood western from years ago) and this season is proving no different.

The 'Good' Items First.  Some really good items recently have been the installation of new trail signs by Justin McAlister for his Eagle Scout project, and the completion of a new trail map and brochure by the architectural firm of Rice, Fergus and Miller.  The first batches of the brochure were printed up and will be placed in the new information boxes at Almira and Thompson Lane that Justin installed as part of his trail sign project.  We also heard today that the Rotary Club of East Bremerton is scheduling work parties in January to take care of the wood chips that have been delivered, primarily in the parking lot at Thompson Lane.  We also heard that this past weekend another 9 trees were removed from the trails by the Rotary's volunteer trail crew, making a total of 41 trees removed (by both Rotary and Stewardship crews) that came down across trials from December storms.  Without volunteers like these the Preserve would not have such a great area for hiking, biking  and wildlife.  Thanks to all those who help with the 'good' for the Preserve.

The 'Bad.'  We also heard today that the brush pickers have shown up again.  Attached is the email message we received tonight (12/27/10) indicating this person's frustrations.

This afternoon I received a voice mail call from a walker at Illahee Preserve.  They had witnessed several brush pickers near the Amphitheater.  He "gave them an ear full" and got back the standard Latin response of not knowing English.  He said they had already harvested an impressive collection of plant materials.  It seems to be a pattern for brush pickers to hit us hard during winter months.  As I recall, these plant pirates rigorously picked us for several months until March or so.  They tended to pick during the weekdays and during the middle of day.  At least that's the pattern from my reports on last year's shrubbery swipers.  Today's call came in around 12:45PM today, Monday, December 27th.  The broken gate seems to be their target for access.  I had reports of vehicles parked along Thompson Lane which were the suspected collection points for the brush pickers. 

 

These guys abused us last year.  I would love to create a lasting impact upon our faithful brush picking visitors.  How can we stop this?  Does anyone have a plan on how we can change the behavior of these forest thieves?  I welcome any thoughts.

Let us know if you have any ideas that we can pass on to the Stewardship Committee or the Park's Department. 

The 'Ugly.'  We regularly deal with what some have called anarchists in the Preserve, i.e., those who are intent on destroying the good that has been done.  Within less than a week after the trail signs were installed, at least 7 of them were removed and are nowhere to be found.  Also, in the last few days one of the recently installed restoration signs was "ripped out of the ground" and evidently hauled away.

The New Brochure.  We have attached the pdf file (FRONT) (BACK) for the new brochure and thank all those who keep this information up-to-date, and then print it at no cost to the tax payers.  As we have stated before, the Illahee Preserve is nearly a completely volunteer effort to plan, support and maintain a major Kitsap County park and wildlife Preserve.  Again, THANK YOU volunteers and supporters, and in anyone is interested as they consider their tax situation, the Illahee Forest Preserve is a 501.c.3 non-profit corporation dedicated to the support of the Illahee Preserve, and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Jim Aho

Emergency Culvert Clean-out Completed - 12/23/10

Emergency Culvert Cleanout.  The Illahee Creek culvert under Illahee Road received an emergency clean-out on Tuesday (12/21/10).

What Was The Emergency?  We have been asked "What was the emergency?" and as stated in the request from the county it was excessive sedimentation in the culvert that posed a safety problem and a threat to private property.  The problem is the culvert continues to fill with sediment and has local residents and the county concerned that at some point it could fail and possibly washout the road, the safety issue.

What Was Done?  At the downstream end of the culvert an excavator dug out a large hole (we estimate it was about 12 feet wide, and went downstream about 15 feet and into the culvert about 7 feet, and went down about 6 feet) which would contain about 60 yards of sediment.  We counted 10 truck loads, each containing about 6 yards, which also would equate to 60 yards of sediment removed.

Will It Help?  The real question is will it help?  It should help some in the short term, that is, until the next big storm.  The problem is the continual need to dredge is a maintenance headache and not the ultimate solution (which is to correct the upstream surges that bring down the sediment).

