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Alameda County Altamont Landfill Open Space Fund Robertson Property Acquisition Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park East Bay Regional Park District oaks for roosting sites. The woodlands also provide habitat for amphibians and reptiles, including several salamander species, lizards and skinks. • Shrublands (coastal scrub/ chaparral) serve as a valuable habitat edge component for both woodland and grassland species. The mosaic provides productive habitat for such species as lizards and skinks, which are major prey species for the Alameda whipsnake,which is state- and federally-protected. • Riparian and wetland vegetation support native amphibian species such as the California red-legged frog, California tiger salamander, California newt and the western pond turtle. As on the adjacent parklands, EBRPD plans to utilize two major tools for conserving and enhancing habitat on the Robertson property: (I) an Integrated Pest Management Program to control noxious invasive weeds and invasive feral animals (such as red fox, feral pigs and bullfrogs); and (2) a managed livestock grazing program to favor grassland habitat values and reduce the potential for catastrophic wildfires. A site-specific grazing plan will onsider the number of livestock, duration of grazing period and season of grazing activity to accomplish the goal of encouraging species diversity of native and naturalized (orbs. Portions of the Robertson property have been overgrazed in the past. Improved management of the property will contribute to improved downstream water quality and ecological function through management of grazing, nutrients and erosion. Such a program would, in turn, benefit anadromous fish and other wildlife in Alameda Creek. II. Significant Visual and/or Non-motorized Recreational Value Sunol Ridge is a prominent regional landscape feature, and Sunol Peak at elevation 2,163' is the highest peak in the East Bay hills. Views from the ridgeline contain spectacular scenery and 360° long-distance panoramas of San Francisco Bay and the Peninsula to the west; Mt. Diablo and Brushy Peak to the north and east; and the Sunol/Ohlone Wilderness, Mission Peak and the Vargas Plateau to the south. EBRPD staff has recently completed a multi-year public process to prepare a Land Use Plan for the existing Pleasanton Ridge Regional Park. According to recent surveys of park visitors and community members, they favor trail use for relaxing and escaping the pressures of everyday life by walking/hiking (81%), mountain biking (40%), walking dog(s) (30%) and running/jogging (21%). High on users' list of priorities for the future is a variety of trail experiences, including regional links to other parks and summit viewpoints and narrow trails that permit mountain bikes. Respondents also expressed strong interest in back country camping and preservation of natural areas. In response to this public input, the new Land Use Plan (LUP) for Pleasanton Ridge provides for the construction of additional staging areas for improved access and the creation of new narrow as well as service-road-width trails which can accommodate a range of uses.