Lincoln Open Space Committee

The Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee is in the process of changing our name to the Lincoln Open Space Committee.  We feel that this new title will better reflect the broad scope of our organization.  Over the next month or two you will be seeing the new name replace the old one, including here on our website.  The mission of the Lincoln Open Space Committee is the identification, preservation, and protection of open space, wetlands, and woodlands in the Lincoln area, so that these ecosystems can serve as permanent native plant and wildlife habitats for the enjoyment of all. 

Everyone in Lincoln who has a concern or interest in open space is welcome to join our committee.  Please check the calander for our next meeting date and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Monday, March 24, 2008 01:41 PM -0700

Push for open space ratchets up
Lincoln urged to hire manager

By Jennifer K. Morita
courtesy of Sacramento Bee

Published 12:00 am PST Thursday, February 7, 2008
Story appeared in SOUTH PLACER ROSEVILLE section, Page G

A neighborhood group that organized to preserve roughly 200 acres of wetlands and riparian habitat in western Lincoln wants to become a citywide champion of open space.

Although residents are still working to complete the proposed plan for a nature center, trails and stream restoration along Markham Ravine, its members say wildlife and natural open space are at risk as Lincoln grows and that the city needs an experienced professional to manage preserved land.

"We're trying to broaden our focus to encompass all of Lincoln's open-space areas. We're looking for a name, and we're also looking for new members," said Sue Hamman, a member of the loosely formed committee.

The group's push for the Markham Ravine Nature Area began as a feud over a pool of water.

Every time the city tried to drain a detention basin in the Teal Hollow neighborhood, residents plugged it back up to keep what they thought was a year-round pond and home to ducks, beavers and other area wildlife.

After city officials explained the basin was there to control flooding, residents formed a task force to create the Markham Ravine Nature Area – an $8.5 million project to establish a four-mile trail system, build a nature center and restore the natural habitat along the Markham watershed.

Now, the ambitious plan is nearing the end of its lengthy environmental review. If all goes well, the project could go out to bid in either February or March 2009.

But after five long years, membership in the all-volunteer task force has dwindled, leaving the remaining handful to reassess their goals.

"We're in a transition period," Hamman said. "I'm hanging on because I love the open space of Lincoln and what it gives to me. … We have this natural habitat and wildlife, and we need to preserve it and restore it."

In addition to adopting formal bylaws and electing officers, group leaders are considering whether to apply for nonprofit status.

While they try to broaden its scope and attract new blood from other areas of the city, Hamman said they will continue to push for progress on the Markham Ravine Nature Area.

Public Works senior civil engineer Ray Leftwich said he anticipates sending the final environmental study to the City Council for certification within the next couple of months.

Sometime in June, the city will find out whether its application for a river parkway grant from the state is successful. Officials are relying on grant dollars to fund much of the Markham Ravine project.

Leftwich said city staff members hope to propose spending $739,000 on the project during the next fiscal year, including $350,000 in grants.

"If we don't get approved for grants, the project will continue to get (delayed)," Leftwich said.

Previous attempts to win the coveted grant money were denied.

"It's a very competitive process," said Foothill Associates Manager of Planning and Design Ed Armstrong, a consultant hired by the city to develop the Markham Ravine master plan.

If Lincoln does win state funding for the project, the city will have to provide matching dollars or forfeit the grant.

The matching dollars typically would come from park impact fees paid by developers when they pull building permits.

"Guess what's not happening right now," Leftwich said. "There's very little revenue coming from developer impact fees right now, just like everywhere else in California.

"But if we get approved for grants, we'll find matching funds."

Last year, frustration over a lack of progress led Bill Plumb – the Markham Ravine group's founder – to step down as its informal president.

"I didn't feel the city was being responsive in getting some things through," Plumb said. "We've been working on the nature area project for five years, and they still haven't been able to get any funding to implement it."

In addition, Plumb said the city was supposed to hire an open-space manager who would oversee maintenance of roughly 1,200 acres of public natural land in Lincoln.

Instead, many of the duties have been divided among various Public Works employees, who have other responsibilities.

Having an open-space manager would enable the city to intervene earlier when nature areas are threatened, instead of waiting until a crisis develops, said Plumb, who cited damage by Lincoln's rising beaver population as an example.

"They're building dams left and right. We've lost significant amounts of oak trees over the last four years," he said. "In some ways, Markham Ravine is less of an ecological, riparian habitat than it was when we started the project five years ago.

