16 POINT LOBOS RESERVE 



the term of "parks." This has not occurred throug'h any lack of efficiency 

 in operation on the part of those in charge. It has been largely due to the 

 absence of a clear-cut realization of policy and purpose of administering 

 natural areas. 



To remedy such a situation the California State Park Commission 

 adopted the Point Lobos Master Plan. 



"To keep at a high level of perfection the unique natural conditions 

 upon which the greatest values of Point Lobos depend, in order to make 

 these permanently available for the enjoyment, education and inspiration 

 of the public." 



Thus was the purpose stated, and thus was the policy determined, both 

 for development and use. Its guiding principle was moderation. Existing 

 conditions were to be changed as little as possible, and these only in the 

 interest of restoring naturalness or checking destructive tendencies. Auto- 

 mobile roads, for instance, were reduced from 16,000 to 8,000 feet, and 

 their scars removed, without lessening their main function of carrying 

 visitors within reasonable distance of important points. Parking places were 

 located after careful study. 



The finer areas are to be entered only on foot, over unobtrusive trails 

 which follow the logical course of travel and lead to features of greatest 

 beauty and interest, as determined by the analysis of the property. En- 

 trance is free, except that the commission has retained as a protective 

 measure a facility charge of 35 cents per car, which has the threefold merit 

 of providing some revenue for administration, of being nominal for those 

 who are genuinely interested, and giving enhanced appreciation of an ex- 

 perience through having paid for it. Marauders of the landscape, it is 

 found, do not so readily mobilize on foot. 



Camping and gatherings of the convention type, because of their de- 

 structive effects, cannot be permitted, but picnicking is provided for in 

 least perishable portions of the Reserve, such as the ocean shore and beaches. 

 Rules against destruction of plant and animal life are explained and inter- 

 preted by the staff, as well as enforced. Protection from an extreme hazard 

 has required that there be no fires or smoking. "Clean up" for fire pro- 

 tection or other purposes has been practiced with restraint. The scientists 

 have discovered important functions of the brush and grasslands as the 

 habitat for small mammals and many species of birds. Structures and all 

 artificial intrusions have been kept to the minimum necessary for adminis- 

 tration, and so placed that they will not mar any important element in the 

 picture. 



As to protection, one emergency has already been revealed by the studies 

 of plant pathologists. It is the threat of the cypress canker, deadly foe 

 of the Monterey cypress, which if it takes hold at Point Lobos will destroy 

 the most distinctive feature. Discovery of this plant disease within two 

 miles of the Reserve led to definite and aggressive measures. Trained crews 

 furnished by the National Park Service C. C. C. combed the territory for 

 at least 10 miles around to detect and remove from all plantations of 

 Monterey cypress those diseased trees from which the spores might be 

 transmitted by wind or birds, and a protective zone was established wherein 

 systematic examination and eradication were carried on. 



Already in many parts of California the planted cypresses, so important 

 in our landscape, are believed to be doomed, so far had this disease ad- 

 vanced before its menace was realized. There is no discovered cure. It may 



