At the recent Marin County Parks and Open Space Commission meeting, Barbara Salzman announced the Marin Audubon Society's intention to sue the County of Marin for a violation of the Endangered Species Act in regard to the development of the Road and Trails Management Plan (RTMP). Hundreds of photos of small creatures, including endangered species, killed on trails by bikers, and photographed by Larry Minikes of MAS, were the centerpiece of the lawsuit.
(As a result) A video of the Salzman announcement was posted by biker Davey Simon on an online forum of "mtbr (mountain biker)” entitled “Get to Know Your Marin County Mountain Bike Hater"
The March 2016 issue of the Audubon’s The Rail (see complete text below) describes the plight of at-risk wildlife due to bikers.
It appears that the Marin County Open Space District has indicated that the Audubon's suit will delay the implementation of the RTMP for at least two years.
I would suggest that readers contact the County Open Space District to determine their official position on the lawsuit and any potential delay.
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From the March 2016 issue of The Rail, The Marin Audubon Society newsletter:
MORE ON USER CONFLICTS
ON OPEN SPACE LANDS
User conflicts on open space lands are more
often than not characterized as conflicts
between cyclists and other people users,
walkers, dogs particularly off-leash, and
horseback riders. MAS focuses on the
conflicts between people uses and wildlife.
The same concerns that people have about
being disturbed or injured by speeding
cyclists, going off trails, off-leash dogs, or
loud noises, are concerns for wildlife as well.
Just as people can be disturbed or hurt, as
has been demonstrated by experiences in
recent months, wildlife is equally at risk for
disturbance, injury and even death,
although the impact is not as obvious.
For people, being in open space is
recreation, fun, exercise. For wildlife the
habitats in the open space preserves mean
life and death. Natural areas are the only
places they have to live; the only places
where they must find food, shelter and safe
places to nest. There are no supermarkets or
shelters for birds.
Most people uses affect wildlife. Our very
presence often means wildlife have to move,
to stop what they are doing whether it be
eating, resting, or feeding young to ensure
they are safe or to get away. Going off trails
can be even more disturbing. It can directly
damage or destroy their shrub or grassland
habitat, or destroy a nest or young.
Wildlife have a hard enough time finding
food, avoiding predators and finding resting
and nesting places without having to
contend with the additional impacts of
people recreating. Native wildlife are
adapted to protect themselves from natural
predators in natural habitats. Some species
are frightened off by noise or sense of
oncoming people. Others do not necessarily
view bikes and shoe treads as lethal, but they
can be. One of the most telling exposés is a
collection of hundreds of photos taken by
Larry Minikes showing small creatures killed
on trails by bikes simply because they were
on a trail sunning themselves.
One of the most problematic activities is
trail use by mountain bikers at night. Many
species including owls are active at night
hunting for food, building nests and feeding
young. Noisy bikers riding through habitats
on- or off-trail, interfere with owl’s ability to
hunt because owls depend on sound to
locate their prey. Night riding can also
disturb the natural cycles of prey species.
We’re not saying don’t go into habitats.
We are saying enjoy nature thoughtfully,
with sensitivity and consideration for the
other creatures that need the trees, shrubs
and grasslands for food and cover to stay
alive. An important reason why most people
enjoy going on trails is to view birds and
other wildlife. When you are in natural
habitats, consider yourself a visitor who
must respect the natural inhabitants that
cannot speak for themselves. Behave with
respect and care. Stay on trails, be quiet and
avoid disturbing wildlife
CLICK HERE to see the complete original post in the Marin Post.
(As a result) A video of the Salzman announcement was posted by biker Davey Simon on an online forum of "mtbr (mountain biker)” entitled “Get to Know Your Marin County Mountain Bike Hater"
The March 2016 issue of the Audubon’s The Rail (see complete text below) describes the plight of at-risk wildlife due to bikers.
It appears that the Marin County Open Space District has indicated that the Audubon's suit will delay the implementation of the RTMP for at least two years.
I would suggest that readers contact the County Open Space District to determine their official position on the lawsuit and any potential delay.
------------------------------------------------
From the March 2016 issue of The Rail, The Marin Audubon Society newsletter:
MORE ON USER CONFLICTS
ON OPEN SPACE LANDS
User conflicts on open space lands are more
often than not characterized as conflicts
between cyclists and other people users,
walkers, dogs particularly off-leash, and
horseback riders. MAS focuses on the
conflicts between people uses and wildlife.
The same concerns that people have about
being disturbed or injured by speeding
cyclists, going off trails, off-leash dogs, or
loud noises, are concerns for wildlife as well.
Just as people can be disturbed or hurt, as
has been demonstrated by experiences in
recent months, wildlife is equally at risk for
disturbance, injury and even death,
although the impact is not as obvious.
For people, being in open space is
recreation, fun, exercise. For wildlife the
habitats in the open space preserves mean
life and death. Natural areas are the only
places they have to live; the only places
where they must find food, shelter and safe
places to nest. There are no supermarkets or
shelters for birds.
Most people uses affect wildlife. Our very
presence often means wildlife have to move,
to stop what they are doing whether it be
eating, resting, or feeding young to ensure
they are safe or to get away. Going off trails
can be even more disturbing. It can directly
damage or destroy their shrub or grassland
habitat, or destroy a nest or young.
Wildlife have a hard enough time finding
food, avoiding predators and finding resting
and nesting places without having to
contend with the additional impacts of
people recreating. Native wildlife are
adapted to protect themselves from natural
predators in natural habitats. Some species
are frightened off by noise or sense of
oncoming people. Others do not necessarily
view bikes and shoe treads as lethal, but they
can be. One of the most telling exposés is a
collection of hundreds of photos taken by
Larry Minikes showing small creatures killed
on trails by bikes simply because they were
on a trail sunning themselves.
One of the most problematic activities is
trail use by mountain bikers at night. Many
species including owls are active at night
hunting for food, building nests and feeding
young. Noisy bikers riding through habitats
on- or off-trail, interfere with owl’s ability to
hunt because owls depend on sound to
locate their prey. Night riding can also
disturb the natural cycles of prey species.
We’re not saying don’t go into habitats.
We are saying enjoy nature thoughtfully,
with sensitivity and consideration for the
other creatures that need the trees, shrubs
and grasslands for food and cover to stay
alive. An important reason why most people
enjoy going on trails is to view birds and
other wildlife. When you are in natural
habitats, consider yourself a visitor who
must respect the natural inhabitants that
cannot speak for themselves. Behave with
respect and care. Stay on trails, be quiet and
avoid disturbing wildlife
CLICK HERE to see the complete original post in the Marin Post.
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