California State Parks Requests Public Input For New Coastal Access at Open Workshop

San Simeon, CA – California State Parks will hold a public workshop on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cambria Veterans Memorial Building. The meeting is designed to obtain public input regarding public access to newly acquired state park coastal property north of San Simeon Point. Previously this was private property and now as part of San Simeon State Park, public access will be provided while protecting the existing elephant seal breeding grounds.

“Like any new land acquisition for State Parks, we need to gather the data to establish a balance between protection of resources and recreational use as it relates to the needs of the land,” said District Superintendent Nick Franco of the San Luis Obispo Coast District. “As we begin our planning phase, we are looking for public input to establish access points and what to see and do on this magnificent coastal property.”

“We are looking for the best ways for the public to enjoy this beautiful stretch of coastline while protecting the elephant seal population,” said San Simeon Sector Superintendent Ed Redig of San Luis Obispo Coast District. “As we work towards opening the northern coastal access of San Simeon State Park to the public, we also want to see the pristine fabric of this coastal environment remain intact for generations to come.”

The Cambria Veterans Memorial Building is located at 1000 Main Street in Cambria, CA. For more information contact Brian Barandon, Environmental Scientist at (805) 927-2108 or at bbarandon@hearstcastle.com. Subsequent meetings will also be held. A meeting on April 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. will be at the San Luis Obispo Veterans Memorial Building located at 801 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA. Meetings on May 10, 2006 and September 13, 2006 will be held at the Cambria Veterans Memorial Building at 7:00 p.m.