Future Culvert Meeting?  The Illahee Community Club (ICC) has asked for a meeting with county representatives to discuss the culvert situation and the public works has agreed, though they would also like to see if the golf course gifting will go through, as that is the logical place to stop the surges.  We will ask the ICC and the county when such a meeting might take place.

Culvert Photos.  We have same pictures of the excavation and the culvert before the clean-out and during the clean-out, and when the current 0.6 inches of rain, which has filled the stream and is putting brown silt laden water out into Puget Sound stops, we will take some photos and measurements, to see it the clean-out has begun to work.

Jim Aho

Shoreline Issues - 12/22/10

3 Plus Miles of Shorelines in Illahee.  The Illahee Community has just over 3 miles of shoreline that runs from the north end of the Cheney Estates (or 30th Street) to University Point (see attached).

Changes Coming?  Kitsap County is currently in the middle of an effort to update their Shoreline Master Program (SMP), which is required by the State and is being funded by the Department of Ecology.  The update will effect communities and the shorelines of the county and will most likely affect the Illahee community.

"No Net Loss" Requirement.  One of the requirements of the state is that the county's SMP have the goal that there be "no net loss" of ecological functions.  This is one of the goals the Task Force (established to help advise the county) is working on, and will soon be looking at shoreline classifications.

Current Illahee SMP Classifications.  The current classifications of the shorelines in Illahee ranges from Conservancy to Rural to Semi-Rural (see second attachment). 

Task Force Meetings.  Monthly SMP Task Force meeting have been going on for some time and they will reportedly start discussing whether the current shoreline classifications should be changed.

Shoreline Inventory First.  Before the Task Force can start on classifications a Shoreline Inventory and Characterization (I&C) Report had to be submitted to the Planning Commission for its approval.  The I&C is a new product for the SMP and some have questioned both its intent and supposed lack of breadth (see link to Kitsap Sun article in a following paragraph).

I&C Report Size.  The I&C report covers all the marine beaches of Kitsap County by drift cell and further breakdowns the drift cells into "Nearshore Assessment Units" or NAUs    In other words a drift cell may have many AUs.  For example Illahee is part of drift cell 56, which runs from Manette to University Point (5.69 miles), and contains 17 NAUs.  With 228 miles of shorelines in Kitsap County the report is a massive nearly 500 pages.  The I&C report can be found online at the county's SMP website:  http://www.kitsapshoreline.org

Planning Commission Public Hearing.  The Planning Commission had a public hearing on the Inventory and Characterization (I&C) report on December 7, 2010 and is taking written comments until January 4, 2011.  The Kitsap Sun covered the meeting and the article can be read by clicking on the following link:  http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/dec/08/planning-commissioners-scrutinize-first-document/

Our Thoughts.  We have been part of the Task Force and also attended the public hearing.  Since the process is ongoing we are waiting to learn more and are reluctant to say much until we have completed the process and we have all the facts.  We do have some thoughts on the Inventory and Characterization report.  As with any new product it is a work in progress.  It is easy to document where the bulkheads, boat ramps, piers and floats are.  It is more difficult to document the biological diversity and ecological functions of shorelines, not to mention those beaches that are degraded or impaired.  In other words, there haven't been many studies that look at our individual beaches for the biological and ecological processes that are going on.  And further, the shoreline area is defined as 200' upland and 1000' waterward (intertidal), for a total of 1200' to be considered.  The I&C Report, nevertheless is a starting point, for looking at individual stretches of the shoreline.

What Next for Illahee?  We know we have at least two major degraded or impaired shoreline areas according to residents, due to stormwater runoff problems.  The Rue Villa beaches and the Illahee Creek area beaches have had excessive sedimentation from stormwater surges that have fouled local beaches and shellfish beds.  Only the community residents who have seen the 'before and after' differences can really note the damage.  Those long time residents need to be interviewed and the impaired areas need to be mapped so they can be included somewhere in the I&C Report.

SMP Presentation at Illahee Community Meeting.  Some who attended the Illahee Community meeting, where the county gave a presentation of the SMP Udate process, probably have a better understanding of what is going on.  This is a long process and the issues are extremely complex.  The county does have a good website where all this informaiton resides (which was noted earlier).  We anticipate there will be other area or community meetings where more information regarding shoreline classifications will be presented. 