Now, the city is developing a beaver management plan, said Public Works Operations Manager Doyle Champlain.

Beavers that are destroying property or infrastructure in Lincoln, such as bridges or culverts, will be trapped and exterminated.

This fiscal year alone, county and federal trappers have caught 10 beavers just in the Markham Ravine area.

Meanwhile, Champlain and his crews have been putting up plastic "beaver guards" to discourage the critters from gnawing on young trees.

"They can outwork my crews," Champlain said. "I need two guys and a backhoe to keep up with just one of them."

Hamman echoed Plumb's concerns about the need for an open-space manager, saying, "There are moments when I'm equally frustrated."

Funding, however, remains a problem.

City Councilman Tom Cosgrove said eventually the city will need to create the new position.

"We've got quite a bit of open space and it's kind of getting to that point, but it's new territory for us," he said.

"That means, there's another area we have to budget for, and we have to look at what our priorities are."

Armstrong and Leftwich added that the environmental review for a project like Markham Ravine takes a long time.

"Getting the environmental documents prepared for a project along environmentally sensitive areas like creeks and wetlands take a lot longer and are more time-consuming than a lot of the public realizes," Leftwich said.

Still, whenever Cosgrove speaks to groups about community involvement, he points to the Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee.

"To me, they're an absolutely stellar example of how folks in the community can work in a way that takes something that was a neighborhood concern and turn it into a very positive outcome for the entire city," Cosgrove said.

"Expanding into a citywide group is a big step for the group that in the long run will benefit all of Lincoln."

Related Links:

• General Plan Update Process Moves Forward - Lincoln News Messenger

• General Plan Update Web Page for Lincoln

• Lincoln General Plan Overview

• May 31, 2005 General Plan Update Steering Committee Workshop # 11 Meeting - Lincoln News Messenger coverage

• General Plan - #12 workshop - News Messenger

• Public Notice - August 10th General Plan Update Meeting

• Public Notice for July 11th General Plan Workshop # 13 (Microsoft Word Format)

• Public Notice for the June 20th Workshop meeting (Microsoft Word Document)

• City of Lincoln General Plan - MRNC Web Page

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 07:40 PM -0800

The Markham Ravine Nature Area Project (MRNA) MASTER PLAN concept is Approved by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Committee - Scheduled for November 22 Lincoln City Council Presentation

Bill Plumb

The implementation of the Markham Ravine Corridor Enhancement Project (MRCEP), as we initially labeled our efforts, is proceeding on schedule. The Markham Ravine Nature Area Concept MASTER PLAN (MRNA as it is presently titled) has been reviewed by the City Parks and Recreation Committee and forwarded with approval to the Lincoln City Council. It is scheduled to be discussed at the November 22nd City Council Meeting.  Details of the concept Master Plan and a map of the project area can be viewed within the Foothill Associates menu section of our website. Readers can gain direct access to this info by clicking the "Special Events" bar at the top of this home page screen. The proposed Master Plan has also been placed on the City of Lincoln's website, linked below.

Foothill Associates was awarded the MRNA contract in April, 2004. Construction implementation will not begin until the Markham Ravine Project plans have been thoroughly reviewed and approved by both City and State / Federal regulatory agencies. Throughout the past year Foothill Associates has been under contract with the City of Lincoln to oversee the Markham Ravine Corridor Enhancement Project (MRNA). Their primary task responsibilities during this first year has been to conduct studies analyzing the opportunities and constraints involved as we proceed with the restoration and enhancement of the Markham Ravine, and the development of a multi-use trail system within the ravine.

Thus far, these studies have included surveying, mapping, biological assessments and wetlands delineation. During the next ten months Foothill Associates will be conducting additional environmental documentation as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as well as Federal environmental legislation. All of these studies will result in the preparation and adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration so that we can then proceed with actual implementation of the Markham Ravine Project.

During this next year Foothill Associates will also prepare the Phase 1 trail system planning documentation, including alignments, grading and design of Markham Ravine trails throughout Foskett Ranch and the adjacent MR areas located to the east of Teal Hollow Drive. This documentation is expected to be completed prior to July, 2006. In preparation for this timetable of events the Lincoln City Council has adopted a $400,000 Markham Ravine Trail System line item expenditure within their 2005-2006 City budget, which was approved on June 14th. Monies are therefore allocated to begin trail construction during this current fiscal year assuming all necessary studies are completed and environmental agencies' clearance has been obtained.

