REDWOOD NEEDLES Presented by the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter Newsletter, The REDWOOD NEEDLES Return to Article Menu Sonoma Group Report There’s a lot going on in the Sonoma Group. In addition to regular hikes and other recreation, we have a full slate of activist battles. This is demonstrated by a sampling of items extracted from the agenda of the last ExCom meeting: • Krista Rector, working closely with other Club representatives, and the Friends of the Eel River, filed official comments on the proposed reduction of the diversion of the Eel River through the Potter Valley Project. • David Bannister reported on the (almost) final version of the Vineyard Development (Hillside Protection) Ordinance that was subsequently adopted by the County Supervisors. This ordinance is only the first of many steps necessary to protect the environment from irresponsible agricultural practices, but it is a critical first step. • Will McAfee reported on an inspection of a proposed Timber Harvest Plan on Willow Creek. This watershed has suffered heavily over the years from poor practices by the previous owner (Louisiana-Pacific). Whether the new owner (Mendocino Redwood Company) will behave more responsibly remains to be seen, but Will will remain attentive to the issue. • Paul Jensen reported on wastewater disposal options at Monte Rio. On this issue, we postponed any decision pending imminent release of an EIR. • Relying on the guidance of Keith Kaulum, we discussed proposed expansion of quarry gravel mining, and the possibility that greater availability of quarry gravel would facilitate eventual elimination of river extraction. Quarry mining also exacts an environmental cost. The ExCom took no official position until more information can be gathered. By and large, a small group of dedicated volunteers are covering all the bases, but we’re extremely thin in spots. As a result, some important issues go by the wayside. In addition to the four main activist committees that existed previously, (Land Use, Water, Forestry, and Transportation), we have a newly invigorated Population Committee under the direction of Jerry Kohl. We need volunteers in all these areas. Linda Price has accepted the challenge of re-establishing regular Group General Meetings. We hope that by re-establishing these meetings, we can increase the activity level of our membership. As one of the ongoing series of General Meetings, last week featured a presentation of the Club’s salmon recovery campaign (“Rules for Recovery”). As explained by the Club representative, this campaign is only a general template. If it is to be useful locally, we will have to adapt it to reflect the salmon threats and the politics that are unique to Sonoma County. What can you do to be more involved? Here are some suggestions, roughly increasing in level of commitment: • You can sign up for the Sonoma Alerts e-mail list. Through this moderated e-mail list, you can get up to date reports of developing political issues. The instructions for adding yourself to the list are found on the second page of the Needles. You can also ask Tom Devlin in the office to add your name. • You can write letters and make phone calls when we need to remind elected officials what their constituents want. (The Sonoma Alerts list is becoming one of our main vehicles to “get the word out” in an emergency.) • You can visit the next Group ExCom meeting. Meetings are consistently on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 pm at the Environmental Center, 632 5th Street, Downtown Santa Rosa. The next meeting will be June 14. Visiting an ExCom meeting is an excellent way to get an overview of how the Group works and where you might find a niche. • You can contact our Conservation Committee Chair, Keith Kaulum. Tell him where you would like to be of service and he’ll see that you get plugged in. In general, we need activists who will adopt an issue and acquire the depth of understanding that will make them a permanent resource for the Group. We look forward to seeing more of you at our General Meetings, and at our ExCom Meetings. Thanks. &emdash;Peter Ashcroft, Chair, Sonoma Group   Return to Article Menu Last updated on 3/02/99 Comments or suggestions? Drop us a line at heyneedles@aol.com