Rialto Residences for Lytle Creek Conservation

Isn't technology fascinating and frustrating all at the same moment!? The photo popped up, but not the information, so here goes: Yard Sale October 4th & 5th, 7 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Have donations? Wonderful. Just give us a call 909-223-7063 and we'll arrange to get your useful, in good condition goodies. Desire a fun filled day? Join us in October on Yard Sale days. Or pray for cool weather; both will help immensely.

Here is the Update that all the residents of El Rancho Verde and Lytle Creek will be receiving soon. Thought you might like the see it too. The opposite side showcased a photo of a previous Yard Sale and the announcement of our next fund raiser. Somehow, it won't upload here. Go figure; I've tried and can't seem to make it happen. SAVE LYTLE CREEK WASH UPDATE... SLCW is a public interest community organization comprised of residents of El Rancho Verde and Lytle Creek. Our Vision: To preserve for posterity the Lytle Creek Wash as it is from Lytle Creek above the 15 Frwy to where it crosses the 210 Frwy. To maintain the natural habitat and provide limited trails for education, recreation and appreciation of its natural beauty. Since SLCW’s inception in 2010, much has happened with the project, Lytle Creek Ranch South, as it is now known. The City of Rialto approved the plans, provoking a lawsuit that forced the developer to redo parts of the Environmental Impact Report, but he did not change the project’s overall size and scope. The developer has filed for a Stream Bed alteration permit (404)(b)(1) from the Army Corps of Engineers; the first of many permits that must be obtained before any change to the area can commence. The downside of this project’s plans are that what is written does not necessarily mean that’s what will be built, especially when the plan has a long build-out time frame of 25 to 30 years. Take a portion of Rosena Ranch, for example, another project by the same developer, where once a retail shopping center and homes were planned, now sits an exceptionally large warehouse. After the completion of the Seven Oaks Dam above Redlands in 2000, the most viable population of San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat was thought to be secure; however, it wasn’t. The natural flood runoff that maintained the habitat ceased to exist. Now nearly fourteen years later, Lytle Creek Wash has become the last viable, naturally sustainable habitat for this Federally Endangered species. Lytle Creek Floodplain and Wash are key to the SB Kangaroo Rat’s chances of existing into the future. This is why SLCW continues to work to protect and keep the existing floodplain as it has been for hundred of thousands of years. Can the San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat and a housing development co-exist? Yes, but only IF the housing development is pulled back from the creek bed and flood plain so that neither are channelized, compromised or destroyed. SAVE LYTLE CREEK WASH continues to seek the preservation of this last natural environment of Southern California to ensure that all the endangered, and threatened species of Lytle Creek Wash can survive for future generations to study and enjoy. You can support our efforts by donating to our next Yard Sale (see other side for information), attending our meetings and being involved, and/or making a financial donation. Contact Lynn Boshart at (909) 877-6005 for further information.

Happy First Day of Summer! I'm loving it and expect that you are too. The garden bursts with veggies, flowers, rabbits and ground squirrels. The last two are not particularly beneficial; they just like what is. Those critters are decidedly cute and it grieves me to capture and move them to higher ground; however, they reproduce fast enough to offset the loss. On the other hand, the loss of Lytle Creek's critters and natural resources would be another kind of detriment altoget...her. Save Lytle Creek Wash, the Endangered Habitat's League and others seek to keep Lytle Creek as wonderfully natural as possible. Last month we wrote letters to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Public Notice of Pharris' application for a permit to alter Lytle Creek, the Wash and build 8,407 dwellings smack dab in the middle of the floodplain. Our efforts weren't the only ones. Other agencies posted missives to the Corps stating their deepest concerns. One government agency in particular used strongly worded verbiage - jeopardizing, very concerned, insufficient mitigation, underestimated impacts, risk of flood damage, etc.. Another agency wrote - degradation, seriously threatened, risk of extinction, substantial direct & indirect adverse effects, not sufficient, etc.. Other groups, an environmental consulting group, and a native plant society felt strongly about the area to write in their objections to permitting. Between SLCW and EHL's efforts to send letters and signatures stating our concerns and objections, the Corps received upwards of 250+. The Corps has been busy too. They've written to the applicant and had a meeting with him about all the letters. Now Pharris has some decisions to make and we'd like to help him decide. With apologies to Perry Como. . . . "Dear Pharris, would you be so kind as to fill our request and ditch this project we detest?" Can we get a application withdrawal as a YES!!? Stay tuned, the Fat Lady hasn't sung just yet.