The City has also just submitted a grant application to the California State Parks Department to augment this funding for implementation of phase 1. If approved by the State these funds will be made available in Fiscal Year 2006. The Markham Ravine Task Force reviewed this grant application in October. It was then submitted to the State.

The Markham Ravine Nature Area MASTER PLAN is a policy document that establishes the planning framework for the future design, implementation, and management of the Markham Ravine. The Goals and Policies in the MASTER PLAN provide specific guidance on critical restoration and trail system implementation issues so that all aspects of the Markham Ravine development and operation will conform to the completed environmental studies and analysis, and will be consistent with the agreed upon MRCEP project concepts.

The Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee invites the Lincoln community to participate in the development and refinement of the MASTER PLAN concept and policies. It is currently scheduled that this document will be completed and presented to the City Council for adoption on November 22nd, 2005. The next public opportunity to discuss the MASTER PLAN will be on the agenda of the Markham Ravine Task Force, which will meet on November 15th, 2005. It will take place at the Lincoln City Hall, starting at 6 pm. Please visit the Calendar section of our website for meeting agenda details. We also invite all interested persons to submit written comments to our website email address at webmaster@markhamravine.org. Please visit the related links below for additional information.  

Related Links:

• City of Lincoln Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF) Reuse Plan – Meeting Agenda April 28th, 2006

• HDR – Project Consultant for WWTF Reuse Plan

• City of Lincoln Website - Link to Markham Ravine Nature Area Master Plan Documents

• Public Input Sought on Proposed Markham Ravine Master Plan - News Messenger

• MASTER PLAN - Draft Goals & Policies - (Adobe Acrobat Format)

• MASTER PLAN - Draft Goals & Policies - (Microsoft Word Format)

• MRCEP Project Funding - MRNC website menu

• Foothill Associates: Revised Project Schedule for Completion of the Markham Ravine Corridor Enhancement Project

• CEQA - The California Environmental Quality Act

• Mitigated Negative Declaration

Tuesday, April 03, 2007 08:42 PM -0700

LINCOLN CREEK WEEK 2006 TO BE HELD IN APRIL

Bill Plumb

Related Links:

• Creek Week 2005

• Sponsors

• 2005 Sponsors Thank You published in the Lincoln News Messenger

Saturday, October 29, 2005 04:34 PM -0700

MARKHAM PARK GRAND OPENING CELEBRATED WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY  ON SEPTEMBER 30TH

Bill Plumb

The City of Lincoln Parks and Recreation Committee conducted a grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony for Markham Park on Friday, September 30th. Mayor Tom Cosgrove was present as well as other City officials.  Pam Plumb represented the Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee and had the honors of cutting the ribbon.

The Markham Park has been open for public use since the beginning of Summer. The park has been expanded to include a pavilion with six picnic tables and a barbeque pit. A new swing set has been constructed and park benches have been added overlooking the ravine. A public bathroom facility has also been added at the West end of the park.

Related Links:

• Park Photos

• Markham Park Plans

• Two New Lincoln Area Parks to Hold Grand Opening Ceremonies
  

Saturday, October 29, 2005 03:26 PM -0700

City of Lincoln Will Pursue 2006 All America City Award - Community Invited to Attend November 15th Public Workshop to Discuss the Award Application

Bill Plumb

The City of Lincoln will conduct a public workshop on Tuesday, November 15, from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at McBean Park Pavilion (65 McBean Park Drive) to discuss the City's 2006 All America City Award Application.

At the workshop, discussions will be held regarding the various programs that should be highlighted in the 2006 All America City Application. These programs will include, but are not limited to: SCHOOLS Program, Zebra Housing Project, Markham Ravine/Creek Week, Helen Putnam Award Winners, the Library Cooperative Agreement, etc. Questions regarding this workshop? Call Steve Art at 645-4070, ext. 219.

The City of Lincoln submitted an application for the 2005 All-America City Award, a program of the National Civic League. On April 14, 2005, the City was notified it had been named one of the 30 finalists for the award. During the awards ceremonies in June of this year the city of Lincoln was not selected for the top 10.

The All-America City Award encourages and recognizes civic excellence, honoring communities (neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties and regions) in which citizens, government, businesses and non-profit organizations have collaboratively resolved critical community issues. Since 1949, more than 4,000 communities have competed and nearly 500 have been named "All-America Cities." 