Submit Comments on I&C Report.  In the meantime, it would be good for the Planning Commission to hear your comments regarding the I&C Report.  This is important because the document establishes the baseline for the "no net loss of ecological functions" requirement of the state.  

Jim Aho

Wildlife Update - 12/19/10

Illahee Orca Video Makes KIRO TV News.  We were surprised to get a phone call Friday evening from Issaquah that they saw the Illahee orca video on the Channel 7 News (they called for permission but we didn't think they would use the video), and calls from others who saw it on the Kitsap Sun website.  If a little video gets that much exposure, we are optimistic the professionally made video of Illahee's watershed issues (currently being filmed) will get even more.

Lost Cat.  While cats aren't really wildlife, they do get lost and we have always tried to pass on quickly notices such as these.  We only attached one of the photos.

A stray cat showed up at our house on Rue Villa yesterday (Saturday, 12/18).  She is a large female cat, gray with black strips, 4 white paws and a white bib.  She has no collar.  She was very hungry, but appears to be healthy.  She is friendly and used to humans and other cats.  I have attached 2 pictures.  Would you send them out to see if anyone has lost her?  They can contact me at JoannaBaas@gmail.com

Seals Vacated Float.  Since the seal eating orcas came through here we haven't seen any seals on the float north of the Illahee community dock.  We attached some photos to show what it looked like nearly every morning this fall, that is until this week.

Cormorants.  When the seals would leave the cormorants would normally take their place as you can see from this photo.

Deer Pictures.  We received some remarkable photos of deer and a couple of pileated woodpeckers.  At one time we were going to have a place for photos such as these on the Illahee Community Website.  This is something we hope to check on, as we can only include a few of the pictures sent.

Humming Birds.  We have seen lots of humming birds around this winter because people are feeding them.  The attached photo shows 2 males that are in a territorial standoff on a weather vane.

Thank You For Sharing Your Photos.  We want to thank you for sharing your wildlife photos.  We have been told by a number of you that is what you like best about the Illahee Updates.  We are still learning how to present photos and we have yet to learn how to title individual photos, so please bare with us.  We are still trying to come up with photo file sizes that are big enough for people to see the subjects, but not too big so they won't exceed the size of their email systems.  We hope these all come through.

Jim Aho

Orca Video & After Storm Issues - 12/15/10

Orca Sightings in Illahee.  About 9 am today (12/15/10) we received a call that some orcas were going north through Illahee.  By the time we looked out they had disappeared.  Then later in the day we were notified there were several out front.  We grabbed a camera and got some video as they passed by.  It wasn't until we looked at the video tonight that we realized there were two adults and a young one.

Kitsap Sun Report.  In Thursday's Kitsap Sun will be an article about others who saw them and where they have been.   Click on the following link to read the article:   http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/dec/15/transient-killer-whales-seen-in-kitsap-waters/

Seal Seen Hugging the Beach.  We also had a report that as they went by a seal was seen close in by the beach, evidently trying to stay away from danger.

Video on YouTube.  With some help from one of our children, we were able to upload the video of the orcas on YouTube.  The link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rduYVcEyS1w

After Storm Pictures.  With a borrowed camera we were able to take some pictures of the effect of the storm on the Illahee Creek culvert and the tons of sediment deposited near the mouth of the creek.  

Notification of Emergency Illahee Creek Dredging.  It also appears the county will be dredging material from the downstream end of the culvert.  See the attached email from WDFW.  We have also attached the signed HPA (Hydraulic Project Approval) form.

I just wanted to give you a heads up that an emergency request was made by Kitsap County to remove sediment at the downstream end of the culvert. They will likely be mobilizing in the next few days. The HPA is attached for your information.

Thanks,

Gina Piazza

Area Habitat Biologist

Washington Dept. Fish and Wildlife

450 Port Orchard Blvd, Suite 290

Port Orchard, WA  98366

Phone: 360 895 3965

Fax: 360 876 1894

Response to the Dredging.  We received the following response to the dredging from Judith Krigsman, who gave us permission to print her concerns.

