On May 19, the Board of Supervisors heeded our calls to reinstate the goal of a regional trail system in the Open Space Element. On June 2 at 1:30, the Supervisors will have the chance to reject the Planning Commission's weakened protections for streams and wetlands that are critical to salmon recovery.
Ask the Supervisors to show their commitment to clean water and healthy fish populations by restoring the stream and wetland buffers recommended in the 2012 draft GPU. These buffers were developed with input from fisheries biologists and agencies charged with protecting fish, rivers, and wetlands.
Better stream and wetland buffers are important for:
- Protecting clean water by intercepting runoff, trapping sediments, removing pollutants, and promoting ground water recharge.
- Reducing erosion, flooding, and sedimentation, which is critical for protecting fish habitat, water quality, and property values.
- Keeping water temperatures cool by providing shade, which is critical for coho salmon and other aquatic species. Many of our rivers are designated as impaired by temperature due to lack of riparian overstory. Though many of these problems were initially caused by poor timber harvest practices, is it critical that future land use practices allow riparian vegetation to recover.
- Providing wildlife habitat corridors for animals to travel between coastal and inland areas.
Click HERE to download our comment letter.
Come to the hearing June 2 at 1:30, or let you Supervisors know what you think via phone or email:
Rex Bohn, District 1: 476-2391
Estelle Fennell, District 2: 476-2392
Mark Lovelace, District 3: 476-2393
Virginia Bass, District 4: 476-2394
Ryan Sundberg, District 5: 476-2395
To submit a comment on the General Plan Update, email Michael Richardson at
