Sierra Club
Redwood Chapter Newsletter
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Protecting Riparian Habitat | |
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The riparian zone, the fringe of plant and animal life that borders streams and lakes, is fundamental to the health of any natural ecosystem. In Sonoma County, riparian areas along creeks act as a web of living space and connectivity for wildlife and water cleansing and flood control for the watershed. In July, Sonoma County's Planning Commission is scheduled to work on the Open Space and Resources Elements of the new General Plan 2020, the element which includes riparian habitat policies. As population in the county has increased in the past decades, human land uses impinge closer to ever more streams in the county. It is estimated that less than 20% of the county's riparian habitat is left. The present General Plan requires some riparian habitat conservation and good-steward landowners do more on their own property. But the cumulative impacts from increased human use of land next to county streams mean that riparian habitat continues to be lost and water quality to deteriorate. |
County riparian habitat protections badly need updating and strengthening. Stronger policies in the new General Plan have have been recommended by both County staff and the Citizen's Advisory Committee and are supported by many groups and individuals in the county, but there is opposition from the Farm Bureau and some landowners. The Russian River watershed is listed as impaired by the state and its salmon and steelhead are endangered species. Although the watershed's problems are complex and solutions are not easy, increasing protection for riparian zones throughout the watershed is essential to bringing the River back to health. The Sonoma Group is presenting an Environmental Forum on riparian habitat and wildlife protections in the General Plan 2020. The Forum will be June 21, and features a panel of experts from around the county. Be sure to come to this informative and timely event! |