The City of Lincoln was chosen by Money Magazine as one of the top 100 cities in the United States in 2005. The Money Magazine designation is focused on statistical data and numbers, including home values, income levels, educational attainment, crime rates and recreational activities available to residents of the city. Over 400,000 cities throughout the United States were evaluated for this award. Final judging was narrowed down to around 1000 communities. Lincoln was designated #93, which is quite an honor!

Related Links:

• Lincoln Will Pursue 2006 All-America City Honor

• 2006 All America City Pursuit - News Messenger

• All America City Application 2005

• National Civic League / All-America City Program

• All-America City delegation send-off - News Messenger

• Lincoln - Finalist for 2005 All-America City Award

• Lincoln's 2006 All-America City Bid On Hold

• Lincoln, One of 100 Top US Cities

• Lincoln is Ranked #93 City in US According to Money Magazine - Sac Bee

• Money Magazine Article (August 3rd, 2005)

Saturday, October 29, 2005 04:26 PM -0700

Lincoln General Plan Update Process Moves Forward

Bill Plumb

Years of hard work on Lincoln's General Plan update came to an end on August 17th, when the last of 13 General Plan Update Steering Committee workshops to mold the city's future was held. Now that the general plan update Steering Committee is finished with its workshops the proposed document will be sent to city staff for some fine-tuning before it is forwarded to the city Planning Commission and then the City Council for adoption. Adoption by the City Council is expected to take place by the end of this year. After the council's adoption, the general plan will be sent to the Local Agency Formation Committee (LAFCO), which will then certify Lincoln's proposed sphere of influence. Currently, the city's sphere of influence is about 20,000 acres. The proposed general plan update calls for an additional 12,000 acres at build-out.

City and County governmental entities are required to develop a General Plan which addresses desired growth and land use, and maps out a blueprint for approval of all future development projects within their spheres of influence. The City of Lincoln is currently in the process of updating their General Plan, first written in 1988. The City of Lincoln is developing their plan update as a 50 year General Plan.

The Community Development Department is the Lincoln City office responsible for overseeing the General Plan update process. Since early in 2003 the Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee has been participating in General Plan update workshop meetings, specifically addressing issues relating to open space preservation and conservation.

Land use is the General Plan component which designates the location and density of housing, business, industry, open space, education, public buildings and grounds, waste disposal facilities, and other land uses. Land use is the key element within a General Plan. Any new directions taken by the City related to land use will impact on all other planned goals and policies. New land use directions will definitely impact upon the City commitment to open space preservation and conservation within Markham Ravine.

During the Steering Committee public workshop meetings the following General Plan update principles and guidelines were firmly established.

• Maintain the the current City commitment to 40 % open space.

• The City will expand and develop utilizing the "smart growth" and "village model" principles.

• The General Plan will be a 50 year document.

• By 2055, the City will expand it's sphere of influence to 32,000 acres. It is presently at 20,000 acres. Within the additional 12,000 acreas there will be seven new villages and two new development areas.

• By 2055 the City will expand to a population of 120,000. It is currently at 27,000. It is expected to double within the next five years.

The General Plan Update Steering Committee has submitted a recommendation to the city council that includes medium-density housing units, as well as low density residential housing, along the Markham Ravine near the old waste water treatment plant.  This recommendation is not compatible with the current draft Markham Ravine Nature Area Master Plan.  This discrepancy will be addressed by the City Council during the November 8th Council meeting.

Related Links:

• General Plan Update Process Moves Forward - Lincoln News Messenger

• General Plan Update Web Page for Lincoln

• Lincoln General Plan Overview

• May 31, 2005 General Plan Update Steering Committee Workshop # 11 Meeting - Lincoln News Messenger coverage

• General Plan - #12 workshop - News Messenger

• Public Notice - August 10th General Plan Update Meeting

• Public Notice for July 11th General Plan Workshop # 13 (Microsoft Word Format)

• Public Notice for the June 20th Workshop meeting (Microsoft Word Document)

• City of Lincoln General Plan - MRNC Web Page

Thursday, September 22, 2005 08:16 PM -0700

PLACER LEGACY FUNDING FOR 2005-2006 DEBATED and approved BY the Placer COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

Bill Plumb

Throughout this past Summer the Placer County Board of Supervisors debated whether to continue public funding of the Placer Legacy program. This following receipt in June of the prestigious Green Award for it's long-standing open space preservation policies. Placer Legacy is a pivotal foundation and spearhead for the preservation and enhancement of our Placer County open space vistas. The Board of Supervisors conducted a budget workshop session on August 18th to specifically discuss this issue. At that meeting the Board voted to proceed with an annual Placer Legacy contribution and even recommended an increase in the funding to an amount of 1.25 million dollars. The discussion was not yet over, however. The Board then reopened its discussion and finally voted to approve the total Placer Legacy budget package in September. 

