Emergency Info re Rocky Creek

CONVOYS FOR RESIDENTS AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS ONLY AND THOSE WITH OVERNIGHT RESERVATIONS FOR THE EVENING CONVOY. DAY TRIPPERS ALLOWED IN ON MORNING CONVOY.

Resources:

• Incident Webpage: https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency/rocky-creek-slide
• Emergency Alert Feed: https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency/rss
• Incident Map: https://montereyco.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=905a9458324b4868804d96b5593eb978

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*All State Parks in Big Sur are closed to camping until further notice. Open for Day Use Only*

The County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management has created an information page for the Rocky Creek Slide incident.

The page includes current information on closures, resources and road closures.

We will update this page as conditions change.

https://www.readymontereycounty.org/emergency/rocky-creek-slide

Big Sur Information

Header photo by bigsurkate

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Links for phone users who can’t see the links to the right without scrolling through two years of posts. I’ll start with just a few, but if you have others you wish to see here, let me know.

Alert Wildfire: https://www.alertwildfire.org/

Big Sur Maps (3) with slide names, locations, etc.: https://bigsurkate.blog/big-sur-interactive-highway-maps-with-slide-names-mile-markers/

Caltrans Interactive Map: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Central Coast Observed Precipitation Map: https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/precipMaps.php?group=cc&img=3

CHP dispatch: https://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx

Watch Duty: https://www.watchduty.org

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PORTIONS OF THE LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST ON THE SOUTH COAST OF BIG SUR CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO ROAD AND TRAIL DAMAGE. SEE LISTING HERE: https://bigsurkate.blog/2023/03/13/parts-of-lpnf-reopen-but-these-portions-remain-closed-due-to-damage/

Current Closure Order as of 9/1/23 is here: https://https://bigsurkate.blog/2023/09/05/forest-closure-update-for-9-1-10-31/

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IMPORTANT, READ THIS POST FIRST FOR INFORMATION ABOUT VISITING BIG SUR!! HIGHWAY ONE IS CLOSED FROM LIMEKILN STATE PARK (ALSO CLOSED DUE TO STORM DAMAGE) TO LUCIA, A TWO MILE STRETCH DUE TO STORM DAMAGE AT PAUL’S SLIDE.

**NACIMIENTO-FERGUSSON ROAD, SOUTH COAST RIDGE ROAD, PLASKETT RIDGE ROAD, LOS BURROS ROAD ARE ALL CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THIS IS DUE TO SEVERE ROAD AND TRAIL DAMAGE**

Interactive Highway Map with Mile Markers and slide names is to the right, under “Pages” first one *Big Sur Interactive Maps... if the following link doesn’t work. *Big Sur Interactive Slide Maps will answer any questions you may have about where something is in relation to something else.

MY DIRECT EMAIL IS: kwnovoa@mac.com

 

Sunday Photos – VA Memory/Rose Garden – Happy Mother’s Day

Up at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, there is a spiral that is flanked by rose bushes planted in memory of a loved veteran. It is beautiful and I spent some time there the last time I was up at the VA Hospital. The roses are not identified, except for the vet it was planted to honor. Here are a few of the roses. Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers reading this. May these roses bring you joy,

Housing Element Survey until 5/12

As part of the public input process for the County of Monterey’s Housing Element Cycle, a survey has launched and will be open until May 12th. Share your thoughts on how the County can encourage housing for a broad range of income levels to meet our housing goals.

You’ll find the survey at: https://surveymonkey.com/r/9MZCW95. Please share this information widely and share your thoughts.

Invasive French Broom on Plaskett

There are several places where one can barely drive through. (See collage of photos below.)

