Comments for Proposed MMP Update and EIR

Friends of Bidwell Park are posting our comments on the Draft Bidwell Park Master Management Plan (MMP) and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) so that members of the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission, Chico City Council and interested citizens have access to our comments, concerns and questions. We hope that by posting this information, you will be able to help answer questions, address these concerns, and ultimately make the best decisions. These comments focus on the 4 individual proposed projects in Bidwell Park, including:

1. The Trail Plan
2. Horseshoe Lake Plan
3. Cedar Grove Plan
4. The Disc Golf/Trailhead Plan

These comments and questions also pertain to the Historical Section, the Natural Resource Management Section, and include some general editing suggestions. Specifically, we encourage you to help:

1. Better define the details (including the cost) of the proposed projects from construction to long-term maintenance;
2. Better define the potential impacts to cultural resources such as the Humboldt Road, as well as impacts to ancient blue oak trees, vernal pools, native biodiversity and soils;
3. Better define the cost, feasibility, adequacy and potential negative impacts of the proposed mitigation measures, and
4. Ask for and fully consider other alternatives that will have fewer impacts to resources, enhance the environment of Bidwell Park, reduce maintenance cost and enhance sustainable recreation opportunities for all citizens of Chico.

We have also included a letter from an attorney who reviewed the documents to ensure they meet the standards and criteria set forth in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Friends of Bidwell Park believes that Bidwell Park is too important to Chico's historical and natural heritage to have a MMP and EIR that is incomplete, vague and inaccurate. We hope that members of the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission and members of the City Council are aware of all the issues and will be able to address the questions posed. In particular, there are many issue and questions not addressed or inadequately addressed by the MMP and EIR, particularly as they apply to feasibility, and details of construction, maintenance, enforcement, mitigation, monitoring and overall cost.

If you can provide any information that is missing, incomplete, inaccurate or clarifies any ambiguities please provide the information to the Chico Planning Department so they may be included in the response to public comments.

Friends of Bidwell Park