I find the current plan to clean out the culvert located at 5140 Illahee Road most concerning.  As the property owner at the inlet side of this culvert I can’t imagine how this is going to help the current situation.  It appears that the problem existing on my side of the culvert at 5171 Illahee Road is the side that needs fixing.  As I watch the floodplain rise on my property and see the amount of sediment that is all but totally filling this newer culvert, the ticking time bomb will still exist for road washout even if an emergency cleanout is activated.  The actions by others including the work done by the current owner of this property is creating havoc on the flow of this amount of velocity of water and sediment during these storm events.  The kink which has been taken out of the stream which served a purpose of slowing down the water during these events is now being allowed to wash out the entire point.  Just look where all the sediment is now resting on the property adjacent to the site of the proposed cleanout.  I do believe a meeting should be held immediately to talk through some of these issues before another cleanout takes place.  Illahee Creek is a dynamic water system; this practice of emergency clean-outs is not the fix which needs to take place, let’s talk!

Our Thoughts.  After seeing the amount of sediment that has been deposited at the mouth of the creek by this last storm, literally tons, there is no way that removing a few dump truck loads of sediment will do much of anything.  It is a nice gesture, but it isn't getting to the sources of the problem, which are the storm surges coming primarily from the area north of the golf course.  

Not a New Problem.  The culvert issue has been known by the county for some time, but they needed a watershed study before they could do anything.  The Port of Illahee put in for a grant with DOE and together they paid for a comprehensive watershed study that was completed by Parametrix.  The fixes come with a multi-million dollar price tag, which emphasized the need for the county to obtain the golf course, as it is the logical place to try and restrain the problematic storm water surges.  The community is crossing their fingers that the golf course gifting paperwork will complete soon so that stormwater restraining projects can begin.

Raised Flood Plain.  What is interesting about the Illahee culvert situation is we are essentially dealing with a flood plain that steadily increasing in elevation with each storm.  A Timbers Edge report stated the elevation downstream of the culvert increased 18 inches from the December 2007 storm.  Upstream of the culvert, the reservoir that Dr. Schutt put in years ago, has filled with sediment.  With the flood plain rising on both sides of Illahee Road, and short of digging out the whole flood plain, the only solution many see is raising the height of the culvert. 

Your Thoughts On This Issue?  Please let us know your thoughts on the stormwater/culvert issues as a possible failure of the culvert would affect everyone who travels this portion of Illahee Road.

Jim Aho

Some During Storm Pictures - 12/14/10

Storm Pictures.  We have been asked where the storm pictures are since our last Update had some 'Before Storm' pictures.

Non-Water Proof Camera.  We got up early last Sunday morning and took a few stills and some video of the effects of the storm.  We found out that the use of cameras during heavy rain events does not work well for non-water proof camers.  Our camera was sent to the manufacture on Monday in hopes it can be repaired.  Our film maker, Shelly Solomon, did some good photos in the afternoon.  When we walked to the mouth of the creek and were amazed at the number of golf balls that had been washed down the creek and out on the beach.

Some Pictures Were Retrieved.  We got some help retrieving some of the photos from the camera and will look at how to get some of the videos on an Update, or at least linked.  This is a learning process for us.

Illahee Creek Culvert.  The Illahee Creek culvert was running nearly full.  The attached photos show the brown water and the culvert.

Brown Water.  Those who live along the water regularly see brown water coming from the creek anytime there is a rainfall of over an inch in a short period of time.  During major storms the brown water is much more distinctive as shown in the photo from the Illahee community dock.

Phone Calls & Emails.  Thank you for the phone calls regarding the storm and for the emails.  Attached are two that go into some detail.

Ran down to the Illahee culvert about an hour ago and the water is within 12 inches of the top.  The velocity and volume of water is such that no sane person would attempt to cross the creek.  

Wash-out at the top of Oceanview with baseball size rocks in the roadway.  I unplugged 4 catch basins on the upper half.  The water has cut nearly a foot below the blacktop up hill of the debris and I am going to call this into the county immediately.

