DIABLO WATCH Save Mount Diablo
Protecting the Mountain since 1971
Earth Day the Focus of 'April On The Mountain' 'April On The Mountain' has been an annual tradition since 1974 for Save Mount Diablo and the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association. Although winter's cold, clear days are spectacular, and summer's heat makes the shady canyons attractive, early spring is one of the best times to get to know the mountain. We hope you'll enjoy this year's calendar. The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970. Over 20 million people participated nation wide; the huge showing of environmental concern resulted in the passage of the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts, and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
20 years later, we can hope the second Earth Day will have even more effect. 100 million people are expected to participate world wide. Save Mount Diablo is sponsoring a sunrise Earth Day gathering at Mount Diablo's summit. Afterwards, Earth Day of Contra Costa County and the East Bay Regional Park District will hold an environmental fair at the Martinez Regional Shoreline. We'll be there. Corne see what you can do in your daily life (every little bit helps) to help the Earth, as well as what SMD and other groups have been up to lately. Enjoy yourself whatever hike you take!
"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." -John Muir (coyote photo by Michael Sewell)
Spring 1990
Crystyl Ranch Victory; It's Not Over Yet In the Fall Diablo Watch, we reported that Concord voters would decide the Crystyl Ranch referendum on Nov. 9th. A massive 725-unit development on the slopes of Lime Ridge and the highest on Diablo's north side, 'Crystyl' was approved by Concord's city council at twice the density the City's very reasonable General Plan allowed, minus the Plan's 300 acres of open space. An independent committee of the Coalition For Concord's Future, 17 conservation and homeowner groups including Save Mount Diablo, challenged the approval. Despite $204,000 in developer spending, the group raised more than 10,600 signatures only to be attacked legally. SMD's lawyers succesfully defended the petitions. In the face of continued opposition, development plans were withdrawn, confusing voters, who were assured in the developer's mailings that new plans would only be submitted after approval by opponents. The council's amendment remained, however, and identical plans could still be submitted after the election. The voters weren't fooled; an 80% majority said NO! to Crystyl Ranch. Recently the developer has indicated his intent of submitting new plans. Please Write: Mayor Campbell and Council members, 1950 Parkside Drive, Concord, 94519. Tell them you love Diablo, support preservation of natural open space, views, and General Plan limits.
Celebrate John Muir's Birthday and Earth Day on April 22nd with a hike. 1