Three days left to fire off your missive of protest to the Corps. Mine has gone and here it is for what it's worth. Enjoy. (Please, I know about the typos; it may be what I'm most famous for.) Via Email ([email protected]) Aaron O. Allen May 22, 2013...Continue reading

Good Golly Miss Molly, I have made a mistake! (Not the first or last one either). Seems I put in the wrong project number for writing to the Army Corps (that's Corps as in core pronunciation, not corpse as in a dead man). So, the correct numbers should be SPL-2013-00183-CHL, when referring to the 404 permit application. Okay, how many of you have written your letter? A show of hands please. Just as I thought. You are waiting until the ... last minute to express your displeasure, disgust, disdain, disheartened attitude regarding what Ron Pharris and Lytle Development Co. are planning to build in a 100 year flood plain, which incidentally, had in 2005 a 25-50 year food event. The Army thinks that's atypical of Lytle Creek, but for those who have lived here longer than Solomon, (bet you know a few) can attest to the power of the water and the destruction that can happen. With all this Global Warming stuff changing the weather patterns, we could see California under water from a mega storm in no time. Who needs an earthquake to have ocean from property? Now, get to writing that letter you keep putting off! Yes, mine is almost complete and who knows, maybe I'll share it with all of you when it's finished. Remember, you need not be erudite, an expert or a polished professional writer to express your opinion. Just say what's in your heart. The Corps wants to hear from you. That's one reason they call it PUBLIC NOTICE. However, the other side hopes that you don't NOTICE and consequently do nothing to stop what could be the biggest travesty San Bernardino County has seen since the Colonies debacle. I'll be headin' for the post office soon. Hope to see you there with your letter in hand. HI HO SILVER AND AWAY! (If you spot a silver Pontiac, wave, that's me).

"O' Army Corps, O' Army Corps, how do you view this project? O' Army Corps, O' Army Corps, we must protest and object! Give us more time to make our case. An opportunity not to waste. O' Army Corps, O' Army Corps, Protect you must, the Lytle Flood Plain. ... ( This is sung to the tune of O'Christmas Tree, which seems appropriate now that many of the pines on the golf course have died.) The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) is the first of many hurdles Lytle Development, AKA Ron Pharris must jump successfully to realize his project. Both Federal and State Fish & Wildlife agencies, the Santa Ana Water Quality Board and LAFCO will have their say regarding Pharris' grandiose idea for Lytle Creek Wash. The public's remarks have impact too, so I encourage you to write to the Corps and let them know your opinion about what happens to Lytle Creek Wash, all the critters that sneak, squeak, squawk, snarl, slither, skip, skitter and soar, and the habitat which supports them. And also to mention how 8,407 houses would exacerbate our already lousy air quality, for starters. Send your comments to the follow: Aaron O. Allen (via email [email protected]) United States Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Regulatory Division 2151 Alessandro Drive, Suite 110 Ventura, CA 93001 Re: Comments on Proposed Lytle Creek Ranch South Commercial and Residential Development; SPL-2010-00984-CLH Take a moment to just say NO to destroying what remains of a national watershed of importance and significance and the only viable remaining habitat for the Federally endangered San Bernardino Kangaroo Rat (SBKR). (He's not really a rat, more like a cute mouse with a good pair of jumpers and a very long tail. Look him up.) Just recently it has come to my attention that emails and letters are going out from El Rancho Verde to the USACOE under the mistaken notion that the El Rancho Verde golf course is coming back just because the developer's front guy - the one with the prematurely white hair - has said so. What a guy! And some have believed this pitch. However, make a call to Rialto City headquarters and the City Manager in charge will tell you otherwise. In fact "a golf course" is no longer in the description of the project. A better description of the project would be a "modified alternative" that reduces the project footprint from Sasquatch to that of the SBKR, so as to protect his habitat and preserve Lytle Creek for all in perpetuity. That's my desire; what's yours?