Found a plugged culvert at the bottom of 3rd Street on the South side of the road.  The results are gravel, and washout debris on Illahee Road.

Took a tour of the stream channel as it appeared after the waters have had a chance to settle down.  The picture presented today shows a culvert which has vastly changed as is as close as it gets to failing.  We were within probably 2 inches of complete failure as the banks of the floodplain took a real beating.  The incised area along the stream showed that we had over 30 inches of water trying to get through the culvert and ended up spilling onto the floodplain.  All it would have taken was for one of these logs to try and get through the culvert.  They are now in a position to move forward with the next storm event.  I must say that this is very discouraging for fish and folks like the Krigsman's who own the land that this failed  culvert sits on.  We need to notify the county that they have installed a product  that needs replacement.  Additionally, by taking the bend out of the stream on Mossano's side they are losing the entire Schutts  point.  How is it that those in the know, fail to understand the dynamics of water and how the velocity controls everything? 

Amazing Deer Photos.  We received some amazing deer photos we will include more in a future wildlife update and have attached one to this email.  

Thanks For Sharing.  Thanks to all those who share your photos and for your comments!

Jim Aho

Miscellaneous - 12/11/10

Illahee Creek Culvert.  The culvert under Illahee Road wherein the waters of Illahee Creek flow, has been a concern for the Illahee Community for some time.  The December 3, 2007 storm filled the culvert with sediment and if a big log had come down and plugged the culvert it would likely have washed out Illahee Road.  With the current storm approaching we are watching the culvert closely, and some big upstream logs.  Attached are two photos, the first shows the culvert with a 32 inch clearance, and the second shows some big upstream logs.

Guard Rail Installation Complete.  The guard rail installation along Illahee Road completed on Friday across from Fisher Park (see photo).  It wasn't without some problems as a North Perry Waterline was ruptured in the process.  Many realized something had happened as the turned on their facets and found brown water.  It happened around noon on Thursday and was repaired quickly and the brown water also went away.


Restoration Signs in Preserve.  Two restoration signs were installed in the Preserve on Friday.  One was to secure an unauthorized trail, and the other to note the future restoration in the area commonly known as Golf Course Hollow, where stormwater is a problem (see the last photo).

Eagle Scout Signs Missing.  We were extremely disappointed to see that in less than a week some of the trail signs that Justin McAlister and his Boy Scout troop had put up (last Sunday), had been removed.  Attached is a photo of some that are still there plus the empty spot where one was last Sunday.  We received comments about how nice they were and how helpful it was to have them there from those who walk the trails daily.  If anyone has any information on who is taking the signs please let us know.

Horse Comments.  We received a number of comments regarding the two Updates that explained the horse situation.  What was new to us was that several mentioned that their dogs either liked to roll in the horse droppings, or would eat it. 

Before the Rain Photos.  We took some other photos this morning before it started to rain.  Attached are photos of the big pond under the power lines near the end of Johnson Road (north of the golf course).  This big pond is the headwaters of the north fork of Illahee Creek and also the headwaters for one of the branches of Steele Creek.  We also took photos of the detention facility at Illahee North.  The water was overflowing from the detention pond where it is essentially tightlined (except for 150 feet) to the outfall at the Illahee community dock (see photo).

Wood Duck.  When taking our 'before the rain' photos we noted a wood duck swimming with two mallards.  It is a first sighting for us and we were glad to get the attached photo. 

Wildlife Update Coming.  We have a number of photos that we need to pass on regarding wildlife and promise to do so soon.  We have been asked to increase the kilobyte (KB) size of our photos so they are easier to view.  We are still learning on how to do this and attempted to do so with our last photo. 

Jim Aho

Preserve Activities - 12/5/10

Trail Signs Up.  It was quit a work party on Sunday (12/5/10) in the Illahee Preserve as Justin McAlister's Eagle Scout Project & Scout Troop installed trail signs throughout the Preserve.  Thanks to Justin and all those scouts and parents that came to help!  The Illahee Preserve is a proof and confirmation that volunteers such as those making trail signs, can plan, maintain, and support a major county park.  Our filmmaker, Shelly Solomon, and official Illahee photographer, John Lind, were there covering the event and there will be other photos coming.  We have attached several photos that we took of the event.

