Sierra Club
Redwood Chapter Newsletter
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Lake Group Report Victoria Brandon | |
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Cache Creek Progress Report AB1328, Lois Wolk's bill designating portions of Cache Creek a State Wild and Scenic River, is getting close to becoming law. After negotiating changes protecting the county's future water rights, the Lake County Board of Supervisors reversed its initial opposition, although their official - and unanimous - endorsement didn't come until June 7, after the June 2 Assembly vote. The whole board deserves our thanks, as does Assemblywoman Patty Berg, who spoke eloquently on behalf of AB1328 as well as voting for it. The bill then moved to the State Senate, where it passed the Natural Resources Committee on June 21. Approval by the full Senate is virtually certain, with only the Governor's assent remaining in doubt. Unfortunately the Senate committee split along strict party lines, and despite the overwhelming display of local support in Yolo as well as Lake County he might veto it as a gesture of partisan solidarity. So we're specifically asking the Republicans among our members to make their voices heard where they speak the loudest: within party lines. The bad news is that most of the North Fork has been left out, and rather than risk passage of the full measure we've stopped pressing for its inclusion at this time. But that does NOT mean that we've given up on this angling paradise: next year we expect to expand our informational campaign among North Fork residents, and to focus on persuading Patty Berg to introduce a "North Fork Wild and Scenic" bill in the next session of the legislature. |
Provinsalia: Swank or Sprawl In Clearlake? A 720-unit upscale subdivision and nine-hole golf course is proposed for a 300 acre site bordering Cache Creek in the southeast corner of the City of Clearlake. This land is still wild, its interlaced grass and woodland habitat home to bear, mountain lions, river otters, and countless birds. It contains vernal pools, archeological sites, and endangered species. The developers intend to substitute big houses on little lots. Traffic would increase drastically, as would demand for water and other services; the golf course (the county's sixth) would require the usual heavy applications of fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides in a location that drains directly into the Creek; 1500 mature oak trees would be demolished. And so forth. An Environmental Impact Report is now being prepared, based on a Specific Plan that was filed with the City of Clearlake (which has to rezone the property before anything can happen) in March. Many individuals and groups (including both the Lake Group and the California Oak Foundation) have submitted Comment Letters, and intend to continue their active involvement in the CEQA process. BOS Endorses Wilderness Bill After three years of effort, coordinated by the California Wilderness Coalition and spearheaded locally by Lake Group Wilderness Chair Steve Devoto, we won! On April 26 Supervisors Robey, Lewis, and Farrington voted to endorse HR233, Mike Thompson's Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Act. Now to persuade Representative Pombo to hold hearings! |