Pacific Gas and Electric Denying Access to Lighthouse
By Sue Clark on Jul 12, 2007 in News 
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For the past month, culminating in a week-long meeting, residents of Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo County, California, have been embroiled in a tug of war over access to the lighthouse. In 1992, the Port San Luis Harbor District received the 30-acre site from the Federal Government with the requirement that the station be restored and opened to the public. The Port San Luis Lighthouse Keepers was formed in 1995 to take on the responsibility of maintaining it.
Pacific Gas and Electric has a power plant on the island, and has blocked access to the area due to safety and security concerns, and also because it would mean having to move the main gate to the nuclear power plant. The allowed tours, which require reservations made weeks in advance, are being led by docents, and take visitors over three miles of rough terrain. According to a recent story in the Santa Maria Times:
Despite a large number of people who believe individuals should be allowed to hike alone along the Pecho Coast Trail to the lighthouse, the Port San Luis Harbor Commission won’t back the idea, at least not anytime soon.
“We do agree that more hikers (should be able to access the lighthouse property) and that there should be greater access to the facility, but we can’t compromise our obligation to the public,†Harbor Commissioner Brian Kreowski said.
Members of the commission changed their tune somewhat, as the public, outraged by the requirement to be guided over PG&E’s land, told the state’s Coastal Commission that they want more access to the land north and south of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant. Thanks to the twenty people who spoke before the commission, PG&E has been ordered to increase public access to the lighthouse, but details of the access plan have not been worked out. The Commission took a field trip to the lighthouse to see the best way to implement this.
Lighthouse volunteer Jean Smith of San Luis Obispo said her goal is to see the public have wide access to the lighthouse before she dies.
“I’m 83 years old,†she said. “I urge you to hurry up.â€
The commission also learned that a new, mile-long loop trail will open Friday July 13 on PG&E lands north of the power plant. There are also plans to allow people to reach the lighthouse in van shuttles and across the water using a landing at the port breakwater, according to Andrew Merriam, president of the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers.
Not all of the speakers pushed for greater freedom. Several said they think all of the hikes to PG&E land should remain docent-led to minimize resource damage.
Fred Collins of the Northern Chumash Indians said unsupervised access has destroyed or damaged Native American sites all along the coast.
What do you think? Should the paths be more open, or stay as they are now? Leave your thoughts.
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If you’re in New South Wales, Australia, on Sunday, October 19, get out your running shoes for the very scenic Run For Breast Cancer. The Coordinator for the event wants to see at least five runners or walkers for each breast cancer patient on the North Coast. That translates to 1000 or so participants.