Related Links:

• Placer Legacy Open Space Inventory Map

• First Round of Debate Favors Continuation of Placer Legacy Funding

• Placer Supervisors Debate Continuation of Placer Legacy Budget Funding

• Placer Legacy Funding Battle

• Placer County Earns Green Award for its Open Space Preservation Policies

• Placer County Lands a Green Award as a Top Nature -Friendly Area - Sac Bee

• Contacting Placer County Supervisors

• Protecting our Placer County Open Space Vistas - Placer Legacy

• Placer Legacy Needs to be Funded - MRNC Letter to News Messenger Editor

• Rural Lincoln Municipal Advisory Council Supports Placer Legacy

Saturday, October 29, 2005 03:26 PM -0700

July 4th In Lincoln - An All-Day Festival of Fun

Bill Plumb

July 4th in Lincoln was a festival of fun for all who participated in the numerous events. The activities included a parade, a pancake breakfast, swimming at the newly renovated McBean Park pool, Rotary barbeque, kids zone play area, live music throughout the day, Little Miss Lincoln Pageant, and a dazzling fireworks show. And, this wasn't even all of the activities! The MRNC applauds the City for staging such a wonderful event. Lincoln is a great place to call home! Please view our photos menu section for snapshots of July 4th, 2005 in Lincoln.

Related Links:

• July 4th Photos

• 4th of July Newspaper Coverage - Lincoln News Messenger

Saturday, August 06, 2005 10:27 PM -0700

City Council Adopts FY 2005-2006 Annual Budget - Includes $400,000 for Phase I of Trail Development in the Markham Ravine

Bill Plumb

On June 14th the Lincoln City Council adopted a 2005-2006 fiscal year budget. The total amount approved was $122 million. This budget includes an appropriation of $400,000 to be used for Markham Ravine restoration and development of a trail system. These funds will be utilized to implement Phase 1 of the Markham Ravine Corridor Enhancement Project. During the past year, Foothill Associates has been contracted to develop a plan for enhancement of the Markham Ravine. Phase 1 includes the area of the ravine located to the east of Teal Hollow Drive and spreading throughout Foskett Ranch. The eastern trailhead will link to the newly developing Regional Park in Foskett Ranch, just west of the lumber mill. The new city budget also includes funding for the development of the Regional Park.

The City Budget also identifies an additional $520,000 which will be allocated to implement Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Markham Ravine Enhancement Project during the following two fiscal year City budgets. The plan projection is to complete the restoration and trail system by the Spring of 2008. Specific details of the Phase 1 Project plans will be presented to the City Council on November 1st 2005. During that time the City Council will review and approve a Masterplan for the Markham Ravine Corridor Enhancement Project.

The complete FY 2005-2006 City Budget can be viewed at the City of Lincoln website.

Related Links:

• Markham Ravine Enhancement Project Plans

• City Budget Details - Markham Ravine Capital Development Project # 210

• Lincoln News messenger article - City Budget Adopted

• City of Lincoln Website - Complete City Budget

• City of Lincoln Trails Map - Existing and Proposed  

• City Trails Connect Schools, Parks - Lincoln News Messenger

Thursday, September 22, 2005 08:16 PM -0700

Establishing Property Owner and City Maintenance Standards to Protect the Markham Ravine Riparian Habitat and the Trail System

Bill Plumb

As a major component of the Markham Ravine Corridor Enhancement Project study and analysis during the next year, Foothill Associates will be identifying procedures and responsibilities for maintaining the Markham Ravine after the enhancement construction has been completed. Budgeting for on-going Markham Ravine maintenance activities will need to be included within the annual City budget adopted by the City Council.

Lincoln property owners who live adjacent to the Markham Ravine will also need to develop backyard development standards and accept responsibility for preserving and maintaining the ravine. Some of the City maintenance activities and resident responsibilities will include:

• Regular clearing of the high growth of grasses near residential housing when presenting a potential fire hazard during the dry summer months.