New  Brochure & Boxes Installed.  This is a good time to mention that the trail map brochure is being updated and hopefully will soon be available to put in the new brochure boxes that Justin's project installed just under the Park's Department rule's sign.  Thanks to the architectural firm of Rice, Fergus, Miller for their continued support of the Preserve by preparing the initial brochure and now updating it.  Note that the brochure was updated after Justin's project began and so we have some new trail names and one completely new trail that Justin will be considering adding to his project, kind of a Phase 2 project if he can get the materials and find the time.

Trails Being Used.  When we are at the Preserve we are amazed at how many people are using it, from walking their dogs (the biggest percentage) to walking, jogging, biking, and horseback riding (see item below). 

Mini 4-Wheeler.  Every now and then we run across those using motorized vehicles in the Preserve, which is illegal.  We came across the smallest 4 wheeler (battery powered) we have ever seen with three youngsters on it (see photo).  They had come some distance by going down alleys to get to the Preserve, but while they were enjoying their ride up and down the trails, we had to tell them that motorized vehicles are not allowed in the Preserve, and they left.  They were very nice and polite kids.

Horses.  While motorized vehicles are not allowed, horses are, and there were two horses using the Preserve trails on Sunday (see photo).  There has been some discussion amongst the Stewardship Committee that with the increasing use of the Preserve by those walking, biking, and jogging; that horse back riding might not be appropriate at some point.  Those are the kind of issues discussed at Stewardship Committee meetings, which are open to the public, so if you have issues or would like to attend, please let us know and we will pass the info on.

Jim Aho 

Are Horses Allowed in the Preserve? - 12/6/10

Problems In Previous Update (12/5/10).  The previous update had a comment regarding horses in the Illahee Preserve, along with a picture of two horses that were in the Preserve on Sunday.  The comment read as follows:

Horses.  While motorized vehicles are not allowed, horses are, and there were two horses using the Preserve trails on Sunday (see photo).  There has been some discussion amongst the Stewardship Committee that with the increasing use of the Preserve by those walking, biking, and jogging; that horse back riding might not be appropriate at some point.  Those are the kind of issues discussed at Stewardship Committee meetings, which are open to the public, so if you have issues or would like to attend, please let us know and we will pass the info on.

Early Morning Phone Calls.  The morning after putting out the Update with the above statement on horses, I received calls and comments from members of the Illahee Stewardship Committee, including my own daughter, that according to the approved Stewardship Plan for the Illahee Preserve, horses are not allowed.  I checked the Plan and they are correct per Section IV.b.4.iii (page 24) which states: "The following uses are deemed not to be appropriate: (a) Camping, (b) Horses, (c) Motorized vehicles, (d) Paintball."  I was informed that if I am going to report on policy issues, such as horses being allowed, my comments need to be approved by the Stewardship Committee, so as a 'sort of reporter' I had to eat some humble pie today.

Park Signs Say Otherwise.  The problem is that the Parks Department signs that surround the Preserve (there are 5 of them), each mention horses in several places and state that they, like hikers and bicyclists, are to stay on designated trails.  The exact statement is under the Trails heading and reads as follows:  HIKERS, BICYCLISTS AND HORSES MUST STAY ON DESIGNATED TRAILS.  We have attached a photo of the sign for those who would like to see all the rules.  

Previous Discussions with the Parks Dept.  Evidently there has been previous discussions on this topic and the reported response from the Parks Department has been there are no designated 'equestrian trails' in the Preserve.  This doesn't make sense to us since we don't designate between other types of trails such as bicycle and pedestrian trails in the Preserve.

Confusion on the Rules.  Some on the Stewardship Committee admit to this being confusing and especially to those horse owners who currently use the Preserve.  We agree that it is confusing  and think the Parks Department's signs and regulations should match the Stewardship Plan.

Parks Department Notified.  We were told the Parks Department has been notified and they are aware of the issue and are looking into it again. 

Jim Aho