Ah. Spring is in the air and my sweet peas have just poked their heads up reaching for the warm sunshine. As we awaken from our winter's gloom to the glories of green and budding, let us not miss the movements of the opposition. Like all of California bracing for that inevitable major earthquake, we know that Lytle Development Co. is stealthily edging forward to have their Lytle Creek Ranch Specific Plan sanctioned by government agencies and thus be able to devastate the w...ilderness that so many love and enjoy. The application to the US Army Corps of Engineers has resurfaced, with the Corps set to issue a Public Notice of its review of their project plans. This app signifies the coming of other applications, some concurrently, others in line like aftershocks. Now it is our duty to be prepared. Not with bottled water and stored foods, although, I do hope you have those on hand just incase they are needed. We prepare by reviewing documents, emails, notes, letters, interviews, and contacting others who also have an interest in the outcome. We begin again to battle forces, persons and untold monies determined to destroy nature, not preserve it in any form. There remain alternatives that allow Lytle Dev. Co. to build and not ravage Lytle Creek Flood Plain completely; the case must be made for a better solution. Against Mother Nature's wrath, we have little recourse but to clean up, learn, rebuild smarter and become more respectful of her power. However, when man seeks to change the course of Mother Nature artificially, the rest of us will not be able to fix the damage. Once a habitat and natural flood way are altered, there is no regaining what has been for hundreds of thousands of years. Join with us in convincing the government powers that be that other ways exist to keep Lytle Creek intact and allow for building on the periphery. Otherwise, knowing Mother Nature, there could hell to pay in the future should she decide to shake, rattle, roll or rain for forty days and nights. Heck, we all know that it's not nice to fool with Mother Nature!

Hey, January is nearly over . . . the Super Bowl is upon us . . . and you may be wondering, what's been going on!? It's document time as I'm up to my knees with stacks of paper waiting to be read, digested, catalogued and the information of who, whom, what's that about, when; meaning date and time exactly, and possibly where up-loaded into the computer in some sensible format so that anyone and everyone remotely interested in the future and fate of Lytle Creek Wash floodplai...n could understand it. Whew! Makes me tired just thinking about doing all that, but that is what I am currently doing. Thanks to our members who helped read, highlight and note tab sensitive info so that I could find it and load it into a spread sheet. Progress is happening. Disjointed documents, emails, attachments, letters, etc. don't create captive reading moments. Now, there is a flow of thoughts, ideas, desires, demands, and "do as I say." And a much clearer picture is emerging of who is pulling the strings and how the "puppets" are or are not responding. (Neither Pinocchio nor Gippetto is amused.) Beyond that, there is the sneaky suspicion that what is being revealed on the computer screen is 1/2 of 1% of the documents that still need to be researched. So request, receive, research and catalogue will continue to be the watch-word moving forward so that the governing agencies can be assisted, informed, helped and held accountable. A symbiotic path creates a better relationship than a cantankerous one. It's a new year and a new day. We are positive that SLCW will have an effective influence in this year just like the last two. And as to who is controlling whom, well. . . "We've got no strings to hold us down, . . .there are no strings on us." (Thanks Pinocchio!) See more

Save Lytle Creek Wash wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Stay safe, be happy, be thankful and joyful; let love fill your heart to overflowing.

