Sierra Club
Redwood Chapter Newsletter
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Napa Group Report Elisabeth Frater | |
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Saving Lake Berryessa by restoring it to a family-friendly, nature-based area with accommodations for the public is one of our highest priorities this month. The latest threat is that the public comment period has been re-opened to give trailer owners an opportunity to argue that private vacation sites are economically vital to concession operations and the local area. Nothing could be farther from the truth. What the government proposes for Lake Berryessa, and what the Napa Group supports, is redevelopment that would create nature-based recreation facilities, including a 150 mile shoreline trail, kayak launch areas, quiet zones, cabins and campgrounds, swimming areas, nature presentations, everything that surveys indicate California residents want in an outdoor recreation area. We have until April 4, 2005 to tell the government that we don't want to subsidize this recreation area any longer. You can write to the Bureau of Reclamation by email (jsierzputowski@mp.usbr.gov), fax (916-978-5114) or regular mail: Ms. Janet Sierzputowski, Bureau of Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way, MP-140 Sacramento, CA 9582). More information can be found on our website at www.redwood.sierraclub.org/napa/conservation/lakeberry/. The Napa County General Plan Update is another high profile issue for the Napa Group. The County is jump-starting the two to three year process by seeking public input with a series of town hall meetings. ExCom members are active participants at the meetings, both to voice opinions, and to gauge current public concerns. What we've been hearing from meeting attendees is a will to preserve our rural ambience and agricultural land protections, concerns over water and transportation issues, and the sense that we should be attempting to diversify our wine-based economy. Radical "property rights" advocates are also at the meetings, stressing their wish to limit government regulation - which would certainly hamper efforts at environmental protection. |
The General Plan Update information can be found at the Napa County website, www.co.napa.ca.us. Grand plans are underway to honor our latest recipient of the Earl Thollander Environmental Award winnerMike Rippey on April 23, 2005. This environmental hero has waged many battles including the prevention of a landfill in Lynch Canyon east of American Canyon. This space is now the Newell Open Space Preserve. Mike has also taken a leadership on several boards and state organizations promoting the conservation of land and waterways. As a Napa County Supervisor he led the Flood District in creating a nationally recognized river flood management and restoration project. He also deserves credit for our new solar-powered Sheriff's facility. Please look for our ad in this Redwood Needles and join our celebration at the Yountville Community Center. Tickets are $50 per person. Finally, Marc Pandone, Napa Group ExCom officer, was awarded a Blue Ribbon in the category "Humanity In The Marsh" at the Mare Island Flyway Festival Art Exhibit last January. He has also been invited to participate in Napa Valley Museum's upcoming juried exhibit, Northern Views: California Painting in Plein Air Tradition. The exhibition dates are April 9th through June 19th. |