Pushing for Action on the Caltrans Right of Way

In March, the MWSD Board of Directors sent a letter to Caltrans District 4 Director Dina El-Tawansy and Deputy District Director Mark L. Weaver expressing our community’s continued concerns regarding the active fire danger present on the Caltrans Right of Way (ROW). Our letter continued MWSD’s active interest in acquisition of the ROW property for the safety and security of our community both for improved fire protection and the preservation of our critical local watershed.

In early May, following no response to our letter, the MWSD Board sent a second letter to Caltrans District 4 Director Dina El-Tawansy and Deputy District Director Mark L. Weaver, and a new letter to Chair Lori D. Wilson of the State of California Assembly Transportation Committee.

Copies of both letters were sent to:

• The State of California Assembly Transportation Committee
• CA State Assemblymember Marc Berman
• CA State Senator Josh Becker
• The County of San Mateo Board of Supervisors, along with San Mateo County Planning staff
• The Committee for Green Foothills
• The California Coastal Commission
• The Coastal Conservancy
• San Mateo Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo)
• Midcoast Community Council
• Red Alert Montara Moss Beach (RAMMB)

Despite active engagement by Red Alert Montara Moss Beach, as well as the District, no fire suppression or vegetation management activities have been undertaken by Caltrans on the ROW property. This is contrary to commitments relayed to community members indicating imminent onsite action by Caltrans.

Caltrans has continued to just let trees and vegetation grow. Uncontrolled, unmaintained.

San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller sent a letter to Caltrans requesting the ROW be transferred to MWSD after immediate wildfire mitigation from Caltrans.