REDWOOD NEEDLES Presented by the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Newsletter, The REDWOOD NEEDLES Return to Article Menu Sonoma Group Report: Hillside Protection In The Works By David Bannister, Sonoma Group Chair The Sonoma Group has initiated a push, along with Sonoma County Conservation Action (SCCA) for some regulatory protection for County streams and hillsides. The problem is that as land runs out for development (whether housing, vineyards, or other) on the plains and even moderately sloped hillsides, developers are looking to steeper and steeper hillsides. The deleterious impact of this includes: loss of habitat for native plants and wildlife, soil erosion and the siltation of creeks and streams (destroying steelhead and coho spawning grounds), increased speed of rain runoff which increases peak flows and flooding, and reduction of water infiltration and ground water recharging (this reduces summertime flows in creeks and streams which are critical to fish survival). You may have already seen some publicity on this issue; expect more. We have organized a coalition of concerned environmentalists and this coalition includes most of the major environmental organizations in the County. The coalition has been meeting to examine the problem and explore what we think is needed as a solution. Napa County has had an Erosion Control Ordinance since 1991. During that time erosion of soil into streams has gone down nearly 70%. The plan at this point is to see if our coalition can get agreement from responsible members of the agriculture community on some controls; if we can then we'll ask the supervisors to enact them. At the same time in case that fails, we'll also be working on a ballot initiative for next year's elections. What you can do: contact your supervisor either verbally or in writing and tell him that you are concerned about this issue and want to see something done. Sonoma County Board of Supervisors 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa, 95403, 527-2241. Return to Article Menu Last updated on 12/6/97 Comments or suggestions? Drop us a line at heyneedles@aol.com