• Maintenance of the projected multi-use trails throughout the Markham Ravine.

• Care of the newly established vegetation and trees which will be planted to enhance the riparian habitats within the Markham Ravine.

• Control of litter, especially due to the projected increase in foot traffic along established trails.

• Control of dogs and enforcing the City of Lincoln leash laws along the proposed Markham Ravine trails.

• Adoption of regulations and standards for property owner's living adjacent to the Markham Ravine, related to construction of retention walls, and extension of backyards beyond fence lines down to property lines within the ravine habitat..

• Educating community residents to restrain from dumping yard debris into the Markham Ravine and using harmful biochemicals within backyards located adjacent to the ravine.

Related Links:

• Project Funding

Thursday, June 30, 2005 08:44 PM -0700

All Names Markham - Searching for the Markham Ravine Namesake

Bill Plumb

We have not yet found an answer to perhaps one of the most burning questions of all in the minds of our website readers. Just who was the namesake for Markham Ravine, first known as Markham Slough? None of the written historical documentation we have researched thus far makes any reference to the Ravine's origins or namesake. Research of the birth, death, voter registration and genealogical history records of Placer County reveals only one Markham as a resident during the past one hundred fifty years, Anne Markham Murphy.

There is an intriguing possibility which could provide the answer to the Markham Ravine namesake question. There is a significantly large family tree in the genealogy data bases which links the surnames of Doty and Markham. There is no historical documentation we have yet found that connects a Doty or Markham family in residence within our community area. However, there is both a Doty Ravine and a Markham Ravine practically next to each other. Doty Ravine flows from Auburn down to Gladding Road just north of Lincoln. At one time the Doty Ravine was even a rich but short-lived source of gold, the closest-to-Lincoln-as-yet discovered gold deposits. Why would two ravines in very close proximity have these two specific surnames unless relatives within the Doty-Markham family tree had some connections in the Lincoln area? Is there a connection here? Is there a reader of our website with knowledge of Lincoln area history, or who may be related to the Doty-Markham family tree? If so, please coontact us and shed some light on this question?

There is another namesake possibility, although less plausible. Perhaps the Ravine was named after the poet, Edwin Markham. His photo is pictured within this home page article. Edwin lived much of his later life in Central California and the San Francisco Bay Area, where he was very well known and quite influential. In addition, some of his most famous poems are written as tributes to President Abraham Lincoln. Markham later published a book entitled "Lincoln and Other Poems." For years it had been presumed by many that the City of Lincoln's namesake was President Abraham Lincoln, and not Charles Lincoln Wilson. Is there a connection here? Just another pondering thought!

Perhaps the Markham Ravine is named after Henry Markham, who was the Governor of California from 1891 to 1895? Probably not, because the first written reference to the name Markham Slough was made in 1862, long before Henry became our State's governor.

As you will discover in exploring our related links below, and by browsing through the Google search engine internet site, there are plenty of references to one Markham after another. Further research is obviously necessary to confirm the Markham Ravine namesake. Please join us in our quest.

Related Links:

• MRNC Website - History menu

• Edwin Markham

• City of Markham - Ontario, Canada

• Markham Vineyards - Napa Valley, California

• Markham College - Lima, Peru

Thursday, June 30, 2005 08:44 PM -0700

Awards of Merit Presented by the Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee

Bill Plumb

"Awards of Merit" were presented by the Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee to seven individuals / organizations who have made significant contributions in 2004-2005. These awards were handed out at the April 6th Community Forum as part of the Lincoln Creek Week festivities. Each of the award recipients received wooden plaques with the 2005 Creek Week logo and engraved with their name and significance of their contribution. Kudos to all of the award recipients as follows: 

1. Michael Holland is the Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee website webmaster. His plaque is engraved, "Words disappear in an instant until they are published."

2. City of Lincoln Council Members and Staff. The City has been a primary advocate and supporter of the MRNC efforts to preserve and enhance the Markham Ravine and other open space areas throughout Lincoln.  Their plaque is engraved, "Governance with dedication and commitment does make a difference."

3. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Church members have constituted a majority of the volunteers during the first two annual Creek Week events. Their plaque is engraved, "A successful event requires many exuberant volunteers."

