Hear our interview with Sierra Club Conservation Chair Ron Askeland and Loveland advocate Russell Walsh, aired on KNSJ
By Miriam Raftery
November 12, 2024 (Alpine) – Supporters of Loveland Reservoir are urging the public to attend a community workshop hosted by Sweetwater Water Authority tonight on trail improvements at Loveland Reservoir. The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Alpine Woman’s Club, 2156 Alpine Blvd.in Alpine.
Sweetwater will offer an update on Loveland trails improvements at the meeting, the third in a series of public workshops. The meeting comes after Sweetwater received a $750,000 state grant at the request of Senator Brian Jones for improvements at Loveland, and public input is sought on how to allocate those funds.
Nearly two years ago during the drought, Sweetwater drained Loveland to dead pool status for the first time ever, killing nearly all the fish. Heavy rains followed, causing major erosion, damage to trails, and destruction of a floating fishing dock. Subsequent rains have restored the water level, some fish species have begun to repopulate, and insurance has agreed to fund replacement of the dock, but trails access remains limited. In addition, the fishing community has long advocated for restoration of dawn-to-dusk hours promised in a land swap between Sweetwater and the U.S. Forest Service. In addition, the Sierra Club has gotten involved, advocating for habitat protection for sensitive species.
Friends of Loveland Reservoir, a nonprofit group formed to protect Loveland, urges the public to attend tonight’s workshop to discuss projects planned for the grant funds. The Friends group has emailed Sweetwater Authority’s Board requesting that some of the funds be used to create “a pedestrian gate to access the graded SDG&E power pole access road” as a ”common sense,low-cost solution for a less-demanding hike around the lake,” according to the group’s Facebook page.
"We are pushing for a pedestrian gate to access the already graded roads that SDG&E uses to service the Sunrise Powerlink utility poles," Friends' spokesperson Karen Wood told ECM. "That would allow access to the North section of the shoreline easement and would facilitate easier hiking for those with physical limitations. Currently, the only way to access that end of the lake is follow the shoreline and climb over several rock outcroppings. It is dangerous! We would also like an update on replacement of the HUD funded floating dock. Finally, we want an update on the projects that the SWA previously pitched: the alternate and easier path to the West end of the lake; the bridge to cross to that portion of the lake; the lookout platform; and finally the master plan for future improvements."
Russell Walsh, an avid angler and long-time advocate for restoration of Loveland Reservoir, says the proposed area for trails improvements is too narrow. He agrees with Friends’ goal to expand trails to maximize accessibility. He’s met with county and federal officials, with more sessions planned, he told ECM last week. He hopes to see a Veterans’ Park created that would be accessible to disabled people including veterans, and to see the fishing dock moved to be accessible from the park.
Though the lake itself is now once more filled with water and fish are repopulating, he believes a commitment never to drain the lake to dead pool status again is important. ”While Loveland is beautiful now and more people than ever are enjoying this beautiful resource, a threat of repeat destruction” remains,” he warns in an editorial published by the East County Advocate. “IT is time for all of our leaders to secure what is ours, without doubts and threats of Loveland being drained excessively again, while launching that trend far into the future by restoring access hours and enhancing amenities at overland in balance with the beautiful riparian surroundings.”
Ron Askeland, chair of San Diego Sierra Club’s Conservation Committee, is concerned about protecting both recreational access as well as sensitive species in Sweetwater River and the California Sycuan Peak Ecological Preserve downstream. He told ECM that he’s met with Sweetwater’s general manager on “how we can collaborate so that we have great recreational activities but also species preservation” including habitat protection, particularly for the Southwestern Pond Turtle and Arroyo Toad.
Askeland has visited Loveland and spoke with anglers, some of whom are fishing for food, not recreation. He says all the anglers agree on the need for greater access including sunrise-to-sunset access to help those who work and can’t arrive before the current 5 p.m. closing time.
He also suggests the need for trail improvements. “It’s just a really beautiful area to hike around,” he said in an interview with ECM aired on KNSJ. “But the terrain is steep in places, so trying to get access in that steep terrain is challenging.” (photo, right, via Friends of Loveland on Facebook)
Hiking leader John Allen also urges the public to turn out at tonight’s Alpine meeting. “We need to pack this house,” he said, citing a need to hold Sweetwater Authority accountable. “The budget for the long-range plan has been reduced...This community has a right address the Environmental and Social Justice concerns that have already been compromised, to restore the promises and programs broken in violation of existing funding and recorded easements, and to be made whole.”
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