Kudos to Senator Portantino – Kills SB 50 Until 2020

SENATOR WIENER’S SB 50 TEMPORARILY DIES IN SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Senate Appropriations Chair Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) killed SB 50 until 2020. Senator Wiener’s attempted land grab of all the state’s single family neighborhoods was unprecedented. SB 50 would have usurped local planning — and permitted by-right high densification — basically ending single family neighborhoods statewide. By-right among many other things included homes being converted into four, five, or six plexes by-right. It was not just density bonus centered around transit — it was school and jobs oriented too. One size Sacramento shoe does not fit all in planning.

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Precious P-47 Succumbs to Rat Poisons – This Must Stop

The tragic death of yet another one of our treasured mountain lions was just announced by the National Park Service (see below). It is so unbelievably sad and unnecessary.  
We have all chosen this privilege of living in the urban wildland interface here in the Santa Monica Mountains and environs; and, with that comes responsibility. We must take responsibility for where we live — survival of our wildlife is dependent upon “our” actions. 
First, the Woolsey fire destroyed almost 100,000 acres of their habitat. Yet, P-47 managed to survive the catastrophic fire — and then he is poisoned by the irresponsible and illegal (in the Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone) use of rat poisons. 
Please — educate your homeowners, neighbors, and friends about the unintended consequences of using rat poisons. They are lethal to our wildlife. Not for one moment do we think any resident or stakeholder intentionally wants to poison and subject mountain lions, bobcats, raptors, coyotes, etc., to a horribly slow and painful death. But the fact is — using rat poisons does exactly that. 
There are a multitude of non-poison, responsible options available for dealing with rodents. Poison Free Malibu has long been the leader, advocate, and voice of educating the public here in the Santa Monica Mountains against the use of rodenticides — and offering alternatives. Please go to their website at https://poisonfreemalibu.org/ for more information. They will advise, and even come to your HOA meetings to help you educate your residents…

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No More Burns – Not Now, Not Ever…

Post Woolsey fire, fear mongering has seemingly become the norm. Actually, it has increased beyond imagination. In addition to the usual suspects looking for personal gain to develop/build more by clearing land, especially high value habitat, there are surprising newcomers to the “don’t consider the science, or listen to the facts”, just burn baby burn down more of what is left of the Santa Monica Mountains that was scorched by the largest fire ever in its history with over 100,000 acres of wildlife habitat wiped out and more than 23,000 trees just gone. And who is pushing this antiquated, false, and destructive narrative? We are going to bring transparency to the forefront, identify, and refute their propaganda with FACTS, as we progress in this fight against the lunacy of intentionally igniting more fires to burn down what little chaparral habitat is left to sustain our wildlife and further destroy our unique and increasingly threatened mediterranean ecosystem.

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Measure A Gone Astray – No Changes in Funding Allocations After Voter Approval

NO 30% Carve Out Off the Top in Competitive Grant Category
OPPOSE Agenda Item 1P – Policies and Grants Administration Manual for Measure A, the Safe, Clean Neighborhood Parks and Beaches Measure of 2016

I/we strongly urge you to vote NO on the Steering Committee’s recommendation to go off-Measure, and Change the Funding Allocations to carve out 30% off the top in the Competitive Grant Categories 3 and 4 and re-direct those dollars ONLY to High and Very High Need assessed Study Areas.

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Woolsey Fire “Community” Listening Forum Feb. 23 at Pepperdine

All Residents of the Unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains, Coastal Areas, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu, and Westlake:
The first of two LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl’s Woolsey Fire “COMMUNITY” Listening Sessions is this Sat. Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. at Pepperdine! This is your opportunity to weigh in and to relay your experiences during the Woolsey fire. The LA County Task Force needs to hear from you. 
Your public testimony during these Listening Sessions will provide critical information for the report being prepared by LA County for emergency notification, evacuation and repopulation procedures during the Woolsey Fire.
Saturday, February 23 – 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM – Elkins Auditorium, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA.

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