Fire Danger
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This expansion is located in a Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI) level 2 & 3
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Highly combustible oak woodlands, dry brush, and heavily wooded hills
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Hundreds of hikers, equestrians and cyclists on the trail network daily will dramatically increase danger of wildfires
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Back country hiking added Sep 2020
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Expansive trail network covering 3,700 acres will entice hikers to camp overnight
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Homeless setting up camps
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Hundreds of residents within and surrounding the trail network will face increased risk of wildfires to their homes, property and animals
Roads and Traffic
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Additional 400-500 vehicles trips daily to and from HFRP proposed access on Bell Road
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Bell, Cramer and Lone Star roads are narrow, winding and hilly with blind curves
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These rural roads were never intended to sustain high traffic
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Cyclists and truck/trailer rigs will compound traffic hazards
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Currently no CHP presence on Bell, Cramer and Lone Star
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Hwy 49 from Lone Star to Dry Creek Road is already the site of numerous accidents and fatalities, “Blood Alley”
Agriculture
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Placer County Farm Bureau supports Protect Rural Placer and opposes this project
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Proposed parking lot paves over prime agricultural land
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Cattle grazing land lost to expansive public trail network
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Urbanized recreation focus undermines the sustainability of agriculture in Placer County
Environment
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California Forestry designates this area as a riparian watershed to be protected
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Paving over open space ag land to create a parking lot and commercial concessions at 5345 Bell Road
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Hundreds of trees, many heritage oaks would need to be removed to widen roads
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Destruction of plant, water and wildlife habitats to create trails, access roads and bridges
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Water pollution to wetlands, streams, ponds, Orr Creek, Racoon Creek and NID Canal
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Disturbance to habitats and wildlife daily from hundreds of hikers, cyclists and equestrians
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Increased risk of wildfires which would destroy plants, trees, wildlife and their habits
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This proposed project is a “Placer Legacy” acquisition, but with its urban recreation focus, it does not preserve open space and habitat