Edhat StaffSource: City of Goleta
As you may know, the Goleta City Council held two meetings last week to discuss the future of the dead and dying trees on the Ellwood Mesa. After hours of public testimony and deliberation, the Council supported an option to remove a minimal number of trees around three key trails to provide beach access from several locations on the Mesa. The tree removal locations and trails map can be found here. These trails are referred to as Trail 6, Trail 18 and Trail 25 in the General Plan. All other trails remain closed.
Council supported tree removal in the near-term along these three trails to provide public access as quickly as possible once the immediate threat has been removed. The current trail closure map can be found here. As soon as these trails are reopened, a new map will be posted and distributed.
The Ellwood Main Monarch Aggregation Site (aka Goleta Butterfly Grove) and other aggregation areas on the Ellwood Mesa will remain closed indefinitely.
Staff will return to Council with a progress update on the tree removal and emergency permit in October. Staff has already met with the Coastal Commission on the permit and will continue to coordinate with Coastal Commission staff as the project moves forward.
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