4. Sandy O'Bleness is a graphic artist working at Foothill Associates. Foothill Associates has been awarded the City contact to implement the Markham Ravine Corridor Enhancement Project. Sandy has been the primary designer of all of the graphic logos and website design for the MRNC. Her plaque is engraved, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

5. Jill Nelson is one of the founding members of the Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee. She has been a leader and participant in every one of the Committee's activities and events since being organized in 2002. Her plaque is engraved, "Three years of volunteer service beyond the call of duty."

6. Shaun Densley created one of the two official 2005 Creek Week logos. He has also been leading the effort to construct and place bird nesting boxes throughout the Markham Ravine. His plaque is engraved, "Family, church, student, scout - So young yet already giving back so much to his communities."

7. Riley Swift is the founder and President of Restoration Resources, a consulting firm committed to the preservation and restoration of riparian wetlands habitats. He has been a participating member of the MRNC for the past three years. His plaque is engraved, "Our mentor, our inspiration."

Related Links:

• MRNC Award Presentation Photos

Thursday, June 30, 2005 08:44 PM -0700

Placer County Supervisor Robert Weygandt Creek Week Community Forum Presentation - Protecting Our Placer County Vistas

Bill Plumb

Placer County Supervisor Robert Weygandt has been an instrumental leader and spokesperson for the protection and conservation of open space throughout our county. Weygandt was a featured speaker at the 2005 Lincoln Creek Week Community Forum on April 6th. During his presentation Mr. Weygandt highlighted the efforts of the Placer Legacy program to protect open space through land acquisition and conservation easements, the on-going Placer County Conservation Plan planning activities, the establishment of a proposed new regional park east of Lincoln, and the Placer Land Trust. Please go to the websites linked below for full details.

You will be amazed at all that is happening to protect and enhance our beautiful pristine countryside throughout Placer County. The MRNC even foresees the time when our local Markham Ravine habitat and trail system will eventually tie into the larger Placer County regional parks and other protected lands. As Supervisor Weygandt states, "We have the makings of a mini National Park in our back yard."

Related Links:

• 2004 Placer Legacy Slide Show Presentation

• 2005 Placer County Habitat Conservation Plan (PCCP) Slide Show Presentation

• Protecting Our Placer County Open Space Vistas

• Supervisor Robert Weygandt

Saturday, August 06, 2005 10:27 PM -0700

MRNC Members Walk the Hallways of the California State Capitol - Meet with Our Elected Representatives, Assemblyman Tim Leslie and Senator Sam Aanestad

Bill Plumb

As a 2005 Lincoln Creek Week activity event on Monday, April 4th, members of The Markham Ravine Neighborhood Committee met with with California State Assembly member Tim Leslie, representing our 4th Assembly District, and staff of California State Senate member Sam Aanestad, representing our 4th Senatorial District. The purpose of these sessions was to inform our elected representatives of our ongoing activities to preserve and enhance the Markham Ravine open space riparian habitat. We have been very successful in our educational and advocacy efforts at the local Lincoln City Council level. There have been unanimous five to zero votes on all issues we have brought before the City Council members during the past three years. However, there are some issues which can not be resolved just at the local level.

All of the planning activities now being conducted by the Foothill Associates as they write a "Master Plan" for the implementation of the Markham Ravine Corridor Enhancement Project requires submission of environmental documentation and solicitation of permits as required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Any funding needed to actually implement a trail system as will be proposed and delineated in the MRCEP Master Plan will need to be solicited at the State and Federal levels. Protection of our Lincoln open space riparian habitats will require oversight and enforcement at the State level. 

Our MRNC meetings conducted during Creek Week at the California State legislature level is a first step in broadening the MRNC efforts to be more successful at all legislative levels. During our California State Capitol walk-about the MRNC members also met with elected legislative members, as well as staff, of two State legislative committees which must review and pass on all proposed legislation related to open space preservation, permitting requirements and funding. These committees are the State Assembly Committee on Natural Resources and the State Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water. 

Within our MRNC website we have provided links to the websites of representatives at all legislative levels, including Lincoln City Council, Placer County, State of California and Federal. Website links also include both houses of the California State Legislature.

Please explore and investigate the "Daily File" menus in the California legislative websites for a daily update on the meeting schedules of the two key California legislative committees cited above, and the status of key legislative bills which could ultimately affect our MRNC efforts. All legislation related to open space currently being introduced and debated at the California State Capitol can also be read in their entirety and followed at these websites.  