Just when we think nothing is happening, something is. Seems that a meeting between the regulating and permitting government agencies and Pharris have been held and I am working on finding out more about that. As for Save Lytle Creek Wash, we now must consider the viability of filing an appeal to the judge's decision to remove the Writ of Mandate, which allows Pharris to proceed with pursuing permits to build. Of course, he won't be doing the building; others will. He just... needs the permits to go along with the tract map that Rialto approved. That gives Pharris the green light to sell all the tracts off to home builders. He then heads back to Orange County with bulging pockets. The buyers then have carte blanche to build what they please when they please as the market demands. If it's houses, then houses, if it's warehouses, then warehouses. Who knows for sure what the future for Lytle Creek Wash floodplain will be? Yet, it's not over until it's over and SLCW is not finished pursuing a better plan for Lytle Creek. Tomorrow night, Wednesday December 12, 2012 is decision time regarding the appeal. We'll also begin a action plan with regard to all permitting agencies. Can you help? Of course you can. Add us to your prayers (if you pray), donate to help fund our activities, come to the meetings and get involved; email your two cents and we'll spend them. Thanks for being faithful followers. Your support lets us know that we are on the right course, lifts our spirits and encourages us to be tenacious. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year!

Here's the latest on our legal front. We lost the last round in Judge Gafkowski's court room. He didn't really listen to either side and left his tentative decision stand; that although the City (Rialto) couldn't justify their rejection of Habitat Avoidance Alternative 1 (HAA1) as infeasible, he allowed the request for dismissal of his Writ of Mandate. Now, where does that leave us? We still have a legal option and that would be to appeal the judge's decision to a higher cou...rt. First, we'll weigh the pro's and con's of that. Second, we'll look at any legal precedence and third, we'll look at what that might cost. Will we throw in the towel: Hell no! Our next meeting on Nov. 14th will provide the path to the best decision. If you can't attend and want to express your opinion, please do so here or to me directly. Finally, a thought on the election results. In the words of the late Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?" Somehow, some way we'll have to put differences aside to embrace a "work together" attitude if we are ever to move this great nation out neutral gear. Our friends expect it, our enemies don't. One bright note is that the Baca's get to return to being private citizens. Let's wish them well in the current job market. As for the lucky ones who won their race, keep them accountable; we deserve their best they have to give.

Last weekend's Yard Sale to raise legal funds surpassed our expectations. Despite an El Rancho Verde resident's email telling others not to support us, since, of course, we are the root and cause of the golf course's closing and dead trees, we received generous donations for the sale. The rain on Thursday backed up our opening Fri. morning, but not the enthusiasm of visitors and eager buyers, who quickly jumped on some incredible items. Again, our heartfelt thanks go out to ...all the donors, the tireless workers, sorters, pricers, movers, sign makers, clothes folders, money collectors, jewelry display maker, refreshment supplier, table loans, those who set up and broke it all down, and buyers. None of the above could happen without Mary's leadership (she's quite the veteran yard sale manager) and decisiveness. With her trusty roll of blue tape, indelible marker and cup of coffee, she is the Energizer Bunny of fund raising. Hats off to Mary! Our next meeting will take place in November, most likely a Wednesday (either the 7th or 14th) after we have the judge's decision. Then our new path will be laid out before us and we'll know which way to go. Also, remember to vote, whether absentee ballots or in person at the polls. A race and ballot measure's success often hinges on a few critical votes. Then you can proudly say," My vote made all the difference."

EHL & SLCW's briefs have been filed with San Bernardino Courts and Judge Gafkowski. Rialto & Lytle Dev. will now respond in much legalese. Judge Gafkowski will read, research, read, consult statues, regulations, CEQA, read again the EIR, FEIR, attachments. letters, responses, arguments in favor and against, laws pertaining to different points, case history and litigation wins before or after he hears arguments on October 5, from all parties to make a final ruling. To all who have supported our efforts to keep the development of Lytle Creek to a minimum and afford the critters that live there a home of their own. . . Thank you.