Sierra Club
Redwood Chapter Newsletter
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Napa Group Report Elisabeth Frater | |
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Napa County has just received a preliminary report that has a great environmental impact. The report, known as the Baseline Data Report, offers detailed information about land use, population and housing, jobs and transportation. It is anticipated that the findings could have a bearing on the growth of vineyards and wineries and other projects in Napa County. A corollary to the report is the recent selection of the county's General Plan Steering Committee whose members will get a detailed presentation of the Baseline Data Report later this summer. By state law, a General Plan must address at least seven "elements", or topics: circulation (traffic), safety and seismic safety, conservation, housing, land use, noise and open space. Carol Kunze, the chair of the Napa Group executive committee, was one of the persons |
appointed by the Napa Board of Supervisors to oversee the development and refinement of the General Plan. Kunze does not represent the Sierra Club on this committee, instead she serves as a citizen environmentalist. Of note, a report performed by the Regional Water Quality Control Board about the health of the Napa River was just released. The Total Maximum Daily Load - or TMDL - reports, examine two problems the Napa River faces, excess fine sediment and the presence of pathogens, or disease-causing bacteria. In the coming months the public will have the opportunity to comment on the reports in community meetings or by submitting written comments. |