City Council Delays Vote to Secure Stowe Trail for Preservation

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Access to the , the historic route and popular hiking and biking path that cuts through near Santee, has lately been impeded by the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar because part of the trail is on their land. The to delay a vote in support of the San Diego County's resolution to secure Stowe Trail for preservation.

said he wants to speak with the Marine Corps personally to verify what the Corps wants to do with the land, before the city supports anything.

"Three and a half or four years ago there was a company trying to put a power plant in Miramar, on border of santee, and it was about ten times larger than the ," said Voepel.

He cited Marine Corps help in battling that power plant as reason why the city owes a debt to the Marne Corps.

Voepel made a motion that Council approve a continuance to the vote, so he could meet with County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and the Marine Corps "to see exactly where negotiations stand."

, Resource Analyst/Executive Director for Preserve Wild Santee, said the organization has supported Supervisor Jacob’s efforts by sending letters to Colonel Ritchie, Brigadier General Coglianese and Major General Kessler in April.

“It is in the Marines interest for the public to utilize the historic route of the Stowe Trail that goes over the northern section of rather than keeping the route entirely on the base," said Collinsworth. 

He wrote a recent in Santee Patch on the subject of the Stowe Trail and in that he explained why the support of the City of Santee is important:

"The current route includes public and private parcels within San Diego and Santee, the County of San Diego, and MCAS Miramar. A balanced partnership between all stakeholders that recognizes the important defense mission, the value of natural resources and recreational value of the trail would greatly benefit the public."

starting at the 15 minute point to see the Stowe Trail discussion.

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