Genista monspessulana

Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Cytisus monpsessulana, C. racemosus, C. canariensis, Gensita monspessulana, Teline monspessulana

Common names: French broom; soft broom; canary broom; Montepellier broom

Genista monspessulana (French broom) is a perennial shrub (family Fabaceae) found in the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, Transverse Ranges, Channel Islands and San Francisco Bay area. French broom was introduced as a landscape ornamental, along with Scotch and Spanish broom. French broom is an aggressive invader, forming dense stands that exclude native plants and wildlife. Broom is unpalatable to most livestock except goats, so it decreases rangeland value while increasing fire hazards. These leguminous plants produce copious amounts of seed, and may resprout from the root crown if cut or grazed.Cal-IPC Rating: High

Sunday Photo – Kindness & Grief

Big Sur Bakery fire leaves a grieving community.

Photo by Ivy Jayne LaVelle

“It was a day or two after Rocky Creek fell apart and Sydney and I were reviewing what we had in the house to eat.  Bread was the only shortage so when we were down on the empty highway, we went searching. First stop was the Bakery with not a soul in sight. The door unlocked and opened as I approached. Mike Gilson, “We’re closed, but not for you”. Empty shelf’s obvious, I mentioned bread, feeling foolish but, “No, no” and I followed him to a small freezer and he pulled out two loaves giving me a verbal tour of their attributes as he did. I suggested the plain sourdough   but he insisted I take the seeded sourdough and so as a compromise he handed me both and refused payment.
At home, partially thawed, the loaves were halved, one for the counter, three in the freezer. Thick, one inch slices, in the toaster, butter and strawberry jam. Mike was right about the specialness of the seeded bread but I wasn’t wrong about the plain.
Yesterday the Bakery burned to a shell. Today I had the last heel of the last loaf, thinking about Mike and kindness and grief.”

Steve Beck

Listening Session on General Plan Housing Element Monday, May 6th.

The links in the screen shot are not active. Zoom Option: https://montereycty.zoom.us/j/96244171607

Structure Fire at Big Sur Bakery

Here are some stills from a video that Ivy took about 1/2 hour ago or 4 pm or so.

 

:17 PM	10	[25] A27-014 ONE HOUSE EMPTY THE OTHER WAS ADVS’D AND TRYING TO MAKE HIS OWN FIRE LINE [Shared]
4:15 PM	9	[22] PER FIRE 3 ENGINES WERE ENRT TO NORTHERN CLOSURE FROM PALO COLARADO [Shared]
4:09 PM	8	[21] 1039 STATE PARKS [Shared]
4:08 PM	7	[19] LATE ENTRY * STATE PARK RANGERS ALSO 1097 [Shared]
4:06 PM	6	[17] 1039 MTY COM [Shared]
4:06 PM	5	[16] A27-014 27-N6 INQ W/ MTY COM IF NEED TO OPEN IT UP FOR FIRE PERSONNEL OR OTHER PERSONNEL [Shared]
4:04 PM	4	[13] A27-014 27-N6 REQ UPDATE FM 14 AND IF THEY WILL NEED TO OPEN UP RDWY FOR FIRE BIG SUR BAKERFY FULL ENGULFED NEG SMOKE IN RDWY [Shared]
3:59 PM	3	[1] STRUCTURE FIRE
3:57 PM	2	[11] [Appended, 16:02:21] [3] RP THINKS FIRE, SEES SMOKE BTWN LOMA VISTA AND POST RANCH INN
3:56 PM	1	[10] [Appended, 16:02:21] [2] TRANS MONT COM

Report of Fire Location:

 47540 Sr1, Mm 45 Loc Desc:

 BIG SUR BAKERY Lat/Lon:

 36.235833 -121.768611 

Detail Information
3:59 PM	3	[1] STRUCTURE FIRE
3:57 PM	2	[11] [Appended, 16:02:21] [3] RP THINKS FIRE, SEES SMOKE BTWN LOMA VISTA AND POST RANCH INN
3:56 PM	1	[10] [Appended, 16:02:21] [2] TRANS MONT COM
Unit Information
4:03 PM	3	Unit At Scene
4:03 PM	2	Unit Enroute
4:02 PM	1	Unit Assigned

Photo by Pearl Bryant

Peak Training Season at FHL

Update from Caltrans on Rocky Creek Slip-out

This update contains no new information, but a nice photo. Here it is in any event:

Date:	Thursday, May 2, 2024
District:	05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:	Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers
Phone:	(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE #16

CONVOYS ON HIGHWAY 1 THROUGH ROCKY CREEK OPEN TO PUBLIC

WITH SOUTHBOUND AFTERNOON RESTRICTIONS

MONTEREY COUNTY – Crews continue to make progress with edge stabilization work at the Highway 1 Rocky Creek slip out. Stabilization of the southbound lane will help safeguard and protect the still viable northbound lane which is accommodating twice daily convoys through the repair site. 

