The Planned Removal of Arundo Donax Threatens the Norco Bluff Trails -
Norco, California
Like the rest of the country, Norco is in a state of flux.With the Inland area, including Norco, developing and growing, "Horsetown U.S.A." is facing a personality conflict between citizens who want to preserve their horse community, and new locals interested in non-farm animal properties.
City officials, along with the horse community of Norco, are attempting to preserve the equestrian elements of the city.
One heated issue is the planned removal of the arundo donax within the Norco Bluff Trails. Arundo is a type of large wild cane from eastern Asia, and not native to California. The Arundo Trail, or "Shady Glades", is a series of tunnel trails created by the arundo, and one of the favorite trails in the Norco Bluff area.
The Norco Bluff Trails were created by long-time Norco resident Barry Scott and many community riders more than 20 years ago.
During a community celebration on Sunday July 11th, at the Ted Brooks Park in Norco, to honor Barry Scott and other Norco citizens that maintain the Norco Bluff Trails, Norco city councilman Kevin Bash and Mayor Malcolm Miller spoke to inform the public and address the issue.
The Army Corps of Engineers are planning the removal of the arundo due to their aggressive growing nature, extreme fire hazard, and ferocious appetite for water. Because the riverbed is California state land, Norco city officials and residents are finding themselves powerless to the planned removal of the arundo, and consequently the other native plants mixed in with it.
Bobbie Pope, a Norco citizen and equestrian rider, in her video about the trail removal, poses the question "How do you eradicate the arundo mixed into native plants?" She also points out that wild fox, bobcat, cougar, skunk, raccoon and coyote are wildlife that makes the riverbed its home, and the removal will disturb their habitat.
In an email from councilman Kevin Bash, he says of the issue "I ran on the platform that Norco is an equestrian community that is dependent on large properties, to trails, to open space (ride-able open space). Without any one of those elements you will not sustain equestrian activities. As I write this, we are looking for ways to preserve all three against a growing movement of Norconian's looking to put in sidewalks in their areas and do away with the animal keeping areas on their properties. With regards to the trails referred to two Sunday's ago, it appears that every effort will be made to preserve trails through natural habitat, however, the arundo is going to be removed for several reasons."
Malcolm Miller, Norco Mayor, also writes "The City (Norco) is planning a "study session" regarding the planned removal of non-native plants in the riverbed as well as the preservation of the current trails in the river bottom. We plan to have a representative from the company that will be doing the work and hopefully a representative from the Army Corps of Engineers as well."
One Norco resident, who commented on Bobbie Pope's video, suggests "I think it would be great to invite the city leaders on a guided tour on horseback. Maybe a few people would donate their dead broke horses so that some of the officials with the Army Corps of Engineers can ride too." They continue with "I don't think that anybody can truly appreciate it until they see just how special and beautiful it is."
There will be a community meeting on Wednesday, July 21st, at 6:00 PM, at Norco City Hall where the issue will be addressed.
*Note of correction: Wednesday July 21 is a regularly scheduled City Council meeting of which Mayor Miller has attached to the agenda, but he Arundo removal is not on the agenda. They are planning a "study session" regarding the issue but plans are not confirmed.
There is also another community meeting tentatively planned for July 26th, but a location and details have not yet been announced.
Check out the video below of the Norco Bluff Trails:
HOUSE FOR SALE IN NORCO BLUFFS or CHECK OUT THE VIDEO TOUR
