Little Sur River watershed Little Sur River

1 little sur river watershed

1.1 watershed quality
1.2 wildlife
1.3 vegetation
1.4 geology
1.5 mining claim
1.6 weather

little sur river watershed
watershed quality

in 1973 california state legislature, recognizing river s extraordinary scenic, fishery, wildlife, (and) outdoor recreational values , protect free-flowing , wild status, added river california protected waterways system. responding state s request, in 1981 monterey county added river protected waterways management plan , encouraged state in big sur coast land use plan designate little sur area coastal resource of national significance.

wildlife

the little sur river watershed provides habitat mountain lion, bear, deer, fox, coyotes , wild boars. upstream river canyon characteristic of ventana wilderness region: steep-sided, sharp-crested ridges separating valleys. because upper reaches of little sur river watershed entirely within ventana wilderness, of river in pristine condition. california department of fish , game says river important spawning stream steelhead on central coast. , “is 1 of best steelhead streams in county.” little sur river key habitat within central california steelhead distinct population segment listed threatened.

a u.s. fisheries service report estimates number of trout in entire south-central coast area—including pajaro river, salinas river, carmel river, big sur river, , little sur river—have dwindled 4,750 fish in 1965 800 in 2005. total number of steelhead in little sur river estimated @ less 100 in 1991.

vegetation

the watershed populated coastal redwood, douglas fir, western sycamore, bay laurel, bigleaf maple, , tanbark oak. mixed in redwood , douglas fir riparian habitat containing alder, poison oak, , thimbleberry. upper slopes mix of chaparral, covered coyote bush, ceanothus, chamise, manzanita, sagebrush, , bush lupine. on few upper slopes may found patches of open grassland dotted black oak, canyon live oak, , tanbark oak] favored esselen inhabitants.

a specimen of santa lucia fir in regional parks botanic garden, berkeley, california.

the little sur river watershed contains stands of of impressive uncut coastal redwood trees in entire big sur area, including specimens on 200 feet (61 m) tall. contains largest , tallest stands of douglas fir on central coast, 150 feet (46 m) in height. stand of rare santa lucia fir, described rarest , unusual fir in north america, found on skinner s ridge, east of pico blanco boy scout camp.

geology

the river canyon deep , narrow, , in summer sunshine reaches canyon bottom few hours. land steep, rocky, semi-arid except narrow canyons, , inaccessible. upstream river canyon characteristic of ventana wilderness region: steep-sided, sharp-crested ridges separating valleys. upstream boy scout camp narrow gorges, waterfalls, , few large pools.

several northwest-trending faults cut across little sur river drainage: sur, palo colorado, , church creek faults. river flows west of length, unlike other rivers in region tend flow northwest or southeast. near camp pico blanco, river meets palo colorado fault , follows northwesterly 1 mile (1.6 km), before turning west towards pacific ocean. lower length of south fork follows sur fault zone until meets north fork. west of sur fault earth composed of franciscan assemblage rocks, exposed serpentine, , overlying sandstone. of little sur river geology east of sur fault. area marked deep canyons cut through granitic , metamorphic rocks of salinian block. upstream boy scout camp gorges full of mica schist , gneiss (metamorphosed sedimentary rocks), , granodiorite, quartz monzonite, , quartz diorite (granatic rocks). @ river s mouth of largest sand dunes on big sur coast.

the north , south forks of little sur river straddle either side of mount pico blanco, spanish white peak. topped distinctive white limestone cap, visible california s highway 1. native esselen people revered peak sacred mountain life originated. believed 3 creatures—the eagle, coyote , hummingbird—rode out great flood atop mountain , went on create world.

mining claim

mount pico blanco contains large, pharmaceutical-grade limestone deposit known pico blanco body , hayfield body. high-grade deposit on pacific coast outside alaska within 3 miles of potential marine transportation. reserves have been estimated 600 million billion tons, reportedly largest in california, , largest west of rocky mountains. granite rock company of watsonville, california bought 2,800 acres (1,100 ha), including peak, , mineral rights pico blanco in 1963. limestone key ingredient in concrete. limestone contains high concentration of calcium, used in medicines, cosmetics, food , clear glass. granite rock owns 2 easements across el sur ranch old coast road, allowing access limestone deposits. dani ridge access road developed haul road, while other road cuts across north face of mount pico blanco, above south fork of little sur river, has not been developed. deposit lies partly within , partly outside national forest, complicating administration of mining rights.

in 1980, granite rock submitted five-year plan united states forest service , requested permit begin excavating 5 acres (2.0 ha) quarry. forest service prepared environmental assessment of plan , recommended modifications, granite rock implemented. after graniterock obtained permit in 1983, california coastal commission required granite rock apply coastal development permit. granite rock filed suit in u.s. district court claiming coastal commission permit requirement preempted forest service regulations, mining act of 1872, , coastal zone management act. district court denied granite rock s motion summary judgment, , dismissed action.

the court of appeals ninth circuit reversed lower court s decision, holding coastal commission permit requirement preempted mining act of 1872 , forest service regulations. coastal commission appealed united states supreme court. in ruling, california coastal comm n v. granite rock co., court ruled because congress disclaimed intention preempt preexisting state authority in coastal zone management act, if federal lands excluded act s definition of coastal zone, act not automatically preempt state regulation of activities on federal lands. graniterock still owns property.

weather

the little sur river basin climate, protected part coastal fog pico blanco, characterized hot, dry summers , rainy, mild winters. annual temperatures average 50 °f (10 °c) 65 °f (18 °c). annual precipitation ranges 10 50 inches (250 1,270 mm), pronounced summer drought. interior hotter coastal region , receives less moisture fog in summer. severe spring rains have caused mud slides on steep slopes above roads near hair-pin turns, briefly closed road pico blanco boy scout camp during spring of 1967 , 1969.