12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY december 12-18, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com The year 2024 is shaping up to be the best year for California condors since the critically endangered species clawed back from the brink in the 1980s. In 1982 there were just 22 California condors in the world, which were subsequently captured and put into a captive breeding and release program. The species’ recovery, led in part by local nonprofit Ventana Wildlife Society, has been slowed by a vexing problem: lead bullets. When condors feed on carcasses shot by lead bullets, the lead builds up in the condors’ bodies over time, eventually killing them. In order to mitigate that threat, VWS has long given out free copper bullets to hunters—the presence of copper doesn’t harm the birds—and Joe Burnett, VWS’ senior biologist, feels like those efforts are finally bearing fruit, as the Central Coast flock has once again surged to over 100 birds in the wild. There are now 110, and there’s been only one death in the flock so far in 2024, compared to 11 in 2023. It also marks a spectacular bounceback from 2020 when, just as the Central Coast’s flock exceeded 100 condors, the Dolan Fire in Big Sur took the lives of 12 of them, and in that same year 14 condors died due to lead poisoning. As to whether that’s luck, or the beginning of a new trend, Burnett says, “We’re cautiously optimistic. The cool part is, if this would continue, the recovery [of the flock] would happen much faster.” Burnett also hopes the trend is at least in part due to an increasing recognition by hunters that condors are amazing wild creatures to have in one’s midst, and hunters, like hikers, spend their time in the wild. “[Condors] humble you,” Burnett says. “How can you not rally around a big, flying bird? What shouts America more than that?” Burnett says the best way to assess the resilience of the flock is to do the math: In the past year, nine condor chicks fledged in the wild, and only one bird was lost—a net gain, absent any releases from breeding programs, of eight birds. “If they keep producing eight to 10 a year, that’s the light at the end of the tunnel,” Burnett says. “That’s recovery.” He adds, “We knew the lead ammunition switch was going to take a long time. We were in it for the long game… If it takes 20 years to get everyone to switch, that’s less than half the life of a condor.” Despite a majority of Marina voters supporting Measure U, a $50 million bond measure to upgrade outdated facilities, the approval fell short of the two-thirds approval needed to pass, and now the city needs to consider alternatives to fulfill staff and resident needs. “We can no longer say we will wait for the next bond measure,” City Councilmember Kathy Biala says. She notes firefighter response times are high (eight minutes) and City Hall offices in portables have leaky roofs, with tarps and sandbags used as a temporary measure. “During the last closed session, there were huge termites flying around the room and I was thinking, ‘This is the last straw,’” Biala adds. “The needs are dire.” The city needs space to reflect its recent growth; the police and fire departments currently share a building. Over several years, city council has discussed bringing a bond measure to voters to fund those facilities needs. In 2022, the council decided to postpone it because they wanted more community input, and it was a difficult time for many people dealing with inflation and financial uncertainty after the pandemic. This year, the council moved forward (on a 3-1 vote, with Mayor Bruce Delgado opposing) with Measure U. (Delgado advocated for a smaller $20 million bond to fund a new fire station.) The results were better than expected; 60 percent of voters supported the measure, but it fell short of the two-thirds requirement. There were hopes California’s Proposition 5 would pass, lowering the threshold to 55 percent, but the state initiative also failed. “While we didn’t meet the required threshold, the message was clear: Our community values investing in our aging facilities and public safety,” Councilmember Jenny McAdams says. The City Council is expected to start up a discussion about Plan B ideas for funding when they meet on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Flying High 2024 marks the best year in decades for the Central Coast flock of California condors. By David Schmalz news Looking Ahead The Pacific Grove Planning Commission meets to discuss its work plan for the upcoming year. 6pm Thursday, Dec. 12. City Hall, 300 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 6483181, cityofpacificgrove.org. Plan for Aging The Alliance on Aging invites the public to participate in the Solutions Summit, which is focused on shaping the future of aging and disability services under California’s Master Plan on Aging. 11am-2pm Saturday, Dec. 14. Castroville Japanese School, 11199 Geil St., Castroville. Free; RSVP ahead. 655-7562, allianceonaging.org. Funding Blocks The unincorporated Monterey County area and cities of Marina, Gonzales, Greenfield and Sand City are seeking proposals for projects to be funded with HUD Community Development Block Grants for 20252026. Projects include affordable housing, public facilities and economic development. Comments accepted through Dec. 16, and applications are due Jan. 17. A workshop will be held 9-10am Monday, Dec. 16, County of Monterey Government Center, 1441 Schilling Place, second floor, Salinas. bit. ly/3UQie9i. Housing Plan The City of Pacific Grove released the second draft of its Housing Element, which outlines a plan for future housing development in the city. Public comment is accepted. Comment period runs through 5pm Monday, Dec. 16. cityofpacificgrove. org/housingelement. Coffee with a Cop Hang out with Monterey police officers and ask questions in a casual environment. 9-11am Wednesday, Dec. 18. Plumes Coffee, 400 Alvarado St., Monterey. Free. 646-3830, montereypolice.org. Chipping Away Fire Adapted Big Sur launches the Big Sur Chipping Program with a panel discussion. Funded by a Cal Fire grant, the program provides cost-sharing wood chipping services to Big Sur residents. 6-7:30pm Thursday, Dec. 19. Big Sur Grange, 47090 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. Email questions in advance to info@chipbigsur.com. chipbigsur.com. Safe Streets The City of Monterey is developing a local road safety plan and wants to hear from residents. The goal is to find ways to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries. Survey is ongoing at surveymonkey. com/r/DZWT3QQ. haveyoursaymonterey.org/local-road-safety-plan. Plan B Without funds from a failed bond measure, Marina looks to alternatives for facilities upgrades. By Celia Jiménez The Central Coast flock of California condors—a critically endangered species, and the largest birds in North America—is showing new signs of resilience. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “How can you not rally around a big, flying bird?” VWS/Meredith Evans
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