National monument push for ‘Coast Daries’ property in Davenport
A campaign is kicking off to turn the so-called ‘Coast Dairies’ property into a national monument. It comes on the same day a Palo Alto representative introduced legislation that could help make it happen.
The 5,800-acre property is inland from Highway 1 in Davenport. It features six watersheds as well as diverse plants and animals.
“It has 500 acres of old Redwood, it has great giant stands of California live oak, rare and endangered species,” said Stephen Reed with the Santa Cruz Redwoods National Monument Campaign.
It could open up to public use if President Barack Obama designates it as a national monument.
“I think we are all excited the possibility of really highlighting this amazing jewel on our north coast and make sure the community’s concerns are addressed,” Santa Cruz County District 3 Supervisor Ryan Coonerty said.
One concern is the money to make it happen. National monuments don’t get the funding that national parks do. One local business said its worried about traffic.
“The implication of such a large number of people perhaps, coming into such a small town and part of the coast,” said Marcia McDougal, owner of Whale City Bakery Bar and Grill.
“The renegade mountain bikers who create their own trails. That would be bad for the environment, so we are concerned about that,” said local Noel Bock.
“It’s a wonderful little town, and to have it become, you know, i don’t know, destroyed in any way would be awful,” McDougal said.
But those who support national monument status said it’s still the right plan for this area. Funding to manage and maintain the area is at the heart of all this.
Supporters are working to make sure Bureau of Land Management funds would be appropriated for the national monument as soon as it’s approved. That’s something they hope will happen by the end of the year.