Related Links:

• Lincoln City Council

• Placer County Board of Supervisors - Robert Weygandt

• California State Assembly Website

• California State Senate Website

• California State Assemblyman Tim Leslie

• California State Senator Sam Aanestad

• US Congress - Representative - John T Doolittle

• US Senator - Dianne Feinstein

• US Senator - Barbara Boxer

Saturday, August 06, 2005 10:27 PM -0700

Preserving the Cultural History of Lincoln - Lincoln Students Create Film - DVD Edition Has Public Debut at the Creek Week Community Forum 

Bill Plumb

A video documentary look at the cultural history of Lincoln has been produced by Forty Niner Regional Occupational Program instructor, Ivan Bradley, and his students within the 49er ROP Digital Video program at Lincoln High School. This historical film project was an outgrowth of workshops attended by Bradley in August and October, 2004, presented by Canadian Filmaker/Director Nikos Theodosakis, through the auspices of the Placer County Office of Education. 

Bradley then created a 15 minute documentary, interviewing local Lincoln resident historian Jerry Logan, focusing on the theme “Preserving Your Local Culture.” The subsequent evolution of this film project included the involvement of students interviewing other local Lincoln resident historians and creating similar cultural documentary videos.

These individual student videos were shown publicly for the first time, along with works from other high school film teams, at a “Showcase 2005- Festivale du Film,” on Saturday, March 5, 2005. This event was held in the newly renovated Lincoln Heritage Theater. The film showcase was sponsored by the Placer County Office of Education. Awards and recognition, along with an address by Mr. Theodosakis, followed the film gala. This being the first year of the PCOE film festival all of the students received awards of achievement. Starting in 2006 the student film festival will become a competitive judged event. 

Previously, in July of 2004, the MRNC wrote a three part series of articles for the Lincoln News Messenger based upon research conducted by Bill Plumb related to the cultural history of the Lincoln area. Plumb talked with long-time Lincoln residents and historians including Jerry Logan, Wes Freeman and Bill Wyatt. We talked about the Maidu Indian inhabitants and their significant, yet mostly overlooked, imprint on our community. We shared the migration of European settlers after the discovery of Gold in 1849. We examined the railroad expansion through Lincoln and subsequent birth of the City of Lincoln. We explored the discoveries of coal and clay deposits.

This Lincoln history was researched and shared with the Lincoln community because the MRNC believes that the successful preservation of Lincoln's ravines and riparian habitats requires an understanding and preservation of our cultural history as well. Please go to our website history menu for the complete story as we wrote it in 2004.

The DVD edition of the student film, including the Lincoln student's historical videos edited together with 60 historical photographs, had it's premier public showing during the Second Annual 2005 Lincoln Creek Week, at the Community Forum event on Wednesday, April 6th. 

The DVD presentation was followed by a question and answer session with four of the local Lincoln resident historians filmed in the video. Many questions were asked by the audience members wanting the Lincoln historians to personally elaborate on their childhood and remembrances of our Lincoln cultural history. It was an absolutely memorable evening for all in attendance who were captivated by these recollections and stories.

The student's Lincoln historical DVD is available for sale at a cost of $20.00 through Lincoln High School and at several Lincoln downtown businesses including The Whispering Woods, Sweetwater Cottage and The Morning Glory cafe.

Related Links:

• Preserving History Student Brochure

• Festivale du Film Slide Show

• History Web Page

• Lincoln News Messenger Coverage

• Lincoln Archives Helps Preserve Area's History

Saturday, August 06, 2005 10:27 PM -0700

Invitation for Student Projects Within the Markham Ravine for the 2005-2006 School Year

Bill Plumb

The MRNC is continuing to seek students to develop Markham Ravine related research and activity projects during the next 2005-2006 school year. Student projects can earn academic credits, and they will help enhance the Markham Ravine wetlands riparian habitat. The possibilities are endless. Some major student projects conducted during the Lincoln 2005 Creek Week, April 2nd - 9th, included volunteer participation in the creek cleanups, as well as involvement in the construction and placement of bird houses and wood duck boxes throughout Markham Ravine. 

Go to the Student Projects menu on our website for more details. Lincoln High students please talk to Mark Fowler for specific information on how you can create a Markham Ravine project next school year. In the meantime have a great Summer vacation. See you in September.

Related Links:

• Students Project Web Page

• Photos - Creek Week 2005 - Placement of Bird Nesting Boxes

Sunday, August 07, 2005 11:20 AM -0700