The Water That Flows Through Us

Chris Malan

Did you know that Napa County is one of the richest biological regions in

the world? Did you know that the Napa River has more aquatic diversity than

any other recorded River on the Pacific Northwest to date? But for how long

will we enjoy a rich and diverse landscape? Dr. Reed Noss, expert scientist

hired by the Sierra Club states, "Napa County is situated in one of the

biologically richest regions in North America. The terrestrial ecoregion it

occupies is the California Interior Chaparral and Woodland Ecoregion, which,

on the basis of a major continental and global conservation assessment, is

considered globally outstanding in terms of its biological distinctiveness,

with many species found no where else."

In the last 10 years our special place is transforming to pavement and

clear cutting of hillsides and wildlands before our eyes. Biologist and

environmentalist are scrambling to prevent sterilization of our landscapes,

mass pollution of our River and contamination and depletion of our

groundwater aquifers.

The Pacific coast and especially the San Francisco Bay estuary region is

under tremendous population influx with many people leaving and moving north

to escape high rent in the metropolis. In the next few years San Francisco

will see over 14 million people move into the region. Habitat destruction and

alteration are the major land-use trends that threaten biodiversity. We are

lucky in Napa to enjoy a rural character with strict agricultural land

zoning on the valley floor and 160 - acre minimum parcel sizes in the county.

In less than 10 years over 1,000 clear-cut projects have occurred in the

hillsides for vineyards. There are over 110 clear-cut projects scheduled for

next year pending CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) review. To our

best research and knowledge Napa County Planning Department has never turned

down a hillside agricultural project. The Napa County Planning Department is

barraged with angry, demanding, (due to new CEQA procedures imposed by the

Sierra Club last year through a series of successful lawsuits) developers

coming from all over the world to grow vines in the hillsides of Napa County.

Since 1970 when we saw a rapid increase in forest conversions (from forest to

agriculture) our River also experienced a raise of pollution (sediment,

fertilizer and bacteria from human, cattle and horse feces) and rapid decline

in aquatic life. Coho Salmon have all put disappeared. Chinook and Steelhead

are on the brink of extinction. Many other species such as the red-legged

frog, spotted owls and the pond turtle are holding on to life on our corner

of the earth begging for help from caring souls.

If you would like to help save Napa County from too much development and

return our River to a 'Living River' please get involved in land use issues.

Regional planning of our landscapes, careful zoning of wildlands and

pollution control of discharges must be implemented. Our legacy should be one

of learning to live sustainably and with respect for the creatures and land

around us, beneath our feet, and the water that flows through us.