Construction Update

This first phase of the stabilization involves drilling, installing, and grouting in vertical and horizontal steel elements to stabilize the edge of the slip out. This is followed by an application of reinforced shotcrete to the sheer face of the rock slope. A crane has been deployed which carries a crew basket over the edge of the roadway to perform the horizontal drilling. Crews have been scheduled to work both day and overnight shifts.

Upon completion of this repair, the grouted rock dowels with applied shotcrete facing will provide shear resistance along potential failure planes in the rock mass and ensure that the rockslide below the southbound lane does not advance.

This stabilization project is a temporary repair which will allow the resumption of unrestricted traffic flow through the area until a permanent fix can be designed and constructed that would restore the southbound lane that was lost in the rockslide.

Due to high winds in the area, crews have been unable to drill stabilizing horizontal rock dowels into the rock slope since the morning of Monday April 29. To date, 46 of a total of 75 horizontal rock dowels have been installed. Drilling of horizontal dowels is expected to be suspended through this Friday due to forecasted high winds.

During high wind events that halt emergency stabilization work, crews are still able to complete geotechnical subsurface investigations which will advance design of the permanent repair at the site.

Caltrans continues to estimate that the completion date for the initial stabilization work at the Rocky Creek slip out will be Memorial Day, May 27. This would mark the end of the current convoys and allow alternating one-way travel through the area without an escort using 24/7 signalized traffic control. In upcoming weeks this estimate will be updated as production rates on the repair come into better focus.

Convoys Update

There are twice-daily convoys on Highway 1 through the Rocky Creek slip out open to all members of the traveling public. The first convoy will run for approximately an hour beginning at 7 am, and the last convoy will run for approximately an hour beginning at 5 pm. Highway 1 through the Rocky Creek slip out will continue to be closed during the hours between convoys so that crews can continue the repair work to stay on schedule to reopen the roadway by Memorial Day.

Since convoys need time to alternate the travel direction during the one-hour window, travelers are advised to arrive as early as possible to enter the queue. A timely conclusion of the one-hour window is necessary to maintain the road repair schedule.

The public will have access in both directions during the morning convoy. In the afternoon, the public will be able to use the northbound convoy to leave the area. However, only local residents, essential workers, and members of the traveling public with existing travel reservations will be allowed to join the 5 pm southbound convoy. Travelers who go south to Big Sur at 5 pmwill not be able to return north until the next day at 7 am. Highway 1 is closed to all traffic south of the Big Sur area.

Emergency medical response and other essential services may be delayed for those traveling south of Rocky Creek on Highway 1. Travelers who participate in convoys on Highway 1 through Rocky Creek, are advised of the inherent risks involved with entering the area.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: X.com at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Screenshot

Trail Fire — Botcher’s Gap

Currently there are both ground units and air tankers on this fire. “Approx 2 acres with a Slow rate of spread, burning uphill in timber understory with a potential for 5 to 10 acres. No structures immediately threatened at this time. – Per Air Attack.”

See watchduty.org to follow this fire.

I’ve sent off an email to the Caltrans PIO suggesting they might want to rethink letting tourists in until there is all day access. Even then, it could be a nightmare during fire season as long as south is closed as well. Fortunately this is just a rehearsal, and it is too wet to really make a serious run for Big Sur, but it won’t be for long. I just think letting tourists in (and I know businesses pressure CT) seems ill advised when the only way out is blocked and will take 45 mins or more to clear. I so worry about what it will be like during the height of the season — both tourist and fire. I hope CT has a discussion about this.

