Say "No" to Goat Grazing In Our Hills
Dear Monterey Hills resident,
This Wednesday May 20 at 7pm our City Council will hear an item by the Fire Chief asking for goats to be deployed to public land in the Monterey Hills.
The same company, Capra Environmental, was just used to deploy 600 goats to Pasadena's historic Arroyo Seco. They have eaten everything 8' and under, destroyed every other shrub in their path, completely denuded the landscape and significantly eroded and compromised the slopes. The reasoning was to remove dry, fire-prone invasive plants. They didn't even fully accomplish that task.
Healthy, native plants retain their moisture throughout the year, prevent the dry fuels from spreading, protect our slopes from erosion, dampen the sound of cars and machinery echoing all throughout our hills, and breathe life into the birds and animals that keep our hills so lovely and natural.
The company performing the work has stated unambiguously that it is not their responsibility to consider the biological and geological consequences. Mayor Rossi, who is not from our district, asked our Fire Chief for the goats specifically. Our councilmember, Omari Ferguson, has remained silent and nobody has been notified.
We are on track for the strongest El Niño weather pattern this Winter in recorded history. Not only will the goat grazing do permanent damage, it could not have been proposed at a worse time. This Winter will not be a fire season. This Winter will be a heavy rain season.
Your property values will be diminished. Neighboring properties will be put at great risk.
Please e-mail ccpubliccomment@southpasadenaca.gov and ask your leaders not to continue until a full biological and geological assessment has been made, do not trust Capra Environmental, and implement a plan that specifically targets the dry, invasive plants without damaging our protective native landscape. Thank you.
Call, text or e-mail me if you have any questions or need any assistance reaching out to your city council. The deadline for comments is Wednesday by noon.
Your neighbor,
Angelo Gladding1856 Hanscom Drive(626) 616-1102angelo@ragt.ag