Caltrans lack of response to invasive species brought in by contractors

Dave Nelson, and others have been trying to get Caltrans to address their contributions to bringing invasive species into the Big Sur area. Toward that end, Dave recently wrote this to the District Landscape Engineer, Scott Dowlan:

Hi Scott. I wonder if you have any furthur thoughts about the subject. I realized requesting steam cleaning of equipment coming to Big Sur was the wrong term but pressure washing is realistic. I’m sure they have the equipment on hand.

Couldn’t that specification be added to all bids to outside contractors? Specifically, that all earth moving equipment brought to Big Sur be thoroughly pressure washed first. I’m sure they do it occasionally anyway. It’s a small thing to ask of the companies who are making plenty of money and might well prevent further habitat degradation.

Also who in SLO Caltrans responsible for managing vegetation along the right of way? I’ll be surveying sites on Big Sur’s south coast where I know Papich had projects. Will this be a waste of my time?

Thanks, dave nelson

Scott’s response was:

Hi Dave,

Thanks for reaching out with your concerns.  I think this issue would be best handled at the Caltrans Invasive Plant Subcommittee meeting that is part of the Big Sur Byways Organization.  It’s a public meeting and you are welcome to join.

The next meeting date hasn’t been set but the County website to track it is:

https://www.countyofmonterey.gov/government/departments-a-h/housing-community-development/planning-services/current-planning/committees-hearings-agendas/big-sur-byway-organization

Hope that helps.

Thanks, Scott Dowlan | District Landscape Architect

Given that the BSBO is not currently meeting, Dave sent this follow up email, cc’ing our state representatives, Dawn Addis and John Laird as well as Mary Adams, and Kate Daniels, our county supervisors, current and future. Invasive species do not take a hiatus while governmental agencies try to figure out meeting schedules. They drop their seeds and invade the freshly turned landscape and take off.

Scott,

The next BSBO meeting has not been scheduled so that referral is not appropriate at this time. This is a time critical request for an internal CalTrans practice to be implemented. Please let me know the correct CalTrans process for moving it forward now. The discovery of Stinknet (Oncosiphon pilulifera) in South Big Sur is just one more problem compounding the pending explosion of invasive plants in the numerous storm repair sites. 

I’ve not gotten anywhere with Caltrans. Other concerned locals who have attended BSBO meetings tell me:

   “BSBO is nonfunctional. Even when they do have a meeting (I go to all of them) I’ve never gotten a straight answer about invasives. I’ve been trying to find the person in charge of plants on the Caltrans right of way since forever and have only gotten a series of evasions.”

As Kevin Drabinski told me in June 2023, CT has $$ to repair highway 1 storm damage and provide erosion control but the emergency funding doesn’t provide follow up to control invasive plants that often outcompete natives propagated by hydro mulching. This negligent plan guarantees furthur negative impacts on the scenic viewshed.

At Rat creek, where the highway completely disappeared in January 2021, there was good recruitment of natives after the repair was done. Of course, pampas grass invaded. I pulled or sprayed over 200 pampas plants (and sticky eupatorium) and I’m keeping an eye on the area. If a 70-something retiree can successfully remediate a Caltrans project can’t Caltrans find funds for the other storm repair sites? 

I can envision local resident ‘scouts’ like myself observing invasive problem areas that develop at the sites and directing spray crews to them. I’d guess this would need to happen 2-3 times per year for 3-5 years. The task would become progressively easier.

Caltran’s failure to deal with invasive plants is particularly striking when I observe State Parks in Big Sur implement a vigorous and thorough anti invasive plant program. BLM at the Fort Ord National Monument has a full-time weed eradication crew protecting thousands of acres of wildlands.

JP Burns slide April 1983 created a scar on our beautiful highway that still dominates the viewshed. Same with MM 5.21 Redwood gulch and other smaller sites. Let’s come up with a way to stop this from happening again. Something has to change!

dave nelson